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Welcome to our series
on Resilience
What is resilience?
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus
Christ
be with you
and also with you.
Hymn: Be thou my vision
https://youtu.be/6CMclLT_Hjg
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are
open,
all desires known,
and from whom no
secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of
our hearts
by the inspiration of
your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly
love you,
and worthily magnify
your holy name;
through Christ our
Lord.
Amen.
All have sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which
divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
FATHER FORGIVE
The covetous desires of
people and nations to possess what is not their own,
FATHER FORGIVE
The greed which
exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
FATHER FORGIVE
Our envy of the welfare
and happiness of others,
FATHER FORGIVE
Our indifference to the
plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
FATHER FORGIVE
The lust which
dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
FATHER FORGIVE
The pride which leads
us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
FATHER FORGIVE
Be kind to one another,
tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Song: God forgave my
sin https://youtu.be/8vhMfCJzXqk
The Collect
Faithful Creator,
whose mercy never
fails:
deepen our faithfulness
to you
and to your living
Word,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
First Reading Ruth
1:1-13, 16-20
Narrator: 1 1-2 Long ago, in the days
before Israel had a king, there was a famine in the land. So a man named
Elimelech, who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in
Judah, went with his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion to live
for a while in the country of Moab. While they were living there, 3 Elimelech
died, and Naomi was left alone with her two sons, 4 who
married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. About ten years later 5 Mahlon
and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons.
6 Some time later Naomi
heard that the Lord had blessed his people by giving them good crops;
so she got ready to leave Moab with her daughters-in-law. 7 They
started out together to go back to Judah, but on the way 8 she
said to them,
Naomi: “Go back home and stay with your
mothers. May the Lord be as good to you as you have been to me and to
those who have died. 9 And may
the Lord make it possible for each of you to marry again and have a
home.”
Narrator: So Naomi kissed them good-bye. But they started crying 10 and
said to her,
Ruth and Orpah: “No! We will go with you to your people.”
Naomi 11 “You must go back, my
daughters,”
“Why do you want to
come with me? Do you think I could have sons again for you to marry? 12 Go
back home, for I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought there was
still hope, and so got married tonight and had sons, 13 would
you wait until they had grown up? Would this keep you from marrying someone
else? No, my daughters, you know that's impossible. The Lord has
turned against me, and I feel very sorry for you.”
Ruth “Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I
will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and
your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I
will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord's worst
punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!”
Narrator 18 When Naomi saw that
Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.
19 They went on until they
came to Bethlehem. When they arrived, the whole town became excited, and the
women there exclaimed,
All “Is this really Naomi?”
Naomi 20 “Don't call me Naomi,”
“call me Marah, because Almighty God has made my life bitter. 21 When
I left here, I had plenty, but the Lord has brought me back without a
thing. Why call me Naomi when the Lord Almighty has condemned me and
sent me trouble?”
Song: My Jesus my
saviour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGmZcTCXjmM
Second Reading: Ruth
4:1-7,13-17
4 Boaz went to the
meeting place at the town gate and sat down there. Then Elimelech's nearest
relative, the man whom Boaz had mentioned, came by, and Boaz called to him,
“Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. 2 Then
Boaz got ten of the leaders of the town and asked them to sit down there too.
When they were seated, 3 he said to his relative,
“Now that Naomi has come back from Moab, she wants to sell the field that
belonged to our relative Elimelech, 4 and I think
you ought to know about it. Now then, if you want it, buy it in the presence of
these men sitting here. But if you don't want it, say so, because the right to
buy it belongs first to you and then to me.”
The man said, “I will
buy it.”
5 Boaz said, “Very well,
if you buy the field from Naomi, then you are also buying Ruth, the
Moabite widow, so that the field will stay in the dead man's family.”
6 The man answered, “In
that case I will give up my right to buy the field, because it would mean that
my own children would not inherit it. You buy it; I would rather not.”
7 Now in those days, to
settle a sale or an exchange of property, it was the custom for the seller to
take off his sandal and give it to the buyer. In this way the Israelites showed
that the matter was settled.
13 So Boaz took Ruth home
as his wife. The Lord blessed her, and she became pregnant and had a
son. 14 The women said to Naomi, “Praise
the Lord! He has given you a grandson today to take care of you. May the
boy become famous in Israel! 15 Your
daughter-in-law loves you, and has done more for you than seven sons. And now
she has given you a grandson, who will bring new life to you and give you
security in your old age.” 16 Naomi took the child,
held him close, and took care of him.
17 The women of the
neighbourhood named the boy Obed. They told everyone, “A son has been born to
Naomi!”
Obed became the father
of Jesse, who was the father of David.
Reading Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irThVpdeSXk
Sermon:
Last week we looked at
Nehemiah, the dynamic leader who faced a seemingly impossible tasks and much
opposition- but he got to work with God’s people and rebuilt the walls of
Jerusalem. He had a clear sense of purpose and call- that gave him resilience;
he prayed with patience; he stood up to those who oppose him and God.
This week in contrast
we have Ruth.
The book of Ruth is a
very beautiful story- a much more personal account of one family’s troubles and
two women’s strength in seeing them through.
It’s also a story about
crossing barriers…
Ruth’s not even an Israelite
but a foreigner from Moab - and the Israelites and Moabites didn’t always get
on.
She’d married into an
Israelite family because, as there was a famine in Israel, they had moved into
Moab and settled there.
Naomi and Elimelech who
were from God’s people, had moved to another country as they were in need and made
a new life there. They were in a sense, economic migrants, refugees, looking to
survive and build a better life. Sadly, it didn’t work out well for them.
Though Naomi and her
husband Elimelech, did have 2 sons, who settled and married in Moab, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion all died. So their new
life was marred by tragedy. As a widow, Naomi was particularly vulnerable- she
was totally dependent on her husband to provide for her. If he died, then she
relied on her sons. As they were gone too- there was no-one! There were no jobs
for women on their own- and she had
little choice but to try and go back to her original home. There are rumours
that the famine is now over- there is food again in Israel.
Naomi would have been
expected to make journey alone. Her two daughters in law could have stayed in
their own country and found new husbands to take care of them. Orpah decides to
stay. But Ruth insists on going with her grieving mother-in-law and friend.
Ruth has crossed a
barrier.
Ruth makes this great
proclamation.
Wherever you go, I’ll
go. Your people shall be my people, your God my God.
Ruth is leaving her
country, her people and her previous religion- she risks exploitation (she
hasn’t got a man to protect her), hardship (she’s got no money) and prejudice
(she’s a foreigner).
Ruth’s name means
friendship- she has committed herself to Naomi- they are bound together in
their tragedy and loss.
And it doesn’t sound
like Naomi was that easy to love either.
When she gets back to
Bethlehem, she tells her people not to call her Naomi any more- it meant
pleasant but to call her Marah which means bitter. God has made my life
bitter. Naomi is sad and depressed.
So far our story is
difficult- going from one set of hard circumstances to another.
There is a thread of
hope here too. It’s in the word Hebrew word is Hesed meaning love
and faithfulness.
Naomi, sad though she
is, prays for Ruth and Orpah - may God be good to you or deal kindly with you
as you have done with me. She asks for God’s love and faithfulness to continue
to them.
Once back in Israel,
Naomi regains some hope too - she praises God for his faithfulness once she sees
that Boaz may help them.
And Ruth stands out
like a shining light. Ruth’s love and commitment are extraordinary - it’s been
recognised though she’s a foreigner in Israel, that she, Ruth, has shown hesed,
love and faithfulness to Naomi.
If we are thinking
about resilience, then Ruth and Naomi’s story shows us what difference love and
support make. Naomi, even in the height of her grief, prays for God’s love and
faithfulness; she wants the best for Ruth and Orpah.
Ruth can’t change her
circumstances or Naomi’s sorrow, but she can support Naomi. Her action reflects
back to Naomi that love which Naomi has shown her and Ruth continues with her,
even when it might have been easier to abandon Naomi.
And through it all,
God’s love and faithfulness is here in the midst of the tragedy and pain and
uncertainty. It so happens that Ruth goes to pick grain from Boaz’s fields and
only once she returns at night does Naomi recognise that this man is a close
relative of her dead husband - someone who could help them.
It’s because of Ruth’s
character- her actions towards Naomi, that makes Boaz notice her and want to marry
her.
Love wins the day!
When we are thinking
about what makes us strong or resilient to withstand difficulty, tragedy or ongoing
struggles- love and support are key.
Perhaps we’re the
people who are doing OK at the moment- who are those we can keep an eye on, be
in touch with, pray for or provide practical help?
We are sharing the love
and faithfulness that God gives us.
Perhaps we’re the ones
who are carrying heavy burdens, struggling and needing support ourselves. Who are
we connected to?
Can we ask for that
help?
We’ve got some great
examples of that ongoing support going on here at St Catherine’s. But it
reminds us that we need to build those relationships, make those connections
now. It’s so much easier to ask for help or to give support to those we’re
already connected to.
So let’s keep connected
to the God who loves us throughout all the ups and downs of life. Let’s keep
connected to each other- all of the time.
And a final surprising
thing. Here again we find the boundless grace of God. This faithful foreign
woman, born into the people who were seen as God’s enemies not only becomes one
of God’s people but is someone really important.
Ruth marries Boaz, whose
son is Obed, whose son is Jesse whose son is David- that’s right, King David.
And David is the ancestor of Jesus.
God uses the faithful
love of this foreign woman and she becomes an intrinsic part of his plan. Both
Naomi and Ruth cross actual land barriers but also barriers of language and culture
and religion. Ruth is welcomed back into the fellowship of God’s people and
because they do this, they gain someone who becomes an ancestor of David.
So as we think about
refugee week, who might we be welcoming here who becomes someone significant in
our story, in our land?
The Creed
Do you believe and
trust in God the Father,
source of all being and
life,
the one for whom we
exist?
We believe and trust in
him.
Do you believe and
trust in God the Son,
who took our human
nature,
died for us and rose
again?
We believe and trust in
him.
Do you believe and
trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the
people of God
and makes Christ known
in the world?
We believe and trust in
him.
This is the faith of
the Church.
This is our faith.
We believe and trust in
one God,
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
Amen.
Our Prayers
The Peace
The peace of God be
always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one
another a sign of peace
Song: I the Lord of Sea
and Sky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zr9SMm1glI
Holy Communion
The Lord is here
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the
Lord.
Let us give thanks to
the Lord our God.
It is right to give
thanks and praise.
It is right to praise
you, Father, Lord of all creation;
in your love you made
us for yourself.
When we turned away
you did not reject us,
but came to meet us in
your Son.
You embraced us as your
children
and welcomed us to sit
and eat with you.
In Christ you shared
our life
that we might live in
him and he in us.
He opened his arms of
love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was
betrayed,
at supper with his
friends he took bread, and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it
to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my
body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in
remembrance of him:
his body is the bread
of life.
At the end of supper,
taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and
said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the
new covenant,
which is shed for you
for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in
remembrance of him: his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his
death and celebrate his rising in glory,
send your Holy Spirit
that this bread and this wine may be
to us the body and
blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink
these holy gifts
make us one in Christ,
our risen Lord.
With your whole Church
throughout the world, we offer you this sacrifice of praise
and lift our voice to
join the eternal song of heaven:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are
full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily
bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who
sin against us.
Lead us not into
temptation
but deliver us from
evil.
For the kingdom, the
power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
We break this bread
to share in the body of
Christ.
Though we are many, we
are one body,
because we all share in
one bread.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our
sins,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the
world,
grant us peace.
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our
Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he
shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he
died for you,
and feed on him in your
hearts
by faith with
thanksgiving.
Prayer of Spiritual
Communion
Thanks be to you, Lord
Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits
you have given me,
for all the pains and
insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now
receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually
into my heart.
O most merciful
redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more
clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more
nearly, day by day. Amen
Song: Beauty for Brokenness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kVHKuldZyw
Almighty God,
we thank you for
feeding us
with the body and blood
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer
you our souls and bodies, to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the
power of your Spirit
to live and work to
your praise and glory.
Amen.
The Blessing
God the Holy Trinity
make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every
side,
and guide you in truth
and peace;
and the blessing of God
Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit
be with you now and
remain with you always
Amen
Song: Rescuer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daRIMfeAIhI
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and
serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen