Sunday 19 June 2022 | The culture of "I"

Second Sunday after Pentecost Theme: Race, class or gender divide us – is there the unity of God’s love? COLLECT God of all the nations: when race, class or gender divide us convict us with your presence and draw us all into the unity of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. READING from 1 Kings 19: 1-15 King Ahab told his wife Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had put all the prophets of Baal to death. 2 She sent a message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, 4 Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It's too much, Lord,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!” READING Romans Galatians 3: 23-29 23 But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed. 24 And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith. 25 Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us. 26 It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. 27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. 28 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. GOSPEL according to Luke 8: 26-39 26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. BENEDICTION As we prepare to leave And embrace the challenges Of our lives and of the world Let us ask for God’s blessings May God bless us with strength To seek justice. Amen May God bless us with wisdom To care for our earth. Amen May God bless us with love To bring forth new life. Amen In the name of God, the maker of the whole world, Of Jesus, our new covenant, And the Holy Spirit, who opens eyes and hearts. Amen God in peace and be witnesses to hope. Thanks be to God.