This short act of worship has been prepared for you. I invite you to share in a few moments with God knowing that other people within Paulton, Trinity and Chew Stoke Methodist Churches are sharing this act of worship with you.
Revd Martin Slocombe
Opening words
‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Hymn – Great is thy faithfulness www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou for ever wilt be:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love:
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Thomas O. Chisholm (1866–1960)
Prayer
Holy God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer in life and love and hope. In the creative cover of darkness, you formed your creation until the time when your light burst forth, illuminating the beauty, vibrancy and wonder of all that you have made. May we, your beloved people, encounter you in the spectacular and in the mundane. Ever-creating God, meet afresh with us this morning as we are united in worship wherever we are.
God of transformation, in love you sent your Son to live among your people, to enter the frailty of human flesh. Befriending the ‘wrong’ sort of people, Jesus, powerfully proclaimed your message. Jesus demonstrated the depth and breadth of your great love, love too strong to be bound and held by death, love that burst forth from a tomb with the rising sun. In this time of challenge, of fear and uncertainty, encourage us to look for signs of you at work all around us.
Holy God, we come also to ask your forgiveness... for the times we have excluded others because they are different to us ….. for not reflecting your love …. for not forgiving as you forgive …..
time of quiet prayer
Our liberating God of love, hope and peace calls us afresh to serve in the work of the kingdom, forgives us in Christ, renews, inspires and enables us through the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven people.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
As we continue our journey through the book of Ruth this month, I am encouraging you to read one complete chapter each week. This week we concentrate on Chapter 3 where Ruth and Boaz meet at the threshing floor. I have included all of Chapter 3 in our reading for this week.
Ruth 3
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing-Floor
3Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ‘My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. 2Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing-floor. 3Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing-floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.’ 5She said to her, ‘All that you tell me I will do.’
6 So she went down to the threshing-floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. 7When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came quietly and uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! 9He said, ‘Who are you?’ And she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.’ 10He said, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, do not be afraid; I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman. 12But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. 13Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do so. If he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning.’
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before one person could recognize another; for he said, ‘It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing-floor.’ 15Then he said, ‘Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out.’ So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley, and put it on her back; then he went into the city.16She came to her mother-in-law, who said, ‘How did things go with you,my daughter?’ Then she told her all that the man had done for her,17saying, ‘He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, “Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.” ’ 18She replied, ‘Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.’
Matthew 20: 1-16
The Labourers in the Vineyard
20‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same.6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
The story of Ruth is set around the harvest, and we are reminded of the wonder of God’ provision. Our next hymn is therefore a harvest hymn.
Hymn – To thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQwXPNg8D7Y
1 To thee, O Lord, our hearts we raise
in hymns of adoration,
to thee bring sacrifice of praise
with shouts of exultation.
Bright robes of gold the fields adorn,
the hills with joy are ringing,
the valleys stand so thick with corn
that even they are singing.
2 And now, on this our festal day,
thy bounteous hand confessing,
before thee thankfully we lay
the first-fruits of thy blessing.
By thee thy children’s souls are fed
with gifts of grace supernal;
thou who dost give us earthly bread,
give us the bread eternal.
3 We bear the burden of the day,
and often toil seems dreary;
but labour ends with sunset ray,
and rest comes for the weary.
May we, the angel-reaping o’er,
stand at the last accepted,
Christ’s golden sheaves for evermore
to garners bright elected.
4 O blessèd is that land of God
where saints abide for ever,
where golden fields spread far and broad,
where flows the crystal river.
The strains of all its holy throng
with ours today are blending;
thrice blessèd is that harvest song
which never has an ending.
William Chatterton Dix (1837–1898)
Reflection –
Are you a little shocked by the modern picture I have used at the beginning of this service, with its rather more explicit suggestion of how our chapter might be read this week? A reading of the story that is not taught in Sunday School – the implied sexual relationship between Ruth and Boaz.
While the first plan, to glean, was Ruth’s idea, this second plan, coming at the end of the harvest, is more desperate. The morality and motivations of the characters remain blurred.
Is Naomi concerned or careless about Ruth’s reputation? Is Ruth a willing participant, or is she being manipulated by Naomi to secure her own wellbeing? Is Boaz the righteous redeemer or the victim of a calculated deception?
Ruth is told to ‘go down’in secret and ‘lie down’ with Boaz. Naomi’s instructions are concerning. Is Ruth to be exploited for the pleasure and gain of Naomi and Boaz? While ‘to lie down’ can mean sleep in the Bible, when a woman is present, it almost always implies sex. Similarly, ‘to uncover’ has a range of meanings, but tends to be used in relation to nakedness. And feet are used elsewhere as a euphemism for genitalia.
Awakened from his drunken sleep, Boaz is confused and remains ‘in the dark’ about what is going on. He struggles to catch sight of Ruth’s face in the darkness. Although she appears to be in control of the situation, Ruth’s vulnerability as a poor foreign woman remains. She asks Boaz to spread his cloak over her, reminding him of his stated wish that she be rewarded by the God ‘under whose wings you have come for refuge’ (2:12), the same word being used for cloak and wing. By asking to be covered by a man’s cloak, Ruth may be proposing marriage, or she may be asking for Boaz to protect her more generally. That she identifies Boaz as her next-of-kin does not help clarify the situation, since even if he were the next-of-kin, Boaz is not obliged to marry her.
Boaz notes that there is a closer kinsman who needs to be consulted before he can act. As elsewhere, he seems concerned to protect his own reputation.
What happens between midnight and morning is left to the reader’s imagination. It may be that the story functions as a reversal of similar stories: while Lot had sex with his daughters; Judah with his daughter-in-law; and David with the wife of Uriah, perhaps the silence suggests Boaz does not take advantage of the situation. Or perhaps we are meant to understand that this sexual encounter is entered into willingly by both parties and will result in marriage and a child. That a child will be the result of the encounter is further suggested by the pouring of grain into Ruth’s cloak, until it fills out.
Once again, Naomi sees in the abundance of grain, hope of a future in which she is satisfied. Just as she will fill her mother-in-law’s arms with a child, here Ruth fills them with food. And with that, Ruth the breadwinner falls silent.
As we read this story, particularly at the present time, we see links to the current struggles of multiculturalism and the rejection of division due to ethnicity, gender or other superficial divides. This story upsets the stereotypes of the day.
- Elimelech and Naomi travel as economic migrants to Moab where their sons are married into the local tribes.
- Naomi returns to her land, taking Ruth who becomes the migrant
- Boaz redeems Ruth despite being a foreigner
- A child is born which unites the tribes, leading to the birth of King David, and ultimately, Jesus.
There are questions of manipulation and exploitation in this chapter, but there is also a story of acceptance, regardless of background. When read in conjunction with the gospel passage, we must reflect on Matthews’ words, “so the last will be first, and the first will be last”. This is not a story about power, but about weakness, and the weakest becoming the ancestor of the greatest.
The story of Ruth calls for us to stand in courage to resist and reject dominance and discrimination today. Resistance is a gift from God for all people of God. Be bold and be strong to stand for the values of the Kingdom of God with no compromise.
Intercessions & Lords Prayer
Almighty God, we come before you this morning with our concerns and prayers for this world. As we think about the story of Ruth, and in particular, the role of Boaz today, we pray for all those in places of power and authority.
We pray for landowners, business managers, and captains of industry … give them business acumen to ensure financial success linked with genuine concern for the welfare of their employees and the wider community. We pray for judges who have to unravel complex moral dilemmas .. give them honesty and wisdom. We pray for politicians whose decisions affect all in society … give them selfless compassion and a deep concern for the weak and vulnerable. We pray for all who are willing to take on the burden of responsibility for others, and the onerous privilege of leadership … give them clarity of thought and faith to fulfil their calling.
We pray for our families and friends, and for all those in need at this present time.
We pray for the churches in our Circuit, this week for Nexus in Bath and their minister, Elizabeth Kirova and for the work of Karen Turner as the student chaplain.
May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hymn – Hear the call of the kingdom www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AI9SBbYhiA
1 Hear the call of the kingdom,
lift your eyes to the King;
let his song rise within you
as a fragrant offering
of how God, rich in mercy,
came in Christ to redeem
all who trust in his unfailing grace.
2 Hear the call of the kingdom
to be children of light
with the mercy of heaven,
the humility of Christ;
walking justly before him,
loving all that is right,
that the life of Christ may shine through us.
King of heaven, we will answer the call.
We will follow, bringing hope to the world,
filled with passion, filled with power to proclaim
salvation in Jesus’ name.
3 Hear the call of the kingdom
to reach out to the lost
with the Father’s compassion
in the wonder of the cross,
bringing peace and forgiveness,
and a hope yet to come:
let the nations put their trust in him.
King of heaven, we will answer the call …
Keith Getty (b. 1974), Kristyn Getty (b. 1980) and Stuart Townend (b. 1963)
Blessing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U
And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and forever more. Amen