5 - 11 June 2010
Worship Together5 - 11 June 2010
Proper 5
1 Kings 17.8-16,(17-24)Context
This week we begin a four-week exploration of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. He appears rather suddenly at 1 Kings 17, during a time of drought and famine, walking into the reign of King Ahab who, under the influence of his wife, Jezebel, has abandoned the Lord and begun to worship Baal, a pagan god.
Common thread – Elijah: Outsider (1 Kings 17.8-16,(17-24))
Elijah, a stranger from another country, begs food from a starving widow who reluctantly feeds him. Miraculously her failing food store lasts out, enabling the widow to feed not only herself and her son but also Elijah. Nevertheless the child deteriorates to the point of death, from which Elijah restores him to life, confirming his credentials as a man of God. The setting of this ancient story readily connects us with the beleaguered sufferers in drought-stricken lands today, urging us, perhaps, to recognise the value of the prophetic character, represented through the ensuing centuries of Judaism by Elijah.
An alternative thread for adults, The good news is revealed!, draws on Galatians 1.11-24.
These resources were first published in Issue 47 May/June 2010.
Lectionary Bible readings for RCL Proper 5 Year C
1 Kings 17.8-16,(17-24)
Psalm 146
Galatians 1.11-24
Luke 7.11-17
Find more resources on these readings
- Proper 5 focused on Galatians 1.11-24 (2007)
- There is no parallel week for 2004