Welcome
Acknowledgement of country
As we gather this morning to worship on Dharawal land, let us acknowledge and remember the first nations peoples who also gathered, lived, cared for and worshiped on this land. We acknowledge the great sorrows and injustices brought on the Dharawal peoples through the past and present actions and inactions of the church, the government and the society in which we live. We seek forgiveness.
Lighting the Christ Candle
This candle reminds us of Christ Jesus, the light of the world.
We are drawn to the light.
Christ, the light clarifies our thoughts.
Christ the light brightens our darkest days.
Christ the light points us in his way.
Let us be willing to humbly follow the light wherever it leads.
Call to worship
Mighty and merciful God,
you have led your pilgrim people through centuries past
and are calling us to serve you today.
You have blessed us with gifts of the Holy Spirit.
You have given leaders to your Church
who have guided us with courage and insight.
Despite the failings of your Church, you continue to claim us for yourself,
to renew our faith and to send us out to a world in need.
We ask that you will strengthen our work for justice and peace;
that you will help us minister to the poor and distressed,
the lonely and alienated, the confused and despairing.
May your Spirit of truth and love be our guide,
that we may be a faithful servant Church,
giving of ourselves and all we have
as Jesus gave himself for us. Amen.
Hymn 1 Be Still for the presence of the Lord
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The holy One, is here;
Come bow before him now
With reverence and fear
In him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The holy One, is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around;
He burns with holy fire,
With splendour he is crowned:
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant king of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place:
He comes to cleanse and heal,
To minister his grace –
No work too hard for him.
In faith receive from him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.
Songwriters: David Evans
Prayer of confession
For hatreds between peoples,
for violence among nations,
for breakdowns in civility,
for the lack of compassion we pray.
Lord, hear our prayer
For estrangement within families,
for tensions among neighbours, we pray.
Lord, hear our prayer
For divisions in the Christian church,
For conflict within our community,
we pray
Lord, hear our prayer
For our inner struggles with an inflated ego,
or deflated self-worth, we pray.
Lord, hear our prayer
Amen.
Words of affirmation
Hear the promise of God.
through all these times, amidst all these conditions,
God offers the Spirit’s abundant, transformative power
for our companion, guide, and hope.
Thanks be to God!
Bible Readings. Richard and Jan
Isaiah 55:1-9.
Luke 13:1-9
Song to reflect on: ‘Something Good’ by Luke Vassella
https://lukevassella.bandcamp.com/album/something-good
Sermon/Reflection: John McK
Prayers of the People: Peter
Offering Prayer: Loraine
Hymn 3: O Love that will not let me go.
1 O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in you.
I give you back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
2 O Light that follows all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to you.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
3 O Joy that seeks me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to you.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.
4 O Cross that lifts up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from you.
I lay in dust, life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red,
life that shall endless be.
Blessing/Benediction
A Franciscan Benediction
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,
half -truths, superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice,
oppression and exploitation,
so that you will work for justice, equity and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed
for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war,
so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them, and change their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with the foolishness to think
that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.
Amen.
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