Welcome and Announcements At Engadine Uniting we believe all people are created lovingly and wonderfully in the image of God, and we welcome everyone regardless of race, age, ability, sexuality and gender.
As a Christian Community we believe that God reaches out to us in love and acceptance and that our relationships with each other should express love and respect.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, wherever you’ve come from, wherever you’re going, whatever is in your heart – you are welcome here.
Acknowledgement of country
This land is God’s land and God’s Spirit dwells here. We acknowledge the Dharawal People, traditional custodians of this land under God. We acknowledge the commitment their ancestors made, across the generations, to nurturing this Land.
All: In doing so, we recommit to the path of reconciliation and justice that God lays before us.
Lighting of the Christ Candle/Call to Worship
Come; God is calling us once again into the adventure of faith.
Make sure you bring your love,
bring your patience,
bring your whole heart.
Seek the Lord, seek the Lord’s strength,
seek God’s face now and evermore!
Our God is before us,
inviting us into new possibilities
and participation in Divine Life itself.
Come, let us worship God together.
Prayer Of Invocation/Welcome
Come Holy Spirit,
come to us here and now.
Search our hearts and reveal the things of God to us,
as you carry forth our prayers to God
with sighs too deep for words.
Hymn/Song: Lord of Creation, omitting verse 2 to make a total of 4 verses
Call to worship (Psalm 105:1–5)
Let us join with the psalmist in saying:
Give thanks to Yahweh;
call upon God’s name;
make God’s deeds known to all people!
Sing to God;
dwell on all God’s wondrous works!
Give praise to God’s holy name!
Let the hearts rejoice of all those seeking God!
Pursue God’s strength;
seek God’s face always!
Remember the wondrous works God has done,
all God’s marvellous works, and the justice God declared.
Prayer of adoration and confession
Who will bring charges against God’s chosen ones?
Often it is we ourselves – our own worst enemies and strongest critics.
We are judge and jury.
Merciful God, we confess that in times of self-loathing and in our self-rejection,
we let shame take the driver’s seat when Love is our reality.
Forgive us, God, when we doubt that we are forgiven and embraced by your compassionate and healing love.
Words of Assurance/Affirmation
God put everything on the line for us.
Christ Jesus embraced human condition, died, rose again,
and advocates for us.
Nothing can drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love –
Not death, not life.
Not angels or rulers.
Nothing in the present, nothing in the future.
No height nor depth or any kind of calamity that might come upon us.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
So, know that God is for you. Know that you are forgiven and loved.
Amen.
Cartoon Spot: Display image of Linus and Lucy: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”
Turn to someone near you and describe what this verse means for you.
HEARING THE WORD
Reading 1 (Irene)
Let us pray: God, please open our ears and minds and hearts so that as we hear the words of the Bible, you will speak to us and bring us new life.
Genesis 29:15-22; 25-28 (trigger warning!!)
Laban said to Jacob, “You shouldn’t have to work without pay, just because you are a relative of mine. What do you want me to give you?”
Laban had two daughters. Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes didn’t sparkle, while Rachel was beautiful and had a good figure. Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he answered, “If you will let me marry Rachel, I’ll work seven years for you.”
Laban replied, “It’s better for me to let you marry Rachel than for someone else to have her. So stay and work for me.” Jacob worked seven years for Laban, but the time seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much.
Jacob said to Laban, “The time is up, and I want to marry Rachel now!” So Laban gave a big feast and invited all their neighbours.
The next morning Jacob found out that he had married Leah, and he asked Laban, “Why did you do this to me? Didn’t I work to get Rachel? Why did you trick me?”
Laban replied, “In our country the older daughter must get married first. After you spend this week with Leah, you may also marry Rachel. But you will have to work for me another seven years.”
Reflection: Sue (5mins)
Video clip: As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow here
Reading 2: Irene
Matthew 13:31–33, 44–46
Jesus told them another parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.”
Jesus told them still another parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.”
“The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field. He covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that field.
“Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl.
Reader: Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Reflection: Sue (7mins)
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Hymn: Holy Spirit Go Before Us
Offertory prayer
“Thank you to everyone as you bring your gifts of loving service and financial support through online giving. If you prefer to use cash, it can be placed in the wooden box at the back, and you can also make one-off donations via the QR code on the box. Let us pray:”
Generous God, we bring our diverse gifts.
Let your Holy Spirit breathe life into our serving,
so that all that we do may bring glory to your name. Amen
Prayers of the people Kathy
Hymn/Song: Video Clip: Room at the Table here
Benediction
As we leave this place today,
may you feel God’s love surrounding you,
may you feel God’s peace moving through you,
may you be a partner in God’s vision of justice
and the incoming reign of God today.
Amen.
Benediction Song
Announcements:
Covid safety – Church council have reviewed our policy of asking everyone to wear a face mask when singing, and will no longer make this a requirement.
Hitherto, we have tried our best to adhere to the Covid Guidelines issues by the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, but they have brought that piece of work to a close and refer us to the latest public health advice. That advice currently is to
- Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
- Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and get tested.
- Talk with your doctor if you’re at higher risk of severe illness. You may be eligible for antivirals.
The last item on the list is to “Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places” and although mask-wearing has dropped significantly in most places, it is still very common for people to wear them in order to protect themselves against what other people might have, and to protect other people if they have to be out and about but have a cough or sniffle they don’t want to pass on, even if it’s not Covid.
So, we support everyone who continues to wear a mask at any time or every time; we continue to offer church on zoom so you can stay home anytime and not miss out; and we continue to respect and care for each other as we fellowship together.
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