Welcome
Friends, you are welcome in this place as I am welcome. Our time together is God’s gift to each of us. We come with what we know of and have experienced in life, we come seeking to discover what we don’t yet know about God and God’s hopes and dreams for our lives. Whether we believe or don’t believe, whether we know much or not at all, all are welcome. We declare in Jesus’ name that this is a safe physical, emotional and spiritual environment for all who search for meaning and purpose in life.
Together let us seek to be Christ’s light and salt in the world. So welcome.
Acknowledgement of Country
We worship on land that belonged to others and has never been ceded. Others worshipped here, met here and fellowshipped, ate and drank, told stories, explored the Dreaming. We seek to honour the history by treading gently, mindful of past traditions and acknowledge the Dharawal people, their leaders past, present and emerging. In these present times especially, we would do well to steward and care for lands everywhere for the sake of all children’s children.
Lighting the candle
We light a candle to remind us of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World
May Christ’s light shine within us and through us.
Hymn (short intro)
Father all loving,
who rulest in majesty,
judgement is thine,
and condemneth our pride;
stir up our leaders
and peoples to penitence,
sorrow for sins that
for vengeance have cried.
Blessed Lord Jesus,
who camest in poverty,
sharing a stable
with beasts at thy birth,
stir us to work
for thy justice and charity,
truly to care
for the poor of the earth.
Come, Holy Spirit,
create in us holiness,
lift up our lives
to thy standard of right;
stir every will
to new ventures of faithfulness,
flood the whole Church
with thy glorious light.
Holiest Trinity, perfect in unity,
bind in thy love
every nation and race;
may we adore thee
for time and eternity,
Father, Redeemer,
and Spirit of grace.
Call to worship
Barechu
Confession
For our foolish or careless use of the gifts of your creation:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
For our indifference to the needs of others,
Our brothers and sisters for whom you died:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
For our neglect of the means of grace,
For superficial worship, for selfish prayer:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Because our personal sins grieve you
And hurt other people:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Because our social sins hold others
In bondage and oppression:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Because you grant us the joy of forgiveness
Whenever we return to you in genuine repentance:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Absolution
This is the best of all:
When we are empty, God fills us;
When we are disheartened, God is compassionate;
When we are wounded, God brings healing;
When we confess our sin, God forgives.
In Christ, through Christ and because of Christ,
Our sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God
You refill the cup of life, O God.
In Christ, we find refuge and strength.
Readings Isaia 61:1-2 and Luke 4 14-21
Prayers for others
Hymn
We cannot measure how You heal
or answer every sufferer’s prayer,
yet we believe your grace responds
where faith and doubt unite to care.
Your hands, though bloodied on the cross,
survive to hold and heal and warn,
to carry all through death to life
and cradle children yet unborn.
The pain that will not go away,
the guilt that clings from things long past,
the fear of what the future holds,
are present as if meant to last.
But present too is love which tends
the hurt we never hoped to find,
the private agonies inside,
the memories that haunt the mind.
So some have come who need Your help
and some have come to make amends,
as hands which shaped and saved the world
are present in the touch of friends.
Lord, let Your Spirit meet us here
to mend the body, mind and soul,
to disentangle peace from pain
and make Your broken people whole.
John Bell, Iona Community. Tune: Ye banks and braes
Sermon: Our guest speaker Dr Sureka Goringe, director of Uniting World (scroll up to see YouTube video of sermon from 2.35)
Offertory
We thank and praise you for all your gifts to us. May we be wise stewards. We offer our money, time and talents to be used to further the work of your kingdom here on earth.
Hymn
When our Lord walked the earth,
All the world found its worth;
As declared at his birth,
God became our neighbour,
Granting, with his favour,
Power to speak and heal,
Grace to know what’s real,
Wisdom, insight and faith,
Love and understanding.
Through his life, through his death,
Through each gesture and breath,
Jesus joined faith and deed,
Model for our caring,
Showing and yet sharing
Power to speak…..
Jesus loves all his friends
And that love never ends;
To his Church gifts he sends
Through the Holy Spirit.
These we still inherit:
Power to speak…..
Sing and smile and rejoice,
Clap your hands, raise your voice;
For, with unnerving choice,
God, in Christ, has found us
And displays around us
Power to speak…..
©1987 WGRG, Iona Community, Govan, Glasgow G51 3UU, Scotland
Dismissal
Lord, as we leave this place this morning we thank you for all we have gained from our fellowship together, and our learning and worship. During this week, as we go about our daily lives, may we be mentally straightened to glorify you. When we feel bent over, eyes cast down by uncertainty or sadness, give us the Spirit of healing and hope that we may look up and praise you. Stretching and reaching out with joy and certainty of faith and the resurrection of hope, when all things will be made new and whole. May our straitened attitude give others encouragement. May our mentally straightened mind body be fit to serve you as we are able.
Blessing
And the blessing of God our Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us now and throughout the week ahead. Amen
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