You can watch the bible readings and sermon here, or scroll down to read the rest of the Sunday prayers and content, and watch this video at the point it occurs during worship.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
We gather on the land of the Dharawal people, land taken by those who came before us because they could – through force of arms, dispossession & disease. We live on this land alongside the descendants of the Dharawal people acknowledging their ownership in ways that our western legal systems do not understand. So, we come in humility acknowledging their elders past and present. We continue to work with them for recognition, for their rightful place in this land called Australia.
WELCOME
We believe all people are made in the image of God and that no matter their experience of life, their gender, sexuality, status or standing in the community they are welcome in this space where Christ Jesus is acknowledged as Lord. His ministry is one of inclusion, teaching, healing and love.
We seek to do and be the same through the inspiration, power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
CANDLE LIGHTING
Lived human lives tell us that grief and loss are strong and that love and inclusion are stronger. We light a candle to remember that Christ is the Light of the world and is our Light. Praise be to God.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We were born in the mind of God. The universe was shaped by God’s hand. We live in God’s world.
We are alive with the energy of God. All around us and within us is the great wonder of creation.
Let us Pray…
Universe creating and breath-giving God, today we want to be alive to the wonder of your world.
We pray that today we will see you at work, in the glories of the heavens and the lives of each other – in the faces and hands of each other and even in our own minds and bodies. Amen
HYMN
Joyful, joyful, we adore You
God of glory, God of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before You
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
All Your works with joy surround You
Earth and heaven reflect your rays
Stars and angels sing around You
Centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call to praise you joyfully.
You are giving and forgiving
Ever blessing, ever blest
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest.
You our Mother, Christ our Brother
All are yours who live in love;
Teach us how to love each other
Lift us to your joy above.
Henry Van Dyke 1852 – 1933 Words and Music by permission CCLI Licence # 31951
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
Mem Fox’s ‘Whoever you are’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSCbCuGxkVc
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all, our scriptures tell us that it is not good for us to be alone. We know this to be true.
And yet we spend so much of our energy building walls, attempting to protect ourselves. And in doing so, we isolate ourselves. We make sure we do not let others get too close. And yet we long for intimacy and to be known. Forgive us for missing the truth of the Genesis story that tells us we were created to be helpers and partners with each other. Remind us that it is not good for us to be alone and remind us that we are with each other, and that you are with us always. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
We are never alone. We live in the world of God. We live in the love of God.
We are drawn into God always. We are loved and forgiven. Thanks be to God.
BIBLE READINGS
Psalm 8 O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory & honour. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
John 1: 1 – 4, 9 – 12, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth.
In this we hear and receive God’s word of Life. Thanks be to God!
HYMN
Christ is the world’s light, he and none other
Born in our darkness, he became our brother.
Who else unites us, one in God our Father:
Glory to God on high.
Christ is the world’s peace, he and none other
No one can serve him and despise their brother.
Who else unites us, one in God our Mother:
Glory to God on high.
Christ is the world’s life, he and none other
Sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother
Who else unites us, reigns with God our Creator:
Glory to God on high.
Frederick Pratt Green 1993. Words & Music by permission. CCLI Licence # 31951
MESSAGE Jesus the Son of God & the Son of Man
HYMN
Love divine, all loves excelling
joy of heaven to earth come down
fix in us your humble dwelling
all your faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, you are all compassion,
pure, unbounded love you are;
visit us with your salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
Come, almighty to deliver
let us all your life receive;
suddenly return, and never
never-more your temple leave:
you we would be always blessing
serving as your hosts above;
pray, and praise you without ceasing
glory in your perfect love.
Finish then, your new creation
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see your great salvation
perfectly restored in you:
changed from glory into glory
till in heaven we take our place
till we cast our crowns before you,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Charles Wesley 1707 – 1788 Public Domain
OFFERING PRAYER
All that we have and all that we are is from God, and given for the Good of the Earth.
So here we return a token of such wealth asking that all that passes through our hands
be used to God’s glory. Blessed be God forever.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HOLY COMMUNION Seasons of Creation Liturgy – Church of Scotland
As human beings we gather round this table as others, at God’s calling flock, shoal or swarm….
Drawn together to receive whom we are: to be more than our communities, or even our churches,
can be alone. Like the Earth, we do not own Christ’s table; and like our common home, it’s ‘ours’ only when we share. Yet here, we’re welcome: like those friends Christ first gathered.
Welcome for justice; fulfilment and love. Welcome, with prophets and publicans with eco-warriors and dodgy characters with those you’d expect and those you’d rather weren’t here.
Welcome to celebrate being a work of God repurposed as friends of Jesus refreshed by bread and wine through human hands, from Earth’s own self on whom, and whom, we feed.
Eucharistic Prayer
Throughout all ages, as mountains dance and trees applaud the cries of birth are also loud for all to hear and tend. Your Sabbath and Jubilee made space for all Creation’s refreshment.
But we made exceptions. Your People sought milk and honey, yet injustice laid lands waste.
Your prophets: priests and farmers call us to account. Yet your loving signs of warning fall often by the wayside. And greed and pride inspire harmful choices knowingly embraced.
Yet still comes Christ Jesus, friend of wildlife, beloved of the poor scolding the seas, teaching with trees and shrubs, and God’s wildness in Wind, with Christ we shoulder the cross of healing;
we shudder at the disaster of truth denied by power, and yet…
Risen and present through food and faith Christ calls us afresh to care for a damaged world.
May we be fed for nourishment and for re-purpose until the day you make all things new.
THE BREAD & WINE
DISTRIBUTION
CLOSING PRAYER
HYMN
God, we give you thanks, who planted
Your holy name within our hearts
Knowledge and faith and life immortal
Jesus your Son to us imparts.
Lord, you have made all for your pleasure
And given us food for all our days
Giving in Christ the bread eternal
Yours is the power, be yours the praise.
Over your church, Lord, watch in mercy
Save it from evil, guard it still
Perfect it in your love, unite it
Cleansed and conforming to your will.
As grain, once scattered on the hillsides
Was in the broken bread made one
So may your world-wide church be gathered
Into your kingdom by your Son.
The Didache c 100 CE © Church Pension Fund GACP USA Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
And the blessing of God Creator, Redeemer and Life Giving Spirit
Inspire, renew and live within you always.
Recent Comments