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.
WELCOME
Engadine Uniting Church Statement
The story of God is bigger, wider, more inclusive and welcoming, filled with more love than we could ever imagine.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey,
wherever you’ve come from, wherever you’re going to,
whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe,
you are welcome.
There is room here for everyone
There is room here for you
Acknowledgement of Country
As we come into this space to worship God, we acknowledge the First Peoples of this land,
The Dharawal people, who have dwelt in this place for thousands of years.
In respect, we recall their connection to this land.
We are grateful for their continuing care of Country and the wisdom of elders, past and present.
As we dwell in God’s presence in this place today, may we
commit ourselves to ongoing learning and relationship with First Nations people.
Introduction to readings for today
CHRIST CANDLE
In darkness, Christ Jesus came to be light to the world, so that we might follow and not lose our way.
We light the Christ candle acknowledging the One
who is the Light, the Truth & the Way.
Call to Worship
Come you to find a place set apart,
Come you to feel the pulse of your heart,
Come you to wonder, to pause, to give thanks,
Come you to fill an empty tank.
Come you to laugh at what is imposed,
Come you to open the door that is closed,
Come you to find an olive branch,
Come you to ask the world to dance.
Find from the compassionate shepherd
bread for our deep hunger.
© John Howell
Opening Prayer
God,
we have come to this place,
a place where your presence has been sensed in the past
and we expect to experience you close again.
As we rest in you today
remind us that it is not in our striving,
or our building,
or our creating
that you are made known.
Your presence is in all places,
and at all times,
waiting for us to be awake
to your wonder and love surrounding us.
Open our senses to your presence this day.
Amen.
Song: Come as you are
Come as you are, that’s how I want you.
Come as you are, feel quite at home.
Close to my heart, loved and forgiven;
come as you are, why stand alone?
No need to fear, love sets no limits.
No need to fear, love never ends.
Don’t run away shamed and disheartened.
Rest in my love, trust me again.
I came to call sinners, not just the virtuous.
I came to bring peace, not to condemn.
Each time you fail to live by my promise,
why do you think I’d love you the less?
Come as you are, that’s how I love you.
Come as you are, trust me again.
Nothing can change the love that I bear you.
All will be well, just come as you are.
D. Browne; D Putney,
CCLI# 31951
Prayer of Confession
Loving and patient God,
we live in a world that values productivity,
success, wealth and gain.
It is easy to get caught up with
the endless cycle
of needing more,
doing more,
striving for more,
and achieving more.
Help us to stop!
Silence
Words of Grace
Our God of grace,
knows our struggles
with our own nature
before we even have words to express them.
We are reminded that we can rest in God’s love.
Let us dwell in God’s presence
that we may abide in Love.
BIBLE READING
2 Samuel 7:1–14a
God’s Promise to David
7 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’
8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a] over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.
Mark 6:30–34, 53–56
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Intergenerational Conversation
The Gift of Nothing is a great picture book by Patrick McDonnell to open discussion about the cluttered nature of our lives and the need for spaces of nothing from time to time.
Link to Story – the Gift of Nothing
In the story, Mooch tries to find the perfect gift for his best friend, Earl.
Earl seems to have everything he needs, so Mooch decides to give him nothing.
In his search to find nothing, Mooch is overwhelmed by everything.
Eventually disappointed with his efforts, Mooch returns home to sit on his pillow.
Here, he finds nothing.
- I wonder how you would feel if someone gave you a gift of nothing?
- Have you ever received a gift of nothing like Earl in the story?
- What was it like?
- How could you give a gift of nothing to someone in your life?
- How could you give a gift of nothing to yourself?
BIBLE READING
Ephesians 2:11–22
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise,without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
SONG: Cornerstone, My life is built on nothing less
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name
(repeat)
Christ alone. Cornerstone.
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love.
Through the storm, He is Lord.
Lord of all.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
My anchor holds within the veil.
Christ alone. Cornerstone.
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love.
Through the storm, He is Lord.
Lord of all.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone.
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Christ alone. Cornerstone.
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love.
Through the storm, He is Lord.
Lord of All
(Repeat)
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.
MESSAGE: John McKinnon
SONG: Brother, sister let me serve you
Brother, sister, let me serve you;
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christlight for you
in the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
till we’ve seen this journey through.
Brother, sister, let me serve you;
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that l may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
And the Lord’s Prayer
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SONG: Christ be our Light (All Together OK #313 )
Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to you
Make us your own, your holy people
Light for the world to see
Christ be our light
Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ be our light
Shine in your church gathered today
Longing for peace, our world is troubled
Longing for hope many despair
Your word alone has pow’r to save us
Make us your living voice
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Words & Music by Bernadette Farrell 1993
Published by OCP Publications
Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING
Numbers 6
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.
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