Welcome and Announcements
God loves and accepts us just as we are. Engadine Uniting seeks to be a safe place for all people to gather regardless of age, ability, sexuality, or culture. We gather today accepting each other in our diversity, to seek love and joy in the presence of God. Know that you are loved, and that your presence here this morning both enriches each one of us and our worship time together. A special welcome to our friends on zoom and to anyone visiting us this morning.
Acknowledgement of country
As we gather in this place, we give thanks for the Dharawal People. We acknowledge the commitment their ancestors made, across the generations, to nurturing this Land. Together, may we walk into the future, recognising the sacred footsteps that continue to lead us to the promise of Heaven.
All: In doing so, we recommit to the path of reconciliation and justice that God lays before us.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Let us light the Christ Candle as a sign of Christ’s presence with us today
Call to worship
Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Let us draw near in worship,
laying down our anxieties and fears.
Let us listen for the voice of the risen Christ,
who leads us into life and peace.
Come, all who need refreshment,
we come to worship.
Come, all who walk through dark valleys,
we come to worship.
Come, all who seek God’s presence,
we come to worship.
Christ is among us, Christ is risen!
Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed; we come to worship.
Prayer Of Welcome
Creator God,
you are present with us as we gather today.
Open our ears to hear your voice,
open our hearts to receive your guidance,
and help us to rest in your peace.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn/Song: Jesus Calls Us Here to meet Him
Jesus calls us here to meet Him
As. through word and song and prayer ,
We affirm God’s promised presence
Where His people live and care.
Praise the God who keeps His promise.
Praise the Son who calls us friends;
Praise the Spirit who, among us,
To our hopes and fears attends.
Jesus calls us to confess Him
Word of life and Lord of all,
Sharer of our flesh and frailness
Saving all who fail or fall
Tell His holy human story;
Tell his tales that all may hear;
Tell the world that Christ in glory
Came to earth to meet us here.
Jesus calls us to each other;
Found in Him are no divides
Race and class and sex and language
Such are barriers He derides.
Join the hand of friend and stranger;
Join the hands of age and youth;
Join the faithful and the doubter
In their common search for truth.
by John Bell and Graham Maule
Prayer of adoration and confession
Merciful God,
you call us by name and lead us in the ways of life,
yet we confess that we do not always listen.
At times, we follow voices that draw us away from your care.
We lose our way in distraction, fear, or self-reliance.
We forget that you are near,
guiding, restoring, and leading us toward life.
In this quiet moment,
we turn again toward your voice and place before you all that weighs on our hearts
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Hear the good news:
the one who calls us by name
is faithful and forgiving.
We are not left to wander alone.
We are led, restored, and held in care.
May we dwell in the peace of God today and always
Know that you are loved and forgiven
HEARING THE WORD
Today is “ Good Shepherd Sunday” and we will be exploring ideas about shepherds and sheep in our readings and reflections.
In the Bible, the image of the shepherd and the sheep is one of the most enduring metaphors that is used to describe the relationship between God and His people.
In Palestine, in Jesus time sheep were domesticated animals entirely dependent on shepherds for survival. They grazed in open hilly fields and were constantly threatened by predators and thieves. Shepherds were responsible for leading sheep to pasture and water, guarding them at night, healing injuries and protecting them from wild animals.
This daily reality made the shepherd image deeply understandable to the people at the time and a powerful way of teaching about God
Shepherding was associated with humility, vigilence and responsibility .
The shepherd image was used to represent God, Kings, leaders and ultimately Jesus himself.
Our readings for today are John 10:1-18 and then Psalm 23 , which we will sing together, to a slightly different tune. Stay seated for the Psalm.
- After the first reading Jan will read the children a story about a stubborn little sheep and
- our reflection is from Mandy England Cole who is a pastor in the Uniting church equivalent in the USA. Mandy currently coaches trainee preachers at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia USA
Readings
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.
Reading 1 John 10 : 1-18
10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Reader: Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Hymn/Song: Psalm 23 – Video The Lord is my Shepherd – Stuart Townsend
Sermon Today’s reflection is from Rev Mandy England Cole on John 10 1-18
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Prayer of Adoration and Thanksgiving
God of love and care,
we give thanks that you watch over us
and lead us in your ways.
You provide what we need and restore us when we are weary.
You guide us with compassion
and surround us with your peace.
In times of uncertainty, you are present.
In times of fear, you bring comfort and assurance.
You lead us into life that is full and abundant,
and hold us in your steadfast love.
With grateful hearts,
we offer you our praise and thanksgiving,
now and always.
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 Bruce
Lords Prayer
God, who cares for us,
The wonder of whose presence fills us with awe.
Let kindness, justice and love shine in our world.
Let your secrets be known here as they are in heaven.
Give us the food and the hope we need for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing as we forgive the wrongs done to us.
Protect us from pride and from despair and from the fear and hate which can swallow us up.
In you is truth, meaning, glory and power, while worlds come and go.
Amen.
Hymn/Song: Brother Sister let me serve you
Benediction
Go now as people who listen for the voice of Christ,
and follow where Christ leads,
trusting in the life Christ gives.
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s presence rest upon you
and give you peace. Amen.
Benediction Song: May the Feet of God
May the feet of God walk with you
And His hand hold you tight
May the eye of God rest on you
And His ear hear your cry
May the smile of God be for you
And His breath give you life
May the child of God grow in you
And His love bring you home
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