GATHERING THE PEOPLE
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to what is known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”, the fourth Sunday after Easter.
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.
Call to worship, and prayer of welcome
Let us gather together as we hear the call to worship.
Lengthen tables: there is room for all!
Break bread and pour the wine: there is enough for all!
Jesus came for fullness of life, and that fullness is found together.
Let us pray:
God of teeming galaxies and the great empty freeways of space,
Shepherd of the meek,
we approach you with loving awe.
God of mother earth, of sunlit mountains and moonlit deserts,
Shepherd of the poor,
we approach you with loving gratitude.
God of countless millennia and the rise and fall of cultures and empires,
Shepherd of the merciful,
we approach you with loving faith.
God of incarnation and redemption, of the dying and rising Christ,
Shepherd of the lost,
we approach you with loving hope.
As we gather here to worship you, open our minds to your truth,
our souls to your beauty, and our hearts to your grace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; Amen!
Hymn/Song: For the beauty of the earth
Prayer of adoration and confession
Jesus said the followers know the voice of the gatekeeper,
the carer who leads them out and calls them home again.
We have to say more often than we would like, we’re sorry
for ignoring, forgetting, not recognising your voice, our gate, gatekeeper, guide.
In small ways, each one, in huge ways in systems and culture,
we have listened to the voices of strangers, let ourselves be stolen away.
We say again, for ourselves, and as part of corrupting systems,
we are sorry for following others, we are sorry for leaving your way.
Our transgression costs us dearly, diminishing the full life you give;
and it diminishes life for others, for neighbours, human and non-human.
We are sorry for leaving you, for following voices other than yours.
We are deeply sorry for the harm our transgressions cause: forgive us, please.
Assurance of Grace
‘Very truly,’ Jesus tells us, ‘I am the gate. I open the way into the kin-dom of Holy One. Follow my voice again. Walk this way again. I came that you may have life: enter that life, in all its abundance of peace and restoration.’ Amen.
Announcements: Introducing church library for the continuing education of us all, to make books available that you might not know about or could not buy even if you did, to prompt discussion amongst people with a particular focus of developments in theology and practice over the last few decades, plus everything the book club has read.
Introducing the Together, Yes campaign and Common Grace: over the next couple of weeks we will discuss and plan our level of involvement with these materials and opportunities
Introducing the Uniting Church review and planning project Act2 with Vimeo file here (2min 35sec): https://vimeo.com/800253022
Hymn: There’s a spirit in the air
HEARING THE WORD
Readings: John 10:1-10, and Acts 2:42-47 (Good News Translation)
Reader: Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Sermon: Sue, using an essay by Debi Thomas “I am the Gate”, published here on Journeys with Jesus.
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Prayer
Most holy God, our awesome Friend, please let us share in the audacious ways of Christ our Shepherd. Imprint our minds with the distinctive sound of his voice that we may be quick to respond wherever he leads us. In weakness may we know his strong arm, and in darkness may we trust his guiding love. To your praise and glory. Amen!
Song, to view rather than sing: Shepherd me O God, by Marty Haugen: watch the video Also here: https://youtu.be/wdiusy9YUYc
Offertory Prayer
May we trust your call into life’s abundance, share with joy and generous hearts so all may have enough; so all may live, abundantly. These gifts of money join our gifts of time and talents to enact your story of life, full life: thank you for inviting us in, thank you for challenging us onward. Amen.
Prayers of the people (Heather)
Benediction
As we go from our gathering, to our scattered lives,
may we live with trust in the abundance of the life we share with God.
Lengthen your tables, open your hearts and homes,
look out for your neighbours, and share life abundantly.
May the Holy One be your light, your strength,
your invitation home into Holy embrace. Amen!
Benediction Song: May the feet of God
May the feet of God walk with you,
and God’s hand hold you tight.
May the eye of God rest on you,
and God’s ear hear your cry.
May the smile of God be for you,
and God’s breath give you life.
May the Child of God grow in you,
and God’s love bring you home.
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