ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY
We gather for worship this day on Dharawal land which was never ceded or paid for, it was just taken because our ancestors could and did. We acknowledge this part of the history of this place and acknowledge also their elders past and present as we pledge to work together with our Dharawal brothers and sisters in reconciliation and justice-making.
CHRIST CANDLE
Darkness is strong but Light is stronger. Death is strong but resurrection is stronger.
Christ Jesus is the Light of the world. He is our light, Hope and Peace.
CALL TO WORSHIP
On that first Sunday morning, those who loved Jesus came to anoint his body and mourn his death.
They discovered the stone rolled away and found only grave clothes. You were encountered Lord in the voice of the gardener, on a dusty Emmaus Road, in locked rooms & beside the Sea of Galilee.
Risen Lord Jesus, through your Holy Spirit be known to each one of us this day too; we come to listen to your word, to touch the hem of your cloak that we might follow in your footsteps, always. Amen
HYMN 638
O Christ the Healer we have come
To pray for health to plead for friends
How can we fail to be restored
When reached by love that never ends
From every ailment flesh endures
Our bodies clamour to be freed
Yet in our hearts we would confess
That wholeness is our deepest need
How strong O Lord are our desires
How weak our knowledge of ourselves
Release in us those healing truths
Unconscious pride resists or shelves
In conflicts that destroy our health
We diagnose the world’s disease
Our common life declares our ills
Is there no cure O Christ for these
Grant that we all made one in faith
In Your community may find
The wholeness that enriching us
Shall reach the whole of humankind
CCLI Song # 2854744 Fred Pratt Green © 1969 Stainer & Bell Ltd
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 31951
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
BIBLE READINGS Jennie & Genelle
PSALM 37: 1 – 9, 39 (NRSV) Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & CONFESSION (Based on Psalm 37) Jennie & Genelle
We hold on to the promise that we are loved beyond measure and always held in God’s care.
God urges us not to fret when we encounter evil,
or be envious of those who seem to gain wealth and acclaim by doing what is wrong.
They are mortal and will wither and die just as all living things do.
God calls us to trust, to do good and enjoy the safe haven of God’s company.
When we walk God’s way, God’s light shines on us like the golden light of dawn.
When we come quietly before God and patiently await God’s word
we are released from envy, from anger, and all that diminishes us
and we receive gifts so much more valuable than those gotten through dishonest means –
peace and prosperity, joy and hope are ours.
The LORD is our refuge in time of trouble. For all of this we are grateful. Amen
LUKE 6: 27 – 37 (NRSV) But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. In this we hear God’s word of life. Thanks be to God.
HYMN Scripture in Song 41
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in my name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live”
All power is given in Jesus’ name
In earth and Heaven in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to
He said, “Freely, freely you have received
Freely, freely give
Go in my name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.”
CCLI Song # 13209 Carol Owens © 1972 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 31951
MESSAGE Compassion and mercy – are they in short supply in your life?
HYMN 607 to 2 min 30 sec mark
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury your pardon Lord
Where there’s doubt true faith in You.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness let me bring Your light
and where there’s sadness ever joy.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving of ourselves that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
CCLI Song # 6399315 Ed Bolduc | John Angotti | Thomas W. Jefferson © 2009 World Library Publications (Admin. by G.I.A. Publications, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Lic # 31951
OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Heather
HYMN 642 Sung and recorded by Judy & Jennie
This day God gives me
Strength of high heaven
Sun and moon shining
Flame in my hearth
Flashing of lightning
wind in its swiftness
Deeps of the ocean
firmness of earth.
This day God sends me
Strength as my steersman
Might to uphold me
Wisdom as guide
Your eyes are watchful
Your ears are listening
Your lips are speaking
Strength at my side.
God’s way is my way
God’s shield is round me
God’s host defends me
Saving from ill
Angels of heaven
Drive from me always
All that would harm me
Stand by me still.
Rising I thank you
mighty and strong One
King of creation
giver of rest
firmly confessing
threeness of persons
oneness of Godhead
trinity blest.
CCLI Song # 4917768 Ed Conlin © 2002 The Servants Of The Word (Admin. by CopyCare Pacific Pty. Ltd.)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.comCCLI Licence # 31951
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
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