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.
GATHERING THE PEOPLE
Welcome and Announcements Here in Engadine Uniting Church we believe all people are created lovingly and wonderfully in the image of God, and we welcome everyone regardless of race, age, ability, sexuality and gender.
As a Christian Community we believe that God reaches out to us in love and acceptance and that our relationships with each other should express love and respect.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, wherever you’ve come from, wherever you’re going, whatever is in your heart – you are welcome here.
Acknowledgement of country
As we gather together in this time and place, let us acknowledge the Dharawal People who have gathered, baked bread, shared food, nourished each other in story and song for thousands of years.
We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, who have handed down stories, songs, recipes, and wisdom. Let us learn from the First Peoples of this land, listening to their innate knowledge of how to live in this land in harmony with all living things.
All: In doing so, we recommit to the path of reconciliation and justice that God lays before us.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Call to worship
Based on Psalm 84:3, 10a
Happy are those, God, who live in your house.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young.
Come and sing in the courts of the Lord,
Where a day is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
Prayer Of Invocation/Welcome
Jesus said: I am the bread of life,
whoever comes to me will never be hungry
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
You, O God, create our lives.
You provide our bread;
you quench our thirst.
Create this day in us
to walk in your love.
O Christ, join us in our quest,
O Christ, we share the bread together,
O Christ, be food for our minds.
Eternal God,
creator of time,
sustainer of soul,
liberator of the oppressed,
feed us the bread of Christ,
bringing true communion with you,
making our joy complete. Amen.
Hymn/Song: Jesus calls us here to meet him, J. Bell, Together in Song 477
Jesus call 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
Jesus calls us to His table
Rooted firm in time and space
Where the church in earth and heaven
Finds a common meeting place
Share the bread and wine His body
Share the love of which we sing
Share the feast for saints and sinners
Hosted by our Lord and King
CCLI Song # 878695 Graham Maule | John L. Bell © Words: 1989 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland; Music: 1989 WGRG, c/o Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Interview spot: Guest speaker, Dr Glen Powell
Prayer of adoration and confession
Gracious God,
at times, we have great intentions,
but following Jesus’ way can be difficult.
When we would prefer an easier path
and avoid the hard work of loving our neighbours.
God, forgive us.
When we would prefer a less demanding teacher
and look for simple, uncomplicated answers.
God, forgive us.
When we would prefer an effortless life
and ignore the pain and suffering of others.
God, forgive us.
When we would prefer a straightforward week
and sidestep confronting the injustices in our world.
God, forgive us.
Meet us in our brokenness and weakness.
Strengthen and embolden us to follow
in the footsteps of Jesus with courage.
Amen.
Words of Grace
Our God is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.
Hear then Christ’s words of grace:
‘Your sins are forgiven!’
Thanks be to God.
HEARING THE WORD
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: Ephesians 6:10–20
Reading 2: John 6:56–69
Reader: Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Hymn: Help Us O Lord To Learn, to the tune “Cambridge”
Help us O Lord to learn
The truths Your Word imparts
To study that Your laws may be
Inscribed upon our hearts
Help us O Lord to live
The faith which we proclaim
That all our thoughts and words and deeds
May glorify Your name
Help us O Lord to teach
The beauty of Your ways
That yearning souls may find the Christ
And sing aloud His praise
CCLI Song # 2640635 William Watkins Reid Jr. © 1959. Renewed 1987 The Hymn Society For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Sermon/Reflection: Glen Powell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Song: Glenn, with a song.
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 give thanks to you for the gift of life each day.
You are the bread of life, sustaining and filling with goodness.
We bring these, our gifts, and our lives to you.
May they be used to feed others, both physically and spiritually,
that the abundance of your love may be known in our world.
Amen.
Prayers of the people
Loving and Gracious God,
we bring before you this day
the pain, hurt and need
of our world.
Often, we are left without words
and feel helpless in the face of such great suffering.
As we look around us
we hear the groaning of creation.
Floods, fires, storms and strange weather patterns
tell of the needs of our earth.
Lands are cleared
and species become extinct.
Help us not to shy away from the difficult parts of life.
Hear our prayers this day
and prompt us where we might take action.
As we look around us
we hear the cries of your people.
Those who are homeless, oppressed, imprisoned
call out the injustices in our communities.
Children grow without love
and the elderly die alone.
Help us not to shy away from the difficult parts of life.
Hear our prayers this day,
and prompt us where we might take action.
As we look around us
we hear the sighing of our loved ones.
Sickness, hopelessness, tensions, and struggles
speak of the hunger of your children.
We live with grief,
helplessness and despair.
Help us not to shy away from the difficult parts of life.
Hear our prayers this day
and prompt us where we might take action.
As we look around, we hear the yearning of your church.
Policies, projects, procedures and pressures
tell of the hopes of your people.
Congregations age
and growth seems impossible.
Help us not to shy away from the difficult parts of life.
Hear our prayers this day,
and prompt us where we might take action.
Amen.
Let us join together as we say together this version of the Lord’s Prayer:
Eternal Spirit,
Source of all that is and ever shall be,
Loving Parent in whom we discern heaven,
May knowledge of your holiness inspire all peoples,
And may your commonwealth of peace and freedom flourish on earth
Until all of humankind heed your call to justice and compassion.
May we find the bread that we need for today,
And for the hurts we cause one another
May we be forgiven in the same measure that we forgive.
In times of trial and temptation, help us to be strong;
When life seems overwhelming, help us to endure;
And thus from the yoke of sin deliver us.
May you reign in the power of human love,
Now and forever. Amen. (by Tom Hall)
Hymn/Song: Let us talents and tongues employ, F. Kaan
Let us talents and tongues employ
Reaching out with a shout of joy
Bread is broken the wine is poured
Christ is spoken and seen and heard
Chorus
Jesus lives again
Earth can breathe again
Pass the Word around
Loaves abound
(REPEAT)
Christ is able to make us one
At the table He set the tone
Teaching people to live to bless
Love in word and in deed express
Jesus calls us in sends us out
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt
Gives us love to tell bread to share
God (Immanuel) everywhere
CCLI Song # 178577
Doreen Potter | Fred Kaan © Words: 1975 Stainer & Bell Ltd; Music: 1975 Hope Publishing Company For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 31951
Benediction
Bread of life,
we have been fed by your word,
filled with your Spirit,
and encouraged by each other’s presence.
As we leave this place
to return to the world where people hunger,
let us take the manna of your abundant love to share.
Give us eyes to see the hungry,
ears to hear their stories,
hands to give, receive and hold
and hearts to love without judgment.
We go with the blessing
of our compassionate God,
giver and sustainer of life.
Amen.
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