On Lostness

You can watch the bible readings and part of the service here, and the (externally sourced) 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

Acknowledgement of Country

For this Land – We give thanks!

For the First Peoples – We give thanks!

We honour the custodians of sacred stories, of dreamings and the connections with the deep earth and oceans. May we work together for the restoration of the Land and Sea and Her Peoples.

Call to Worship

Come you, to find a place set apart.

Come all, to feel the pulse of your heart.

Come you, to wonder, to pause, to thank.

Come all, to fill an empty tank.

Come you, to laugh at what is imposed.

Come all, to open the door that is closed.

Come you to find an olive branch.

Come all, to ask the world to dance.

All together: Find from the compassionate shepherd a path to eternal life.

Opening Prayer

God of the lost, God of the found, be with us this day as we come from our separate lives to be your community gathered in this place.

No matter what our week has been like, whether we have been hardworking and committed, or if we have lost our way and been wasteful, come close to us and gather us in.

Embrace us in your extravagant love so we may be found again. Amen.

Hymn: Praise with Joy with World’s Creator (John L. Bell) Words TiS 179 but to the tune Westminster Abbey TiS 432 or 672(ii)

Prayer of Confession

God, often, we turn away from you, thinking we can make our way through life on our own.

We see dreams and possibilities before us but become consumed by our greed and desires.

We do not always use the gifts you have given us wisely, squandering our wealth or using up the earth’s resources.

We are too proud to turn to you for help and find ourselves wallowing in the mud.

Help us to turn around, O God, to come home to your loving embrace. Let us see you running to greet us from a distance and open our arms to your presence in our lives.

Words of Grace

Based on Isaiah 40 (NIV)

In the wilderness, God prepares a way.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of God will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
Thanks be to God.

HEARING FROM THE WORD

Reader: 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.

The reading is from Luke 10:1-10

15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Reader: Through this readings we hear God speak.

All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.

Reading 2: The second reading will be shown via a video of Prodigal Son here. (2mins)

Slide show: The Prodigal Son in art (slideshow here) We look at some famous and not-so-famous paintings of this perennially favourite, and hear some stories about the works, or the context in which they were painted, or what else we might learn.

Hymn: Our God how we have wandered, Tune: TiS 339 Passion Chorale

Our God, how we have wandered and hidden from your face; In foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace.

But now in exile dwelling, we rise in fear and shame, as distant but compelling, we hear you call our name.

And now at length discerning the evil that we do, Behold us, Lord, returning with hope and trust, to you.

In haste you come to meet us and home rejoicing bring, In gladness there to greet us, with food and robe and ring.

O Lord of all the living, both banished and restored, Compassionate, forgiving, and ever-caring Lord,

Grant now that our transgressing, our faithlessness may cease, Stretch out your hand of blessing, in pardon and in peace.

Sermon: Essay by Debie Thomas, “On Lostness”, which can be found on Youtube here:

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Hymn: Church Of The Living Christ (Shirley Murray) Sung to the tune Darwell, TiS 108, 187, or 371

Church of the living Christ, People of Easter faith, Speak to the One who walks, Free from the dark of death

The Christ who burst the tomb apart, Comes questioning the Church’s heart, No use old wineskins now, New wine is here to stay

No patching up old schemes, New patches tear away, Old gear old concepts have no place, Where Christ’s own presence sets the pace

As people now of God, Come as one Church to serve, Bring all the skills we have, Sharpen our every nerve

To save a world in bitter need, The rule of love must come in deed, We are the Body now, Our feet must mark the Way

Our speech declare the Word, And live it day by day, The resurrection story ours, Disciples gifted with new powers.

Announcements

Offering

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:

Loving and gracious God, we bring before you our gifts, our wealth, our goods and our lives.

May they be used to help those in the wilderness spaces of life, the hungry in body and spirit, the thirsty for justice and love the lonely and grieving hearts. Amen.

Prayers for Others

Patient and waiting God, like a loving parent, you listen in anticipation for our return, and the telltale signs that your children have arrived home. You desire our return. You long for all to make a home in you.

We pray for all who are lost and without a sense of home – may we discover ways we can extend your extravagant, loving embrace. For those cut off from community and without emotional and physical support, we pray: