You can watch the highlights of the service here:
…and you can read a blog on our website about helping refugees through the CRISP program here.
GATHERING THE PEOPLE
We acknowledge that the First Peoples of this land had already encountered the Creator God before the arrival of the colonisers, and that the Spirit was already in the land revealing God to the people through law, custom and ceremony. We recognise the continued ministry of First Peoples within the church, and their continuing connection to their land and living cultures. We acknowledge the ways in which we, the church, have been and continue to be complicit in the oppression of first peoples.
All: In doing so, we recommit to the path of reconciliation and justice that God lays before us.
The story of God is bigger, wider, more inclusive and welcoming, filled with more love than we could ever imagine. There is room here for everyone , there is room here for you.
Song: Make Me a Channel of your peace
Today we are commemorating Refugee Sunday. (Image of “RefuJesus”, by the Naked Pastor artist) The artist says, “This image represents refugees. If you believe in Jesus, you should be able to see Jesus in the rejected, marginalised, persecuted, fleeing for life, for a better life. People ask me what’s in his burlap, I leave it to them to tell me. His halo is a barbed wire.”
The theme for Refugee Sunday 2023 is “Finding Freedom”. What does it mean to be free? To live without the fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live in equality and without the fear of persecution are just some of the examples of what freedom can entail.
Every day millions of people across the world are undertaking dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom. Whether in Australia or other nations across the globe, settling into a new environment after experiencing the perils of a refugee’s journey can also provide the opportunity to live, to love and to dream. In 2023 we, as the followers of Christ, are encouraged to show compassion and celebrate the resilience that makes up parts of our wider community. Freedom should not be a privilege, it should be a way of life.
As we begin let’s commit this time to God in prayer:
God of hospitality and refuge, come to us here in this place of security and safety.
Remind us that you are the God Almighty; large enough for all people, all nations, all tongues.
Help us, with the presence of your Holy Spirit, to be able to create space for those who seek asylum and refuge. In the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.
Please come and remind us:
that we are many people
with many different names,
from many different places.
Please come and remind us:
that all people are called
to be united by your One Spirit,
gathered to be the Body of Christ.
Please come and remind us,
as we gather in your name!
Amen.
Leader: Join with me in this call to worship on this Refugee Sunday. Let us come and praise the God of refuge.
We were strangers from distant lands,
abused and searching, broken and running.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress,
and my deliverer,
my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my saviour.”
2 Samuel 22:2b-3a
We were aliens from far away places,
rejected and lost, injured and burdened.
“You saved me from violence.
I call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.”
2 Samuel 22:3b-4
Hymn/Song: “God of freedom, God of Justice’ #657 in TIS
Prayer of adoration and confession
Lord God Almighty,
we are sorry we have ignored you:
we have chosen to not see your face
in those seeking refuge.
Lord Jesus Christ,
we are sorry we have ignored you;
we have preferred to live in fear
than to open our doors to strangers.
Lord Holy Spirit,
we are sorry we have ignored you;
we have placed our own comfort
above those who have nothing.
Blessed Trinity,
as your disciples we cry out
for the sins of our nation against the lost;
As your grace-filled children we give voice
to the wrongs we have committed against others.
Please forgive us, renew us in your love,
and make us worthy of being your ambassadors of love.
Amen.
Peter: Father God, We recognise and celebrate your particular care for refugees and displaced people. Help us to see your face in each and every person who has been forced to leave their place of safety.
Lord in your mercy, Hear us and prompt us.
Genelle: We pray particularly for the situation in Syria. For the war that continues to create new refugees 13 years after it began. For those who still reside in refugee camps and have not yet found a new home. Though there is no clear end in sight to the conflict, we know that you are a God who breaks down barriers, who can make a way where none seems available. Lord in your mercy, Hear us and prompt us.
Sarina: We pray into the situation in Myanmar and Bangladesh. For the Rohingya Muslims who have fled horrific persecution in their home country and have little prospect of a safe return. For the refugees, we pray peace and resolve, for all those working in the world’s largest refugee camp we pray for energy and compassion, for the leaders of Myanmar we pray conviction and repentance. Lord in your mercy, Hear us and prompt us.
Jim: We pray for Ukraine. For those fleeing, those fighting, and those leading. In this Refugee Week, we particularly think of those who have left their homes. May they find a warm welcome in the countries that have taken them in, and may we be the ones to offer that welcome if we are able. Lord in your mercy, Hear us and prompt us.
Heather: As the climate crisis threatens to create millions more displaced people, help us to approach this as a permanent calling, ministering in these situations with resolve, not defeatism. We pray that we may be ready and able to serve refugees at home and abroad in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, as long as we ever can. Lord in your mercy, Hear us and prompt us.
Jan: Holy God, you are our refuge and shelter, you take sanctuary in us. Strengthen our resolve to be people of sanctuary, to build cultures of welcome and hospitality, and to act with protective care for all who need sanctuary. We pray for a world without war in which all can live safely and without fear in their own homes. In the Name of Christ.Amen.
Words of Assurance/Affirmation
We are not alone. We live in God’s world.
We believe in God,
who has freely given the Holy Spirit
to bind us together as a community of grace.
We believe that the spirit can lead us
in the discovery of truth,
in the pursuit of justice, and
in the practice of caring for one another.
In our homes, in the church and in the community
the Spirit offers us inspiration and courage.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
HEARING THE WORD
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.
Leviticus 19: 34
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Through these readings we hear God speak.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Message: Norwegian campaign video, and a reflection by Tim
Offertory prayer
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 by Karen Guiao
Gracious God,
thank you for our nation, Australia.
Thank you for the way it has developed over the years.
Thank you for the diverse cultures that make up Australia that we can experience and enjoy.
Thank you God.
Forgive us as a nation when we fall short of what you want for us.
Forgive us when we subject others to injustice, racism and oppression.
Forgive us when we don’t extend our hospitality
And when we make others feel unwelcome.
Forgive us God.
We pray for our Government and all decision makers,
Guide them and guide us all.
We pray for unity for our nation and for your continuing presence among us.
Lead your people, enable us to accept each others’ differences.
Reshape us and as we celebrate the new life you bring.
Hear our prayer Lord. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn/Song: Beauty for Brokenness #690
Benediction
God, bless and travel with all who seek freedom in our world.
And may the Spirit now go with us as we leave this place, prompting us to serve the most marginalised in our community and in the world.
Amen
Recent Comments