Welcome
We are a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community. If you are new here or are still trying to find a safe space for spiritual worship, we know that the story of God is bigger, wider, more inclusive and welcoming that we can imagine. There is room here for everyone; there is room here for you. Welcome to everyone.
Acknowledgement of country
We acknowledge the Dharawal people who have lived and cared for the land on which we now worship and live.
We acknowledge all first nations peoples who served in many and various wars. We acknowledge the hypocritical treatment of the many first nations people in the past who returned from war to once again be treated like second class citizens:
not eligible for land grants as non-Aboriginal soldiers often were.
not eligible to enter pubs
not eligible to enter the Returned and Services League Clubs
not eligible for the Veterans’ Affairs pension.
not eligible to participate in ANZAC Day marches
not eligible for any recognition of service.
We are sorry for the past injustice meted out to the First Nation’s solders and their families. We give thanks for the First Nations peoples, who have held as sacred the duty of protecting the Land and living in harmony with it. May God honour and bless them – now and to eternity.
Anzac Reflection
https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/pianist-plays-kharkiv-ruins-ukraine/
Lighting the Christ Candle
In the darkness of human atrocities, we can be assured that
Christ Jesus is the light of the world.
We are drawn to the light.
Christ, the light clarifies our thoughts.
Christ the light brightens our darkest days.
Christ the light points us in his way.
Let us be willing to humbly follow the light wherever it leads.
Prayer
Let us pray for the victims of war;
For the wounded and the dead.
For those who mourn and are afflicted.
For the earth and its innocent creatures –
Now mutilated and in disarray.
For the aggrieved and suffering souls –
Now bombed into submission and tormented silence.
For the scales of justice –
Now locked in false balance.
For the dove –
Now mocked by the metal wings of cruelty and greed.
For the yearnings and labours of peacemakers,
healers and teachers –
Now degraded by the cunning and cowardice of warlike minds.
For the needy whose precious resources are now wasted and spent.
For the beautiful treasures, icons and holy places –
Now defiled by a crass science, now smashed by vulgar and heartless economies.
For those who seek to know what has befallen their world –
Now deceived and bewildered by the dictatorships of information.
We lament this poisoned and sorrowful state,
We resist this brutal invasion of the common soul.
We pray for peace. Amen
(Source: Michael Leunig, ‘When I Talk To You’)
Bible Reading: Psalm 150, Ross
In the midst of grief we choose to celebrate, because it reminds us of hope, and brings comfort to our broken hearts;
What brings comfort when grieving?
In the midst of poverty we choose to celebrate, because it speaks of wealth beyond material things, and gives dignity to our humbled hearts;
What gives dignity when poor?
In the midst of conflict we choose to celebrate, because it turns us to peace, and restores humanity to our angry hearts;
What does it mean to turn our hearts to peace, when in conflict?
In the midst of suffering we choose to celebrate, because it lightens our darkness, and inspires strength in our fragile hearts;
What gives strength to our fragile hearts in the midst of suffering?
In the midst of injustice we choose to celebrate, because it defies evil, and renews determination in our compassionate hearts.
What helps renew determination in the face of evil?
Though cynics may scoff as we follow your example, Jesus, we still choose to embrace and enjoy for our own sake, and that of the least, the healing power of celebration. Amen.
(c) John van de Laar, Sacredise
Hymn: ‘O day of Peace’. To the tune Jerusalem
[Verse 1]
O day of peace that dimly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams
Guide us to justice, truth and love
Delivered from our selfish schemes
[Verse 2]
May swords of hate fall from our hands
Our hearts from envy find release
Till by God’s grace our warring world
Shall see Christ promised reign of peace
[Verse 3]
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb
Nor shall the fierce devour the small
As beasts and cattle calmly graze
A little child shall lead them all
Songwriters: Joshua Michael Garrels. For non-commercial use only.
Prayer of confession
God, whose love and care for us extends far beyond our human understanding, whose presence in our midst is greater than our fears and doubts, we come offering ourselves to you – our weaknesses and our strengths, our faith and our fears. We seek to know the risen Christ among us in this gathering, and trust you to reveal him to us once again, as we wait upon you in hope and expectation. Amen.
Holy One,
On this Eastertide morning, we come to you,
singing alleluias, celebrating new life all around us,
not quite believing it all, but going along with it, just the same.
We celebrate the doubters and questioners among us,
who simply keep our faith real,
who demand that we live our believing
into faith that works towards justice and peace,
and making sure that the hungry are nourished and loved.
We celebrate the saints among us,
whose courageous faith
flies without a safety net,
reminding us that true discipleship is risky and radical
in the face of a world held hostage by greed, love of power, and denial.
Words of affirmation
People of earth, people of God, you are loved beyond your ability to comprehend, and all that God has for the universe is offered to you now and always. You are forgiven. You are free. You have new life.
Thanks be to God!
Bible Reading: John 20:19-31, Peter Sinclair
Sermon: John McKinnon
Song to watch together: “Jesus is alive”, from the musical The Passion by Adrian Snell.
Offering Prayer
God is at work in the world, renewing, remaking, resurrecting, bringing hope through the faith, the gifts, and the work of the church. We trust in God, and together we work for peace and justice through God’s Spirit as we offer our tithes and gifts. Let us rejoice in our God-given opportunity to share in God’s work. (the offering is received)
Prayers of the People: Jan
Hymn: ‘Faith will not grow from words alone’ Together in Song 691
- Faith will not grow from words alone, from proofs provided, scriptures known;
our faith must feel its way about, and live with question marks and doubt. - The pattern Jesus showed, we share: life comes through death, hope through despair. God is made known in brokenness, and faith feeds on God’s emptiness.
- The church still tells how Jesus came through death to glorious life again
– the strangest story! Yet, maybe, our faith will thrive on mystery. - Faith takes the little that we know, and calls for hope, and tells us: Go!
Love and take courage, come what may; Christ will be with us on the way.
Words: Elizabeth J Smith (1956- ), Music Vernon Griffiths (1894-1985)
Blessing/Benediction
As we leave this worship time, may we
have the wisdom to know when action is needed,
find the strength to right any wrongs,be the peace brought to division,
be the spend-thrift love that is needed within the world.
Go in peace. Amen.
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