You can watch the service here, or scroll down to read the rest of the Sunday prayers and content, and watch the sermon at the point it occurs during worship.
Welcome!
At Engadine Uniting we believe that Jesus Christ showed us how to live out our lives with compassion, forgiveness and love and we are here to worship our Lord. We believe that all people are created lovingly and wonderfully in the image of God, and we welcome everyone regardless of race, culture, 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 that same 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.
Welcome to everyone sitting in this church today and to those who are joining our worship service this morning via zoom or who may be dialling in to listen to our service.
My name is Karen; I am a member of Engadine Uniting Church and Melanie will assist with the leadership of our worship service today. Leanne will be playing the piano, Bruce and Judy will bring our bible readings and Sarah will lead us in our prayers for others.
Acknowledgement of Country
“ We acknowledge the Dharawal people, the traditional custodians of the land we are on today. Dharawal Country is a beautiful and sacred Country and we are so thankful to be able to explore nearby bushlands, particularly the Royal National Park, the creeks and waterholes, we continue to learn more about our local area and we are grateful for that privilege, we pay our respects to the Aboriginal Elders of the past and present and honour them for their life, wisdom and resilience.
Lighting the Christ Candle: Let us light our Christ candle and bask in the light of our Lord’s presence
Let us join together in the call to worship please respond by reading the words in bold:
CALL TO WORSHIP
Hey, you! Give praise to God!
God dreamed you and called you and here you are!
You the elements of nature, fire, rain, wind,
cold and heat, stone and mountain – praise!
God dreamed you and called you and here you are!
Weather watchers and civil defence, fire fighters, search and rescue teams, praise God!
God dreamed you and called you and here you are!
So listen out for the Name that is above every Name,
sing out with all the love and joy you can find:
all of you are as made by God,
all that you have is a gift from God.
Calling all creation – come and be found in praise!
We continue to reflect upon the season of creation, including the call for us to care for respect and be good stewards of our planet. (photo display)
Opening Prayer
God of storms and stillness,
shaper of billowing clouds and resplendent rainbows,
open our minds to the wisdom of creation.
Fill our hearts with reverence and humility,
that we may listen, learn, and live in kinship with all creation.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for the beauty and wonder of your creation.
We thank you for the stars in the night sky, the sun that warms us, the earth that sustains us, and the creatures that share this world with us.
We thank you for the diversity of life, from the smallest insect to the largest whale, and for the intricate balance of ecosystems.
We ask for your guidance as we strive to be good stewards of this precious world, protecting its resources and respecting all living things. May we live in harmony with creation, reflecting your love and care for all that you have made.
Amen
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Creator of storm-cloud and starlight,
as we reflect on the wonders of creation,
we confess the fear that rises when creation’s rhythms disrupt our comforts—
rainstorms, snowstorms, sandstorms, firestorms.
We sometimes forget that we are not above the storm, but within it.
Forgive our desire to control what we should honour,
our complacency in the face of climate disruption,
our failure to listen to the warning winds and rising seas.
Forgive us for the times when tempests and torrents can so easily erode our faith and trust in you.
Short silence
The congregation says together
May we walk more gently,
plan with humility,
and trust your Spirit moving even in the whirlwind.
Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Lift your eyes to the sky and know that God is in the storm and beyond it.
Hear the voice that speaks peace to winds and waves.
God’s loving kindness flows through all creation,
offering renewal and strength.
We give thanks for your love. We hear your call to care. Amen.
Melanie invites everyone to share the peace (a few minutes)
First song: For The Beauty of the Earth
SCRIPTURE READINGS: readers Bruce and Judy H. New International version
Reader
God please open our ears and minds and hearts so that we hear the words of the Bible that you speak to us to bring us new life.
A psalm of Asaph.
O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbours,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
Old Testament reading Jeremiah chapter 8 verses 18- chapter 9v 1
18 You who are my Comforter[a] in sorrow,
my heart is faint within me.
19 Listen to the cry of my people
from a land far away:
“Is the Lord not in Zion?
Is her King no longer there?”
“Why have they aroused my anger with their images,
with their worthless foreign idols?”
20 “The harvest is past,
the summer has ended,
and we are not saved.”
21 Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
I mourn, and horror grips me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people?
9 [b]1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water
and my eyes a fountain of tears!
I would weep day and night
for the slain of my people.
New Testament Reading Luke chapter 16 verses 1- 13
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Reader finishes with these words:
Through these readings we hear God speak.
ALL: Thank you God for your words of life.
Hymn/Song. All Things Bright and Beautiful
The message on the Luke reading by the Pastor Kim Langford of Project Reconnect
Let us pray
We thank you Lord for Kim’s message to us today, the reminder of restitution, forgiveness and grace, may we be your agents daring to be risk takers, stepping out of our comfort zone and being aware of how, when and where we can step into your shoes and be your story, be the next chapters. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Before we leave this topic I would like to invite you to have a chat in small groups to discuss/share: (5 minutes)
How do you see our congregation as “agents of life” in how we follow Jesus? Anyone willing to share?
Hymn: God Gives us a Future – daring us to go on paths unknown
The Offering: If you wish to give a cash donation there is a box at the back of the church. Many people make their offerings through direct debit. There is also a QR code near or on the box which you are welcome to scan to make an offering by ETF.
OFFERTORY PRAYER Karen
We give thanks for help and support in the storms of life.
We bring our offerings of money, food donations and our willingness to bring your light and love to others
May they be used to bring your life and love to those most in need.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Loraine H
The Lord’s Prayer (a Common Grace prayer)
Our Father in Heaven
Our God present in all of life, within and around us
Creator of heaven and earth, who originates, sustains, redeems and completes the whole of reality, and yet who is also
Our loving Father bringing us into deep relationship with yourself and with the rest of your good creation
Hallowed be your name
We recognise you as the Spirit of holiness and wholeness in the world.
We ask that your name become holy in and through and amongst us,
as we commit to a new way of holy living, that is mindful of acting justly, loving mercy, treading lightly upon this earth, and walking humbly with our God.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
We pray for the fulfillment of your reign where the signs of God’s Kingdom can be clearly seen:
where there is peace, harmony and equality among humans and creatures,
where your creation is valued, preserved, nourished and cared for,
As we are strengthened by God to live faithfully on this earth, building sustainable communities, with foundations of right relationships, living in harmony with nature.
Give us today our daily bread
Help us to take care of our earth garden so that all living beings will have food, water, shelter and a chance to develop to their full potential.
Help us to be content with a simple life, being thankful for your gifts to us of what we need.
Help us not to be consumed by a desire for more and more, recognising instead the importance of generous sharing with those less fortunate than ourselves, and the need for equality among all.
And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Forgive us our idolatrous human-centredness;
Forgive us our contribution to the indebtedness of poorer nations which so often struggle with natural disasters, poverty and famine, displacement, work and food insecurity, water shortages, and whose natural resources have been plundered by rich corporations and affluent consumers, leaving behind water and air pollution, soil degradation, deforestation, biodiversity loss and social upheaval.
Forgive us our blindness to the inter-connectedness of all living things, and our apathy and unwillingness to make changes to restore your world.
Relieve us of our greed and our desire to exploit the earth’s resources and guide
us into a right relationship with your creation.
Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from evil
There are many trials upon us now, O Lord:
The COVID 19 pandemic which has brought sickness, debilitation, death, loss, grief, despair, loneliness, poverty, uncertainty, education limits, political and financial instability.
Weather events caused by Climate change, bringing destruction by fire, flood, drought, storm, sea level rise, water shortages, on untold numbers of living creatures.
Wars and violence and terrorism, bringing fear, death and destruction, ruin both economic and structural and political, famine, disease, a refugee crisis and including the rising incidence of family and domestic abuse in homes in our own country.
In spite of our complicity in not loving our neighbours as ourselves, we ask that you would preserve us, save us and keep us, enabling us to shine as lights, following Jesus the Light, in a darkening world.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever
We praise you, O God, King of the universe, for you, our loving Creator, life force of all of reality, our Saviour, our Lord reigning on high, are our source and sustenance, forever and ever.
We pray that we may love what you love, and that we will not only pray but live, to your praise and glory.
Create in us the desire to live in harmony with creation so all creatures may flourish, and your kingdom come.
Amen
NOTICES – extra things to be mentioned apart from what was on the screen. Including Project Youth delivery reminder and Marj Piper’s sister’s funeral on this coming Thursday at Olsen’s
BENEDICTION and BLESSING Melanie
Blessing/Benediction
Creator God,
whose still, small voice may be heard beyond the wind and rain, fire, and flood,
give you courage to face the storm and peace to overcome your fear.
Go with the blessing of God,
God the creator of clouds and oceans, Christ is in the boat beside us
and the Spirit is stirring in every storm.
Go in Peace today and know that God weathers the storms with you
Invite people to join us for morning tea in the lower hall
Benediction song
‘Now unto him’
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