(Image: Christ Healing the Blind Man, by Robert Hodgell, linocut print, ca.1960, the Westminster Collection)
GATHERING THE PEOPLE
Good morning and welcome to Engadine Uniting Church, I’m Loraine and I’ll be leading you in worship today. I particularly welcome you if you are a visitor among us, whether you are just having a look or are searching out for a place to worship, we’re delighted to have you with us this morning, and we hope you feel welcome. Christianity is all about the way we are known and loved by God, no matter who we are or what we have done. God’s love is for everyone.
As a response to that love here at Engadine Uniting 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 and you are loved.
Acknowledgement of country
This Season of Lent, this call to repent: turn back from your harmful ways, turn back to God’s Holy Way.
We repent of the harm still felt by First Nations people in these lands now called Australia;
where we stand, the Dharawal peoples, on land. Holy One, We turn to your Holy Way,
your reconciling, healing way,
and we honour the land, the people, the life in all forms
as we return to you, as we honour you. Amen.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Sleepers awake! Rub the sleep out of your eyes, It’s time to rise and shine! Christ is leading us in a resurrection parade, and we’re all invited! Come, let us gather around the Light.
Prayer Of Invocation
Come, Holy Spirit, come, Lead us beyond our blurry vision. God does not see as mortals see. We look upon the outward appearance, But God looks on the heart. Humble us loving God, and help us to see what we often miss. Amen.
Hymn
Prayer of adoration and confession
We confess that we are blind to your presence and your healing, Holy One. And we confess that we use blindness as a metaphor, forgetting its reality is not felt by all who are blind as curse or brokenness or bad.
We confess that we treat blindness as something you will fix if one is only open enough, if the lesson we are to learn has been uncovered.
We confess that we, whose eyes do see, do not use them well enough: we shield them from ugliness, from suffering, from pain, from sorrow.
We confess that with or without eyes that see, we often lack insight and understanding of your way, your wisdom, your call into holy presence.
We confess that we have blindness when it comes to seeing you clearly, and we willingly close our eyes now, in order to gaze on you deep within.
We will search for you, our God, with what powers of sight and insight you have given to each of us: open us to understand, to worship you in joy. Amen.
Words of Assurance/Affirmation
Enter the light of understanding, embrace the way of Wisdom: and be at peace – God is here, is always here, waiting to show us the Way. Amen.
HEARING THE WORD
Readings: two of 1 Samuel 16:1-13 • Psalm 23 • Ephesians 5:8-14 • John 9:1-41
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.
All: Thank you, God, for your words of life.
Hymn
Sermon/Reflection Today’s sermon is one by the late Rev Bruce Prewer, used by permission, and delivered by Sue who was rostered on to take the service today but is in Brisbane on account of the birth of a grandchild. Sue will be back up front leading the service next week!
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Offeratory Prayer
Let this giving not be the end, but the beginning: may we not hand over money so as not to get our hands dirty or feel the discomfort of being close to suffering. Bless our money, yes, Holy One: and open us to truly see, to understand, where we may give even more so the world will know you are here, even in the deepest valleys we travel. Amen.
Prayers of the people ‘Psalm 23 as prayers for others’
© Sarah Agnew, Pray the Story (2018), p. 89. Used with permission.
The Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want—this is our prayer for you who yearn for food, shelter, friendship, peace, education, medicine, employment, clean water…
The Holy One will lay you down in green pastures, will lead you beside still waters; God restores the soul—this is our prayer for you who are unwell in body or mind, who are troubled, confused, overwhelmed…
Wisdom will lead you in right paths, for the sake of God’s name—this we know, this we trust, from the stories of our ancestors and the stories we are living according to the leading of the Holy One, Holy Three
Even though you walk through darkest valleys—God is with you—in the Sacred presence may you find comfort and courage, all you who live under the terror of fear…
God prepares a table before you, to celebrate even when life is hard; you who feel persecuted: the Divine anoints you, God’s love overflows!
We pray for mercy. We trust in God’s goodness.
And, abiding in God as God abides in us, we will show you God’s mercy, all you who we meet. We will act with God’s goodness. We will love with the love of God that overflows. Amen.
Hymn
Closure of Ministry
Leader: Engadine Uniting seeks to be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community.
Two years ago, we accepted Michael into our midst as our representative and willing worker in our local community. We witnessed your promises to take part in working with our congregation as we all raised our witness and participation as a community of faith and action, working in and with our community towards the common good.
The time has come to mark the end of his formal employment in this congregation, but to rejoice in Michael’s ongoing presence among us, volunteering his skills and leadership calling as we all work together on our shared vision and mission.
Michael, we thank you for your ministry and work in this congregation and in the community we share; release you from that work; and joyfully welcome you into what the future holds as we continue to collaborate and dream. (Michael speaks to the congregation)
Leader: Let us pray: O God, you brought us together to work for others in this place: we give you humble and hearty thanks for the ministry which we have shared.
We thank you for your never-failing presence with us and for the deeper knowledge of you, each other, and people in the wider community which we have received.
We ask for your blessing upon Michael as he continues a very gradual transition into retirement with changing family responsibilities and its cares and joys. We thank you for his willingness to continue to work with us as together we create a presence of love, acceptance, action and hope in our community.
Benediction
We are numbered among those whose eyes have been touched with the salve of Jesus Christ.
Once we were blind but now we can see!
See clearly and walk gently wherever you go this week.
Look gladly on those who encourage, and deal patiently on those who irritate.
See light where others see gloom, and hope where many see defeat.
Look upon weak souls with mercy and face the tough characters without fear.
Travel calmly with the confidence of those who have caught glimpses of a divine glory,
in and through Christ Jesus our Saviour.
The grace of Jesus will redeem you,
the love of God will undergird you,
and the friendship of the Holy Spirit will empower you.
Amen!
Benediction Song
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