Acknowledgement of Country
We begin our service by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land. We pay our respects to elders past and present as they hold the knowledge, language and spiritual connections to this country.
Seven Sisters painting by Christine Jugarnu Collard and the Pleiades star cluster.
Lighting the candle
Eternal and near at hand.
Already and not yet.
God’s promise is the foundation of all life.
Holy Trinity, full of light and movement and mystery,
lighten the darkness of our world,
move in our hearts,
draw us deeper into the mystery of your being.
God the Father who created light, the Son the bright Morning star, and the Holy Spirit, who moved over the deep.
Call to worship
A love that never ceases,
A creativity that designed the universe,
A hope that cannot be quenched,
A pursuit of reconciliation no matter the cost:
These are the things that are of God,
Then let us worship God.
Hymn: All creatures of our God and King
Confession
It Just Is Not Justice
People are crying
I dry my eyes
People are dying
I don’t hear their cries
People are my neighbour
I see them as stranger or threat to my comfort and choose not love
People are starving
I go to the kitchen for a snack
People are oppressed
I feel trapped in my routine
People cry out for justice
I complain that I can’t find anything to do
People are so unwell
I am sick of so many trivial things
People are refugees
I covet a better house
People are in poverty
I waste my money
People don’t have enough
I still want more
God,
Hear my prayers
That I might listen to myself
Discover my confession
And find my repentance
So that I might actually change
To help the world do the same
Amen
(Source: Jon Humphries, Prayers that Unite)
Shining Empowerment
Empowering God,
You empower us to be our better selves.
You help us to understand how much we are loved.
You see in us our potential for good,
You give us gifts and strengths, which we can develop and grow.
Help us to see ourselves and each other in the way you do.
Empower us to be confident in the gifts which you give us,
Such as your grace, and the ability to share love.
Empower us to learn about ourselves, each other and the world.
Empower us as Spirit to cope when we face struggles.
Empower us to flourish, even in difficult and hard times
Empower us to help and serve others.
Empower us to work for good in all people and all the world.
Empower us to have the grit and determination to strive always towards better things.
Empower us to empower others, so that all might share in your love
This we are empowered to pray.
Amen.
(Source: Jon Humphries, Prayers that Unite)
Reading
Genesis 1 1-14
Hymn
Morning has broken
Psalm 8: How great thou art
Sources: Max McClean, Susan Boyle
Readings
Hebrews 11:1-3
John 1: 1-5
Reflection: Prof Matthew Colless (22 mins)
Offering Prayer
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
This is our God, The Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to The Servant King
We say we offer our lives, sometimes it is only our loose change. But Father God, we humbly ask that you receive our monetary offerings, and our time and talents, to use to your service. Amen.
Prayers of the People
THE LORD’S PRAYER: MAORI & POLYNESIA
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe;
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world;
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings;
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trial too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and forever. Amen.
Sending Out
Finish, then, thy new creation;
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory, lost in wonder, love and praise. May we go with renewed awe of our Creator God, Willing to serve all mankind and creatures with humility and joy, Give us grace and imagination to live life to the full each day of this week, with a mind full of wonder and a heart filled with love of life. (To infinity and beyond) Amen
Hymn: Hear I am Lord (I the Lord of sea and sky)
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