Welcome: –

Passing the Peace: –

As we gather for worship let us remember that we are one people in Christ Jesus.  We are all welcomed by God into His presence and graced by His mercy.  Let us, then, be united in our worship of God and in our fellowship together, and uplift our hands to greet those both here and those in their homes with these words:

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Call to Worship    

In the recent Winter 2023 edition of Eternity Magazine there is an article about a woman named Gillean, in which she talks of how God has worked in her life.  “Until I was 40,” she says, “ I relied on logic (for my faith in God) and distrusted my feelings.  I thought you could be led astray by feelings.  Then in 2005 and 2007, my husband and my eldest son died.  We were all shattered.  Our two younger children were in primary school and early high school at the time.  Their entire childhood was overshadowed by the loss.

  For me, after years of not trusting my feelings, the reality was that at the time when I was most shattered, God touched me through my feelings.  He was able to reach me in a way I had never experienced before.  He was able to comfort me.  It was almost a physical sensation of His arms around me at my worst moments.  I understood deeply that God was walking the path with me.  I experienced His love and care for me in a remarkable and practical way.

  The Bible passage that became particularly dear to me during those years was Isaiah 53:5, about the suffering Servant: “He was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that bought peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

  It touched me at an emotional level.  Jesus not only understands suffering and experiencing suffering, but he voluntarily chose to go into suffering for my sake.  When I suffered and grieved, I had no choice in the matter.  None of us would ever choose suffering, but Jesus chose to go through suffering for us.

  Looking back, I think the grief helped me to see that God was close and real, walking with me, grieving with me.  I know it was never about my ability to stay close to Him, but it was about His faithfulness in staying close to me.  It’s exactly like the words you hear other people say: “I would never wish to go through that terrible time, but having been through it, I now know how remarkable it is that God draws near.”

  (Eternity Winter 2023 p15) 

  We have gathered to offer our worship of our God, who walks life’s path with us, who is faithful in His promise to remain close and real at all times, and who laughs with us and grieves with us in all the events and happenings of our life.  But, ultimately, we have come to offer our worship of God, who chose His son “to go through suffering for us”.

Prayer of Praise

 (from Psalm 65: 1 to 8, 118: 29, and 119: 2, 3, 105, 106, 111 & 112) 

Almighty God, you are the one who keeps His promises to us and answers our prayers,

So it is right for us to offer our praise to you in our worship and to offer our service to you in our daily lives.

People everywhere come to you defeated by their faults and despairing of their sins,

But you offer forgiveness of sins and the healing of our hearts and minds and spirits.

Happy are those who seek to be in a close relationship with you,

For they receive the blessings of your peace and love being lavished upon them.

You set the mountains in place by your strength,

Showing your mighty power.

You calm the roar of the seas and the noise of the waves,

And the History of Nations too testifies to your power to limit their times of tumult.

The whole World stands in awe of the great things that you have done,

Your deeds for Humanity elicit from people their shouts of joy, from one end of the Earth to the other.

You do wonderful things to save us and to deliver us from trouble and strife,

In response, people all over the World and from across the distant seas place their trust in you.

Your Word is a lamp to guide us and a light for our path,

We will keep our promise to you to obey your just instructions.

Your Commandments are our eternal possession; they are the joy of our hearts,

We have decided to obey your Laws until the day we die.

Happy are those who follow your commands, and who obey you with all their heart,

For they are the ones who never do wrong, who always walk in your ways.

We give you thanks, O God, because you are good,

And your love is eternal.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing ‘Thy loving kindness is better than life’ (Scripture in Song volume 1 number 71)

Prayer of Confession   

Merciful God we acknowledge the burden of our guilt, of all that isolates us from yourself and others,

We are oppressed by our cares and worries, and at times have lost our way and purpose in life.

Merciful God, our lives have become withered and lacking in spirit, we have become distracted by our desires and dreams,

We acknowledge that we do not measure up to your standards and hopes for us.  In many ways we do not reflect your ideals in our actions and words, nor by our inactions and lack of words. 

Merciful God, when we fail to reach out to those whose lives are lived on arid landscapes, devoid of hope,

Please forgive us.

When we fail to recognise the pain of people of all ages whose lives are rooted in bitter and destructive memories, and do not seek to reassure them of your love,

Please forgive us.

When we are eager to judge and condemn those whose appearance and actions disturb our sensibilities, rather than accept them as loved by you,

Please forgive us.

Set before our hearts and our minds each day, O God, the example of Jesus Christ, so that we may love unconditionally, as he loved, so that we may touch the lives of those who believe they are untouchable, as he did, and so that we may endeavour to seek out and save the lost, even as he did.

May we who follow you reject what is contrary to the Gospel, and, instead, walk by the light of your Word.  To your glory we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(Romans 8: 1) 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that there is no condemnation from God for those who live their lives in communion with Christ Jesus.  Therefore, having confessed our sins in earnestness and honesty, we can be confident that God has heard us, that God has forgiven our sins, and that God has cleansed us.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination 

(from Uniting in Worship Book 1 number 13 & 14 p599) 

  Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to be guided by your Word and the Holy Spirit, that in your light we may perceive your mercy and grace, that in your truth we may find freedom, and that in your will we may discover peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Bible Readings

Genesis 25:

19  This is the story of Abraham’s son, Isaac.  20  Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel (an Aramean from Mesopotamia) and sister of Laban.  21  Because Rebecca had no children, Isaac prayed to the LORD for her.  The LORD answered his prayer, and Rebecca became pregnant.  22  She was going to have twins, and before they were born, they struggled against each other in her womb.  She said,

“Why should something like this happen to me?”

So she went to ask the LORD for an answer.

23  The LORD said to her,

“Two Nations are within you; you will give birth to two rival peoples.

One will be stronger than the other; the older will serve the younger.”.

24  The time came for her to give birth, and she had twin sons.  25  The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau.  26  The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob.  (This name sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘heel’.)  Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

27  The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.  28  Isaac preferred Esau, because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau hunted, but Rebecca preferred Jacob.

29  One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting.  He was hungry,  30  and said to Jacob,

“I’m starving; give me some of that red stuff.”  (That is why he was named Edom, which sounds like the Hebrew word for red.) 

31  Jacob answered,

“I will give it to you if you give me your rights as the first-born son.”

32  Esau said,

“All right!  I am about to die; what good will my rights do me?”

33 Jacob answered,

“First make a vow that you will give me your rights.”

Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob.  34  Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup.  Esau ate and drank and then got up and left.  That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.

Romans 8:

1  There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.  2  For the

law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.

5  Those who live as their Human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what Human nature wants.  Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.  6  To be controlled by Human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.

10  If Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin.  11  If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then He who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of His Spirit in you.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Matthew 13:

3  Jesus said to the crowd that had gathered around him,

“Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.  4  As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell on along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  5  Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil.  The seed soon sprouted, because the soil wasn’t deep.  6  But when the Sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up. 7  Some of the seed fell among thorny bushes, which grew up and choked the plants.  8  But some seed fell in good soil, and the plants bore grain: some had one hundred grains, others sixty, and others thirty.

18  Jesus said to his Disciples,

“Listen, then, and learn what the parable of the Sower means.  19  Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path.  The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them. 

20  The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.  21  But it does not sink deep into them, and they don’t last long.  So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once. 

22  The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and they don’t bear fruit. 

23  And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand it: they bear fruit, some as much as one hundred, others sixty, and others thirty.

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘In all my vast concerns with Thee’  (MHB57) The3 words are printed below:

Verse 1 of 5

In all my vast concerns with Thee

In vain my soul would try

To shun your presence, Lord, or flee

The notice of your eye.

Verse 2 of 5

Your all-surrounding sight surveys

The times I stop and start,

My public walks, my private ways,

The secrets of my heart.

Verse 3 of 5

My thoughts lie open to you, Lord,

Before they’re formed within.

And, e’er my lips pronounce the word,

You know the sense I mean.

Verse 4 of 5

O wondrous knowledge, deep and high,

Where can a creature hide?

Within your circling arms I lie,

Beset on every side.

Verse 5 of 5

So let your grace surround me still,

And like a castle prove,

To guard my soul from every ill,

Secured by sovereign love.

Isaac Watts

Sermon

  It has been said of pregnancy that waiting for a baby to be born is like picking someone up from the airport, except that you don’t know who they are nor when their flight comes in.

    Now, I can’t claim to be any sort of expert regarding pregnancy, but today’s reading from Genesis appears to indicate that the issues experienced by Rebecca in her pregnancy were quite severe.  You can expect a certain amount of movement and kicking and discomfort during a pregnancy, but Rebecca’s was significantly different in that it appears to have resembled physical conflict between the two children that she was bearing.  The Hebrew word in the passage translated as “struggled”  (raw-tsats Strong’s OT7533)  can also mean “crack into pieces” or “bruise” or “crush”, indicating that Rebecca experienced severe physical discomfort.

  We read in Genesis 25 that, in her desperation for an understanding of why she was going through this trouble, she sought guidance from God.  God’s reply was in three parts:

                        That she was bearing twins who were to be the forebears of two nations,

                        that her twins would be rivals and continually in conflict with one another,

                        and that the oldest, the firstborn, would serve the youngest.

  And you need to place this against the whole of the history of the Old Testament period and of the period between the Testaments to totally understand how things panned out. 

The birth of Esau and Jacob  Genesis 25: 24 to 26

  The first born of the twins was Esau, from whom arose the Nation of Edom, whose lands were historically sited south-east of the Dead Sea.  The second of the sons was Jacob, from whom arose the Nation of Israel, to whom God had promised the land of Canaan, sited on the west side of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

If we read between the lines in Genesis 25, we can gain the understanding that there was rivalry between the two brothers from their childhood into adulthood.  Esau liked to go hunting for game.  Jacob preferred to remain around the tents, tending the flocks and herds.  Two very different personalities.  Later on, there was continual conflict between the two Nations.  The leaders of Edom refused access to the people of Israel during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.  We read of several instances of armed conflict and of wars between the two Nations during the times of the Kings of Israel and Judah.  When the people of Judah were taken into exile to Babylon, the Edomites occupied the southern portion of the land of Judah.  It was only reclaimed by the Jews under the leadership of the Maccabean Kings in the last century before the birth of Jesus Christ.

  However, it is the third part of God’s reply to Rebecca that is of interest to us.  How was it that the oldest would serve the youngest?  In Deuteronomy 21:17 we have a law outlined for us where it stipulated that the first-born son is legally entitled to inherit a double share of the Father’s possessions.  It was his birth-right.  And we see how this operated in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Yet it was not necessarily so in all situations.  In 1 Chronicles 5, we read that Reuben, although he was Jacob’s first son, was denied his birth-right because of certain sins.  It was given to Joseph instead.  And archaeological evidence has highlighted that this birth-right can also be legally exchanged between sons. 

  The oldest son was also expected to receive the Father’s blessing, because it was anticipated that he would take on the leadership of the clan or tribe upon the death of the Father.  But, again, it wasn’t necessarily so.  In Genesis 48 is the account of Jacob, whose name was now Israel, blessing the two sons of Joseph, Manasseh, the oldest, and Ephraim, the youngest.  However, he gave his special blessing to the youngest son, Ephraim, and not to Manasseh.

  And there are instances in the Old Testament where it was not the oldest son who took on the leadership role.  David was not the oldest son, yet he became King of Israel.  Solomon was not the oldest son, yet he inherited the Kingship from his Father, David.  And in 1 Chronicles 26 we read of Shimri, son of Hosah, who became the chief of his family although he was not the oldest son.

  If we accept that these decisions were made under the inspiration of God, are we then to understand that God is acting unjustly towards the oldest son in these situations.  On the contrary.  In 1 Samuel 16, in God’s reply to the Prophet Samuel, we see God’s reasons for His choices.  For he does not judge people as we do, by outward appearance and personality.  God judges by a person’s heart, their true being.  God chooses the right person to fulfil His will in a particular situation.

  Paul addresses the same issue in Romans 9.  He was discussing the grounds upon which God decided that it was to be the younger son, Jacob, who would be the leader of the people of Israel and not the older son Esau, a decision made before either son was born  (Romans 9: 12)  .  His answer is that God doesn’t act according to our desires, or because of the importance of any of our works, He acts according to His mercy, so as to fulfil His purposes.  (Romans 9: 11) 

  Some questions, however, remain to be answered:

What did Esau expect to inherit or to receive? 

Who knew of God’s answer to Rebecca and the direction God had chosen for the future of His people?

If Isaac knew of what God had told his wife Rebecca, why had he not taken action to enact God’s will?

  When Rebecca received her answer from God, who would she have told?  Well, everyone of course, because it was the relief from her troubles that she was seeking, and it was the very Word of God directing the future of His people.  Isaac would have known, as well as both Esau and Jacob.  But Isaac had not subsequently spoken of it nor acted directly about it.  In fact, it appears that he was either denying it or was hoping for a way to circumvent it.  And why was this so?  It was because he favoured Esau over Jacob.

  What’s the saying, ‘A man’s heart is through his stomach?’  This was certainly true of Isaac, for he enjoyed eating the meals prepared from the animals that Esau had hunted  (Genesis 25: 28)  .  For we read of his request to Esau in Genesis 27: 4, “Cook me some of that tasty food that I like.”  Isaac’s actions were not being led by his beliefs but by his breakfasts; he was not being led by his faith but by his food.

  Rebecca, however, favoured Jacob  (Genesis 25: 28)  .  Why was this so?  How could a mother show such favouritism for one son over another of her sons?  In Genesis 24, when Abraham’s servant travelled to the city of Haran to find a wife for his son Isaac, we see that Rebecca had an understanding that she was playing a part in God’s future plan for His people  (Genesis 24: 51)  .  And, certainly, this understanding would only have been strengthened because of God’s reply to her plea for help.

  So, when her husband, Isaac, appeared to deliberately delay fulfilling God’s will, it is reasonable to assume that she and Jacob despaired at the possibility of Esau taking on the role of leadership of the descendants of Abraham, which included fulfilling God’s promises of being a great Nation in their own land, and of being a blessing to the whole Earth.

  If Esau knew of God’s intent, why was he still acting as if the inheritance was still his and that it was his to claim when the right time arose?  Just what sort of person was he?  We read that he took pride in his skills of hunting  (Genesis 25: 27)  .  But for what purpose?  There was no need to hunt because God had ensured that their flocks of sheep and goats were large and sufficient for their needs.  We read in Genesis 26: 13 & 14 that Isaac was a wealthy person, able to afford plenty of food for his family from the flocks and herds that he owned.  And in Genesis 27: 14 we read that Rebecca was able to prepare a meal from goat meat to match any that Esau was able to prepare from game meat.

  It seems that Esau was not willing to take on the roles that were required of him as the leader of his family.  He preferred to go roaming around the surrounding countryside instead of remaining near the tents, tending the flocks and herds, and overseeing the servants, spending time with the people and the property that he would be expected to manage in the future.  These, however, were the roles that Jacob had accepted  (Genesis 25: 27).

“Esau made his vow and gave his rights to Jacob.  He ate and drank and got up and left.”

Genesis 25: 29 to 34

  And what value did Esau place upon his birth-right?  From Genesis 25 we find that Esau was only too eager to exchange it for a bowl of bean soup.  Granted, Esau was very hungry when he arrived at the place where Jacob was cooking the meal, but it is understood that he could easily have prepared his own meal, as Jacob was doing, but was just seeking a quick meal instead of spending time to prepare his own.  And what of Jacobs actions?  Was he manipulating Esau’s dire needs so as to extort the birth-right from him?  In part perhaps, but Jacob may also have been testing Esau regarding the true worth that Esau placed on this important privilege.  And there is mention of Esau making a vow to transfer the birth-right to Jacob, a vow that must have been witnessed to by the servants at the camp, so as to enable it to be accepted as a legal and binding agreement.  Therefore, Esau knew exactly what he was doing, and the judgement made against him was that he was willing to transfer a long term entitlement in exchange for short term satisfaction.  For we read “That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.”  (Genesis 25: 34b) 

  Leadership of the descendants of Abraham and Isaac incorporated certain religious aspects, including the passing on of knowledge about the God they worshiped, ensuring obedience to God’s commands, the erection of alters at places where God had appeared to them, and the offering of appropriate animal sacrifices.  Was this something that Esau demonstrated his willingness to undertake?  It doesn’t appear so, for in Genesis 26: 34 we read that he married women from two local Hittite families.

  This is significant because Abraham carefully avoided finding a wife from local families for his son Isaac, because of the probability that, in so doing, Isaac would be lead away from the worship of the God of his Father  (Genesis 24: 3 & 4)  .  Was this a realistic fear?  It appears so, for in Genesis 26: 35 we read that these two wives of Esau “made life miserable for Isaac and Rebecca”.  Why was this so?  It was because, being Canaanites, they had no love for nor desire to worship the God of Abraham and Isaac.  They worshipped their own idols, and lived by different standards.  And, by marrying them, Esau was easily led away from a concern for God’s promises and purposes, as well as God’s standards for holiness.  Is it any wonder then that the writer of the Book of Hebrews describes Esau as “immoral and unspiritual”  (Hebrews 12: 16)  ?

  It is upon these grounds that we can understand Rebecca seeking to ensure that events worked in such a way as to favour Jacob assuming the position and privileges of the “first-born” son, and, therefore, of the future leadership of the descendants of Abraham and Isaac.  In today’s passage from Genesis 25 we find Jacob using an appropriate situation to obtain the birth-right, which represented two-thirds of all that Isaac owned.

“Isaac gave his blessing to Jacob”  Genesis 27: 27

  In Genesis 27 we find Rebecca and Jacob working together to convince Isaac into giving his blessing onto Jacob instead of onto Esau, as was his intent.  Both of these situations worked together to ensure that Jacob was in a position to exercise leadership of the family, and to fulfil the third part of God’s reply to Rebecca, that the oldest son would indeed serve the youngest son.

  Should Rebecca and Jacob be judged as not trusting God to be able to ensure that His will was done, without them having to scheme and manipulate the situation?  Should their actions be judged as, in fact, threatening the very thing that they sought to bring about?  Their actions indeed brought about a great rift between Jacob and Esau, to the point that Esau was planning to kill Jacob  (Genesis 27: 41)  .  And, at this point, Jacob was far from ready to take on the leadership.  He still needed to come face-to-face with the God of Abraham and of Isaac, which he did later on at Bethel  (Genesis 28: 10 – 22)  .  And he still needed to develop a strength of character, which we do see later on in his dealings with his Father-in Law, Laban,  (Genesis 30: 25 – 43)  , and in his courage to eventually be reconciled with Esau upon his return to Canaan with his family  (Genesis 33)  .  What is certain, however, is that God was able to work in the situation to bring about the very things that He had planned to accomplish  (Genesis 35: 9 – 15)  .

“Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.”  Matthew 13: 3

    What can help us in understanding this story about Esau and Jacob is to see it in the light of the Parable of the Sower.  Esau’s wives can be described as the grain that falls along the path.  They heard the message of God’s Kingdom but it fell on deaf ears.  They did not seek to understand it because of their love for their idols, and the seed therefore do not germinate.

  Esau himself is like the seed that falls on rocky ground.  The seed grow but it doesn’t last long.  Esau was enticed away from a love for God to a love for the idols of his wives, and so the seed of God does not live long.

  Isaac’s initial actions are like the seed that falls among thorns.  His misplaced preference for Esau over Jacob choked his faith and his actions did not bear the fruit that God had intended.

  Rebecca is like the seed that falls on good soil, because her actions were aligned with what God had promised to her would be fulfilled.  She sought for the descendants of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob to remain faithful to God who had revealed Himself to them and who had promised to guide them and lead them into the future.

  Jacob, too, is like the seed that falls on the good soil, because he lived in fellowship with God and was the means for God to fulfil His purposes for His people.

  The Apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Church in Rome that “those who live as their Human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants, and that those who obey their Human nature cannot please God”  (Romans 8: 5a & 8)  .  This is such an apt description of the choices that Esau made.  And we see the consequential loss that was Esau’s.

  Paul continues by saying that “those who live as the Spirit tells them to have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants, which results in life and peace”  (Romans 8: 5b & 6b)  .  And this is what we see in the choices that Jacob made and the subsequent gain that was his, that he was to be part of God’s plan for the redemption of Humanity.

Choosing which way is the way of God

  How are we living, by our Human nature or are we led by God’s Spirit?  We, too, are faced with making a choice in life, as were Esau and Jacob.  But what guides our choice?  Do we seek to follow the path of God as did Jacob, or are we being led astray as was Esau?  I pray that you will follow the voice of God that brings life and not the voice of your fears or your desires, which can only result in a fruitless life, devoid of the closeness to God that He so yearns for each one of us.  May we live according to the words written by the Psalmist, “I have decided to obey your words, O Lord, until the day I die”  (Psalm 119: 112)  .  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the hymn ‘We give immortal praise’  (TiS118  AHB38  MHB40)

This music is for another hymn, but is used here for the tune.  The words are printed below:

Verse 1 of 3

We give immortal praise

To God the Father’s love

For all our comforts here,

And better hopes above:

He sent His own eternal Son

To die for sins that we had done.

Verse 2 of 3

To God the Son belongs

Immortal glory too,

Who bought us with his blood

From everlasting woe:

And now he lives, and now he reigns,

And sees the fruit of all his pains.

Verse 3 of 3

To God the Spirit’s name

Immortal worship give,

Whose new-creating power

Makes the dead sinner live:

His work completes the great design,

And fills the soul with joy divine.

Isaac Watts

Offering

Offering Prayer    

‘For the life that you have given’  TiS774  

[This YouTube clip is for another hymn so disregard the words – only the one verse is needed.]

For the life that you have given,

For the love in Christ made known,

With these fruits of time and labour,

With these gifts that are your own:

Here we offer, Lord, our praises;

Heart and mind and strength we bring;

Give us grace to love and serve you,

Living what we pray and sing.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Prayers for Others

Almighty God, knowing of your love for all of Humanity, especially of your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.

We bring to you our prayers for the World around us and for people individually.

We pray for the Church, that we may spread the hopeful and exciting message of the Gospel through both our words and deeds,

so that others may encounter you, the God who loves them.

We pray for a greater love for your written Word,

that we may make reading it a priority in our lives to allow your Word to challenge and prune us so that we may bear abundant fruit.

We pray for the courage to share our faith through our life stories,

that we may offer others the joy of coming to know your love through sharing the story of our journey with you.

We pray for freedom from all that enslaves our hearts,

that we may allow your Word to free us from fear, anxiety, and financial worries, enabling us to live as your children, and empowering us to be disciples of Jesus in word and deed.

We pray for the created World,

that we may promote respect for it, and work to protect and preserve it for future

generations.

We pray for all who have closed their hearts to your Word,

that you will break through their barriers, move their hearts and spirits, and open them to the Holy Spirit’s presence, to empower them to become active followers of Christ.

We pray for all who care for the sick,

that you will give them strength, to help them to radiate God’s compassion, and to show deep respect for each person for whom they assist.

We pray for a conversion of our attitudes,

that you will free us from prejudice and unfair judgments so that we may treat each person with dignity and respect.

We pray for a renewed time of Justice,

that your Justice and Peace may develop in all the structures of our society, and in all the ways Nations relate to those with whom they share their borders.

Copyright © 2023. Joe Milner. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use. – https://liturgy.slu.edu/15OrdA071623/ideas_other.html

We pray for the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

We are thankful for the long centuries of Christian history in Ethiopia and Eritrea, for the current witness and work of Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical churches amid difficult circumstances, for those who have provided humanitarian aid, especially during times of drought and hunger, and for those who have worked for peaceful relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

We pray for the victims of human rights abuses, for greater understanding and respect among the many ethnic groups, for lasting peace and reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and for the emergence of more democratic governance that respects human rights and furthers justice for all ethnic groups and minorities.

Prayers

Prayer of St Dionysius (818)

O God Eternal, good beyond all that is good, fair beyond all that is fair, in
whom is calmness and peace: reconcile the differences which divide us
from one another and bring us back into the unity of love which may bear
some likeness to your divine nature. Grant that we may be spiritually one,
both within ourselves and with one another, through the grace, mercy and
tenderness of your son, Jesus Christ.

 (A Chain of Prayer across the Ages, comp. Selina Fitzherbert Fox, John Murray, London, UK, 6th ed., 1941.)

Prayer from Eritrea

Thank you, dear Jesus,
for being a good shepherd to all believers.
When we are lost from your flock,
you never sleep until you bring us back,
and there is rejoicing in heaven and on earth.
Our daily shepherd, our defender, our protector,
thank you for keeping us from all evil,
from fearful, harmful things
and for preserving us from all unbelief.
In your name we pray.

(© 2005 Ghirmaleoul Nemariam.)

(https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/eritrea-ethiopia)

We pray for the widows, families and communities of two literacy facilitators of Bible Society Cameroon who were murdered by Islamic militant group, that the project planned will enable the two widows and their 15 children to be housed, fed, clothed, and educated.

(https://www.biblesociety.org.au/projects/solidarity-for-martyr-families/)

We pray for the project being undertaken by the Bible Society Cameroon to teach non-literate Podoka and Mafa people in Cameroon to read, write and engage in Scriptures through Bible-based literacy classes.  Through these classes, it is hoped many will be spiritually fed and equipped to improve their family and community life.

We pray for the work of translating of the Bible for the Podoko and Mafa people in Cameroon which is underway.  Most of the people cannot read or write, and while literacy rates in Cameroon are estimated at 77% in the official languages, the literacy rate of the Podokos and Mafas is far lower, at 30.7%.  This percentage is even lower in their native languages.

The proximity of the Podoko and Mafa communities to the Nigerian border exposes them to attacks by terrorist group Boko Haram.  Estimates suggest Boko Haram has victimized over 600,000 people in Cameroon, looting villages, abducting villagers or killing at random.  Many have left their villages to find refuge in camps away from the borders.

We pray for the church in Cameroon as it encourages the Podoko and Mafa people to stand firm in God despite these challenges and to reach out to them with the word of God. Therefore, the church has identified improving literacy rates as an important step in helping the communities deepen their relationship with God.

(https://www.biblesociety.org.au/projects/literacy-for-a-transformed-life/)

We pray for Yangbala Kemp currently happening in Katherine, NT, for the Indigenous youth who will be attending this and for Team Leader, Rachel, as she organises and facilitates this space.

We pray for our Scripture Union Central Coast NSW chaplains who are providing food hampers to families in crisis, giving thanks that the door has opened for these 20 opportunities to be possible.

We pray for our Camp Leader Training Day happening in Cairns later in the week that the

attendees would be encouraged and equipped to serve the youth in their local communities.

We pray for those who will recommence Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School this year.  Guide them in the words to say and the approach to take with the children in their classes.  May the Holy Spirit challenge the children in the RI classes to come to a closer relationship with you.

We pray for Kylie Conomos, the Scripture Union Chaplain at Bald Hills State School while she is on leave, that she is refreshed and rested.  Please guide and equip her as she starts a new term later in the year, and as she seeks to address the concerns and needs of children, parents and teachers at the school.

We pray for those who we have not seen for some time and who are unable to attend worship.  Please guide and comfort them in their particular circumstances.  May they be aware of your care for them as they meet what each new day brings.

Lord God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your lovingkindness.  To your glory we pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn  ‘He lifted me’  (Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 21)

Charlotte Homer

Benediction    

Let us go out, with ears that have not failed to hear, with eyes that have not failed to see, with hearts that have not failed to respond, and as soil that has received the seeds of truth and from which have grown abundant fruit. 

And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Benediction Song  ‘I am His, and He is mine.’  Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 193

Wade Robinson