Celebrating 151 years of worshipping and witnessing in the Bald Hills and surrounding areas.
Welcome: –
Call to Worship: –
In our Church’s library are two books that were awarded to my Dad in 1944 as Sunday School prizes. One is titled “Missionary Explorers”, by an R M A Ibbotson; the second is titled “Missionary Knights of the Cross” by a John Lambert. Both books are a compilation of short narratives of the work of missionaries in southern and central Africa, Eastern and Southern Asia, and North America, in the mid to late 1800’s.
One concerns an Alfred Swann who, in 1882, was sent by the London Missionary Society to minister to the peoples who lived by the shores of Lake Tanganyika in central Africa. It includes his account of the attempts to encourage the British authorities to make stronger efforts to stop the slave trade in areas nominally under British control. (Missionary Explorers Chapter 2)
Another is of the Rev Frank McDougall who commenced his ministry to the Dyak head-hunters of Borneo in 1841. (Missionary Explorers Chapter 15)
A third concerns a Rev James Evans who was sent by the Wesleyan Society in England to minister to the indigenous peoples of northern, central, and western Canada, commencing in the late 1850’s. (Missionary Knights of the Cross Chapter 14)
When I read these books, I was surprised to realise that each of the accounts in them took place around the same time that several families had recently settled in the Bald Hills area. Now, we can be assured that there has never been a slave trade operating in Bald Hills, nor have there been head-hunters carrying out raids on their neighbours seeking to add to their trophies. Equally, Bald Hills was never known for its tropical jungles nor for its snow-covered forests or plains. Yet, there still existed challenges at the time, relating to the significant distance from medical aid and from places from which to purchase or to sell goods. There was the not inconsiderable hazards of crossings creeks and rivers that were in flood during the rainy season or due to cyclones. However, these issues gradually abated as roads were established, bridges constructed, and the northern railway built.
151 years ago, this weekend, several of these families who shared a background of worshipping in a Methodist Congregation, decided to form their own local Congregation, initially worshipping in an open paddock near the site of this Church building. You could consider that this decision 151 years ago to form their own Congregation was just as pioneering in Christian outreach as any of the narratives contained in my Dad’s books, because these families were obedient to God’s call for them to serve Him in the Bald Hills and surrounding areas.
We can rejoice that, 151 years ago, those several families had to vision of how their new Congregation could worship God and be a witness for God in the region where they lived.
We can rejoice at the manner in which, over these 151 years, God has richly blessed the people who have shared in the life and witness of this Congregation.
We can rejoice at the manner in which, over these 151 years, God has used this Congregation to bring His blessings to the community of Bald Hills and to the surrounding areas.
So, let us gather as the people of God, to offer our worship and our praise of God, just as those families and numerous other families have done over these 151 years. Let us offer our thanks to God who has upheld this Congregation in His care and grace for 151 years.
Prayer of Praise
Praise the LORD, my soul!
O LORD, my God, how great you are!
You are clothed with majesty and glory;
you cover yourself with Light.
We give thanks to you LORD,
we proclaim your greatness and tell the Nations what you have done.
We sing praises to you, and worship you with joy.
We confidently go to you for help and worship you continually.
You, LORD, are our God, you give new life to the Earth.
Your commands are to be heard and obeyed by all the World.
You keep your covenant with us forever,
you keep your promises to us for a thousand generations.
Your glory will last forever.
Your glory is reflected in your Creation, the Heavens and the Earth which you have made.
I will sing praises to you all my life.
All my gladness comes from you.
Praise the LORD, my soul!
Praise the LORD! Amen.
You are invited to listen to, or join in singing ‘Sing Praise and Thanksgiving’
[This YouTube clip is for another song, but is used here for the tune. The words are printed below
]Verse 1 of 3
Sing praise and thanksgiving, let all creatures living
now worship their Maker with gladness and song;
all glory and honour, we come to Him bringing;
O praise to the Almighty, sing praise to our God!
Verse 2 of 3
Our lives of His making He brings to their waking,
in darkness He held us with His gracious care,
now into the light we are called from our sleeping;
O praise to the Almighty, sing praise to our God!
Verse 3 of 3
Lord, frame our desiring to do your requiring,
that unto your glory be all that we do,
and where we have faltered, give strength and give healing;
O praise to the Almighty, sing praise to our God!
Paul Gerhardt
Translated by Margaret Barclay and adapted by Colin Gibson
Prayer of Confession
(adapted from Wesley’s Prayers and Praises p22 & 23)
Saviour of all Humankind,
Giver of repentance true,
Bring our secret sins to mind,
Drag them into open view;
Show us what we dread to know,
To ourselves our sins to show.
What we cannot hide from Thee,
From ourselves we hide in vain.
Give us, Lord, ourselves to see,
Break our hearts with grief and pain.
Then our guilty load remove,
Then reveal Your pardoning love.
Jesus, suffering Son of Man
Your whole nature is to save,
Give us pardon, as you plan,
Freed from sin is what we crave.
Grant us peace of mind and soul,
In your mercy make us whole. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
(from 1 Timothy 2: 5 & 6)
The apostle Paul writes to Timothy, saying:
“For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and Humankind together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem all of Humanity. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved (from their sins and their separation from God).”
We have this assurance that, having confessed our sins before God and professed our faith in this saving work of Christ Jesus, God has heard our prayer, that God has saved us, and that God has welcomed us into close fellowship with Him.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer of illumination
(from https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Liturgist_Resources-1.pdf)
God, source of all knowledge. By your Word you give light to the soul. Pour upon us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, so that our hearts and minds may be open to know your truth and your way. Amen.
Bible Readings
Job 22:
15 Eliphaz said:
“Are you determined to walk in the paths that evil men have always followed? 17 These are the men who rejected God and believed that He could do nothing to them.”
Amos 5:
7 You are doomed, you that twist justice and cheat people out of their rights! 10 You
people hate anyone who challenges injustice and speaks the whole truth in court. 11 You have oppressed the poor and robbed them of their grain. And so you will not live in the fine houses you build or drink wine from the beautiful vineyards you plant. 12 I know how terrible your sins are and how many crimes you have committed. You persecute good men. Take bribes, and prevent the poor from getting justice in the courts.
14 Make it your aim to do what is right, not what is evil, so that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty really will be with you, as you claim He is. 15 Hate what is evil, love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the Courts. Perhaps the LORD will be merciful to the People of this Nation who are still alive.
Hebrews 4:
14 Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God – Jesus, the Son of God. 15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. 16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
This is the Word of God.
Praise to you Almighty God.
Mark 10:
17 As Jesus was starting on his journey again, a stranger ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No-one is good except God alone. 19 You know the Commandments: ‘Do not commit murder: do not commit adultery: do not steal: do not accuse anyone falsely: do not cheat: respect your father and your mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man said, “ever since I was young I have obeyed all these Commandments.”
21 Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven; then come and follow me.” 22 When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.
23 Jesus looked around at his Disciples and said to them, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God!”
24 The Disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus went on to say, “My children, how
hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 It is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”
26 At this the Disciples were completely amazed and asked one another, “Who, then, can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for a person but not for God, everything is possible for God.”
This is the Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
You are invited to listen to, or join in singing “Now thank we all our God”
Martin Rinkart
translated by Catherine Winkworth
Sermon
Believe it or not, there are numerous things to remember or to celebrate on this day, 13th October. For your information, I have compiled a short list which is located at the end of this Order of Service. There are two upon which I wish to specifically focus.
Today is Pastor Appreciation Day. The web-site, “Days of the Year”, states that this day “is a special time to honour clergy members’ dedication and hard work. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of October and is part of the broader Pastor Appreciation Month.”
Today is also International Sceptics Day. The web-site, “Days of the Year”, states that today “is like a party for your brain, where doubting is the guest of honour! This special day lands on October 13th each year, inviting everyone to question the usual and embrace a little healthy scepticism.” https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oct/13/
When I read that this day was both Pastor Appreciation Day and National Sceptics Day, I became confused, because the two themes for these days, rather than being complimentary, actually appear contradictory.
Taken together, does that mean then that, today, on Sunday 13th October 2024, we should appreciate the dedication and hard work of the Pastor, but be sceptical of the preaching of the Pastor?
Scepticism was a real issue for Eliphaz, one of the four friends of Job who sought to help Job make sense of his tragic circumstances. Eliphaz talks of “the paths that evil men have always followed, … men who rejected God and (who) believed that He could do nothing to them.” (Job 22: 15 & 17)
Such people, writes Eliphaz, are sceptical of the preaching of those who encourage the understanding that not only does God know the path that we take in life, but that God responds to us according to the path that we choose to take in life. People such as David, who writes in Psalm 17:
“Listen, O LORD, you will judge in my favour. You know my heart. (You know that) I have always walked in your way and have never strayed from it.” (Psalm 17: 1a, 2a, & 5)
David acknowledges that God is the one who can look into someone’s heart and can determine the true intent of their thoughts and actions, that God is ever aware of our thoughts and actions, and that God is judging us upon the basis of our thoughts and actions.
The Prophet Amos brought the Word of God to the People of the northern Kingdom of Isreal, and, knowing what God was saying to them, Amos was calling them to repent.
“You are doomed.” Amos says to the People of Israel (Amos 5: 7a) , because God is saying to you,
“I know how terrible your sins are and how many crimes you have committed.” (Amos 5: 12a)
These people assumed that they could get away with any and every sinful behaviour, because they thought that, even if God was watching and could see what they did, that God could do nothing to them. But God lists the very actions which He sees them doing and upon which He is judging them:
“you twist justice” (verse 7b) ,
“you cheat people out of their rights” (verse 7c) ,
“you hate people who challenge injustice” (verse 10a) ,
“you hate people who speak the whole truth in court” (verse 10b) ,
“you have oppressed the poor and robbed them of their grain” (verse 11a) ,
“you persecute good men” (verse 12b) ,
“you take bribes” (verse 12c) , and
“you prevent the poor from getting justice in the Courts” (verse 12d) .
But Amos doesn’t just tell them what path in life they shouldn’t be taking, he guides them onto the path that they should be taking and that leads to life.
“Make it your aim to do what is right, not what is evil, so that you may live.”, Amos instructs them, “Hate what is evil, love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the Courts.” (Amos 5: 14a & 15a)
And it’s not that the people have no means to determine between what actions are “right” and what actions are “evil”; they have the whole of the Old Testament Law to guide them.
In today’s passage from Mark 10 we read of a rich man who made a request to Jesus. We read that he knelt before Jesus and addressed Jesus as “good teacher”, showing that he was sincere in his asking. And it wasn’t a trivial matter that was on his mind, for he was searching for an answer to a question that was eluding him. “What must I do to receive eternal life?” he asks. Jesus replies in a way that conforms to the religious teaching that the Jews received in their Synagogues and in the Temple from when they were children. “Obey the Commandments.” Jesus says. Now, why was this the accepted answer? In Deuteronomy 5 we find it written that the people of Israel were to obey the Commandments of God, “so that everything would go well with them and their descendants forever”. (Deuteronomy 5: 29) Obedience to the Commandments brought about God’s blessing to individuals and to Society in general.
This rich man made a claim as to what he was capable of doing. “Teacher”, the man said, “ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these Commandments.”, I’ve done everything that I read in the Books of Moses; I have done everything that the Teachers of the Law have told us that we should do.” (Mark 10: 20) This rich man was saying that he was doing exactly what the Prophet Amos had said to the People of Israel, he had truly made it is aim in life to
do what was right and not was evil.
Not only was he being open about his life, but he was also apparently telling the truth, for Jesus did not admonish him for being deceitful or for making an empty boast, as was the habit of the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. But the rich man knew within himself that this was not all that he needed to do in his life. There was still an emptiness, a vacuum, that needed filling. There was a fear and uncertainty that he was still cut off from God by something that he could not understand. And he just could not find the answer in the religious teaching that he had received to date. And, he is asking “what more must I do?”
Jesus shows a real tenderness towards this man, a genuine concern for him, since we read that Jesus looked upon him with love. (Mark 10: 21) Jesus knew exactly what was the answer. Jesus knew exactly what the rich man still needed to do. For Jesus knew that getting right with God was not a matter of what we are capable of doing by ourselves; getting right with God is not a matter of ticking the right boxes in terms of behaviour and attitudes or getting a good result in a performance appraisal. Getting right with God is a matter of how we love God. How do we show our love for God? How do we show that we love God above everything else? How do we show that nothing else matters in our life except our love for God?
Jesus knew that the man kneeling before him was struggling with the question of what he loved most in his life. Being wealthy meant that he had no struggles in his life to get food or accommodation, nor to obtain what he wanted, nor to influence how his live turned out; making it very easy for him to be able to obey all the Commandments. But being wealthy implied a dependence upon his wealth for happiness and a sense of satisfaction in life. He was dependent upon his wealth for his sense of well-being and accomplishment. And if his wealth was to be taken away how would that alter his outlook on God?
In a way, the rich man was justified in thinking that his wealth was a reward for the good life that he had lead, and was a sign and indication of the ‘wealth’ that was his to claim in the next life. Wasn’t Abraham a wealthy man, richly blessed by God for his obedience? Wasn’t Job rewarded with wealth because of his trust in God? Wasn’t King Solomon promised wealth simply because it wasn’t a priority in what he had sought from God to assist him to be king? Boaz was a wealthy man and wasn’t he blessed by God because of the kindness that he showed to Naomi and Ruth? Therefore, wasn’t the rich man justified in thinking that he deserved to retain his wealth and, also, to be blessed with eternal life?
“No”, said Jesus, “you need to give up all you own. Go and sell everything that you hold dear and upon which you depend, give the money away to the poor and needy, to the very people you pass in the streets and judge as undeserving of the love of God because they are not as wealthy as you are, and then come and follow me.” (Mark 10: 21) Jesus sought to show his love for God by not relying on Earthly wealth for a roof over his head or for food to eat. These things God would provide as the need arose. How different to the lifestyle of the rich man where he could get anything that he wanted by a simple gesture to his servants who retrieved whatever the man desired from his ample storehouses and pantries.
What a challenge for the rich man. Jesus was saying “demonstrate your love for God by showing that you love God more than you love things.” And did the rich man strive to meet this challenge? No, for we read that gloom spread over his face and that he went away sad (Mark 10: 22) ; probably the only person about whom we read in the New Testament who departed from Jesus despondently and not joyfully.
The Disciples, of course, were observing this taking place before them, and they were becoming confused, for they too had the notion, taught to them from their childhood, that wealth was a blessing from God, which showed God’s favour towards the person. Instead, Jesus stated the opposite. Jesus is saying that those who are self-reliant, would tend to seek an understanding of what they themselves can do to earn God’s favour. What was it that the rich man asked? “What must I do to receive eternal life?” (Mark 10: 17) Jesus is saying that this approach is not correct. “It is impossible for a person to save themselves”, Jesus says, ”it is possible only for God.” (Mark 10: 27)
The writer to the Hebrews talks of Jesus as “our High Priest who is interceding on our behalf before God in Heaven.” (Hebrews 4: 14) Such a task is impossible for us to accomplish, for we live of Earth, but possible for Jesus, the Son of God, who dwells in Heaven with God the Father. It is impossible for us, weakened by our sin, but possible for Jesus who was “tempted in every way as we are, but did not sin”. (Hebrews 4: 15)
Therefore, the correct approach is one of humbleness before God, where we are acknowledging that we are reliant upon the grace and mercy of God. The correct approach is one of acknowledging our indebtedness to God for his undeserved grace and mercy, and not standing before God saying, “Look and see the type of life I have been living. What reward are you going to give me for what I have done?” The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews assures us, “Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace.” (Hebrews 4: 16)
“It is impossible for Humanity to save themselves”, Jesus is indeed stating, “But everything is possible for God.” Salvation is the gift of God, which money cannot buy; for the rich and poor alike, it is a miracle of divine grace. (C Graham Swift in Mark in New Bible Commentary p873)
Are there things that we seek to bring to God as proof that we are deserving of His favour towards you? Do we talk to God of our service to others, telling God how we deserve a reward for all of our effort? What is it in our lives that stops us from taking that step of giving all to God and following God? What is it of which we are fearful of giving up and of dedicating to God? Do we respond with joy in our relationship with Jesus, or do we turn away despondent about the cost of doing so?
I found this poem in an edition of “Our Daily Bread”:
“The perfect righteousness of Christ is free to everyone,
but we by faith must take that gift and trust God’s precious Son.”
Dennis De Haan
(Our Daily Bread 20 September 2008)
Let our focus in life be to put our trust in Christ Jesus to free us from our sins and to reconcile us with God.
Let us live out this trust in a life of righteousness, of doing what is right, not because it earns us merit before God but simply because that is the will of God for us.
Let us then go and follow the calling of Christ Jesus in the direction that he leads us. Amen.
You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the hymn: ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’
Joachim Neander
translated by Catherine Winkworth and others
Prayers for Others
Almighty God, we recall those who at some point in their lives have been involved in any of the groups operated by the Bald Hills Church for children and youths over the past years:
the Sunday School, Rays, Oks, BHUGS, P1, KUCA, and Youth Groups.
We pray that they will remember the warmth of the fellowship. We pray that the teaching that they received will remain with them throughout their lives. We pray that if they have responded to the Gospel message that their trust in you will be strengthened each day. We pray that if they have not yet responded to the Gospel message, that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives so that they will recall the words of comfort and calling from your Son, Jesus, for their lives, and to act upon them.
We thank you for the opportunity to have been involved in the work of Samaritan’s Purse Appeal. We ask for your blessings upon the work that the organisers are seeking to accomplish with impoverished peoples overseas. We ask for your protection of the shoe boxes as they are being transported and delivered. We ask for your protection over the people whose task it is to distribute these boxes at the desired places. We ask that your message of love and hope will be revealed to people in the simple gesture of receiving each box.
We thank you for the regular opportunity to contribute towards the Christmas Bowl
Appeal. We ask that people will give generously to this appeal in the knowledge that their gifts will enable others to become self-reliant in terms of earning a living so as to feed and house themselves and their families. We ask for your guidance for those who determine to where finance is distributed, and your guidance for those receiving finance so that it is used wisely.
We thank you for the opportunity to become involved in supporting Prison Ministry in their ministry of support of prisoners and their families. We pray for your protection over their staff as they enter and hold worship in prisons. We pray for your guidance as the staff provide for the families of prisoners with gifts of food and other items, and with emotional and spiritual support.
We thank you for the opportunity to become involved with Frontier Services, especially with Pastor Michael Chapman, Flying Padre for the Carpentaria / McKay remote region. We ask that you will support him as he lends a sympathetic ear to those who he visits, and guide him as he provides practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those in need. Protect him as he travels the vast distances during his patrols. Keep him health and fit to continue to undertake his ministry in the Australian outback.
We pray for the staff of PM Aged Care, for those who cook the meals, for those who wash the linen and clothes, for those who maintain the gardens and clean the buildings. We thank you for the many ways that they tend to the needs of the residents each day. We pray that you will keep them safe at work, and that they will know our appreciation for their efforts.
We pray for those who undertake Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School. Guide them in their preparation for the words to say to the children in their classes. Guide them in the approach to take so as to share the message clearly and simply. Encourage them with the knowledge that their message is being heard and absorbed by those in their care.
We pray for Kylie Conomos, the Scripture Union Chaplain at Bald Hills State School, as she addresses the concerns and needs of children, parents and teachers at the Bald Hills State School. Please support her in the many activities that she oversees: Chappie mentors, the Breakfast mornings, lunchtime activities, and addressing family issues, that she will have the energy each day to meet the unexpected, that she will know the right thing to say when a situation arises, that she will have enough in her pantry to distribute a basket of hope to those in need.
We pray that you will guide us as a Congregation here at Bald Hills as we seek to continue to be your hands and feet and voice to the community in which we live and move.
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.
Offering
Offering Prayer
You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the hymn: ‘Rejoice the lord is King’
Charles Wesley
Dedication Prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for our life together as this Congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia in the Bald Hills and wider community.
Together you have led us by the Holy Spirit to serve your people in this place, to build up your Church, and to glorify your name.
Together we have worked for the sake of the Gospel.
Together we have studied your Word.
Together we have broken bread at your table.
In thanksgiving, we praise you for raising up faithful servants among us to undertake various roles and ministries for the people in your Church, here, and in the wider community, in whatever form or function for which you have granted us gifts and talents.
And we pray that we may continue to exemplify, in word and speech and deed, the Gospel of your Son.
Grant that we may continue to serve you in the Church on Earth,
and be brought to rejoice in your Kingdom forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Benediction
In the name of Christ, may we bring God’s peace wherever we go;
may we act with God’s Wisdom in whatever we do,
may we speak God’s Word in whatever we say,
may we embody God’s Presence to whoever we meet.
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: ‘He lifted me’ (Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 21)
Verse 1 of 4
In loving kindness Jesus came,
my soul in mercy to reclaim,
and from the depths of sin and shame
through grace He lifted me.
Chorus
From sinking sand He lifted me;
with tender hand He lifted me;
from shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!
Verse 2 of 4
He called me long before I heard,
before my sinful heart was stirred;
but when I took him at His word,
forgiven He lifted me.
Chorus
From sinking sand He lifted me;
with tender hand He lifted me;
from shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!
Verse 3 of 4
His brow was pierced with many a thorn,
his hands by cruel nails were torn,
when from my guilt and grief, forlorn,
in love He lifted me.
Chorus
From sinking sand He lifted me;
with tender hand He lifted me;
from shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!
Verse 4 of 4
Now on a higher plane I dwell,
and with my soul I know ‘tis well;
yet how or why I cannot tell,
he should have lifted me.
Chorus
From sinking sand He lifted me;
with tender hand He lifted me;
from shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!
Charles Gabriel
Service for Sunday 13th March 2022, the second Sunday in Lent, conducted by Mr GeoffreyWebber 
Service for Sunday 5th February 2023, which included communion, and was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber 
Service for Sunday 2nd June, which included Communion, and was conducted by Mrs Moana (Ana) Teulilo-Schaaf 