Call to Worship: – 

(from Jeremiah 17: 5 to 8) 

The LORD says:

“I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts their trust in Man, in the strength of Man.  They are like a bush in the desert, which grows in the dry wasteland, on salty ground where nothing else grows.  Nothing good ever happens to them.

I will bless the person who puts their trust in me.  They are like a tree growing near a stream and sending out roots to the water.  It is not afraid when hot weather comes, because its leaves stay green; it has no worries when there is no rain; it keeps bearing fruit.”  (Psalm 1: 1 to 4)

Comments on Jeremiah 17: 5 – 8 

  These words of God that Jeremiah has recorded for us indicate that there is only the one choice for people.  You either put your trust in God or you don’t put your trust in God.  It is not a matter of degrees of trust.  It is not a matter of choosing God one day and then swapping to not choosing God the next day.  And there are no third or fourth or any other divine entities in which you can trust.  There is only one God, the God of the Bible.

  If you choose not to put your trust in God, you are choosing to put your trust in what is not God.  You are choosing to put your trust in what is man-made or man-conceived, or even in Mankind itself.  But, this does not make sense, for how can you consider placing your trust in what has been created rather than the Creator, who makes all things.

  When we gather for worship we are saying to the World, “I put my absolute trust always in God!”  We are declaring to the World the absolute folly of a denial of the need for people to place their trust in “the one true Creator God, Lord and Saviour of Humanity”.  We are declaring to the World that it is God who provides for us and sustains us, as like the tree growing near the stream that wants for nothing, especially in times of stress and distress.

  Let us gather together then, with that understanding.  Let us gather in joyful praise of our God, let us gather to offer to God the worship that is due to God as we recognise and give honour to His glory and majesty, as we recognise and give honour to the love and grace that He bountifully endowers upon us.

Prayer of Praise    

Holy God, we come to declare that You are our Creator.
Holy God, we come to proclaim Your greatness.

We glorify you, O Lord, creator of heaven and earth, for you have set the lights in the vault of the sky. You separated light from darkness and arranged signs to mark sacred times, and days and years. You studded the firmament with stars. How majestic are your works, the heavens declare your glory and the skies proclaim the work of your hands!

We acknowledge You as the Almighty,
we acknowledge all with which You have blessed us,
we acknowledge that You care for each one of us,
we acknowledge that You are our strength when we feel weak,
we acknowledge that You know us all individually,
and You created us uniquely and perfectly.
We acknowledge that, although You know us inside and out,
You still love us eternally.

That love was shown so powerfully by sending us Your son Jesus.
Jesus, we thank You for all that you mean to us and all that you have done for us.

We praise you for you did not abandon us despite our rebellion but sent
your Son to brighten our darkness and be our light and our salvation. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humanity. And the light shines in the darkness.

We worship you, O Lord, for you accompany us in the chaos of our life
through the power of your Holy Spirit. You light up our paths and give us wisdom and faith in a world of untruth and doubt.

We thank You that You call each of us by name
and that with Your disciples of old,
we too are called to serve You and Your people.

We thank you, O Lord, for you send us into the world to witness to this
light, in our various churches and diverse cultures, and to proclaim the Good News to Jesus, the one true King, offering ourselves to him.

Holy God, we come to lift Your name in the words that we say
and in the songs that we sing to You today.

May all the peoples bow before you and worship you, now and always.  Amen.

(6 February, 5th Sunday After Epiphany | The Church of Scotland)

(23 January, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany | The Church of Scotland)

We sing the Hymn ‘Jesus, name above all names’  Scripture in Song volume 2 number 21 / 226

Naida Hearn

We sing the Hymn ‘I will sing I will sing a Song unto the Lord’ – Scripture  in Song volume 2 No 49 / 254

Max Dyer

Prayer of Confession 

(From Uniting in Worship Book One, p580 & 581, numbers 3 & 4) 

Merciful God, we come before you contrite and confessing our failures.  Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you; you call us, but we have not listened.  We walk away from the needs of others, wrapped up in our own concerns.  We declare our desire for justice, yet go along with prejudice and greed.  We claim the name of Jesus Christ, yet have not departed from sin.  We profess to walk in your light, but prefer to walk in darkness. 

  Merciful God, the Psalmist wrote of your overwhelming majesty; Isaiah wrote of your overwhelming love.  We long to experience these in our own lives, but too often we are so overwhelmed by uncertainty about the future, and by feelings of powerlessness in the present, that we fail to hear you speaking to us.  Forgive us for listening to voices that call us worthless and unloved.  Forgive us for when we feel imprisoned by our fears.  Forgive us for our negative feelings about ourselves and others.  Forgive us for when we allow our fears and our worries to stifle your voice of love and to stifle your acts of compassion towards us. 

  Merciful God, we lay before you our words and our actions, our silence and our inaction, that together mean that we have not loved you with our whole heart, and soul and mind and strength.  We look within ourselves and see times when we have wandered away, we see our weakness and our selfishness, our sloth and our envy. 

  In humbleness we confess our sins to you.  In our humbleness we seek your forgiveness and the restoration of a right relationship with you.  In this we trust in your vast love for us.  To the glory of your holy name we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

 (from 1 Corinthians 15: 4 and 20)  

The Apostle Paul reminded the Church at Corinth that Jesus Christ died for their sins and was raised to life three days later.  This promise of sins forgiven and of reconciliation with God holds true for us, today, as well.  Having confessed our sins before God, let us rest on this assurance with confidence, knowing that God has listened to our prayers and has answered us by removing all traces of our sins and welcoming us into His family.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination 

(from Uniting in Worship Book 1 number 12 p599) 

  Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to receive your Word.  Silence in us any voice but your own.  In hearing these words may we perceive new truths that you seek to teach us, and may we perceive your will that you seek for us to follow, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Bible Readings:

Malachi 3:

1  The LORD Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me.  Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple.  The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my Covenant.”

2  But who will be able to endure the day of his coming?  Who can stand firm when he appears?  He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal.  3  He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver.  As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the LORD’s messenger will purify the Priests, so that they will bring to the LORD the right kind of offerings.  4  Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the LORD will be pleasing to Him, as they were in days of old, in years long past.

1 Corinthians 15:

1  And now my fellow believers, I must remind you of the Gospel that I preached to you; the Gospel which you received, on which you have taken your stand, and which is now bringing you salvation.  2  Do you still hold fast to the Gospel as I preached it to you?  If not, your conversion was in vain.

3  I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures  (Isaiah 53: 10)  ;  4  that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures  (Isaiah 53: 12)  ;  5  that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve Apostles.  6  Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died.  7  Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the Apostles.  8  Last of all he appeared also to me.

Hebrews 2:

14  The children of a family share the same flesh and blood; and so Jesus too shared ours, so that, through death, he might break the power of him who had death at his command, that is, the devil;  15  and that he might liberate those who, through fear of death, had all their lifetime been slaves. 

16  For it is clear that it is not angels that Jesus helps, but the daughters and sons of Abraham.  17  And, there, Jesus had to be made like these sisters and brothers of his in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people’s sins can be forgiven.  18  And now Jesus can help those who are being tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.

[Today’s English Version, New English Bible]

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Luke 2:

22  The time came for joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded.  So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,  23  as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every first-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord.”  (Exodus 13: 2 & 12, Leviticus 12: 6 – 8)  24  They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law.

25  At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem.  He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved.  The Holy Spirit was with him  26  and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s promised Messiah.  27  Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple.  When Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required,  28  Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:

29  “Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.  30  With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,  31  which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:  32  A Light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”

33  Joseph and Mary were amazed at the things Simeon said about Jesus.  34  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother of Jesus, “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel.  He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against,  35  and so reveal their secret thoughts.  And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”

36  There was a very old Prophetess, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the Tribe of Asher.  She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old.  37  She never left the Temple; day and night she worshipped God, fasting and praying.  38  That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child Jesus to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

39  When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.  40  Jesus grew and became strong: he was full of wisdom, and God’s blessings were upon him.

[Today’s English Version]

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Passing the Peace

  Whether we gather for worship in the Church building on Sunday morning, or whether we offer our worship in the ‘digital sphere’, it is important to recognise that, together, we remain one in Christ Jesus, we remain one in fellowship, and we remain one in worship of our God.  With that thought in mind, let us uplift our hands and greet those both here and those in their homes: May the peace of God be with you all.

  And also with you.

We sing the Hymn ‘All for Jesus, all for Jesus’

Mary James

Sermon

Last week we considered a statement by Dennis Peer, a 19^th century Canadian author and social commentator, who is quoted as saying:

“One measure of leadership is the calibre of the people who choose to follow you.”

(Reader’s Digest Quotable quotes p101)

http://barleyliterate.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-wisdom-of-dennis-peer.html

  We gauged how well this assessment of the measure of successful leadership applied to God’s choice of who would be His Prophet and ‘mouthpiece’.  When we looked at the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, we determined that God was not interested in the calibre of Isaiah or Jeremiah, nor was God basing His choice of Isaiah or Jeremiah upon what they could bring to the role of Prophet, for God could and did provide all that which they required to be God’s mouthpiece to the People of God and to the peoples of the surrounding Nations.  God made His choice of Isaiah and Jeremiah solely because of their openness and availability to God.

  But what about Jesus?  Should we be considering the calibre of Jesus?  On two occasions the Gospel writers record God’s specific words exclaiming how pleased He was with Jesus.

  At the baptism of Jesus, Luke records:

“the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from Heaven, ‘You are my own dear Son, I am pleased with you.’”  (Luke 3: 22) 

  On the occasion of the Transfiguration of Jesus upon the high mountain, Matthew records:

“a shining cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased – listen to him.’”  (Matthew 17: 5) 

  Upon what basis, then, was God expressing his pleasure with Jesus?  Was it because of the calibre of Jesus as God’s Son?

  Doesn’t Luke record for us that through the childhood of Jesus, God’s blessings were upon him?

“Jesus grew and became strong: he was full of wisdom, and God’s blessings were upon him.”  (Luke 2: 40) 

  On the occasion when Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, “sitting with the Jewish teachers in the Temple, listening to them and asking questions”, does not Luke records for us:

“All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers.”  (Luke 2: 46 & 47) 

  Surely these passages indicate how special was Jesus.  Therefore, how could Jesus not be the one for whom God was looking to be His Servant to Humanity, for did Jesus not have all the qualifications for which God was looking?  Could we not even argue that Jesus, on the basis of who and what he was, on the basis of his calibre as a ‘follower’ of God, was predestined to follow that path which God has already chosen for him to follow?

  But no, this is not so!  The New Testament writers focus not on the calibre of Jesus, but on the cost for Jesus to do what he did for God.

  Firstly, there was a cost in being born of a mortal mother, in terms of that closeness to God, as the only Son of God, that he was being asked to give up. 

  The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Church in Philippi states:

“Christ Jesus .. always had the nature of God, but .. of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.  He became like mortal man and appeared in Human likeness.”  (Philippians 2: 6 & 7) 

  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes:

“But we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, .. Jesus himself became like people of flesh and blood and shared their Human nature.”  (Hebrews 2: 9a & 14a) 

  Secondly, there was a cost in being born of a mortal mother, in terms of the Human life that he was being asked to give up.

  The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Church in Philippi goes on to state:

“Jesus was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death – his death on the cross.”  (Philippians 2: 8) 

  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews goes on to write:

“Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, so that through God’s grace he should die for everyone.  We see him now crowned with glory and honour because of the death he suffered.”  (Hebrews 2: 9) 

  How do the New Testament writers describe the attitude of Jesus, the approach that Jesus took?

  Paul, in writing to the Church in Philippi, states:

“Christ Jesus .. of his own free will he gave up all he had.  He was humble and walked the path of obedience ( to God)”  (Philippians 2: 7a & 8a) 

  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes:

“Jesus .. in his service to God”  (Hebrews 2: 17b) 

“Jesus .. was humble and devoted (to God), learnt through his sufferings to be obedient (to God)  (Hebrews 5: 7 & 8) 

“when Christ was about to come into the World, he said to God, ”Here I am to do your will, O God, just as it is written of me in the Book of the Law”  (Hebrews 10: 7 & 9, Psalm 40: 8) 

  And this obedience of Jesus to the will of God is made all too plain by the anguish expressed by Jesus in his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives:

“’Father,” he said, “if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me.  Not my will, however, but your will be done.’ .. In great anguish be prayed even more fervently’”  (Luke 22: 42 & 44a) 

  God chose Jesus to be the Messiah, not because of his calibre as the Son of God, but because of his obedience as the Son of God.

  Alan Catchpoole writes:

“Humanity fell into the desperate condition in which we now find ourselves and stands in need of salvation because of one act of disobedience.  Adam refused to obey his Creator!  Therefore, it is appropriate that salvation should be secured for God’s people by the obedience of Christ.  As Paul writes, “through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.”  (Romans 5: 19)  (Alan Catchpoole in The Wisdom that founded the Earth p180) 

  There are three areas where we can see this obedience of Christ in focus.

  Firstly, Jesus was called to be the ‘mouthpiece’ of God, he was faithful to God’s message to His people.

“Jesus said to the people, ‘I must preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God in other towns also, because that is what God sent me to do.’”  (Luke 4: 43) 

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that “I am Who I Am”; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say.  I always do what pleases Him.”  (John 8: 28 & 29b) 

  Secondly, Jesus was called to be the means by which God could work his great plan for the salvation of Humanity, he was faithful to God’s mission to His people.

“Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God: ‘Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.  With my own eyes I have seen your salvation.’”  (Luke 2: 28 to 30) 

“That very same hour Anna arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child Jesus to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.”  (Luke 2: 38) 

“Christ died for our sins, as written in Scripture”  (1 Corinthians 15: 3b) 

“Jesus himself became like them and shared their Human nature.  He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.”  ( Hebrews 2: 14 & 15) 

“when he was made perfect, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.”  (Hebrews 5: 9) 

“Because Jesus did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering he made of his own body once and for all.”  (Hebrews 10: 10) 

  Thirdly, Jesus was called to a continuing ministry to those who have followed God’s call to a renewed relationship, he is faithful to God’s people.

  The first part of this role involves a continuing renewing of the lives and the lifestyle of the believer.

“Jesus purifies people from their sins”  (Hebrews 2: 11) 

“But who will be able to endure the day of the coming of God’s messenger?  Who will be able to survive when he appears?  He will be like strong soap. Like a fire that refines metal.”  (Malachi 3: 2) 

  The second part of this role involves a continuing encouragement and supporting of the believer.

“And now Jesus can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.”  (Hebrews 2: 18) 

  Jesus Christ was obedient to the call of God.  Our response is to be obedient to the call of Jesus.  The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Corinth:

“And now my fellow believers, I must remind you of the Gospel that I preached to you; the Gospel which you received, on which you have taken your stand, and which is now bringing you salvation.  Do you still hold fast to the Gospel as I preached it to you?  If not, your conversion was in vain.”  (1 Corinthians 15: 1 & 2) 

  Paul is stating two facts.  Firstly, he argues that “the resurrection of Jesus is an established historical fact, because of the presence of so many first-hand witnesses who had seen and interacted with the resurrected Christ.  Secondly, Paul argues that the resurrection of Jesus is the very foundation of their faith, because there is no other basis for the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God.”  (Craig Keener in 1 Corinthians in The IVP Bible Background Commentary on the New Testament p484) 

  Paul is stating that to deny one’s former belief and acceptance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus is an illogical and incomprehensible denial of these two facts, unless, of course, their former claim to believe in the Gospel was not worth the breath in which it was made.  

  However, there is an ongoing responsibility that accompanies an ongoing acceptance and belief in the Gospel that the New Testament writers proclaimed.  It is an ongoing responsibility to seek that purity of Life offered to us by and through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  If we have been “set free from our sin”  (Hebrews 2: 15)  , if we have been “purified from our sin”  (Hebrews 2: 11 and 10:10)  , there can be no going back to sinful behaviour.  We are therefore called to seek to live according to those “things that are good and that deserve praise, things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable”.  ( Philippians 4: 8b)  If we have been “refined” and “cleansed” by God’s “strong soap”, there is, then, no call to engage in activities and behaviour that is unrefined and unclean.  There is, then, no call to revert back to that which we left behind.

  The writer of Psalm 1 writes of “finding joy in obeying the Law of the Lord”, and of being “guided by the Lord”  (Psalm 1: 2a and 6a)  .  May that be our boast as well, as we live out the life that Jesus Christ gained for us through his obedience to the call of God.  May we, too, be obedient to God’s call to love and to serve Him, every moment of every day, now and always.

“Christ died for me, what blessed words!

He bore my guilt one day;

No greater price has e’er been paid

Than when he took my sins away.

Today Christ calls, ‘Come, follow me!

Look not to yesterday;

Fresh grace you’ll need to do my will

Just trust me and obey.’”

(David Egner in Our Daily Bread 3 February 2001 and Dennis De Haan in Our daily Bread 3 February 2006)

We sing the Hymn ‘Through the love of God our Saviour’  MHB525

Offering

Offering Prayer    

“For the life that you have given”  TiS774 

[ sung to the tune Austria – there is no introduction]

[This YouTube 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

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that the power of Christ’s resurrection may give us vision and perspective for our lives and the courage to live for you each day.

We pray for growth in faith, that we may recognize our need for you in every part of our lives and deepen our trusting reliance upon you who provides all that we need for life and wholeness.

We pray for new sight and insight, that we may not be blinded by comfort or privilege to the struggles and suffering of others.

We pray for discernment, that we may see beyond the false answers of consumerism and prosperity and recognize that we will only find the true fulfillment of our hungers and desires in you.

We pray for all who are persecuted or suffering for their faith, that they may have the strength to bear the burdens of the day and be convincing witnesses of the new life given by you.

We pray for an end to violence and the exploitation of the poor, that you will raise up those who are exploited in slave-like working conditions or caught in human trafficking and heal their wounds, and lead them to a new life.

We pray for all who are grieving, that those who have lost loved ones, their health, employment, or freedom may know your presence, He who wipes away all tears and who brings light into every darkness.

We pray for national leaders, that you will give them wisdom and sober judgement in addressing the issues that challenge society, free them from self-reliance, and inspire them to work for the common good, with respect for all people and with reverence for you.

We pray for all who work in literacy programs, that they may continue their efforts to educate and empower those who are deprived of full participation in our society.

We pray for refugees, that you will lead them to places of safety and help them to build new lives in communities that will welcome their gifts and talents.

We pray for all who are burdened by the power of nature, that you will relieve their suffering, give them courage, and help them find the assistance that they need.

We pray for the protection and renewal of the Earth, that you will inspire and guide us as we strive to be good stewards of the air, land, and water which you have given to us.

We pray for all who are suffering that you will guide the homeless to shelter, the hungry to food, and the abused to places of safety.

We pray for renewal in the Church as we listen to one another and strive to bring forth your reign in our communities.  May we live and worship together in humility, and give ourselves as a living sacrifice to you.

We pray for all who are sick, that you will restore the sick to health, help all to get good sleep, and strengthen all who are for the sick.

We pray that you will come with the healing fire of your love to cleanse all that is not right in our communities.

Copyright © 2022. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/  and Raymond Chapman in Leading Intercessions p10, David Hostetter in Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p53

We pray for your wisdom upon the national and unit leaders of The Leprosy Mission India, so that the leadership will be good stewards of its resources and talents.  We pray for the implementation of the Country Strategy and the timely achievement of objectives and for organisational sustainability, despite all the prevailing odds.  We pray for the Audit & Risk Management team as they endeavour to move to digital platforms to make the process of auditing more efficient, effective, and meaningful.

(2022 Leprosy Mission Prayer Diary)

We pray for your blessing on the work that Uniting World is undertaking with the Protestant Church in Bali, as it seeks to provide small business training and business loans to farmers as a means to improve livelihood and food security in the community.

We pray for the peoples of Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, and Spain.  We thank you for the rich historical legacies and distinctive cultures in these countries, the faithful witness of the churches in the midst of empire building and colonization, the many and diverse waves of migrants who have come to these lands, and the hospitality that long has been shown to those arriving on their shores.

We pray for the preservation of the fragile environments and shorelines in this region, an end to economic and political turmoil, stable governments that end corruption and serve the common good, and policies that relieve disparities between those who are rich and poor.

Holy Spirit, set me on fire with your wisdom,
so that I may love only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, enlighten me with your understanding,
so that I may perceive only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, kindle in me your counsel,
so that I may see only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, inflame me with your strength,
so that I may desire only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, pour out your knowledge upon me,
so that I may do only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, give me ardent devotion,
so that I may seek only that which is holy.

Holy Spirit, make me blaze in the fear of God
so that I may never again lose that which is holy.
(From the Book of Devotions – Devocionário – of the Franciscan Congregation of Nursing Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Portugal.)

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

We pray for those who have commenced undertaking a Scripture Union training program for youth ministry and for youth work in the community.  Encourage and equip them as they undertake their studies during the year.

We pray for School Chaplains as they commence another year working with the students, staff and parents of their respective schools.  Energize them to face up to the challenges which each day will bring.

We pray especially for Kylie Conomos in her role as chaplain at Bald Hills State School.  May she have the wisdom to be able to discern the needs of those associated with the school and the graciousness to offer whatever she can do to help.

We pray for the volunteers who will be leading Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State.  May they enthuse the children in their classes to seek to learn and understand more about the message of your love and grace for them.  May the Holy spirit work in the hearts and minds of the children so that they will become the fertile ground for the good seed to grow and bear fruit.

We pray for those whom we have not seen in person for some time. Please surround them with your comfort and support, and may they experience your love for them every moment of every day.  May they know of our continuing prayers and hopes for them.

We pray for those of the Chinese Church who meet in our Church building.  In this time of being separate because of the Covid-19 risks, may they retain a closeness to you and to each other.

We pray for the members of the Tongan language service who meet in our Church building.  In this time of being separate because of the Covid-19 risks, may they too retain a closeness to you and to each other.

In the same way, we pray for those members of the Sunday morning English language service.  May we, also, feel close to you and to each other.

We ask that you will continue to guide the Church Council as they work with Moreton Rivers Presbytery to discuss and determine opportunities and options for the future of the Bald Hills Congregation.

Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  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.

We sing the Hymn ‘In Thy Love’  Alexander’s Hymn Book No. 3 number 210 sung to the tune Blaenwern – there is a short introduction

Verse 1 of 4

Father, I am weak and sinful,

Ever prone to go astray,

Like a wayward child of error

I so often lose my way.

Chorus

In Thy love, O God, have mercy,

In Thy grace redeem my soul,

Bring me back, O gentle shepherd,

Keep me safe within Thy fold.

Verse 2 of 4

In the billows of temptation,

When its waves are running high,

Bear me o’er life’s sea of trouble,

Leave me not to sink and die.

Chorus

In Thy love, O God, have mercy,

In Thy grace redeem my soul,

Bring me back, O gentle shepherd,

Keep me safe within Thy fold.

Verse 3 of 4

Father, when the shades are falling,

And the night of death is near,

Guide me through the gloomy valley,

With your light my journey cheer.

Chorus

In Thy love, O God, have mercy,

In Thy grace redeem my soul,

Bring me back, O gentle shepherd,

Keep me safe within Thy fold.

Verse 4 of 4

Open, then, the pearly portals,

That, unworthy though I be,

I may join the ransomed legions,

There to dwell eternally.

Chorus

In Thy love, O God, have mercy,

In Thy grace redeem my soul,

Bring me back, O gentle shepherd,

Keep me safe within Thy fold.

Neal McAulay

Benediction 

(from Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p52) 

We go into the World with the joyful belief that Christ’s death and resurrection are not a delusion, that we are not lost in our sins.  We go into the World knowing that God, who raised Jesus from death and welcomed him home, vindicates us because of our faith in His redeeming work.  We go into the World assured that God watches over us as we live lives of trust and obedience to Him.  And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Benediction Song

“By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered”  TiS617

[sung to the tune Finlandia – only the one verse is to be sung – there is a short introduction]

Verse 1 of 1

By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered,

And confidently waiting come what may,

We know that God is with us night and morning

And never fails to greet us each new day.

We shall remember all the days we live through,

All of our life before our God we lay.

Dietrich Bonhoffer

Translated by Frederick Pratt Green