Welcome:   

We are reminded from Scripture in the letter to the Hebrews (chapter 10) that Jesus is utterly dependable and in that knowledge let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds. And let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some do. Let us do all we can to help one another’s faith, and this the more earnestly as we see the final day drawing ever nearer.

So we greet each other with the love of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

Peace be with you!

And also with you!

Call to Worship  

‘They say that when we have more than we need, instead of constructing a higher wall, we build a longer table.’ (Gregory Boyle)
The banquet that God is even now preparing is for all humankind – you, and you, and you and me.
Let’s make sure everyone gets an invitation!

This last two weeks for Liz and I have been a little difficult. The operation on Liz’s knee went well. But the recovery – not so well. We really relied on the Lord to get us through and give thanks that God was there in our time of need. We are thankful for your prayers and support and now are praying for patience over the next few weeks as the healing takes place. We know that God is with us at all times especially in times of need.

Join with me in these choruses from Scripture that celebrate His faithfulness and steadfast love.

May our joy and thankfulness flow out to all we meet.    

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing 2 songs:

‘I will sing of the mercies of the lord forever’

‘The steadfast love of the lord never ceases’

Gathering Prayer

Gracious God,
your tender, kind, compassionate love
hugs the whole of your creation.

May we let that love heal us
and, unblocked, within us,
flow out to all we meet. 

As we gather before you today, Lord God,
we remember that you are God of all;
so, we pray for wisdom and sensitivity
in hearing the voices of those on the margins of our experience.

Lead us to hear with your ears and to follow your example,
As we seek to meet needs and foster harmony in your world.
Amen.

We will read Psalm 67 responsively:

(For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.)

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;    

May all the peoples praise you.

 The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

Introduction

MY DAD’S GOT MY TICKET

I grew up in Burwood an inner suburb of Sydney. With no car our life centred around travel on the train. Sometimes on the bus, sometimes on the ferry. Locally we always walked.

Dad worked in the city and caught the train. Whenever we went on an outing it was usually on the train.

Dad would buy the tickets 2 adults and 4 halves return to the city – torn in half and the return half kept – Dad always purchased the tickets and kept the tickets, as we became older and more responsible he would give us the ticket just as we exited; passed our ticket over to hand over to the station master.

I always knew my Dad always had my ticket. I felt safe and confident of arriving at the intended destination.

If I became lost the instructions were to wait and stay in that place and Dad would come back to find me. I remember it happening on one occasion. I waited and stayed put. Sure enough Dad came back whistling his distinctive tune. He found me and was soon united with the rest of the family.

The episode has parallels with the message of the Good Shepherd who went out to search for his lost sheep. No matter how many times we (that’s us) may stray, the good shepherd goes out to seek and save us.  

I’m sure it’s better to stay close and follow, because my heavenly Dad always knows where we are going and has my ticket.

Reflection Song 

There are many creative arrangements of the 23^rd Psalm and no doubt they were inspired by a personal moment that overflowed into praise and worship. Reflect on the times you could not rely on your own ability to find a way through a difficult situation and had to simply put your trust in the Lord. Make this song your own. We’ve heard and maybe sung it before. You are invited to listen or join in singing.

The Lord’s My Shepherd  (Stuart Townend)

Prayer of Confession      

Father, we confess we still shy away from some fellow human beings,
as if they would taint us. They are not our sort, we say; their
issues are not our concern.

But you do not cut yourself off from anybody. You do not turn your back

where there is need.

Forgive us for distancing ourselves from the problems of those
who are different in some way. We commit to hearing the cries
of all your children, and to responding where we are able.
Amen.

 Assurance of Forgiveness

We are no longer separated from God, we are God’s children, put right with himself through our faith in the saving work of His son, Jesus Christ.  Having confessed our sins, we have the assurance that God has listened and that God has forgiven us.

You forgive us, Lord, when our hearing is selective,
when we choose to whom we shall listen and respond.

Thank you for forgiving our selfishness.

You forgive us, Lord, when our faith is selective,
when we choose the bits that we like and ignore the
difficult things.

Thank you for forgiving our wilful ignorance.
Thank you for being the God of forgiveness,
heart ever open to our penitence and the will to do better.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing ‘Father I thank you’ (SIS 269)

Prayer Of Illumination

As we prepare to hear the Scriptures for today, we turn our attention to God to ask that we hear God’s word to better know God’s will for our lives. This time allows us to take a moment to “get settled” and ready to hear God’s written word.

We pray together

 Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 12:1-3

 The Lord had said to Abram,

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“

Isaiah 56

verse 1

 This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
    and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
    and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

Verses 6-8

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
    to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
    and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
    and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.”
The Sovereign Lord declares—
    he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
    besides those already gathered.”

(Response)

Your word, O God, is a lamp to our feet

A light to our path

Matthew 15:21-28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

May your word live in us

And bear much fruit to your glory

Message

Abram (Abraham) was blessed to be a blessing not just for us but in order that all peoples of earth will be blessed even those beyond the pale.

We are familiar with these verses from Genesis.

Genesis 12:1-3

 The Lord had said to Abram,

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.“

As Jesus points out, it is a mistake to understand that the blessing was to be kept within the confines of “God’s family” because God wants his family to grow.

Isaiah 56

verse 1

 This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
    and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
    and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

We discover that as we live justly and strive to do what is right, we discover that the Lord is close at hand.

Verses 6-8

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
    to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
    and to be his servants,

Those beyond, the foreigners will come to love the Lord and experience the joy of knowing God and his house will be called a house of prayer.

The sovereign Lord gathers not only His people but will gather still others besides those already gathered.

What joy! God’s people blessed so that others will be blessed.

all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
    and who hold fast to my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
    and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
    will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.”
The Sovereign Lord declares—
    he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
    besides those already gathered.”

In our Gospel reading Jesus follows the narrative of an encounter with a group of Pharisees.

Jesus points out to these Pharisees that what comes from the heart, a heart built on genuine faith and absolute trust in God, is what matters not outward appearance and actions motivated by self-aggrandisement.

 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Then follows a narrative of Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman desperately crying out for the healing of her “demon possessed daughter. Her cries of “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! …. The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

….echo other instances of where those suffering have come to the end of their tether and cried out to God for help.

Despite the apparent lack of compassion shown by Jesus when He initially responds stating the views of the typical religious elders of the time, “this annoying woman is beyond the pale, a foreigner, unclean, not worthy of God’s love” Jesus recognises the woman’s inner self – her courage and faith motivated by the love of her child. God’s healing love included her for Jesus knew the wideness of God’s mercy challenging the ordinary Jew of the time that they were blessed in order that others may be blessed.

The focus on the reading becomes……

“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

…… and this challenges our own attitudes in this day and age.

The 4 Corners programme this week

Breaking the Cycle: The children of Australia’s meth crisis

Four Corners investigates what’s being done to tackle one of the most hidden side effects of the drug epidemic.

In this programme we saw young “mothers to be” suffering addiction to ICE. They knew what this drug was doing to their lives and their unborn child and we could see the unimaginable pain they suffered from their addiction.

 They also experienced rejection and worthlessness. Their desperate cries for help motivated by their love for unborn child answered by a loving supportive group home that walked with them towards healing.  It seemed to me very similar to that Canaanite woman’s plight.

The programme challenges us and our attitudes, especially as we encounter the problems of our modern society firsthand within our own families and circle of friends and acquaintances.

For us who have known that our help comes from the Lord and turn to Him in times of trouble, we pray and receive comfort from the Lord.

We are advised to ask for prayer.

If anyone is ill, he should send for the Church elders. They should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. Believing prayer will save the sick man; the Lord will restore him and any sins that he has committed will be forgiven. You should get into the habit of admitting your sins to each other, and praying for each other, so that if sickness comes to you, you may be healed. (James)

Here at Bald Hills, we pray week by week for healing and various needs known to us. We pray in confidence that the Lord our will answer our prayers, o we also cry out like the psalmist.

Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer!
² In despair and far from home
    I call to you!

Take me to a safe refuge,
³     for you are my protector,
    my strong defence against my enemies.

⁴ Let me live in your sanctuary all my life;
    let me find safety under your wings.
⁵ You have heard my promises, O God,
    and you have given me what belongs to those who honour you.

When we are ill or hurting ……

The encouragement is for us to ask for prayer in faith and not to hold back.

The encouragement is put our trust in the Lord.

The encouragement is to let go of our stiff upper lip and recognise our vulnerability.

The encouragement is to join with the congregation and the whole company of heaven as we pray together.

The encouragement is to experience the love of the Lord as we go through difficult times, for our praying is not just an endless shopping list but an entering into the deep-down joy of living in that love.

My first experience of a congregation praying for healing was when my Dad suffered an aneurism on his brain.

This happened back in 1963 in Sydney. I was a young teenager at the time when my Dad collapsed in the shower getting ready for work. He was rushed to hospital where an operation saved his life. As far as I was concerned he was just taken away and I didn’t see him until he returned home weeks later.

At a special prayer meeting a group gathered in the chapel specifically to pray for his healing. I was there and perhaps bewildered as this was something new to me. A distant God entering into the everyday struggles of my life. Perhaps I knew an that ever-present was with me all along.   

Life for us as a family changed. Dad was healed in body but he was unable to return to work and consequently we ended moving to Brisbane to be close to Mum’s family. Dad remained a caring and loving person.

Answered prayer? Not what I may have expected, but a “knowing” that God was with us in our time of trouble.

There were many occasions where Liz and I experienced the loving prayer and support from our congregation, but maybe one more instance to mention was when we prayed for our youngest son Michael who suffered from a severe squint. The congregation met together, and we prayed. He was anointed with oil. I’m sure we hoped for instant healing, but the healing took place through many operations by a specialist with care and skill. Today about 40 years later his eyes are straight. Hallelujah!

And turning to the present.

Liz is in the process of recovering from a knee replacement operation. While the operation went well, her body reacted of the trauma of the operation and for a few days she was monitored in ICU. Liz is home now and on the mend.

We are thankful for the prayers and support of the congregation and through those prayers we have known the all-comforting love of God.

There is one thing that I have learnt along the way is that when someone is suffering, they cannot pray for themselves but need the prayers of others.

The cry is there and we who are God’s people respond to the cry as we pray.

Which brings us full circle to Abraham (Abram) who was blessed in order that all peoples of earth will be blessed.

We who are blessed are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are filled with joy filled with the closeness of knowing God and this joy overflows from our lives into the lives of others.

Our faith in God’s provision for us gives us the confidence to be His people in a broken world that is crying out not just for help but healing from the inside out.

We trust God. He has our tickets, and we trust Him to take us to our destination. So we stick close to Him and like a true pilgrimage we support each other pick up others long the way.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing             ‘Great Is Your Faithfulness’ (TIS 154)

 Prayers for Others

The Canaanite woman sought your help. She loved her daughter so much, shewas so desperately in need, that she wouldn’t give up till she had her answer.
We pray in faith.
Hear us and answer our cry, blessed Lord.

Lord, may we learn from this woman, to wait on you expectantly, patiently, persistently, doggedly. Grant us the courage of our convictions when we truly believe we are doing your will.
We pray in faith.
Hear us and answer our cry, blessed Lord.

We pray today for those who feel excluded, whatever their situation, whatever the reason: for prisoners, refugees, the homeless; for the sick, the mentally unstable; for any who feel that they are outsiders.
We pray in faith.
Hear us and answer our cry, blessed Lord.

We pray for ourselves when our faith is weak, or we feel that we don’t belong.
We pray in faith.
Hear us and answer our cry, blessed Lord.
Amen

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 song ‘The Great Love of God ‘

(unfortunately we cannot print the words)

Benediction/ Sending Out

 O God, you open your arms wide to all of us.
Help us trust that you really do love us,
the real deep-down us, warts and all.
Nothing we can do can stop you loving us.
If, like the Canaanite woman, we dare to believe,
may your healing love flow through us to the hurting,
so we may hear singing in heaven! 

“May the LORD bless you, and keep you;

May the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

May the LORD lift up His face to you, and give you peace.”

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing  ‘Now Unto Him Who Is Able To Keep’

Going Out Music   

‘We are Marching in the Light of God’