Welcome

Call to Worship 

(Psalm 63: 1 to 5) 

“O God, you are my God, and I long for you.  My whole being desires you,

Like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.

Let me see you in the Sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are.

Your constant love is better than life itself, and so I will praise you.

I will give you thanks as long as I live; I will raise my hands to you in prayer.

My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.”

  Some writers attribute this Psalm to David, at a time when he was living in the southern wilderness of Israel while on the run from King Saul who was intent on killing David.  Because of his circumstances David was separated from the Sanctuary of God which was back in Jerusalem, and therefore unable to attend daily worship God as was his habit.  Thus we understand his language of desiring God and of thirsting for God, and of longing to be at the Sanctuary of God so that he could experience God’s presence.  (Leslie M^cCaw & Alec Motyer in Psalms in The New Bible Commentary p489) 

  We are not on the run from anyone in the same way as was David, for we are attending worship here of our own free will. Yet we can too share the same desire to be close to God and to know the very presence of God with us as we gather today.  Let us have that reassurance that God is here with us, and let us sing of our praise to Him and offer our adoration to the God who love us.

Prayer of Praise  

(from An Aust Prayer Book pp211 & 212, the Book of Common Worship p308, The book of Worship p177, Opening Prayers p 37, Invocations and Benedictions p124, A Year of Prayer pp 116, 117 & 118, Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p91) 

  God of life, source of our faith and hope, we are in awe of your power and majesty; we celebrate your victory over death by the raising of Jesus Christ on the third day; we are immeasurably thankful to you for the sending of your Son, we are immeasurably thankful for His willingness to sacrifice himself on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  You turned our despair into triumph by the resurrection of Jesus; you have rescued us from eternal damnation and darkness and, instead, have bestowed upon us who trust and obey you, light and life that endures for ever.

  We are utterly helpless to save ourselves or to contribute any merit of our own towards gaining your favour towards us.  But you took the initiative, you reconciled us to yourself through Jesus Christ while we were still sinners, you made him who had no sin to be sin for us.  We come before you honouring you as the Lord of our life and praising you as the Saviour of our soul.

    Bountiful God, source of all good things, we are in awe of your generosity towards us; we are thankful to you for the everyday things that we need to live, we are thankful for the special things that come our way that makes our life bright and cheerful.  We acknowledge that you are the maker of all that is seen and unseen, of all that is on Earth and all that is in the Universe around us, of all that is simple and of all that is complex, of all that we can understand and of all that is beyond our comprehension.  We come honouring you as the one true creator God.

    God of compassion, source of true tenderness, we are in awe of your loving kindness towards us; we are thankful to you for your care in our times of need, we are thankful for your protection of us in times of strife.  We rely upon your promise to be the source of our strength and to be there beside us to support us.  With gladness and rejoicing we acclaim you as our God.  Amen. 

Hymn

“Open our eyes Lord we want to see Jesus”  Scripture in Song vol 2 number 185 / 390

[There is a short introduction. – This YouTube has music, singing and words.]

Bob Cull

“’I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever”  Scripture in Song vol 2 number 199 / 404

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing, I will sing.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,

With my mouth will I make known

Thy faithfulness to all generations.

[repeat]

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing, I will sing.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

James Fillmore

Prayer of Confession   

  Merciful God, we come before you contrite in soul and spirit because we know that we have failed you in so many ways.

  We confess that there is so much in our lives, in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions, that displeases you and saddens you.

    Forgive us for when we have failed to listen to you, when we have turned away from you and pretended that we can no longer hear your voice.  Forgive us for when we have refused to heed your advice and have scorned your wisdom, when we have turned away from you and pretended that we knew all the answers.

  Forgive us for when we have failed to trust you, when we did not have the courage to obey you, when we have turned away and rejected your love.  Have mercy on us.

    Forgive us for when we have failed to be your witnesses to the World around us.  Forgive us for when we were more afraid of stepping on people’s toes than on challenging their self-assurance.

  Forgive us for when we have failed to be your calming voice in the surrounding turmoil, for when we have failed to be your revealing light in the surrounding darkness.  Have mercy on us.

    Forgive us for our pride that prevents us from stooping low to help someone or from getting our hands dirty.  Forgive us for our laxity in being regular in reading your Word or spending time in prayer with you.

  Forgive us for when we are not excited when a new day dawns, because each day is a gift from you to be treasured.  Have mercy on us.

    In your mercy forgive us our sins and our shortcomings.  Cleanse us from all that darkens our souls and prevents us from true fellowship with you.  Remove from us all that hinders us from showing real love to those around us, and from all that presents a hurdle for others to come to a right relationship with you.

  Through your Spirit may we be more ready and diligent to live out our faith in our words and deeds, in our conversations and our relationships.  In your name we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness  (2 Corinthians 5: 21) 

The Apostle Paul assures us with these words “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share in the righteousness of God.”  Having confessed our sins before God we can then be assured that our prayers have been heard, that our sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and that our souls have been cleansed in His sight.

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

Isaiah 55:

1  The LORD says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty – here is water!  Come, you that have no money – but grain and eat!  Come!  Buy wine and milk – it will cost you nothing!  2  Why spend money on what does not satisfy?  Why spend wages and still be hungry?  Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all.

3  Listen now, my People, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life!  I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you blessings I promised to David.  4  I made him a leader and commander of Nations, and through him I showed the my power.  5  Now you will summon foreign Nations: at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you!  I, the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, will make all this happen; I

will give you honour and glory.”

6  Turn to the LORD and pray to Him now that He is near.  7  Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking.  Let them turn to the LORD, our God; He is merciful and quick to forgive.

2 Peter 2:

1  False prophets appeared in the past among the people, and in the same way false teachers will appear among you.  They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so they will bring upon themselves sudden destruction.  2  Even so, many will follow their immoral ways; and because of what they do, others will speak evil of the Way of Truth. 

10  These false teachers are bold and arrogant,  15  They have left the straight path and have lost their way.

17  These men are like dried-up springs, like clouds blown along by a storm: God has reserved a place for them in the deepest darkness.  18  They make proud and stupid statements, and use immoral bodily lusts to trap those who are just beginning to escape from among people who live in error.  19  They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves to destructive habits – for a person is a slave of anything that has conquered them.

[Today’s English Version]

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Luke 13:

1  At that time, some people were there who told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God. 

2  Jesus answered the, “Because these Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?  3  No indeed!  And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins. You will all die as they did.  4  What about those eighteen people in Siloam who were killed when the tower fell on them?  Do you suppose this proves that they were worse than all the other people living in Jerusalem?  5  No indeed!  And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did.”

6  Then Jesus told them this parable:

“There was once a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard.  He went looking for figs on it but found none.  7  So he said to his gardener, ‘Look for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven’t found any.  Cut it down!  Why should it go on using up the soil?’  8  But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone, sir, just one more year: I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer.  9  Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.’”

[Today’s English Version]

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Passing the Peace 

(from Romans 1: 7b) 

We are gathered in this place, and in the homes of friends, to acknowledge the holiness and authority of Almighty God.  Trusting in His grace and mercy, let us lift up our hands and share with each other, with those who are here and with those in their homes: “May the peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be always with you.”

And also with you.

For the Young at Heart

Screen 1

My grandmother’s cane

  When we were cleaning out my parents’ house after they moved into residential care, we came across my grandmother’s cane or walking stick.  And I think that originally it was her mother’s.  Some of the varnish is coming off, and it is a bit dented at the bottom, but it still looks strong and useful for the task.

Screen 2

My cane

  Here is the cane that my children gave to me on my 60^th birthday.  It has “all the bells and whistles”, literally and figuratively:

            A great sounding horn to warn people that I’m coming,

            A warning sign, saying “slow mover – caution”,

            A tag with my name and the phone number of my residence, just in case I get lost,

            A tablet case for my medications, and

            A purse with some money in it, so that if I get picked up by the Police I won’t get

charged for vagrancy.

  One is just as good as the other, because each of them serves well the primary task of a cane, that is, to assist you with your walking; in addition to miscellaneous secondary tasks of a cane, such as reaching for something on the top shelf in the supermarket, or beating off a swooping magpie.

  Now, to some people, the need to use a ‘cane’ conjures up an image of the user being inadequate or deficient in some form or manner.  To me, such a correlation is incorrect, hurtful, and unwarranted.  I think that we should even avoid the use of the word ‘cane’, and, instead, adopt the usage of ‘walking stick’ or ‘staff’, for these terms are associated with the understanding of it being useful, or even of it being essential.  In fact, when we look at the usage of term ‘walking stick’ in the Bible, there is just such an understanding.

Screen 3

“Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.”  Psalm 23: 4

  Possibly the best-known verse associated with a walking stick is that of Psalm 23: 4:

“Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.”  (Today’s English Version) 

  The Hebrew word that is used in this verse is ‘mishenah’, which is translated as walking stick or staff, and has the associated understanding of something that is useful and is used for support and protection.  (Strong’s OT4938)  And this verse brings out this meaning all too clearly, for the shepherd uses his staff not just to support and protect himself, but also to support and protect the sheep that are under his care.  This imagery is cleverly used by David to reveal how God supports and protects those whom He has promised to provide his care and comfort, every moment of their lives.

Screen 4

“Once again shall old men and old women sit in the city squares of Jerusalem, each leaning on a stick because of their great age.”  Zechariah 8: 4

  The same Hebrew word is used by the Prophet Zechariah, when he wrote:

“Once again shall old men and old women sit in the city squares of Jerusalem, each leaning on a stick because of their great age.”  Zechariah 8: 4  (New English Bible) 

  The context of this verse is not that the old men and old women referred to are seen to be using a walking stick because of any inability or disability, but that they are to be seen as blessed by God because they have lived to such a “great age” that, because of the aging process, they need a walking stick to lean upon as support for themselves as they walk.  The walking stick is a symbol of God’s blessing upon them.  And it should be the same symbol of God’s blessing upon people today.

Screen 5

“Don’t take anything with you on the trip except a walking stick – no bread, no pack, no money in your pockets.  Wear sandals, but don’t carry an extra shirt.”  Mark 6: 8 and 9

  Perhaps the best-known New Testament passage relating to a walking stick is the instruction found in Mark 6 that Jesus gave to his Disciples when he sent them to the villages around Nazareth, to teach the people, to heal the sick and to drive our demons.  Jesus gave them strict instructions not to take many items, such as bread or a pack or money or an extra shirt.  Such items would not just impede their travelling lightly and easily, but would also impede their dependence upon God to provide for their every need.  It is noteworthy that the one thing that Mark records that they were to take with them was their walking stick.

  The Greek word used is ‘rhabdos’, which is translated as a walking stick or staff.  (Strong’s NT4464)  Given the rough tracks and steep slopes upon which the Disciples would be travelling so as to reach many of the outlying and isolated villages, using a walking stick as a support can be seen as a wise precaution if not as an essential travelling aid, if they were to travel safely and to ensure that they reach their destination.

  Given the state of some of our footpaths, is it any wonder that a walking stick is an essential travelling aide for many people around their neighbourhoods today.

Screen 6

“never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance”  James 2: 1

  James, the brother of Jesus, had some wise advice and instructions for the readers of his Letter.  One was this verse:

“never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance”  (James 2: 1) 

  James said that, in showing prejudice towards others, or in judging others as being more worthy than others, or in criticizing others solely on the way they look, you are creating distinctions where none exist, you are determining that some people are of more worth as a person compared to others, you are making the judgement that some people are unlovely and that others deserve more love.  In the eyes of God, James says, there is no such discrimination or prejudice, for God shows mercy to all people and shows loves all people equally, for that is His nature.

  May we stop using outward appearances as the guide for how we view people.  May the nature and compassion of our loving and merciful God be the guide for how we live with our neighbours.  Quoting the words of Jesus, James admonishes us, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”  (James 2: 8, Mark12: 31, Leviticus 19: 18) 

Hymn

“I to the hills will lift my eyes”

[The words sung are as is written in AHB21 and TiS76, as distinct from those listed in MHB625.  This YouTube has music only, with no singing or words.]

[This hymn is sung to the tune French (Dundee) – there is no introduction.]

I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes (Dundee) – YouTube

Verse 1 of 4

I to the hills will lift my eyes:

Where shall I find my help?

My help comes only from the Lord

Who made the Earth and Heaven.

Verse 2 of 4

Your foot He’ll not let slide, nor will

Your guardian ever sleep:

The one who guards His people still,

He slumbers not, nor sleeps.

Verse 3 of 4

The Lord will be a shield and shade:

With Him at your right hand

No harm will come from Sun by day,

Nor from the Moon by night.

Verse 4 of 4

The Lord will keep you from all harm:

Will guard your very life,

Preserve your going out and in

Now and fer evermore.

(originally from a Scottish Psalter dated 1650)

Rewritten by Granton Hay

Sermon

  Margaret Thatcher, the former British PM, once said, “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.  It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing.  It’s when you had everything to do and you’ve done it.”  (Quotable Quotes p116)  While she was in Office, not everyone agreed with her decisions or the way she treated some sections of society, however she had come to the understanding that personal satisfaction comes from fulfilling your plans.

  Doug Larson, a US newspaper writer and editor, once said, “Few things are more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own.”  (Quotable Quotes p53)  I wonder if you’ve ever thought of life in that way.

  And here is a saying that once appeared in the bulletin of The First Christian Church of Fairfield Illinois in the USA, “The most important things in life aren’t things.”  (Quotable Quotes p 21) 

  King Solomon thought a lot about what it means to have satisfaction in one’s life and wrote about it in the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes.  What he had to say was in the same frame of mind.  “Yes, I was great, greater than anyone else who had ever lived in Jerusalem, and my wisdom never failed me.  Anything I wanted, I got.  I did not deny myself any pleasure.  I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward.  Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realised that it didn’t mean a thing.  It was like chasing the wind – of no use at all.”  (Ecclesiastes 2: 9 to 11) 

Screen 1

“Why spend your money on what does not satisfy?  Why spend your wages and still be hungry?”  (Isaiah 55: 2a)

  The Prophet Isaiah appears to be saying the same thing, “Why spend your money on what does not satisfy?  Why spend your wages and still be hungry?”  (Isaiah 55: 2a)  This is such a seemingly hopeless situation, for is that not what our money is for, to provide for our needs.  And why should not the food that we eat satisfy our hunger?  So, it is obvious that God is talking in riddles, using every-day imagery to put across a message that even the least educated person could understand and comprehend.

Screen 2

“Come, everyone who is thirsty – here is water!  “Come to me and you will have life.” God offers.  (Isaiah 55: 1a & 3a)

  So, what is it that God was saying through Isaiah?  “Listen to me and do what I say.” God commands.  “Come to me and you will have life.” God offers.  (Isaiah 51: 4 and 55: 2b & 3b)  “Come, everyone who is thirsty – here is water!” God adds, “Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all.”  (Isaiah 55: 1a & 2c) 

  This is mirrored in the words of Jesus.  To the Samaritan woman who came to the well to draw water, Jesus said, “whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give them will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life.”  (John 4: 13 & 14, Revelation 21: 6, 22: 17)

Screen 3

The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life.”  (John 4: 13 & 14)

  To the crowd who gathered on the shore of Lake Galilee to see Jesus, he said, “I am the bread of life.  Those who come to me will never be hungry, … Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me.  I will never turn away anyone who comes to me. … For what my Father wants is that all who see the Son and believe in Him should have eternal life.”  (John 6: 35, 37 & 40) 

  Isaiah is pointing his readers to the work of the Messiah, the future descendant of their King David, who we know is Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is offering sure satisfaction in life but without us buying anything to obtain it.  Jesus is offering certain possession of that which is needed for life, but also calls for total dependence upon God, the one who alone can offer life to us.  (Derek Kidner in Isaiah in The New Bible Commentary p619)  As the writer of the Book of Hebrews says, “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.”  (Hebrews 4: 16)  For it is by God’s grace alone that our sins are forgiven, and our lives cleansed and renewed, it is by God’s grace by which we are given new life where once we were dead to our sins.

  We must also understand that the converse of these words of God which Isaiah has written is also true.  If God, and God alone, is the source of life-giving water, then if someone promotes an understanding that you can attain satisfaction in life and life for your soul, without due consideration for your relationship with God, then they must be talking empty, meaningless, misleading words.

  We must note the message that is consistent in the Bible. 

  The Prophet Isaiah records these words of God as He pleads to the people of Israel.

  “Come to me”, God pleads.  (Isaiah 55: 1 and 3)  This implies that they have drifted away from God and were heading in other directions.

  “Listen to me”, God pleads.  (Isaiah 55: 2 and 3)  This implies that they have stopped listening to God and were listening to other voices.

  “Turn to me”, God pleads.  (Isaiah 55: 6)  This implies that they have turned away from God towards whatever else was distracting or attracting them.

  God is seeking to restore the close, personal and benevolent Covenant relationship that the people of Israel once sought to experience with their God.  (Isaiah 55: 3)  So, what is the response which God is seeking from his people?

  “Let the wicked leave their current way of life.  Let the wicked change their current way of thinking.  Let the wicked seek from God forgiveness for their sins, forgiveness that God will abundantly and quickly give to them.”  (Isaiah 55: 7) 

  Isn’t this the understanding that Jesus was seeking to give to his listeners as we read in today’s passage from Luke 13?

  “If you do not turn from your sins you will all die.” Jesus says.  (Luke 13: 3 and 5)  Or to express it positively, “Turn from your sins and you will live.”

Screen 4

“Turn from your sins and you will live.”

  In his parable about the fig tree, Jesus portrays himself as the gardener, the only person capable of restoring life to the unproductive, and thus worthless, fig tree.  The tree itself cannot improve its fruitfulness by its own efforts.  The tree cannot, by itself, give itself life.  It is only if the gardener tends to the tree and only if the tree responds to this offer of care that the tree will live. 

  Peter, in his Letter, warns of those who will come and who will seek to proclaim false teachings through “destructive, untrue doctrines”.  (2 Peter 2: 1)  How do we determine that what they say is false?  They “will deny the Master who redeemed them”, Peter warns.  They will be “bold and arrogant”, they will “make proud and stupid statements”, and seek to satisfy “their immoral bodily lusts”.  (2 Peter 2: 1, 10 and 18)  In their speech and their actions, they will deny that God is the only source of the “life-giving water” after which all people seek in earnest.  They will deny, if not the validity of the Gospel records of the life and witness of Jesus, then the efficacy of Jesus as “the sole gardener” of their lives

  In last Sunday’s Sunday Mail, there was a Wellness insert.  “Tune in to good health” it asserts.  Their ‘House of Wellness’ personalities shared their outlook and reflections.

  Luke Darcy promotes “the power of meditation”.  Jo Stanley talks of “practicing mindfulness”.  Sarah Davidson talks of the importance of “self-care”.  Luke Hines advises that “using real food and ingredients is vital for your well-being”.  Gerald Quigley talks of empowering people in their own health.  Jade Kisnorbo advises everyone to “embrace their beauty through their own creativity”.

  What each of these contributors had said made sense in their own manner in some way, and there is a correct emphasis that each person is responsible for their physical and mental health and wellbeing.  However, not one contributor wrote of how vital it is to get right with God, above all else; to come to God, to listen to God, to turn to God.  In every word that they have written, it is all about ‘the tree making itself fruitful’.  In their contributions, and in the failure of the editors of the Wellness insert to include a contributor whose focus was ‘spiritual health’, there is a neglect to talk of the importance of ‘the gardener’ in one’s life, there is, to me, a denial of “the Master who has redeemed them”.  In my understanding, they are, in some ways, examples of the ‘false teachers” of which Peter warns.

  We need to beware of such inadequate advice, for where there is no reference to God, there is no “life-giving water”.

  There is a third aspect to what God is saying in this passage from Isaiah.  God continues, saying “Listen now, my people, and come to me; … I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David.  Now you will summon foreign nations; at one time they did not know you, but now they will come running to join you.”  (Isaiah 55: 3b & 5a) 

  God is making a Covenant with those who respond to His call to come to Him.  God is calling them to be witnesses to all Nations on Earth of God’s power and grace.  “People of Israel, you are my witnesses,” God states,” I chose you to be my servant, so that you will know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God.  Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.”  (Isaiah 43: 10)  Elsewhere God says, “Do not be afraid , my people!  You know from ancient times until now I have predicted all that would happen, and you are my witnesses.  Is there any other god?  Is there some powerful god I never heard of?  All those who make idols are worthless.  And the gods they prize so highly are useless.”  (Isaiah 44: 8 & 9a)  God continues, saying, “I will … make you a light to the Nations – so that all the World may be saved.”  (Isaiah 49: 6)  The Prophet Zechariah said the same thing when he wrote “Many peoples and powerful Nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the LORD Almighty and to pray for His blessing.”  (Zechariah 8: 22) 

  Isaiah writes of the prospect of Nations around the World hearing of God’s offer of life and of their Peoples responding to God’s call to “come to me and you will have life”.  (Isaiah 55: 3b)  (Derek Kidner in Isaiah in The New Bible Commentary p619)  Isaiah is foretelling a time when the Good News of God’s grace will spread beyond the boundaries of Israel to the farthest corners of the World, to the farthest Nations of Earth. 

  Just as with the People of Israel, we are part of this story.  God, out of His grace and mercy, is calling individually to each one of us, “listen to me, come to me and you will have life”.  God is seeking for each one of us to respond to His call with humble thankfulness, and He will give us eternal life.  But, also, as with the People of Israel, God is calling us to be His witnesses, and to join in the call to all Peoples of all Nations for them to “listen to the LORD and to come to Him”, so that upon them also God can reveal His power and His mercy.

  King Solomon, at the end of his contemplations as to what is the source of real satisfaction in life, comes to this conclusion, “After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey His commands, because this is all that (we, as Humans,) (were) created for.”  (Ecclesiastes 12: 13) 

  May that too be the conclusion that we come to as we contemplate what gives satisfaction in our lives.  May we too listen to the call of God and turn to Him, for in Him is life.  Amen.

Hymn

“I will sing the wondrous story”  TiS233  AHB173  MHB380 

[This hymn is sung to the tune Hyfrydol – there is a short introduction.]

[This YouTube has music, singing and the words.  The words in are an updated version to what is found in the hymn books.  Verse 3 in the hymn books is not sung in this YouTube.]

Francis Rowley

Offering

Offering Prayer    

“For the life that you have given”  TiS774 

[This hymn is being 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 Holy Spirit will nurture and renew us so that we may bear the abundant fruits of virtue and vibrant discipleship.

We pray for transformation of our minds and hearts, that we may embrace the Gospel message, be converted from misdirected desires, and embrace our new life in Christ.

We pray for deeper awareness, that we may recognize and be attentive to your presence with us each day and how you are at work bringing us to fuller life.

We pray for the grace to experience everything as a gift, that in knowing you as the source of all existence, we may appreciate each day and each breath.

We pray for the gift of awe, that we may have reverence for the ground on which we stand, the many blessings that we have received, our bonds of friendship, and our community of faith.

We pray for openness to your presence, that we may be open to the surprising ways you are with us and desires to work within us, and never limit how you can reveal yourself to us.

We pray for all who are experiencing affliction, particularly in Ukraine, that you will hear their cries, relieve their sufferings, and give them strength to remain faithful.

We pray for the refugees and displaced persons of Ukraine: that you will guide them to places of safety, provide the resources that they need, and help them to be welcomed and supported.

We pray for greater stewardship of creation, that we may fulfill your commission to care for the earth, water, and air that you have created for the good of all the Human family.

We pray for all students commencing tertiary studies: that you will help them to make good decisions, travel safely, and enjoy their time in their lessons and studies.

We pray for all who are ill, that the Holy Spirit will renew the gift of life in all who are sick, give them strength to recover quickly, and guide their healthcare providers in making accurate diagnoses.

We pray for all who are homeless, that you will open resources for them to find affordable housing, safe neighbourhoods, and helpful neighbours.

We pray for all Government leaders, that you will help them hear the cries of those who are suffering, inspire them with new insights to address the needs, and be moved to action.

We pray for an end to war and violence, that you will challenge those who are using violence, open new opportunities for dialogue between conflicting parties, and help them find ways that will benefit all peoples with better lives.

Copyright © 2022. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/

  Save the Church from becoming slothful and complacent, keep us mindful of the sins that would separate us from you and of you call to come back to a close relationship with you.

  Have mercy on the victims of natural disasters, that they will find the support and comfort they need, and that the World will be moved to provide what is needed for the rebuilding of lives and livelihoods.

  (Raymond Chapman in Leading Intercessions p98) 

  Teach us tolerance for those who seem different from us, and give us true consideration for the worth and value of all people.

  Give zeal and wisdom to those who are seeking to address the problem of unemployment, to those seeking justice for those who have been wronged, who are oppressed or have been defrauded from what is rightfully theirs.

  (David Hostetter in Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p68) 

  We pray for the upcoming Scripture Union Qld Easter camps, that it will be a time when those who attend will discover the meaning of the Easter events.

  We pray for those who are leading the training in the Certificate 1V courses in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care.  Support and enthuse them as they lead the students to new knowledge and skills.

  (suqld.org.au) 

  We pray for the McKean Hospital in Thailand as it continues to provide specialised services for leprosy patients, access to treatment and rehabilitation for displaced and marginalised people, and multi-tiered aged care services for a broad range of people in need. We pray for the caregivers for the elderly, who provide palliative and hospice care, and pastoral care for leprosy patients.  We pray for effective teaching and leprosy awareness given to medical personnel.

  We pray for the PEP project that is being implemented by The Leprosy Mission in Indonesia, for success with intensive case finding and the distribution of the preventative antibiotic, Rifampicin, as they seek to end leprosy transmission in Indonesia by 2035.

  We pray for God’s protection and guidance as the Leprosy Mission team in Indonesia navigates through the pandemic and its effects, and that you will guide and strengthen their efforts to help people affected by leprosy to receive vital support to cure their leprosy.

  (Leprosy Mission Prayer diary 2022) 

  We pray for the people of Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.  We give your thanks for the spectacular beauty of the changing landscape of forests, lakes, mountains and glaciers.  We give you thanks for churches that are advocating and implementing measures to redress climate change that is dramatic here and throughout the world.  We give you thanks for those who have opened their doors and hearts to people migrating to these lands, for those active in the support for justice, peace and interfaith work that comes from these countries.

We pray for the poor and marginalized who struggle in these rich countries, for the implementation of personal and investment practices that support environmental sustainability, for the growing openness to becoming more multi-ethnic, multi-faith societies, for those who are affluent that they will contribute to making the world and their societies more just for all.  We pray for a Church that is prepared to be a voice in the struggle for indigenous people rights.

A prayer for the time of climate change

Dear Heavenly Father,
we bring before you our despair about climate change.  
It feels so bad, when so many forms of life are threatened,  
but still the nations are not able to work together to alleviate the problem.  
O Lord, help humankind to choose a better road, so we could find peace!
Thank you for your promise to be with us, no matter what.  
Thank you for all the gifts that you give to your world  
through air, wind and the Holy Spirit.  
Thank you for nourishment, power and joy.  
Let your Holy Spirit flow strongly in us and in your world.  
In the name of Jesus. 

(Panu Pihkala, Finland, from Luontokirkkovuosi (LK-kirjat, 2013))

Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden | World Council of Churches (oikoumene.org)

We pray for Kylie Conomos, that you will motive her and support her as she seeks to address the physical and spiritual needs of the children the families and the teachers associated with the Bald Hills State School.

We pray for those whom we have not seen for some time. We ask that they will experience your closeness with them each day.

We pray for encouragement for Jillian as she is preparing to commence her time with the Congregation, working with the Church Council and the people of the Congregation to clarify our vision and mission goals as your people in our small part of the World, and as we envisage what the future may hold for us as your witnesses in the Bald Hills area.

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.

Hymn

“Jesus, Master whose I am”  Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 292

[This hymn is sung to the tune Heathlands – there is a short introduction.]

Francis Havergal

Benediction    

  It is God who is the centre of our lives.  It is God who is the source of all that is of value and of all that is of worth.  Let us live our lives for God, not out of desire for a reward but out of a desire to know God more closely and to serve him more earnestly.

  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

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Finlandia – there is a short introduction.]

[This YouTube has the music only –- only the one verse is to be sung.]

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