Welcome: –

Call to Worship: –

(from A Special Seat in Our Daily Bread 16 October 2008)  

  ‘Remember Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha?  (Luke 10: 38 – 42)  Although Martha had the opportunity to enjoy having Jesus as her guest, she soon became frustrated with her sister, Mary, and overwhelmed with the busyness of her preparations.  Certainly understandable to a lot of us!

  Jesus made it clear to her, however, that sometimes it is necessary to step away from the unending pressures of life and spend undistracted time with him.  God has given us the opportunity to have personal moments with Him.  By taking the time just to be with the Lord, we are fed, refreshed, and renewed.’

Cindy Hess Kasper

  That is so true when we consider our own personal time of devotion and prayer that we spend quietly with God each day.  But it also applies to the time that we spend together, here, in worship on Sundays.  This should also be a time when we leave the World and our concerns at the front door, “to step away from the unending pressures of life and spend undistracted time with God”, as Cindy Kasper writes.  When we come before God in worship, our whole focus should solely be on God.  We should not be distracted by concerns about the morning tea, or rushing home to prepare lunch, or rushing out to the shops to do some last-minute purchases, or the 101 other matters that take up our time and energy.

  Let us be glad and rejoice, then, as we worship Almighty God, Lord of Time and space and History, merciful Saviour of us all, guide and protecter of each one of us.

Prayer of Praise    

We give you thanks and honour you, Creator Lord, true and living God.  Through your Word we were made in your image and can share in the bounty of what you provide for your Creation.  By your Word, all things were given life.

Through Christ Jesus you have freed us from the slavery of sin and have reconciled us to yourself.  Through your Spirit you give us insight into your will and purpose, and empower us to be your witnesses of your love and grace to the World.

Almighty God, we thank you because you have bound yourself to all Humankind.  When people stop to think about you, they cannot help but be amazed at the way you have shown mercy to people, at the way you have guided Humanity in right living and right relationships, at the way you have established what is just and true and is the surest basis for settling disputes and correcting wrong. 

We have the privilege of knowing you intimately, and of experiencing the blessings of your deliverance and fellowship.   

Loving God, you seek to be in a close relationship with each one of us, though we do not merit your attention nor deserve your compassion.  You yearn for us to return your love and to respond to you with honour and praise; you yearn for us to live lives that respect others as people equally love by you and as people of equal worth and dignity. 

May we indeed seek to live by you and for you; may our lives bring glory and honour to you always.  May we reveal the depth of our love as we praise and adore you in the Assembly of your People.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing two songs:

“Spirit of the living God” –
Scripture in Song volume 2 number 303

Spirit of the living God

fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God

fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mould me,

fill me, move me.

Spirit of the living God

fall afresh on me.

Daniel Iverson

“Let there be love shared among us” 

Scripture in Song volume 2 number 322

Verse 1 of 4

Let there be love shared among us,

let there be love in our eyes.

May now your love sweep this Nation.

Cause us, O Lord, to arise.

Give us a fresh understanding

of brotherly love that is real.

Let there be love shared among us. 

Let there be love.

Verse 2 of 4

Let there be peace shared among us,

let there be peace in our eyes.

May now your peace sweep this Nation.

Cause us, O Lord, to arise.

Give us a fresh understanding

of brotherly peace that is real.

Let there be peace shared among us. 

Let there be peace.

Verse 3 of 4

Let there be joy shared among us,

let there be joy in our eyes.

May now your joy sweep this Nation.

Cause us, O Lord, to arise.

Give us a fresh understanding

of brotherly joy that is real.

Let there be joy shared among us. 

Let there be joy.

Verse 4 of 4

Let there be hope shared among us,

let there be hope in our eyes.

May now your hope sweep this Nation.

Cause us, O Lord, to arise.

Give us a fresh understanding

of brotherly hope that is real.

Let there be hope shared among us. 

Let there be hope.

Dave Bilbrough

Prayer of Confession   

Merciful Lord, you search our hearts and minds and find us wanting.  How often have we wandered from the path you have laid out, and have followed our cravings and desires? 

Forgive us God for the pain and disappointment that we cause you. 

We spend our time admiring others for their beauty or intelligence.  We spend our time acquiring material objects in the vain hope that they will satisfy us and give us comfort. 

Forgive us God for putting others and things before you. 

We feel that we can do better in managing our lives.  We stop listening to your voice because we are satisfied with our way of life. 

Forgive us God for trying to earn our own salvation.

We avoid the poor and the hungry.  We avert our eyes when we see others in need because we don’t want to get involved or to share what we have. 

Forgive us God for the neglect we show to others. 

We are quick to become angry with those who hurt us or take away our time and energy. 

Forgive us God for failing to show the limitless love that you lavish upon us. 

Merciful God, forgive our sins, cleanse our hearts of all that is impure and incorrect.  Lead us into that which is good and true and upright.  To your glory and praise.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Hebrews 4: 16) 

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we approach the Throne of God with confidence, for there we find God’s grace and receive God’s mercy.  Having confessed our sins before God, we have the assurance that God has heard us, that God has forgiven us, and that God has cleansed our souls in his eyes.

Thanks be to God.

A Time to recall God’s blessings

A time for people to share their experience of being blessed by God.

Prayer of illumination 

(from https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Liturgist_Resources-1.pdf 

God, source of all knowledge.  By your Word you give light to the soul.  Pour upon us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, so that our hearts and minds may be open to know your truth and your way.  Amen.

Bible Readings

Job 38:

1  Then out of the storm the LORD spoke to Job.

2  “Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words?  3  Stand up now like a man and answer the questions I ask you.

4  Were you there when I made the World?  If you know so much, tell me about it.  5  Who decided how large it would be?  Who stretched the measuring line over it?  6  What holds up the pillars that support the Earth?  Who laid the cornerstone of the World?

31  Can you tie the Pleiades together or loosen the bonds that hold up Orion?  32  Can you guide the stars season by season and direct the Big and Little Dipper?  33 Do you know the Laws that govern the skies, and can you make them apply to the Earth?  34  Can you shout orders to the clouds and make them drench you with rain?  35  And if you command the lightening to flash, will it come to you and say, ‘At your service?’”

Psalm 104:

1  Praise the LORD, my soul!  O LORD, my God, how great you are!  2  You are clothed with majesty and glory;

5  You have set the Earth firmly on its foundations, and it will never be moved.  10  You make springs flow in the valleys, and rivers run between hills.  11  They provide water for the wild animals; there the wild donkeys quench their thirst.  13  In the trees near by, the birds make their nests and sing.

24  LORD, you have made so many things!  How wisely you made them all!  The Earth is filled with you creatures.  27  All of them depend on you to give them food when they need it.  28  You give it to them, and they eat it; you provide food, and they are satisfied.

33  I will sing to the LORD all my life; as long as I live I will sing praises to my God.

Isaiah 40:

6  I voice cries out,

“Proclaim a message!

“What message shall I proclaim?”, I ask.

“Proclaim that all Humankind are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.  7  The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them.  .  People are no more enduring than grass.  8  Yes, grass withers and flowers fade, but the Word of our God endures forever.

15  Surely the Nations are like a drop of water in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales.”

1 Peter 1:

4  and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for His People.  He keeps them for you in Heaven, where they cannot decay, or spoil, or fade away.

25  but the Word of the Lord remains forever.  (Isaiah 40: 8) 

Hebrews 5:

7  In his life on Earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death.  Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him.  8  But even though he was God’s son, he learnt through is suffering to be obedient.  9  When he was made perfect, be became the source of eternal salvation for al those who obey him,  10  and God declared him to be High Priest, in the Priestly order of Melchizedek.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Mark 10:

42  So Jesus called all the Disciples together to him and said;

“You know that the men who are considered rulers of the Heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority.  43  This, however, is not the way it is among you.  If one of you wants to be great, they must be the servant of the rest;  44  and if one of you wants to be first, they must be the slave of all.  45  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Hymn

“Simply trusting every day”  (MHB517)

Edgar Stites

Sermon

Depiction of Caesarea in the Umm ar-Rasas mosaics, circa 8th century

  I want to read to you a paragraph from Henry Morton’s book, “In the steps of the Master”:

  “I went on south until I came to the melancholy desolation that was Caesarea.  During the lifetime of Jesus … its harbour, its buildings, and its fine streets were famous among the World’s seaports.  King Herod the Great, who began to build it in 25BC, and took 12 years to finish it, employed the finest architects of the time and the most up-to-date engineers.  All the streets led to the harbour and were intersected by parallel avenues.  There were magnificent theatres, and a hippodrome, and, facing the sea, was a marble temple which Herod built to the honour of his master, Caesar.  One can imagine how readily the Romans centred their authority in this splendid modern seaport, and how glad Pilate must have been to have lived there in the great palace of Herod.

The ruins of Caesarea today

  And today, there is nothing.  The sea beats on a desolate coast.  There is a rock some way out to sea which may be a relic of the once famous harbour, and the palace in which Pilate lived, the splendid forum, the great hippodrome, and the circus, are now meagre cornfields.”  (Henry Morton in In the Steps of the Master p173 & 174) 

  This once famous city is no more, just as the once famous Roman Empire is no more.

  The Prophet Isaiah writes:

“All Humankind are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them.  Surely the Nations are like a drop of water in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales.”  (Isaiah 40: 6, 7 & 15)  (NIV) 

  Isaiah is saying that, regardless of the glory and importance that Earthly rulers place on their Earthly Empires, they will soon fade way; in the same manner that the colour and vibrancy of flowers in a field do not last but quickly fades away.

  Earthly Empires do not last.  The schemes and plans and empire-building efforts of Earthly rulers are insignificant to God, like a drop of water in a bucket, or a speck of dust on a set of scales.  The Empires that Earthly rulers seek to build and expand do not last forever, but will, inevitably, collapse and be replaced by another.  Former Empires fade into the pages of History.

  These are words of encouragement for us at this present time of geopolitical turmoil and uncertainty, a time when Earthly rulers are seeking to establish their Empires and strive to ensure that their name and their achievements will last forever in the minds and History books of Humanity.  So much energy, so much effort to build empires, but always oblivious to and always at the cost of other peoples.  The certainty is that, over time, as with Caesarea and the Roman Empire, all that will remain of these Empires will be their ruins

  But what is it that lasts forever?  The Apostle Peter writes that there are two things that will last forever.

  Firstly, quoting the words of the Prophet Isaiah, Peter writes that “the Word of the Lord remains forever”.  (1 Peter 1: 25, Isaiah 40: 8)  Neither Human History nor Human intervention has any influence upon even one comma or full-stop that is contained in God’s written Word that had been passed down to us today.  God’s Word is a permanent record of God’s interaction with and plans for Humanity.

  Secondly, Peter writes:

“the rich blessings that God keeps for His people, He keeps them for us in Heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.”  (1 Peter 1: 4)  We have the assurance that what God says He will do, He will do, and that it will last forever; and what God says He will accomplish, He will accomplish, and that it will last forever.

“Can you tie the Pleiades together?”  Job 38: 31a 

  In our readings from Job 38 and from Psalm 104 we clearly see the vast gap between the abilities of Humans and the abilities of God.

  No person can bind the Stars in specific places in the night sky, but God does.  No person has control over the clouds and lightning, but God does.  (Francis Andersen in Job  An Introduction and Commentary p279)  We see the magnitude and majesty of God as Creator.  We see the infinite perfections of His Creation.  We see the multitude of marvels by which He sustains His Creation.  (Henry Morris The Genesis Record p128)  We see the ordinances God has set in place which govern Heaven and Earth.  (Francis Andersen in Job  An Introduction and Commentary p279)  We see the regularity in Nature which is the fundamental premise of all modern scientific study.  (Henry Morris The Genesis Record p46)  We see God’s providence for the creatures that He has made,  (Henry Morris The Genesis Record p46)  , His benevolence towards them in providing for their needs 

(Francis Andersen in Job  An Introduction and Commentary p279)  .

  Is it any wonder, then, that we see that the authors of these passages have a sense of awe at the beauty and the order of Creation, that Creation should be enjoyed as God’s artistry?  (Francis Andersen in Job  An Introduction and Commentary p273)  But, more than that, we come to a realisation that we, the frail creatures that we are, must bow in confession of need before this revelation of the mighty Creator. 

(Stanley Heaven or in Job in the New Bible Commentary p441) 

  And, so, we see God posing this question, and providing the answer.

Who was it that has created all that you can see and sustains all that you can see?

Who else but I!

An empty cross and an empty tomb

  The short passage that we read today from of the Book of Hebrews commences by addressing the sufferings of Jesus, the torment that Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane that we clearly see in his prayers recorded for us in the Gospel accounts, the unimaginable pain that was His as He was being crucified on the cross.  The writer is careful to make it clear that Jesus willingly went through these trials because of His submission to God  (Thomas Hewitt in Hebrews  An Introduction and Commentary p97)  ,that Jesus endured such suffering because it was according to the will of God  (Thomas Hewitt in Hebrews  An Introduction and Commentary p98)  .  Jesus surrendered His will to complete obedience to God, Jesus surrendered His will to the will of God.  Jesus offered Himself on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. 

(Thomas Hewitt in Hebrews  An Introduction and Commentary p97) 

  And it was the perfect sacrifice, for it guaranteed, once and for all time, the atonement of our sins, that is, that our sins and the sins of all of Humanity, are botted out, are covered up, are withdrawn from the sight of God, as the imagery goes.  Its work was complete in that we are now freed from our sins, that our holiness has been restored, and that God’s favour has been reinstated upon us.  Humanity’s only hope of salvation lay in the obedience of Christ to the will of God, it lay on Christ dying on the cross for us, as God had ordained.  (Thomas Hewitt in Hebrews  An Introduction and Commentary p100)  And it is at the right hand side of God that Jesus continues to intercede for us as our ‘High Priest’, as we read in Hebrews 5: 10.  That is why we place our hope on an empty cross and an empty tomb, for Christ has died and Christ has been raised to life again for our sake.

  And, so, we see God adding a second question, and, again, providing the answer.

Who is it that has the power over sin and death and offers Salvation to all of Humanity?

Who else but I!

  And God demands a response.  He has revealed His will to Humanity, just as He revealed His will to Jesus Christ. 

(Thomas Hewitt in Hebrews  An Introduction and Commentary p99) 

We read in Hebrew 5: 9, “(Christ) became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him”.  The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Humanity can enjoy the full benefit of Christ’s saving work only if they are of the same ‘spirit’ as Jesus, that is, regardless of the cost, making an active obedience to Christ their continual practice in life 

(Alan Stibbs in Hebrews in the New Bible Commentary p1200) , that they too have surrendered their will to the will of God, who Christ obeyed all the way to the cross.

  God called Jesus to serve the World.  In the same manner God calls us to serve in the World, however lowly and thankless may be the task.  We belong to God both by Creation and by Redemption.  God has the right to do with us as He wills.  We can trust (God) no matter what comes our way in this life, knowing that, in the balance of Eternity, the Judge of all the Earth will do what is right.

 (Henry Morris in The Genesis Record p109)  However, once a person ceases being ‘God-centred’ in their thoughts and their will, they quickly become ‘self-centred’.  As a consequence, true worship of the Creator degenerates into the worship of another god or other gods, or the worship of Humanity itself as its own god.  (Henry Morris in The Genesis Record p129)  So too does their call to serve others degenerate into a cry to serve themselves.

  One writer concludes that “true believers are known by their humility and godliness”

(Alan Catchpoole in The Wisdom that founded the Earth p262) .  Let us then follow the example of Jesus Christ, in willingly seeking a life of obedience to God and of humbly seeking to serve and to give our very selves, come what may.

  I found this poem in my daily reading of Our Daily Bread.

“I want my heart his throne to be

So that a watching World may see

His likeness shining forth in me;

I want to be like Jesus.”

Thomas Chisholm

  May that be our goal in life.

  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing  “Take my life and let it be”  (TiS599)

Francis Havergal

Offering

Offering Prayer    

“For the life that you have given”  TiS774 

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

For the life that you have given,

For the love in Christ made known,

With these fruits of time and labour,

With these gifts that are your own:

Here we offer, Lord, our praises;

Heart and mind and strength we bring;

Give us grace to love and serve you,

Living what we pray and sing.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Prayers for Others

Almighty God, we pray that the eyes of the Nations of the World may be opened, that all may see the truth of your love and grace, and act for justice.

May your spirit of reconciliation inspire leaders of Nations to advocate for Human dignity to all, and to guide the peoples of their lands from the temptations of bias or indifference.

Gracious God, you call us to peace.  We pray for the many places across our World torn by war and civil conflict, leading to the fleeing and displacement of people in unprecedented numbers.

We remember people in flight from persecution and threat in their homeland because of their religion, race, culture, or politics.  We grieve with those whose bodies and minds bear the deep scars of terror and torture.

Give strength, courage and hope to those men and women, elderly and children, who leave everything behind to seek security, safety and freedom in another country.

May their plight stir leaders of Nations to renounce conflict and instead build cultures of peace.

Merciful God, you call us to serve you through serving our neighbour in need.  May your Church see you in the face of the stranger who comes here pleading for safety.  May our Churches be places of welcome and safety for all.

Raise us to our best selves as we respond to those whose lives are so deeply scarred by the worst of circumstances, that those who suffer may experience, through us, the tender and restoring grace of Christ.

We pray for all who live beyond our cities, especially for people and communities in the grip of drought or flood, or economic hardship or despairing for their future.

Come to them with your spirit of hope and your blessings. 

We pray for those who are feeling disconnected from their families, their communities, and from you, their God.

May their loneliness be replaced with a sense of belonging and relationship.

We pray for those suffering the impact of our unpredictable climate, those who are burdened with the darkness of depression, and for families and communities devastated by the scourge of suicide.

May your peace encircle and strengthen them and bring them consolation.

We pray for all who serve in remote communities, especially through the work of Frontier Services, for the Patrol Ministers and the volunteers of Outback Links.

May their presence reflect your compassion and love to all whom they encounter.

We pray for the leaders of your Church Worldwide that they may have courage to look within their Denominations and congregations and accept the challenge to bring about change in how they relate with others of your wider Family.

We pray that where there is bitterness or division among your people, that there will be forgiveness and reconciliation.  We pray that where there is pride in their own achievements, it will be replaced by humbleness and a grateful desire to work together to bring about your Will and Purpose in the World.

Come, Spirit of Life, infuse your love into our actions.

Overlay your purity and holiness in all we do and think and say.

(from 40 days of prayer for the 40th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in 2017)

(https://ucaassembly.recollect.net.au/)

Additional Prayers (not used in the service in the church)

Almighty God, we pray for the grace of to bear affliction, that you will strengthen us in the face of trial and hardship so that we may remain faithful disciples each day.

We pray for the grace of detachment, that you will free us from the bonds of our egos and attachment to power and prestige so that we may make service of others our priority.

We pray for a deeper identification with Christ, that in times of temptation we may look to Christ who was tempted in every way but who remained your faithful Child.

We pray for the grace to surrender pride, that we may honestly appreciate our gifts and weaknesses, and surrender our false sense of self to you, who heals all weaknesses.

We pray for the grace to seek forgiveness, that we may confidently seek your forgiveness knowing that Jesus was tested on every way that we are tempted.

We pray for all who exercise authority, that they may use their authority to free those who are unjustly restrained, call forth the gifts of others, and lead others to wholeness and service.

We pray for all who are oppressed, that you will bring refugees and victims of war to safety, help them find shelter, food and medical care, and inspire many of us to help lift their burdens through our efforts and resources.

We pray for all with mental or emotional illness, that you will grant them strength, guide them to life-giving resources, and help them to live life fully.

We pray for all who are caught in human trafficking: that God will free them, heal their wounds, and restore them to their loved ones

For all who are recovering from storms, floods and other natural disasters, that you will relieve their suffering, ease their fears, and give them strength to move forward.

We pray for a greater awareness of the fragility of Earth, that you will help us to be good stewards of the Earth and work to preserve it for future generations.

We pray for all who are ill, that you will heal the sick, and strengthen all who are caring for the sick or seeking a cure.

Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use. – https://liturgy.slu.edu/29OrdB102024/ideas_other.html

  Almighty God, we pray for the peoples of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

We are thankful for the cultures and foods distinctive here, yet enjoyed around the World, for indigenous and other groups who have resisted injustice and human rights violations,  for Church leaders who have spoken out and acted on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and for developments that improve life for all, while also caring for the environment.

We pray for stable, democratically elected governments committed to the peace and wellbeing of all, for comfort and healing for the families and loved ones of those who have been killed or disappeared, and for those responsible to be brought to justice, for stopping corruption, drug traffic, and violence, and those who profit from such activities, and for improved economic life and trade policies so that people will not be exploited and can pursue livelihoods in these countries rather than migrating elsewhere for work.

Prayers

Statement of faith

We believe in God, the creator of oases and springs of water in the midst of deserts,
who provides resting places of blessing for all God’s creatures and in whose hands we are protected from all evil.

We believe in Jesus Christ, source of life, living water, who satisfies the thirst of those who thirst for peace, who gives strength to the weary and purpose to those who have lost their way in life.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the balm of consolation, companion on the way, who gives strength when we are about to faint and inspires us to continue on the way.

In consideration of what God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, has done this day and throughout our lives, we commit ourselves, as persons whom the grace of God has changed, to accompany others who are at moments of desert in their lives, in situations of pain and times of sadness.

(Red Crearte Workshop, Mexico 2014)

Seed of life

Lord, in this world, you have sown the seeds of life
in the hearts of our daughters and sons,
seeds which are growing slowly and quietly,
seeds whose fruit is the strengthening of hope.
But weed seeds have also been sown.
Their fruit is sadness, sorrow and death.
They try to suffocate all efforts to build a different world.
We draw closer to you in prayer
so we can perceive these situations
which discourage and confuse, causing dejection.
Equip us to uncover and denounce evil
without hurting the lives of those sowing love and justice.
Fortify the weak stalks
so that hope and patience flower in us,
to follow you without ever halting our sowing.

(© Betty Hernández Carrillo, Mexico. English transl. Terry MacArthur © WCC.)

Morning prayer for peace

God of life,
in the early light of this new day
I want to treasure the opportunity you give me
to wake up enveloped in your peace.
I know that today I will face many different situations.
The world, unfortunately, has not changed much
since last night, which you prepared for me to rest.
But knowing that your peace accompanies life encourages me.

Son of Peace,
today, make of me an announcer of your peace,
which breaks down hatred, egotism, abuse, lies, intolerance,
which ends the conflicts between peoples,
families and persons,
which reconciles all human beings with God,
with themselves, and with all who surround them,
making them new women and men.

Spirit of Unity,
gather in this humble prayer
the prayers from all your people in the world,
that your peace, your justice and your mercy enfold us
and enable us to live as one,
the new humanity of peace.

(© Betty Hernández Carrillo, Mexico. English transl. Terry MacArthur © WCC.)

  Anandaban Hospital located in southern Lalitpur (on the outskirts of Kathmandu), receives a large number of leprosy referrals from all over Nepal and from over the border in India.  It is accredited by the World Health Organization as a site that can confirm whether a patient has suffered a relapse of leprosy, despite completing their treatment.  However, at the time of writing, the hospital has not yet received this registration from the Ministry of Health in Nepal.  We pray that The Leprosy Mission Nepal will be able to register the hospital without any hindrance and continue to meet the government requirements for this registration.

  We pray for persons affected by leprosy, who often face social stigma in Nepal, that they can integrate into their communities and their children can go to schools without being stigmatised.  We pray that communities will not discriminate against them.

  We pray for our ongoing research projects and for our research staff, that you will provide the funding necessary to complete the building of our new laboratories centre and to replace the equipment we need to continue our globally significant research programmes.

  Anandaban Training Unit continues to provide support to Nepal’s government by training health workers to diagnose and treat leprosy.  We pray for strong coordination with the Government of Nepal and for the sustainability of our training programmes.

  In 2023, The Leprosy Mission Nepal finished building the new Trauma Centre and recruited new consultants and other staff.  We give you thanks, God, for organisations and individuals who contributed to this project.

We pray that the new construction of the new Self-Care Unit building will finish in time and patients can receive the services they need.

We pray for guidance and good health Dr Mahesh Shah, the Medical Director, for Dr Pradip Sapkota, the Medical Superintendent, for Mr Sher Gurung, the Hospital Administrator, for Sr Mahima Bantawa, the Nursing Superintendent, for Mr Rajkumar Paudel, Training Manager, Training and Technical Support, and for Dr Jivan Shakya, Head of the Mycobacterial Research Laboratory.

The%20Leprosy%20Mission%20Prayer%20Guide%202024.pdf

  Almighty God, we pray for your blessing on ARISE, Bible Society’s trauma healing program for teenagers in Kenya, most of whom face trauma in some form.  With recent research revealing a distressing upsurge in youth mental health issues, we pray for the willing partnership of the Church in reaching out to schools, and for teenagers in Kenya, that they will find healing and hope in your word.

We thank you God for the hope World Hope Ministries is offering South African prisoners through their Bible discipleship course.  We thank you that Bible Society Australia can provide Bibles for those engaging with the Bible through the course.  We pray that you will be with the spiritual care workers as they guide the inmates, and pray for willing workers and resources to continue all the Christian ministry taking place in the correctional facilities.

We thank you God for the Bible Society’s literacy classes, run in partnership with local Shilluk churches in South Sudan, as they contribute to their community’s social progress and wellbeing.  We pray for guidance and awareness for those who are beginning the literacy classes, particularly for Collo speakers.  We pray also for the safety and wellbeing of the volunteers who can facilitate the classes well.  We pray for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.

We thank you God for the Collo student in South Sudan, who shares, “I am so happy to speak, read and write my language … From now on I will commit myself to learning my mother tongue until I master it.” Praise God that the literacy program is progressing well, with students actively involved in class and social activities, and that participants feel revived as they learn to read in their mother tongue.

We pray for Bible Society’s work in Uganda among the non-literate population, helping them to engage with the Bible.  With the literacy rate in rural areas much lower than the 70% in cities, many need the literacy skills Bible Society is offering, we pray that the participants may have their lives impacted as they get to know the word of God.

We thank you God for Bible Society’s women’s literacy program in Burkina Faso, which is empowering women with reading, writing and socioeconomic skills, as well as fostering spiritual growth through Bible engagement.  We pray for a good partnership with churches and other organisations running the program, and that students would attend class regularly and have their lives and livelihoods greatly impacted.

We thank you God for literacy student, Amari*, who shares, “Everything I learn will help me improve my married life, my daughter’s education and my spiritual life. I plan to share this knowledge with those around me for our living environment. When I see the facilitator teaching, I want to become like her in order to share my knowledge with others.”

Bible%20Society%20October_2024_Prayer_Letter.pdf

Almighty God, we pray for a positive response to the FEBC ‘Women At Risk’ project in South Asia, helping to raise the value and equality of women and reduce infanticide.  We pray for FEBC radio programs in South Asia, counselling, and direct listener engagements, that they bring hope to women and help develop their God-given potential.

We pray for your guidance for FEBC’s Nepalese partner serving the remote and rural poor in areas of health, education, community development, and disaster management.  We praise you God for the new listeners in Nepal who stumble upon and are amazed to find the radio programs speaking directly into their situations.

We pray for our Pakistani partner’s ‘Bright Home project, which aims to reduce family violence and empower women to change their poverty-stricken rural communities.  We thank you for the sponsorship received that will enable free mobile healthcare for many impoverished Pakistani women and children living in remote areas.

We thank you god that the messages and counselling of the FM XP team brought hope and joy” for a blind listener and other disabled people in Pakistan who feel marginalised and alone.  We pray for the unreached in Ad Dharmi in Eastern Punjabi. Population: 1,229,000. Language:. Religion: Hinduism.

FEBC Praise-Prayer-Dec-Oct-24-digital-FINAL.pdf

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

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

Give us today our daily bread.

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

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

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

Now and forever.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing  “All for Jesus, all for Jesus”

Mary James

Benediction 

(A dedication by Charles Wesley from Wesley’s Prayers and Praises p37) 

“Most gracious Lord, your kindest word we joyfully obey,

hold fast our confidence restored, and cast our sins away.

In each event, your kind intent of love divine we see,

and mixed with joyful thanks present our humble prayers to Thee.

Then let your peace our hearts possess, by your unspotted mind

preserve in perfect quietness our souls to Jesus joined.

In spirit one with Christ your Son, henceforth his life we live,

till Jesus claim us for his own and to his arms receive.”

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

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Benediction Song

“God be in my head

(adapted)  (based in part on Psalm 19: 14) 

 [This YouTube clip also has the words for another hymn which you will need to disregard.]

[We will sing the words through twice]

God be in my head, and in my thinking.

God be in my eyes, and in my looking.

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.

God be in my heart, and in my loving.

The author is anonymous.  The words appeared in a Sarum Primer dated 1558, and have been slightly adapted to fit the above selected tune.