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Did you know?

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month            October 16^th to 22^nd is National Carers Week 

October 16^th to 23^rd is National Nutrition Week    October 17^th to 23^rd is National Water Week

October 16^th to 22^nd is Aussie Bird Count Week

(https://dosomethingnearyou.com.au/national-calendar/)

Did you also know?

  Today is the feast day of Saint Donatus, an Irish monk, who, from 829AD until his death in 876AD, was Bishop of Fiesole, a town 5km Northeast of Florence, in the Tuscany Region of Italy.

(https://www.libraryireland.com/Wonders/St-Donatus-1.php)

  Today is also the feast day of Saint Mellonius, originally from near Cardiff in Wales, who, from 261AD to 311AD, was Bishop of Rotomagus, now Rouen, in Normandy in France.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mellonius)

  But all of these celebrations and festivals pale into insignificance when compared to another anniversary.  Yesterday, 21^st October, is the anniversary, when, in 1555, Mary 1, newly crowned Catholic Queen of England and Ireland, began a series of persecutions of Protestants, in which about 300 men, women and children were put to death for refusing to renounce their Protestant faith and return to Catholicism, a persecution which lasted until her death in 1558.

[John Ryle in his book, “Five English Reformers” (p5 and Note 1) , states that “no less than 288 persons were burnt at the stake for their adhesion to the Protestant faith during the last four years of Queen Mary’s reign (1555 to 1558)”, quoting from “The History of the Reformation of the Church of England by Henery Soames vol iv p587 compiled 1826 to 1828, who obtained his information from “Ecclesiastical Memorials, Relating Chiefly to Religion, and the Reformation of It, and the Emergencies of the Church of England, Under King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I” by John Strype (Clarendon Press, 1822).  John Ryle’s book and a related book, “The Reformation in England Volume Two” by Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigne, are available for loan from the Bald Hills Congregation’s library.]

  Such actions brought discredit to her reign  (Oscar Browning in True Stories from English History p153)  and “aroused deep hostility” among the people of England.  (Frederick Marcham in an article on Mary 1 in Encyclopedia International volume 11 p384)   It is stated that “(Queen) Mary 1 was startled to discover that the martyrdoms only intensified Protestant zeal”.  (William Blake in This Day in Christian History October 21) 

  For someone to be put to death for their faith certainly requires a deep feeling on their behalf of being close to God, an experience of the very presence of God with them comforting and supporting them throughout such an extremely traumatic experience. 

  While on Mount Sinai, Moses sought just such a reassurance from God that He was present with him and with the whole of the people of Israel, for we read Moses asking God:

“ Please, let me see the dazzling light of your presence.”  (Exodus 33: 18) 

  Moses recognised the importance for God to be ever present with the people of Israel on their Exodus journey, so as to ensure that He was there to guide them, to support them, to provide for them, and to protect them.  Moses recognised that, as God’s chosen people, “God’s presence with them distinguished (them) from any other people on Earth”.  (Exodus 33: 16b) 

  Now, we don’t need to embark on an Exodus journey of our own, nor to suffer an excruciating death by being burned at the stake for our faith, for us to experience the very presence of God with us.  We are assured that God is present with us wherever we may venture, in whatever activity in which we may be engaged.

  God is present with us here, today, right now, individually, and corporately as a group of worshipping believers.

  Moses sought to see God with his very eyes, and was granted the privilege of briefly glimpsing the back of God as God passed him by.  God may not grant us such a privilege, but that does not prevent us from seeing the presence of God in our own lives, and in the lives of others, in the joy of their worship, in their reassurance of sins forgiven, and in their confidence that God walks with them in their daily life.

  We come together today as one people, united in our shared experience of the presence of God with each of us.  We come as one people to offer our worship of the God who seeks to be present in every aspect of our lives, every day while we live on Earth.

    On the understanding of our oneness before God, let us then greet each other, both those who are here and those in their homes who cannot be here, with these words:

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Prayer of Praise  

(Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year A p192 & 193, A Year of Prayer p192 & 193, The Book of Worship 1944 p194, The Book of Worship 1964 p151) 

Almighty God, Creator of all there is, seen and unseen, known and yet to be known, you are wonderful in your glory, you are the giver of life and breath, the source of real peace and joy.  We worship and adore you.

  We see with clarity that all Worldly powers come under your authority, and that all of Humanity are obliged to humble themselves before you as the true and living God of all.  We know you as steadfast in keeping your covenant relationship with us, in helping those who flee to you for comfort, and in giving hope to those who despair of life and love.  We worship and adore you.

  You are the one who accomplished our salvation.  You are the one who awakened us to receive your Word which works its very power in those who believe.  For we know that by obedience to your Word alone we grow mature in the likeness of Christ.  May we never take it for granted.  For your Word points us to Christ.  It unveils His glory.  It speaks to us of truth and opens our eyes not only to an understanding of his sacrifice for us, but also of the promise of eternal life.  We worship and adore you.

  You have made us for yourself.  Our hearts are restless till we find our rest in you.  May we

show our faith in our actions, may we demonstrate our love in labour for you, may we exhibit our hope with courage, and may we bear out our faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.  To your glory and honour we pray.  Amen

You are invited to listen to or join in singing 2 Songs

‘Our God reigns’  (Scripture in Song volume 1 number 201)

Leonard Smith

‘Something Beautiful’  (Scripture in Song Volume 1 number 204)

Bill and Gloria Gaither

Prayer of Confession 

(Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year A p192, Opening Prayers p112, A Year of Prayer p192, The common Book of worship p33, Uniting in Worship 1 p580 and 581) 

Merciful God, we humbly come before you confessing our sins.  We confess that we have broken your holy Laws by our misdeeds and ill-spoken words. 

We confess our disobedience and ingratitude, our pride and our wilfulness.  We confess our failures and our shortcomings towards you and towards our neighbours.  Forgive us.

Though we are made in your image, we often act as if we are self-made, with no obligation to honour or to serve you.  We are more concerned with what others owe to us than with what we owe to you. 

We show more respect to those who wield power and influence in the World than giving glory to you.  Forgive us.

Forgive our false claims to what is in the World around us, for our ungrateful use and abuse of the resources that you have created to sustain us. 

Forgive our wantonness and our wasteful living.  Forgive our desiring for more rather than a passion to share with those who have less.

Forgive us and wipe the sins completely from our lives.  Recall us to our true allegiance, so that, above the powers and rulers of this World, You alone may claim our fullest loyalty and love. 

Open our eyes to see more of your truth.  Open our minds to believe it more earnestly.  Open our mouths to declare it more fully.  For this we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(1 Thessalonians 1: 10b) 

The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God raised his Son, Jesus Christ, from death, and that it is Jesus who rescues us from the consequences that would have been ours had not we turned away from our sins towards the grace and mercy of God.  Therefore, having confessed our sins before God and trusting  in the saving work of God in and through His Son, we take this reassurance and declare with confidence that our sins have been forgiven and our lives cleansed in God’s 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

1 Thessalonians 1:

1  From Paul, Silas, and Timothy –

To the people of the Church in Thessalonica, who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be yours.

2  We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers.  3  For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.

4  Our sisters and brothers, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own.  5  For we brought the Good News to you, not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction of its truth.  You know how we lived when we were with you; it was for your own good.  6  You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.

7  So, you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  8  For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere.  There is nothing, then, that we need to say.  9  All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God  10  and to wait for His Son to come from Heaven – His son, Jesus, whom He raised from death and who rescues us from God’s anger that is coming.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Matthew 22:

15  The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions.  16  Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod’s party. 

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you tell the truth.  You teach the truth about God’s will for Humanity, without worrying about what people think, because you pay no attention to a person’s status.  17  Tell us, then, what do you think?  Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?”

18  Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plans, and so he said,

“You hypocrites!  Why are you trying to trap me?  19  Show me the coin for paying the taxes.”

They brought him the coin,  20  and he asked them,

“Whose face and name are these?”

21  “The Emperor’s.” they answered.

So Jesus said to them,

“Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God.”

22  When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing Hymn “Jesus comes with all his grace”  TiS219  AHB149  MHB87

[This YouTube clip commences with a lengthy talk by the organist, and then has organ music only with no singing or words.  To bypass this, m.Move the curser to 2 minutes and 37 seconds into the YouTube clip to commence the playing of the hymn.  A verse is played as an introduction.  This YouTube clip is for another hymn, but the tune is one of the options for the hymn which we are to sing.]

Verse 1 of 5

Jesus comes with all his grace,

Comes to save a fallen race,

Object of our glorious hope,

Jesus comes to lift us up.

Verse 2 of 5

Let the living stones cry out,

Every child of Abraham shout;

Praise we all our lowly King,

Give him thanks, rejoice and sing.

Verse 3 of 5

He has our salvation wrought,

He our captive souls has bought,

He has reconciled to God,

He has washed us in his blood.

Verse 4 of 5

We are now his lawful right,

Walk as children of the light;

We shall soon obtain the grace,

Pure in heart, to see his face.

Verse 5 of 5

We shall gain our calling’s prize;

After God we all shall rise,

Filled with joy, and love, and peace,

Perfected in holiness.

Charles Wesley

Sermon

  Several weeks ago, Greg Sheridan, a writer for the Australian Newspaper, wrote a balanced and informative article on a growing Pentecostal Church in Perth.  His article generated several responses from readers.  One was from a Paul Brown, who writes:

“I am reminded of the words of the great US mythologist, joseph Campbell, who viewed various religions as metaphors and stated, ‘It is a curious characteristic of our unformed species that we live and model our lives on myths and make-believe.’  The World’s faiths certainly provide succour and comfort in difficult times, but I wonder when the complete

lack of any evidence of a deity will dissuade believers from enjoying this sort of rock-star approach to Christianity.”  (Paul Brown in Letters in the Weekend Australian magazine September 30 – October 1 2023 page 8) 

  Here is someone who has, sadly, closed their heart and mind to any leading by the Holy Spirit concerning the reality of God and to the Good News of God’s grace.  With his denial of the existence of God and of the lovingkindness of God, one must wonder what it is that gives Paul succour and comfort in his difficult times, what it is that gives Paul hope in his life now and purpose in his life tomorrow, what it is that has led him to reject God.

  Another response was from a Lawton Ratnam, who writes:

“Having grown up with Pentecostals, and (having) listened to many preachers over the years, I can say that, in the face of much suffering and injustice in the World, one has to be self-centred, insensitive, apathetic and indifferent to believe in a benevolent God.”  (Paul Brown in Letters in the Weekend Australian magazine September 30 – October 1 2023 page 8) 

  One must wonder what has happened in Lawton’s life such that, if he has a vision of God at all, then it one of a god who is “insensitive, apathetic and indifferent” to the plight of individuals in the World.  What vision of God was presented to him in the Pentecost services that he attended, or in the sermons that he has heard “over the years”.  What tragedy or heartache has he experienced in the past such that he, too, has closed his heart and mind to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

  Here are two people who are hostile to any positive reporting about God and His Church.  Here are two people who have moved beyond the normal apathy and indifference generally held by most people in our Society regarding anything to do with the Church, to where they are willing to publicly express their rejection of any suggestion that God can play a part in their lives.

  It was a similarly hostile situation that Paul encountered when he came to the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey, in about the year 50AD, barely 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Portion of the city of Thessalonica, Greece

  Acts 17 gives us the account of the preaching of Paul and Silas in this City and of the opposition to them from the Jews of the local Synagogue.  These Jews were upset that many of the leading women who attended the Synagogue, and a large number of Greeks who worshipped God, accepted the teaching of Paul and Silas and formed a Church in Thessalonica.  These Jews causes so much trouble for the believers in the city that Paul and Silas were encouraged by the believers to leave, firstly to the nearby town of Berea, and, later, to Athens and then to Corinth.  It was while Paul and Silas were at Corinth that Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to report on the situation of the young Church there, especially considering the troubles that the Jews from the Synagogue continued to bring upon the believers in Thessalonica.  Paul’s first letter to the believers in Thessalonica was written upon the return of Timothy.  Its intent was both to encourage the Church and to answer some questions that Timothy had brought back for Paul to address.  This is the context for today’s reading from 1 Thessalonians 1.

  One writer notes the “personal note of pastoral concern and affection” that permeates the letter, is a strong indication of the authenticity of the Apostle Paul as the author of the Letter.  (Frederick Bruce in 1 Thessalonians in the New Bible Commentary p1155) 

  Following a positive report from Timothy, Paul speaks with joy in his introduction to his letter.  “We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers”, Paul writes in verse 2.  It has been said that Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving is not simply a conventional opening but a genuine expression of his feelings towards his new converts”.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p 33)  Paul then goes into detail as to why he is giving thanks.

 Firstly, Paul says, “we remember … how you put your faith into practice”.  (v3a)  Paul, in his writings, was very careful to stress that “salvation comes from faith and not from works”, that “salvation is all about God’s work” and not about ours.  Never-the-less, Paul also stresses that one’s faith must be expressed in activity, or as one writer puts it, “true faith is a busy faith”.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p34)  Hence Paul’s thankfulness that the Church in Thessalonica is continuing the work of preaching the Gospel that Paul initiated in their city.  As Paul mentions in verse 8, “the message about Jesus Christ has gone out from them throughout Macedonia and Achaia”. 

  Secondly, Paul says “we remember how your love made you work so hard”.  (v3b)  Here, Paul is not referring to some simple act of kindness, for the words that are used denote a laborious task involving unceasing hardship.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p34)  And for what purpose?  It was to live out the love shown to them by God.  Paul, in his ministry, argued that God’s love was an ‘agape” form of love, a love for the completely unworthy.  God loves, not because Humanity is worthy of His love, but because He is that kind of God.  God loves because His nature is to love.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p35)  When confronted by such love, a person is challenged to respond in one of two ways.  They can reject this love, withdraw into their self-centredness, and be condemned for their inactivity.  Or, they yield to God’s love, be transformed by it, and be remade into the divine image, so as to see others in the same measure as God sees them and to be content to give themselves up in the service of others.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p35)  It is to this yielding to God’s love by the believers in Thessalonica and their unyielding service of others for which Paul is thankful.

  Thirdly, Paul says, “we remember how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm”.  (v3c)  Such hope is not to be understood as passive acquiescence or resignation to circumstances, or an unfounded optimism about the future.  It is to be understood as an active endurance under any circumstance or as a confident expectation of an outcome.  In the context of the Church in Thessalonica, Paul is referring both to the whole of their Christian life, which is lived in Christ, and to the anticipated return of Jesus Christ, which Paul refers to in greater detail in the remainder of his Letter.

  Fourthly, Paul describes them, not as followers, but as “imitators of Christ”  (v6a)  And because they are imitators, Paul acknowledges that they have continued to experience hostility from some sections in their City.  Affliction, Paul reminds them, has, and will always be, the lot of a true disciple of Christ, and he commends their perseverance and joyful acceptance of this reality.

  Lastly, Paul is thankful for the example they had been to other Churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and beyond, to Turkey and perhaps even to Rome.  (v7 and 8)  The imagery used by Paul conveys the meaning that the Church in Thessalonica is a pattern for all other Churches to follow in respect to their perseverance under difficulties, the strengthening of their fellowship and their continuing witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

  At the end of this passage, Paul reminds the believers in Thessalonica of where they have come in their journey of faith, when he writes, “you have turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God”.  (v9b)  One writer states that Paul is only using traditional Jewish language and conventional Jewish understandings to convey his meaning.  (Walter Brueggemann et al in Texts for Preaching  A Lectionary Commentary Based on the NRSV – Year A p531)  However, earlier in Paul’s missionary journeys we find he and Barnabas using identical language to the crowd in Lystra, in southern Turkey.  “We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made Heaven, Earth, sea, and all that is in them.”  (Acts 14: 15b)  As such, we can understand that Paul is following a pattern for his evangelical work, an approach that he found successful when different people from different backgrounds and experiences, and, indeed, different cultures.

  Paul is highlighting the very real change in their religious outlook and understanding.  They had forsaken everything that their culture and religious upbringing have taught them regarding who and what they are to worship and to whom they were to offer their sacrifices.  They had rejected the many gods of their parents and their Society that represented various aspects of the World about them, for a belief in the one true God who created all that there was about them and who gave life to all that was about them.

  They had exchanged ‘dead rituals’ surrounding the worship of unreal idols for an active serve of a living God.  This was clear evidence of their Christian conversion and was a mark of their having become true Christians.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p39) 

  Just as importantly, Paul describes them as waiting for the expected return of Jesus Christ, the consummation of the work of the God in the World, “the supreme, final and visible victory of God over evil” as Leon Morris writes.  (Leon Morris in 1 Thessalonians p40)  They live in full confidence that God will accomplish Jesus’ return, although the time of that return is not subject to Human determination nor prediction.  (Walter Brueggemann et al in Texts for Preaching  A Lectionary Commentary Based on the NRSV – Year A p531) 

  In such ways the Church in Thessalonica is the example for us to emulate.  If Paul were to look at us as a Church, could he congratulate us for “putting our faith into practice”, for how our love has made us work so hard for the Gospel, for how our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ is firm?  Would Paul express his thankfulness for how we imitate Jesus, or for how we have persevered under difficulties with joy and by the power of the Holy Spirit, or for how we have set an example and pattern for other Churches to follow in their fellowship and witness?  Would Paul be congratulating us for how we have rejected dead and useless rituals for live and vibrant worship of a living God?  Could Paul see evidence of our living expectantly for the return of Jesus Christ and the culmination of God’s work of redemption in the World?

  It is time for us to seriously reflect on how we compare with the Church in Thessalonica.  It is time for us to get serious about our faith and our witness, such that, were Paul to be writing about us, he too could say about us, “We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers”.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Hymn “I have a Saviour”  Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 177

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.]

[Alternatively, if you have the facility on your computer to play such music, double-click on the Mp3 file below and then select ‘open’ – there is a very small introduction.]

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, knowing of your love for all of Humanity, especially of your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.

We bring to you our prayers for the World around us and for people individually.

We pray for all Government officials and employees,

that they may wisely use their offices to promote justice and the common good.

We pray for social and cultural leaders in places of unrest,

that you will inspire their efforts to communicate, guide them in establishing just policies in their communities, and help them recognize the giftedness and dignity of each person.

We pray for all who serve in missionary work,

that you will strengthen them and help them to be effective witnesses to the Gospel.

We pray for a move away from armed conflict and international hostilities,

that the Holy Spirit will impel people and Nations toward resolving conflicts through dialogue and mutual cooperation.

We pray for those who are actively assisting people in places such as the Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, and Mali; those whose lives and livelihoods have faced an upheaval because of recent or long-standing war and conflict,

that you will protect and guide them as they go about being your agents providing comfort and aid to the needy, and as they exhibit the love and acceptance of others that is so central to your nature and your desire for Humanity.

We pray for all who are recovering from earthquakes, storms, and fires,

that you will give them strength, a spirit of hope, and a supportive community so that they may rebuild their lives.

We pray for growth in our commitment to you,

that we may know you as the one and only Lord in our lives, and fully dedicate ourselves to your service.

We pray for the conversion of our hearts,

that the false gods of power, prestige, pleasure, and security may be dethroned so that you, the God of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and justice may reign supreme in our lives.

(Copyright © 2023. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/29OrdA102223/ideas_other.html)

When we think of the trauma across the world at this time, our minds turn to the terrible situation in Israel and Gaza.

We pray for the innocent civilians who have been caught up in that conflict – for those on both sides who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

 In the midst of their unimaginable grief, may they experience your comforting presence.

We pray for the Israeli hostages, that they might be kept safe, and that they might soon be restored to their families. 

We pray for those on both sides who have lost their homes or livelihoods. We also think of the innocent civilians in Gaza whose lives are in jeopardy because of the lack of food and water, and power for life support devices.

We pray that a compromise to the impasse might be found to relieve the current situation.

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 the stopping of 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.

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.)

(https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/belize-guatemala-honduras-mexico)

We pray for Kylie Conomos in her role as chaplain at Bald Hills State School.  May she be inspired to undertake her responsibilities and tasks.  Please give to her the energy and endurance to share the struggles of families and children.  But may she also see the joy of lives restored and renewed.

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

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

Lord God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your lovingkindness.  To your glory we pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

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

Give us today our daily bread.

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

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

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

Now and forever.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the Hymn ‘I know that my redeemer’  (TiS202  AHB132

[This YouTube clip is for another hymn, but is used here fo the tune. The words are printed below:

Verse 1 of 3

I know that my Redeemer

Lives crowned upon the throne;

Lord over Earth and Heaven

He saves, and he alone;

He conquered death by dying

Upon the accursed tree,

And from his death sprang glorious

Eternal life for me.

Verse 2 of 3

I think upon my Saviour,

I trust his power to keep,

His mighty arm enfolds me

Awaking and in sleep.

Christ is my rock, my courage;

Christ is my soul’s true life;

And Christ (my heart still knows it)

Will bear me through the strife.

Verse 3 of 3

In Jesus’ name I’m living;

In Jesus, name I’ll die;

I’ll fear not through life’s vigour

From death’s cold shadows fly.

O grave, where is your triumph?

O death, where is your sting?

Come when you will, and welcome,

Secure in Christ I sing.

Hallgrim Pjetursson

translated by Charles Venn Pilcher

Benediction 

(from Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year A p178) 

Let us draw near to our God, not just with our complaints and petitions, but with praise and adoration on our lips, and joy and willingness in our service.

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:

“I am His, and He is mine.”  Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 193

Wade Robinson