Welcome:  –

Introduction:  –

  Today is the last Sunday in the Lectionary year.  Next week is the first Sunday in the Season of Advent, the commencement of the new Lectionary year.  Today is traditionally celebrated as “Christ the King” Sunday, and this is reflected in the hymns that we will sing, and today’s readings from God’s Word.

  Royalty is seen by many today as an anachronism; unwarranted and unwanted in our democratic and open Society.  Gerald Darring, in writing on the subject of “Christ the King”, states that:

“The goal of this King is not to oppress his subjects with his power but rather to break the power of evil, (both on the Cosmic level of the power of sin and death, but also on an Earthly level), the evils of economic, social, and criminal injustice.  The Kingdom that we celebrate today is a Kingdom of truth and life, a Kingdom of holiness and grace, a Kingdom of justice, love, and peace.”

(https://liturgy.slu.edu/ChristKingA112623/reflections_justice.html)

  On that understanding, let us today celebrate “Christ the King”.

Call to Worship 

(from Psalm 100: 1 to 5) 

‘Sing to the LORD, all the World!  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God.  He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, we are His flock.

Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into the courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him and praise Him.

For the LORD is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.’

This is a call for all the World to worship God, with joy and gladness.  And why? 

Because God is the living God.  He is the God who created us, and He is the God who is concerned for us, who sustains us, and who has accepted us as His people.  He is faithful in demonstrating His love for us and for our descendants.

It is a call for the Community of believers to gather together to worship God with thanks and praise in their hearts and on their lips.  In the same manner, we have gathered here today to worship God, who demonstrates His love for us, just as He did for the Israelites millennia ago.

(Artur Weiser in The Psalms p645 60 647) 

Prayer of Praise  

Holy God, we come before you, offering our praise and our worship.  We are deeply grateful for your glorious kindness, for your innumerable blessings and for your rich grace that you favour upon us.  We stand before you in awe, not out of fear but out of amazement.  We gaze at the miracles and wonders of your Creation, the intricacies of the delicate mosses, the power of the ocean waves, the compassion of parents tending their children, the stars in the night sky held in place by your authority. 

  We see before us someone whose nature is to love, whose presence is joy, whose spirit is goodness, whose will is to bring peace, whose purposes are holy, and who is ever faithful in keeping their promises.  We see before us someone who rises above the tides of natural events, who is not subject to the ebb and flow of History, whose realm is eternal, far surpassing the temporal Kingdoms of this World.  For you, Lord, have sovereignty over every age and every Nation.

  We humbly and sincerely thank you, Jesus, for becoming our righteousness.  We thank you for the unspeakable pain that you suffered so freely and patiently to the point of death, so that you might save us and release us from eternal separation from you.  We rejoice in your saving power, in the passing from judgement to the granting of peace. 

  Almighty God, you are the one who accomplished our salvation, turning us from worldly things we once idolised, to serve you, the true and living God.  You are the one who awakened in us a desire for your Word, not as words written by people, but for what it really is, the Word that performs its work in those who believe.  Open our eyes to see more of your truth, open our hearts to believe it more earnestly, open our mouths to declare it more faithfully.  May we never take for granted the privilege of reading it in our own language.  May we never neglect the wise counsel in its pages.

  Holy God, you keep the World turning in its place in the Universe, though people seek

instead to give the praise to gravity, which you created.  You keep the rain falling, though people seek instead to give the praise to the weather cycle, which you created.  You keep the balance in Nature, though people seek instead to give the praise to the animals and plants, which you created.  May we never take you for granted, Holy God.  May we always be willing to give you praise for who you are and for what you mean to us.  May we always give you glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the hymn  ‘Let all the World in every corner sing (My God and King)”  (TiS105  AHB13  MHB5)

George Herbert

Prayer of Confession   

Merciful God, we come before you distressed, because we compare our dire straits to your goodness and holiness.

We clearly recognise our failings and shortcomings, our sins and our misdeeds, those things that we have committed and those things that we should have done.  Forgive us.

Looking back on our past, we find that we have done insufficient to forward your Kingdom in the World.

We waste those times and opportunities that come our way, we do little to foster relationships, we have created barriers of race and culture and status that hinder communication, we are intemperate in our speech and actions, we lack the passion and concern for the spiritual welfare of others.  Forgive us.

We look upon ourselves and see much that offends you.

There have been times when our pride and our envy have coloured our decisions, when malice or uncharitableness have directed our thoughts, when our behaviour has been hypocritical and deceitful, when our anger and quick temper have shown itself in the words we say.  Forgive us.

We listen to the demanding voices around us and let them drown out the still quiet words of comfort from Jesus.

We let ourselves be overawed by the power and prestige of Earthly Kingdoms and forget that you have authority over everything in Heaven and upon Earth.  We give credence to political influence and National loyalties and forget that our obedience is to your Kingdom.  Forgive us.

In our prosperity we put our faith in what we have and what we own.

In our comfortableness we forget what it means to be in need.  In our indulgence we have forgotten the value of service for others.  We seek guidance from the World and neglect the counsel of your Word.  Forgive us.

In times of criticism of our Church, we shy away, forgetting that Jesus stood before the Jewish Elders and before Pilate proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Our desire for what the World can give us has meant that we have little left for the care of those who have nothing.  We are not holy in word or deed, we do not offer ourselves as living sacrifices for your service, much about us is unacceptable to you, we are not living Temples worthy to be dedicated to you.  Forgive us.

We rightly deserve your fury and fire, yet when we seek your forgiveness, we find your mercy and salvation.  You have rescued us from the power of darkness and have brought us

into the Kingdom of your beloved Son.

May we be faithful in fulfilling your purpose, generous in our service, and thankful for what we have.  May all we do be in line with your will, and may we work to bring about your Kingdom.  May all we say bring glory and honour to you.  May our hearts and minds be led by your Holy Spirit such that our lives reflect that holiness for which we should strive.  In your name we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Ephesians 1: 20) 

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that forgives us and renews us.  Having confessed our sins before God, let us trust in that power of God and know with confidence that our sins have been forgiven and our lives cleansed in God’s sight.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination 

Almighty, gracious Father, for as much as our whole salvation depends upon our true understanding of your holy Word, grant to all of us that our hearts, being freed from worldly affairs, may hear and comprehend your holy Word with all diligence and faith, that we may rightly understand your gracious will, cherish it, and live by it with all earnestness, to your praise and honour, through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

(Prayer of Martin Bucer: 1538)

Bible Readings

Ezekiel 34:

11  The LORD spoke to the people:

“I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I myself will look for my sheep and take care of them,  12  in the same way as a shepherd takes care of his sheep that were scattered and are brought together again.  I will bring them back from all the places where they were scattered on that dark, disastrous day.  13  I will take them out of foreign countries, gather them together, and bring them back to their own land.  I will lead them back to the mountains and the streams of Israel and will feed them in pleasant pastures.  14  I will let them graze in safety in the mountain meadows and the valleys and in all the green pastures of the land of Israel.  15  I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will find them a place of rest.  I. the Sovereign LORD, have spoken.

20  So now, I, the Sovereign LORD, tell you that I will judge between you strong sheep and the weak sheep.  21  You pushed the sick ones aside and butted them away from the flock.  22  But I will rescue my sheep and not let them be mistreated any more.  I will judge each of my sheep and separate the good from the bad.  23  I will give them a King like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them.  24  I, the LORD, will be their God, and a King like my servant David will be their ruler.  I have spoken.”

Ephesians 1:

15  For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,  16  I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you.  I remember you in my prayers,  17  and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know Him.  18  I ask that your minds may be opened to see His light, so that you will know what is the hope to which He has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings He promises his people, 19  and how very great is His power at work in us who believe.  This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength  20  which He used when He raised Christ from death and seated him at His right side in the Heavenly world.  21  Christ rules there above all Heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this World and in the next.  22  God put all things under Christ’s feet and gave him to the Church as supreme Lord over all things.  23  The Church is Christ’s body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.

(Today’s English Version)

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Matthew 25:

31  Jesus said to his Disciples:

“When the Son of Man comes as King and all the angels with him, he will sit on his royal throne,  32  and the people of all the Nations will be gathered before him.  Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33  He will put the righteous people at his  right and the others at his left.  34  Then the king will say to the people on his right,

‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father!  Come and possess the Kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the World.  35  I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,  36  naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’

37  The righteous will then answer him,

‘When Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?

38  When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you?  39  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’

40  The King will reply,

‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.’”

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 “Glory be to God the Father”  (TiS142  AHB84

Horatius Bonar

Sermon

  In 1923, William Inge, the then Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, wrote, “(you) may build (yourself) a throne of bayonets, but (you) cannot sit on it”.  (Dictionary of Quotations p428.50)  This was written against the background of the rise of Nationalism within Europe following WW1, and the forced reallocation of National boundaries as an effort to ensure peaceful relations between Nations, and to find a means to peacefully settle international disputes so as to avoid a repetition of the terrible experiences of WW1.

  In this statement we can see Dean Inge warning the decision makers of European Nations that they could, very easily, create their Kingdoms through violent means, but the end result will not be what they had hoped to achieve.  And, given the just as terrible experiences of WW11, we see that he was correct in his warning, in relation to the devastation experienced by many peoples and Nations across the World at that time. 

  In contrast to this, we have Mao Zedong, the Communist Chinese military and political leader, proudly proclaiming on 1^st October 1949 the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, a culmination of many decades of violent revolution and civil war in which he was a prominent leader.  “China has stood up”, he is recorded as saying.  (Dictionary of Quotations p548.8)  It did appear that Mao Zedong had built his position and authority, as the leader of the People’s Republic of China, on a throne of bayonets, and that he was successfully ‘sitting upon it’.

  Today is commemorated as “Christ the King” Sunday, so let us consider the nature of the Kingship of Jesus and the foundation of his throne. 

  We will commence by looking at the history of the early Church, for we find that it is one decidedly lacking in peaceful relations between it and National leaders and authorities.  We find widespread opposition to the Church, its leaders and its members generally.  Immediately following the Day of Pentecost, we find the Apostles in conflict with the Jewish leaders and Council of Elders.  In Acts 4 we have Peter and John being arrested and brought before this Council.  In Acts 5 and 12 we read again of the arrest of the Apostles.  In Acts 7 we read of the public stoning of Steven.  In Acts 8 we read of widespread persecution of the Church in Jerusalem.

  During Paul’s missionary journeys we find him and his companions in conflict on many occasions with Jews from the local synagogues or from Town authorities.  In Acts 13 it took place in Antioch in Pisidia.  In Acts 14 it took place in Iconium.  In Acts 16 it took place in Philippi.  In Acts 17 it took place in Thessalonica.  In Acts 19 it was in Ephesus.

  Of the Apostles, John is the only one who is recorded as not having met a violent death at the hands of those opposed to their preaching of the Gospel.  James, the brother of John, was beheaded on the orders of King Herod Agrippa 1  (Acts 12: 1 & 2)  .  Bartholomew, we are told, was martyred in Armenia  (David Farmer in The Oxford Dictionary of Saints p33)  .  Thaddaeus, (also known as Jude see Matthew 10: 3, Luke 6: 16) and Simon the Zealot (not Simon Peter see Matthew 10: 4, Luke 16: 15) ,we are told, were martyred in Persia.  (David Farmer in The Oxford Dictionary of Saints p241, 388)  Thomas, (Matthew 10: 3) , likewise in southern India  (David Farmer in The Oxford Dictionary of Saints p406)  .  To name a few.

  We are aware of the persecution of the early Church by order of the Roman Emperors.  The numerous Churches that existed in the C1st and C2nd in the north of Africa, in Israel, in Syria, in Turkey and in Persia, had all but disappeared during the rise of Islam in these parts of the World in the following centuries.  Christians in Japan faced persecution in the C18th.  We are familiar with the persecution of the Church in Communist Europe in the period following WW11.  And today, we read of the continuing persecution of Christians in such countries as China, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan.

  But such opposition to the Church does not just occur overseas.  In our daily News media we regularly read articles expressing negative opinions about the Church in Australia.   A writer by the name of Terry Sweetman once wrote an article in the Courier Mail, and commenced his article with the seemingly triumphant declaration that a recent census revealed an accelerating trend of Australians claiming no religious belief, “growing from 19% to 30% in a decade”, so he declares.  He continues by saying that “some surveys show up to 70% of us declare religion has no part in our lives”.  He declares a frustration that “religion holds undue sway over our (political) affairs” and over the implementation of “confronting Social change”, such as “gay marriage, euthanasia and abortion”.

  It would be interesting to find out more of his background so as to find an explanation for such a negative attitude towards the Church.  However, it is sufficient for us to acknowledge that widespread opposition and apathy exists towards the Church.  For it presents a difficulty for us when we read the passage from Ezekiel 34.  In verse 23 we read God speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel, saying “I will give (my people) a King like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them”.  Why have people refused to accept this benevolent shepherd sent by God?

  Thomas Jones, in his assessment of the character of King David, writes of him that “he stood out as a bright and shining light for the God of Israel, that his accomplishments were many, including being generous, a dispenser of justice, a loyal friend, someone who displayed all that people find wholesome in a person.  (New Bible Dictionary Volume one p369)  He was someone who was prepared to lead his people into battle to ensure their safety from external threats and to defend the Nation of Israel, and, especially, someone who humbled himself for the service of God  (Augustus Buckland & Arthur Lukyn Williams eds in The Universal Bible Dictionary p124)  . 

  Why don’t we see a widespread acceptance of this leader of people, who has the same characteristics and nature as King David?  Why don’t we see a widespread acceptance of the Kingship of the person God has promised to the World?

Ezekiel 34: 11 & 23

  Let us look at the nature of the promises by God.  The Prophet Ezekiel says of the promised “good shepherd” that he will “look after (his) sheep and take care of them (v11), that he would provide for their needs for clean fresh water (v13), for pleasant pastures (v13), for safety while they were grazing (v14), for a place to rest (v15), and for overall security and good governance (v15).

  We are led to understand that this is a symbolic description of the blessings that flow to the People of God as a result of the reign of the King that God will send. 

Matthew 25: 34

  In Matthew 25 we have Jesus describing himself as a good shepherd, and declaring to his listeners, “when the Son of Man comes as King, (referring to Himself), the people of all the Nations will be gathered before him, … and he will say to the righteous people, come, you that are blessed by God, come and possess the Kingdom which has been prepared for you”  (v31 to 34)  Jesus is claiming that he is the good shepherd promised to Ezekiel, and that he is initiating the promised Kingdom as foretold in Ezekiel’s writings.  Jesus is reiterating the blessings that will flow to the People of God as a result of his Kingship.

  Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, also writes on this subject, declaring “how rich are the blessings (God) promises His people”.  (Ephesian 1: 18) 

  So, we get this consistently vivid and astounding picture of blessings flowing onto people, blessings promised by Jesus the promised King.  Now, if this is so, why is this promise not being readily and widely accepted by people?  Why are people not associating these blessings with Jesus as their King nor of associating it with his Church?  Does this represent false promises by Jesus, or a failure by Jesus to clearly communicate his message, or a lack of credibility by Jesus to deliver on his promises?

  I don’t think that there is any evidence at all for any such suggestions that Jesus has somehow failed either in his role as King or in his ability to deliver on his promises.  From the witness of the Gospel accounts and of the growth of the early Church as recorded for us in Luke’s Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and from the evidence provided by first and second century Christian writers, our faith is founded on the truth that Jesus is King by and through the power of God, and that Jesus has richly blessed the Church in the millennia subsequent to his ascension to the right hand side of God.  As such, Jesus does indeed:

“sit at the right hand side of God and rules there above all Heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this World and in the next”  (Ephesians 1: 21)  , as Paul wrote.

  This history of widespread opposition to the Church and of widespread persecution of Christians is not a sign of the failure of Jesus as King, but a sign of people’s rebellion against their need to submit to God as Maker and Lord, people’s unwillingness to accept the reality of Jesus as their risen Saviour and as their King, their failure to accept the reality of Jesus as their risen Saviour and as their King. 

  Their opposition to the Church of God is the sign of their attempts to rid themselves of those who spread this message of Jesus as the King God has promised to lead His sheep, as a means to evade the burden of their guilty conscience arising from their rejection of God and of His promise to them.

  The Apostle Paul wrote about “the guilt of Humankind” to the Church in Rome when he states,

“People have no excuse at all!  They know God, but they do not give Him the honour that belongs to Him, nor do they thank Him.  Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds filled with darkness.  They say are wise, but they are fools.”  (Romans 1: 20b to 22) 

  Roger Bowen, in his Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome, writes:

“People see something of God outside of themselves, (in God’s Creation around them).”

“People see something of God within themselves.  In their minds they know that there is a supreme God and that He is the Righteous Judge, and that their duty is to honour and serve God.

“(But) people refuse to worship God and to obey His will, although they know they should.”

“People ignore God and His love, and do not want to think about God.”

“People pervert their knowledge of God into something which is foolish and untrue.”

“People behave in evil and unrighteous way as a result of refusing to honour God.”

“But God leaves people to walk in the path that they have chosen, though the offer of God’s mercy and love and grace is freely and consistently being proclaimed to them.”

  (Roger Bowen in A Guide to Romans p24) 

  Nowhere in the writings by Terry Sweetman does he mention this need to submit to Jesus Christ as King, for to do so would reveal the error of his thinking and of the error of his believing.  His writings reflect his unwillingness to accept the reality of God and of the reality of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd and King.

  To accept the reality of Jesus as King and of the reality of the Kingdom of Jesus means that you accept that it is based upon God’s conditions alone.  The passage from Ezekiel mentions separating good sheep and bad sheep  (Ezekiel 34: 22)  .  What is the nature of good sheep? 

  Good sheep are characterised, firstly, by an acceptance of the leadership of the shepherd.  We read of this in Psalm 100: 3, “Acknowledge that the Lord is God”.  We read of this in Ephesians 1: 21 and 22, “Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this World and in the next.”

  Good sheep are characterised, secondly, by a willingness to trust and to follow the shepherd, to listen and to obey the shepherd.  We read of this in Psalm 100: 3, “He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, we are His flock.”  We read of this in Ephesians 1: 15, where Paul writes of the believers in Ephesus, “I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all of God’s people.”

  Good sheep are characterised by their submission to God.  Paul says of them that they have been made wise by God, and, in doing so, know God.  (Ephesians 1: 17)  Paul says of them that their minds have been opened by God to see his light, whereby they have an understanding of the hope that is found in God and of the blessings that are found in God  (Ephesians 1: 18)  ,as Jesus describes in Matthew 25: 34.  Finally, Paul says of them that the power of God is evident in their lives, in the knowledge of the forgiveness of their sins through the sacrificial death amazing resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in their empowerment by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel.

  Significantly, it has nothing what-so-ever to do with what we can achieve by our own efforts.  It has everything to do with what God achieves in and for us.

  There is, indeed, a difference between a throne made of bayonets and a throne whose foundation is the love of God.  The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that the throne made of God’s love is the stronger of the two.  It is the throne made of God’s love that alone will endure and that alone promises the peace of God and the blessings of God.

  Let us, then, gather together to give thanks to God and to offer Him our praise.  “For the Lord is good, His love is eternal, and His faithfulness endures forever”.  (Psalm 100: 5)  Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn “Rejoice the Lord is King”  (TiS216  AHB147  MHB247)

Charles Wesley

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 

(adapted from Raymond Chapman in Leading Intercessions p45) 

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.

Almighty God, we see that the World around us is in tension and distrust, the continuing hostilities in the east Asian region, the conflicts in Gaza, in the Ukraine, in Mali, in Myanmar, in Yemen, and in Sudan.  We see a lack of generosity and co-operation, and of a predominance for self-interest and discrimination. 

We pray that those who make decisions for Nations and those in positions of power and authority, may be guided by your will and your love for all of Humanity.  May they be slow to criticise and quick to show compassion.  May they acknowledge you as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.   May they work to bring about your Kingdom and not their own.

Almighty God, we pray for the leaders of our Nation, that they may be led by what is good and pure and by a concern for the welfare of all people, rather than by party platform or ideology. 

May they be faithful to their promises.  May they be earnest in their endeavours to bring relief to the needy and solutions to problems.  May they be guided by your will and not by the latest opinion poll.  May they work to bring about your Kingdom on Earth.

Almighty God, we bring before you those who are ill and injured. 

May they receive your tender care and experience your healing and wholeness. 

We pray for those who are distressed and anguished about their present and their future. 

May they have the confidence to cast their cares at your feet and receive your peace of mind.

We pray for those who do not know where they will sleep tonight or from where their next meal is coming. 

May people be led to respond to their need and to be ready to give so that others may simply live.

Almighty God, we pray for your Church that it may be a sincere and joyful witness to the World of your goodness and grace. 

May the behaviour of its leaders and representatives be exemplary, may they be good shepherds of your people, faithful in their words and their works.  May your Church be a voice in the wilderness calling the World, near and far, to repentance and to come humbly before you.

We pray for the peoples of East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, and the Philippines.

We are thankful for the vital witness of churches in this region, for the diversity of ethnicities, cultures and religious beliefs, and especially those in Indonesia who have built bridges between them, for those who have resisted bravely and worked for human rights, justice, peace and reconciliation, especially the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and for those who protest exploitative mining, deforestation and other environmental damage.

We pray for the governments in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, that they will eradicate corruption, establish justice and peace, and work effectively for the wellbeing of all their people, for victims of violence, torture, drug and human trafficking, and human rights violations, that those responsible might be held accountable, for all those affected by earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, and for the rebuilding of communities afterwards, for ecumenical and interfaith cooperation to bring justice, peace and sustainability to these lands.

Lord, make us realize that our Christianity is like a rice field: when it is
newly planted the paddies are prominent, but as the plants take root and grow taller, these divided paddies gradually vanish, and soon there appears only one vast continuous field. So give us roots that love, and help us grow in Christian fellowship and service, that your will be done in our lives, through our Saviour, your Son, Jesus Christ.

(From the Philippines.  A Procession of Prayers: Meditations and Prayers from around the World, comp. John Carden, WCC and Cassell, London, UK, 1998, p. 174.)

(https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/east-timor-timor-leste-indonesia-philippines)

We pray for those who undertake Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School.  Guide them in the words to say and the approach to take with the children in their classes.  May the Holy Spirit challenge the children in the RI classes to come to a closer relationship with you.

We pray for Kylie Conomos, the Scripture Union Chaplain at Bald Hills State School, that you will guide and equip her as she seeks to address the concerns and needs of children, parents and teachers at the school.

We pray for those who are unable to attend worship.  Please guide and comfort them in their particular circumstances.  May they be aware of your care for them as they meet what each new day brings.

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 ‘Ye servants of God’ (TiS215  AHB144  MHB426)

Charles Wesley

Benediction

(from Ezekiel 24: 15 and 16) 

God promised to look for those who were lost and to bring them back to a place of rest.  Take heed, then, for God has sought us and God has found us.  God has brought us to Himself so that we can experience His peace in our souls and His joy in our hearts.  Let us move forward with that promise.

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

Verse 4

His forever, only His,

Who the Lord and me shall part?

Ah, with what a rest of bliss

Christ can fill the loving heart!

Heaven and Earth may fade and flee,

First-born light in gloom decline;

But while God and I shall be,

I am His, and He is mine.

But while God and I shall be,

I am His, and He is mine.

Wade Robinson