Service for Sunday 27th October which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

Welcome: –

Call to Worship: –

Today is celebrated as Reformation Sunday, the fourth Sunday in October, the Sunday closest to Reformation Day, celebrated on 31^st October. This date is commonly held to be the day in 1517 when Martin Luther presented his 95 theses about the Roman Catholic Church and its need to reform. 507 years on, it remains worthwhile to reflect on what we bring forward from the past that strengthens us and future generations for the ministry of preaching the Gospel of Christ.

The Uniting Church in Australia’s beliefs are drawn from the teaching of the Holy Scriptures and from the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds.

The Uniting Church continues to learn, in the power of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, from the witness of the Reformers as expressed in various ways in the Scots Confession of Faith (1560), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647), and the Savoy Declaration (1658). In like manner the Uniting Church will listen to the preaching of John Wesley in his Forty-Four Sermons (1793), so that the congregation of Christ’s people may again and again be reminded of the grace which justifies them through faith, of the centrality of the person and work of Christ the justifier, and of the need for a constant appeal to Holy Scripture.

We confidently believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God brings us into right relationship where in faith we can:

be in a close, loving, personal, dynamic relationship with the living God,
participate in a worshipping, caring and serving community of Christians,
receive God’s gifts so life can be what God means it to be: loving, purposeful, joyful, eternal,
tell others of this good news and live it out in acts of compassion, service and justice in the community.

(https://uniting.church/ourbeliefs/, https://uniting.church/ourfaith/, https://uniting.church/basisofunion-2/)

The Reformation marks something significant for us as part of the universal Church: the coalescence of our focus on the Holy Spirit’s ongoing reform of us as a Church and as individuals. Martin Luther helps us to understand and acknowledge that the institution of the Church is not equal to God. We are called to worship the triune God alone, to claim Jesus Christ as Lord of the Church, and to seek the ongoing sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

(https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/worship-reformationsunday/)

There are a number of reasons we should observe the day. The themes of the Reformation remain the great themes and principles of our own faith today. The great schism that occurred in the Church remains with us. Our fractured Denominations have entered into dialogue and cooperative activities that have brought us closer together.

Today we may observe Reformation Day with a sense of moving toward unity and community. It is an opportunity to repent of the sins and excesses of the past and to celebrate our common faith, even if we still cannot celebrate a common ritual and sacrament. Reformation today can represent healing of old wounds as, together, we all work to build and strengthen Christ’s Church and love one another as Christ has loved us.

(https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/reformation-day-what-why-and-resources-for-worship)

Prayer of Praise

(Psalm 9:1-2)

We will give thanks to you, O LORD, with our whole heart; we will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

We will be glad and exult in you; we will sing praise to your name, O Most High God.

God of all ages: we thank you for the faithful witness of your Apostles, Prophets, and martyrs throughout the history of your Church and throughout the World even today.

Through their witness we see and hear your truth.

We praise you for all who bless your name through their writing, speaking, art, and music.

Through their work we glimpse your majesty.

We praise you for all who serve you without recognition or honour, offering encouragement to the lonely, the sick, and the fearful.

Through their lives we see your faithfulness and sense your comfort.

Now we pray that you will use even us to reflect the glory we see in Christ.

May the voices of all your saints at work in the Church today, made holy in Christ, swell in joyous praise to you, the giver of all good gifts; through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(https://wcrc.eu/resource/reformation-sunday-2024-liturgy/)

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘Through all the changing scenes of life’ (TiS112)

Nahum Tate

Nicholas Brady

Prayer of Confession

We cannot come before you God unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are, about the mistakes we make, and about our disobedience in following your way.

Merciful God, we come before you burdened by our brokenness; and with so many needs in our communities and in our world!

Too often we ignore or fail to hear the cry of the stranger in need.

Too often we are blinded by prejudice, busyness, and apathy. We disregard the rights of those who are hurting.

Living God, you are the One who is always on the move, always creating and re-creating, always doing a new thing.

And yet, we confess, O Lord, that our lives can become static, routinely paralyzed by doubt and fear. We remain feeling comfortable in patterns of greed, covetousness, and self-interest.

We doubt your promises of an abundant, everlasting life and so we live in dread of our neighbours, our friends, and our enemies.

Our souls remain still. We do not love as you love. Nor do we live as you would have us live, with courage, generosity or the boldness of the Gospel.

Forgive us, O God. Renew us by your Spirit, and reform us with your compassion, remaking us more fully into the image of Christ, and as nimble servants of your reign.

Jesus, your grace includes all, and by your presence we are reconciled to one another. We rejoice in the chance to begin again, re-formed into a caring community, that through your Spirit we will be the builders of hope and healing.

(https://wcrc.eu/resource/reformation-sunday-2024-liturgy/

Assurance of Forgiveness

The good news of the Gospel is that God’s love in Christ stretches so deep and so wide that it infiltrates every broken place in our hearts and in our world.

Our hatred is met with love, our cruelty is met with compassion, our sins and our trespasses are met with forgiveness.

It is greater than anything you have ever done, or could do.

Open your hearts, then, to let the love of God in, because in Christ you are forgiven, freed, made new. Believe in this great good news.

Thanks be to God.

(https://united-church.ca/worship-liturgical-season/reformation-sunday)

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:

Hebrews 7:

21 Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him:

“The Lord has made a solemn promise and will not take it back, ‘You will be a priest forever.’” (Psalm 110: 4)

22 This makes Jesus the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 There is another difference; there were many other priests, (but) because they died (they) could not continue their work. 24 But Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else. 25 And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.

26 Jesus, then, is the High Priest who meets our needs. He is holy; he has no fault or sin in him; he has been set apart from sinners and raised above the Heavens. 27 He is not like other High Priests; he does not need to offer sacrifices every day for his own sins first and then for the sins of the people. He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, when he offered himself.

28 The Law of Moses appoints men who are imperfect to be High Priests; but God’s promise made with the vow, which came later than the Law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

[Revised Standard Version, Today’s English Version]

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Mark 10:

46 They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his Disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout,

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly,

“Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called the blind man, “Take heart.” they said. “Stand up, he is calling you.” 50 So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

“Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.”

52 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.”

At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road.

[Revised Standard Version, Today’s English Version, New English Bible]

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 “O that I could repent”

Wesley’s Hymns numbers 102 (v1), 103 (v1) and 105 (vs1 & 4)]

(This YouTube clip is for another hymn, but is used here for the tune. The words are printed below)

Verse 1 of 4

O that I could repent!

With all my idols part,

and to your gracious eye present

a humble, contrite heart;

a heart with grief oppressed

for having grieved my God,

a troubled heart that cannot rest

till sprinkled with His blood.

Verse 2 of 4

O that I could repent!

O that I could believe

you, by your voice, the marble rent,

The rock in sunder cleave!

You, by the two-edged sword,

my soul and spirit part,

strike with the hammer of your Word

and break my stubborn heart.

Verse 3 of 4

To you, tremendous God,

my conscious awe impart;

your grace be now on me bestowed

upon my tender heart.

for Jesu’s sake alone

my stony heart remove,

and melt at last, O melt me down,

into the mould of love.

Verse 4 of 4

This is your will, I know,

that I should holy be,

should let my sin this moment go,

this moment turn to Thee.

O might I now embrace

your all-sufficient power;

and never more to sin give place,

and never grieve you more.

Charles Wesley

Sermon:

There is a story of a person who had a vision to start a ministry for God and how God was to finance this ministry by letting them win the Casket. So, very excitedly, they waited for the end of the week to come, expecting to receive news of their winnings; but nothing happened. Confident that God had spoken to them and had promised to fund their new ministry, they waited a second week; but, again, no news of any winnings was received. They waited a third, a fourth and a fifth weeks, all with no news. In despair they went into the Church one evening, and, in tears, prayed earnestly to God. “God”, they prayed,” you promised to let me win the Casket so I could start this great ministry for you, but nothing has happened. And now, I don’t know what to do.” Suddenly, a voice called to them, “Don’t despair, I did give you the vision, and I did promise to finance the ministry by letting you win the Casket.” “But where is the money?”, the person called out, “I’ve waited five weeks now and nothing has happened. “Well,” said God, “first of all you’ve got to buy a ticket.”

On separate visits to Jericho, Jesus encountered two men. One was a blind man named Bartimaeus. Jesus healed him. The second man was Zacchaeus, a tax collector. Both men met Jesus. He changed their lives and they became followers of Jesus.

Bartimaeus began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10: 47

In today’s Gospel reading from Mark chapter 10 we hear the account of Bartimaeus. What are we told of Bartimaeus? We know that his Father’s name is Timaeus, (Bartimaeus means “son of Timaeus”), we know that he sits by the road begging, and we know that at one point in his life he could see. It’s one of those rare stories from the Gospels where you are told the name of the person who is interacting with Jesus.

In Marks Gospel we read of Jesus entering Jericho and meeting a blind person by the name of Bartimaeus. Can we accept with any level of confidence that an actual meeting took place between Jesus and a man named Bartimaeus? I believe we can place some trust in Mark’s account, because any first century reader of the Gospels could have travelled to Jericho, sought out Timaeus or even Bartimaeus, and heard first hand for themselves what had taken place that day. If the events hadn’t occurred as it is recorded, then the Gospel account could easily be discredited and therefore rejected. That is why such accounts as these bring so much life to the Gospels. They are not just stories made up to illustrate some moral or social value, as were Aesop’s Fables, they are actual events used by God to bring us a clear understanding of His nature, of the character and ministry of Jesus and of an appropriate response to his love.

There are four aspects of the story of Bartimaeus that bring this out. But, firstly, we need an understanding of the social conditions of the time. There was no Society for the Blind, acting to ensure the welfare of the visually disadvantaged. There was no bulk billing of Doctor’s fees so that medical care could be provided to those most in need but least able to afford care. Yet God had provided in his Law a command to at least show some level of compassion for the poor and needy. And we see this demonstrated by how accepted it was for people to sit by the roadside or on the steps of the Temple and beg for money from those passing by. And, for sure, there was a certain amount of piousness associated with being seen giving money to the poor.

Yet, because beggars were, in the main, seen as uneducated, or not contributing to society in any way, and often not participating in the social or religious life of their town or village, they were treated by others as they would treat their children. And we see this demonstrated by the way many of the other people standing by the roadside with Bartimaeus reacted to his calling out to Jesus. We read that when many of the people heard Bartimaeus call out to Jesus they “scolded him and told him to be quiet”, as if it was inconceivable that Jesus would ever be interested in talking to a blind man. (Mark 10: 48)

But did that stop Bartimaeus? No it didn’t, for he shouted even more loudly. From his response we get a glimpse of his character. The response of those around him only encouraged him. Some people may call him stubborn. However, I would prefer to call him determined or tenacious. Here was the opportunity for healing and wholeness, and Bartimaeus wasn’t going to let it pass on by. In the eyes of Bartimaeus, so to speak, those around him did not have as desperate a need to see Jesus as he did, and he wasn’t going to let their reaction to him hinder his plans. Do we persist with God’s work with as much determination as he did? Do we grasp opportunities to work for God when they arise with as much persistence as Bartimaeus did?

This leads to the second aspect. What was it that Bartimaeus called Jesus? “Son of David” (Mark 10: 47 & 48) . Not Jesus, son of Joseph, or Jesus of Nazareth, but the clearly messianic title, Son of David. Here was someone whose education was certainly cut short. Here was someone who could no longer read the Scriptures. Yet here was someone who had a clearer understanding of the character of Jesus and of God’s plan for redeeming His people than the majority of religious scholars and leaders in Jerusalem, those who had been appointed to lead God’s peoples in these very same matters. In the same chapter in the Gospel of Mark we read the account of James and John who were preoccupied with questions of prestige and occupying positions of power. Why was it that this blind man had a clearer vision of God’s plan that the very Disciples of Jesus? From where did Bartimaeus gain this understanding? Obviously he had been listening to others taking in the market places as they discussed what this vibrant preacher and healer from Galilee had been doing. But Bartimaeus must have done more than this. He must also have been thinking things over for himself, being open to receiving wisdom and understanding from God.

Some Commentators make reference to the title by which Bartimaeus addresses Jesus. He used the term “rabboni”, meaning Master or Lord (Mark 10: 51) (Strong’s NT4462) . The only other time this word is recorded in the Gospels is when Mary Magdalene addressed Jesus when she met him outside the empty tomb on Easter morning, as is recorded for us in John chapter 21. When people were talking to Jesus it is the word “Kurios” that was mostly used, which is a title of respect given to someone of a higher social standing, equivalent to the use today of the word “sir”. These Commentators make the point that Bartimaeus wanted to go further than just showing respect to Jesus, he was wanting to acknowledge the divinity of Jesus.

The writer to the Hebrews draws this out for us. The point is made in chapter 7 of Hebrews that other priests needed to offer sacrifices for their own sin before that could offer sacrifices for the sins of others. It is also noted that at some point in time these other priests would die and therefore their role had to be passed onto someone else. However, with Jesus, he offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins once and for all time. There is no need for Jesus to offer sacrifices every day. But more than this, Jesus was set apart from sinners and was raised up to Heaven where he intercedes with God for us. Therefore, Jesus is the prefect High Priest who meets our needs. (Hebrews 7: 26)

So, having this understanding of Jesus, what did Bartimaeus do with it? Did he file it away in his Bible to look at it another day? Did he congratulate himself on his cleverness? No, he did neither of these. What Bartimaeus did was act upon his understanding. In my story about the person receiving a vision from God to start a new ministry, God could not start to work through them until they acted on their faith and bought a Casket ticket. In the same way, God could not work in the life of Bartimaeus until Bartimaeus acted on his faith. He needed to do two things. God could not work in the life of Bartimaeus if Bartimaeus was going to lust continue sitting by the roadside and beg. Firstly he had to attract the attention of Jesus, and secondly he had to be specific concerning what he was requesting Jesus to do for him. (Mark 10: 51)

Do we show the same level of faith in the power of Jesus to act in people’s lives to bring healing and wholeness? Do we show the same level of certainty of knowing how God could work in and through us? Do we have as definite a sense of purpose as Bartimaeus showed?

This account also shows us something about the character of Jesus. Among all the noise and bustle of the people wanting to see him as he walked along the street in Jericho, Jesus showed that he was responsive to the cry for help from a single person. Doesn’t this all too clearly demonstrate the great concern that Jesus had to relieve the sufferings of others irrespective of their social standing or physical condition!

We also see how Jesus cleverly used the opportunity to teach something to the people watching nearby. Not only was Jesus giving Bartimaeus the opportunity to ask for something other than for money, Jesus was using this as an opportunity to demonstrate to all who were watching that God was acting through him. For Jesus was doing something that no priest or doctor could do. Jesus was re-creating the ability of Bartimaeus to see. And such re-creating could only be undertaken by God the creator acting through Jesus. Such a lesson should have been all too evident to anyone who was watching.

“Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” Mark 10: 52

So, having been healed, what did Bartimaeus do next? This is the fourth aspect brought out in the story. We read that his response was to follow Jesus on the road. He didn’t race home to tell his parents the good news. He didn’t organise a party with his friends to celebrate his good fortune. He was willing to serve Jesus as Jesus continued on his travels, travels that eventually led him to Jerusalem and to the cross on Calvary.

And it is this part of the story that I find so frustrating. We read nothing else about Bartimaeus. We know nothing else about his future life and deeds. Did he continue to follow Jesus all the way to Jerusalem? Did he remain in Jerusalem, or did he return to Jericho? Did he remain faithful to God? Did he play a role in the formation of the church in first century Palestine? We don’t know. All we do know is that Bartimaeus acknowledged his debt to Jesus for being healed and offered his life in service as a response.

It is this aspect about Bartimaeus that is a last challenge to us. How do we respond to God’s mercy in our lives? What do we offer to God in response to God working in our lives? Do we offer the best that we can give, or do we offer only what we can spare? Are we willing to follow Jesus onto unknown paths, or do we seek the security of what is known?

In Job chapter 42 verse 5 we read Job saying” In the past I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen God with my own eyes”. Bartimaeus was privileged not only to see Jesus with restored vision, he was also able to see who Jesus really was in terms of God’s plan for redeeming the World from sin and restoring the World to a right relationship with Him. His response to Jesus is a challenge to us. I pray that we too will respond in the same way and gladly follow Jesus along unknown paths to an unknown future, trusting in God’s grace and God’s promise to accompany us wherever we are led. Amen.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘Father of Heaven, whose love profound’ (TiS131)

[This hymn is based partly on Mark 10.]

Edward Cooper

Offering

Offering Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is nothing that we could offer to you as a sacrifice for our sin. Yet in your great love, you have offered up your own Son, so that through him we may be put right with you.

Accept the gifts we offer here today, as mere tokens of our gratitude for the great gift of salvation which you have given to us.

Amen.

(https://www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/service-order/?order-type=liturgy&post-id=18521)

An Affirmation of Faith

We believe that God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. (Romans 5: 5)

We, in turn, strive to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength. (Deuteronomy 6: 5, Mark 12: 30)

God is the joy of our heart, and the desire of our soul; which is constantly crying out, “Whom have I in Heaven but you? And Earth has nothing I desire besides you.”(Psalm 73: 25).

We rejoice for evermore, we pray without ceasing, and in everything we give thanks. Our hearts are full of love for all of Humankind, and are purified, through Christ, from envy, wrath, malice, and every unkind feeling or attitude. Our one desire and the design of our lives are not to do our own will but the will of Him who sent His son into the World.

We keep all of God’s Commandments and Statutes, from the least to the greatest. We do not follow the customs of the World, for vice does not lose its nature through becoming fashionable.

We seek to do good to all people, neighbours, strangers, friends, and enemies, and to display the love that God has for all people.

We share with all Christians the conviction that Scripture is the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine. Through Scripture the Living Christ meets us in the experience of redeeming grace. We are convinced that Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God in our midst, whom we trust in life and in death. The Biblical authors, as they were led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, bear witness that in Christ the World is reconciled to God.

We also believe that the Bible bears authentic testimony to God’s self-disclosure in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as in God’s work of Creation. In the Holy Spirit’s ongoing activity in Human beings, our faith is born and nourished, our understanding is deepened, and the possibilities for transforming the World according to God’s Will and Purpose became apparent to us.

In all we do and say we proclaim the glory and majesty of Almighty God and praise His unending lovingkindness towards us, now and forevermore. Amen.

(adapted from Portrait of a Methodist by John Wesley) https://www.mcgnamd.org/the-methodist-portrait

Prayers for Others

Almighty God, as the Church is in the constant process of checking and reforming itself against your Holy Word, guide us as we search for your will and direction in the new age ahead of us. Give us wisdom in this task, a thirst for your truth and a love of your Gospel. Send your Holy Spirit to guide all people who are searching for the truth and lead them to the source of all truth, Jesus Christ.