Service for Sunday 29th September which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

Welcome: –

Call to Worship: –

Katharina von Schlegel, an 18^th century German hymn writer, published a hymn in 1752 titled “Stille, mein wille, dein Jesus hilft seigen”. Jane Borthwick, a Scottish writer, translated this hymn into English in 1855, and it is the well-known hymn “Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side”. Some attribute Psalm 46: 10 and 11 as the inspiration for Katarina von Schlegel for the words to her hymn.

(https://wordwisehymns.com/2010/10/22/today-in-1697-katharina-von-schlegel-born/ )

Others suggest that her inspiration came from verses 5 to 7 from Psalm 116, because they appear to have a broader context than does Psalm 46.

(https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/be-still-my-soul)

The Together in Song hymnbook lists Psalm 124, one of today’s readings, as reflecting the themes of this hymn. Psalm 124 commences by symbolically describing the threats that the Nation of Israel faced from its neighbouring Nations, such as Philistia, Edom and Moab. Israel is likened to a bird caught in a “hunter’s trap” (verse 7) .

The imagery in the Psalm is not of the bird managing to escape from the trap by its own efforts because the bird is unable to do so. The trap itself has been broken from the outside by a third party, thus freeing the bird. The danger itself has been destroyed, meaning that the bird has been completely delivered from the threat. The writer is saying that, in the same way, God has completely delivered the Israelites from their dangers by ensuring that the surrounding nations were not in a position to threaten the security and prosperity of God’s people. (Derek Kidner in Psalms 73 – 150 p437, William Jordan in Religion in song p92, Artur Weiser in The Psalms p756) The reference to God as Creator of Heaven and Earth is a reminder of God’s absolute power and authority over all that He has created, over all of Time and Space. There is nothing in Heaven or on Earth that can hinder His saving acts. There is nothing in Heaven or on Earth that can hinder God implementing His Will and Purpose in the World and in the History of Humanity.

In some areas of the World today, God’s People face such threats to their lives and to their livelihoods from forces that are seeking to hinder God’s rule on Earth. And we can readily list current events around our Globe that threaten the peace and stability of Humanity on a Global scale, problems which seemingly are beyond anyone’s ability to solve.

We, personally, have not experienced such dangers to our lives or livelihoods, yet we do face our own perils and ‘entrapments’, events that are beyond our ability and capacity to solve or to handle. On that understanding, what is the advice from the writer of Psalm 124?

“Be at rest, my soul” writes the Psalmist, or as Jane Borthwick writes, “Be still, my soul”. Our response is to put our hope and trust in our God when circumstances are beyond our control or influence. Our response is to depend upon our compassionate and merciful God, the Lord God “who made Heaven and Earth” (verse 8) , to deliver us and to provide for our needs. This is the God whom we have come together today; Almighty God, to whom we offer our worship and our praise.

Prayer of Praise:

(from David Hostetter Prayers of God’s People Year B pp186 – 188, Uniting in Worship p277, John Drescher Invocations and Benedictions p93, An Australian Prayer Book p256)

Lord of power and might, we give to you our praise for you are the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Your mighty works are revealed to us in what we see around us, the vast oceans, the tall mountains, life in its abundance and variety, the stars and planets in the night sky, each a marvel of your creative power. Your incomparable intellect is revealed to us by what we cannot see; the intricate structure of the smallest atom, the physiological systems interplaying within our bodies, the forces that keep a planet in its orbit around a sun and that move a comet through the solar system.

Lord of wisdom and truth, we give to you our adoration because you are the author and giver of all good things; for through your goodness towards us we are nourished; for through your great mercy we are kept safe and secure. We are blessed because you fill us with your gift of peace and share with us the joys of your Kingdom. We can rest assured that your love is constant and that you will keep your promises towards us for ever.

Loving God, your actions are guided solely by justice and compassion. You care so much for the helpless and the disadvantaged. Your heart goes out to the powerless and the abused. Your great love extends to those who hide themselves away from others because of a deep loss or sorrow or anguish, to those who we choose not to see. There is no force or being that can overcome your will. There is no other authority or power in Heaven or on Earth that can stand in your presence, for all things must kneel before you. For you are God, the one true God who will reign forever Almighty God, we are grateful for you have made yourself known to us through the healing and saving power of your Son, Jesus Christ. You have provided the means for the forgiveness of our disobedience, for the wiping away completely of the stain of sin in our lives. Everything else pales into insignificance compared to your sacrificial love for us. May this inspire us to a life of worship of you and of service to others, to your glory and honour. Amen.

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

“I will sing I will sing a Song unto the Lord” –

(Scripture in Song volume 2 No 254)

“For I’m building a People of Power” –

(Scripture in Song volume 2 No 262)

Dave Richards

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we come before you contrite and repentant. We come before you as fallen people.

We are all guilty of letting you down, of going our own way; guilty of offences against your instructions for us and negligent in omitting to love others as you love them.

We seek to forget about our sins, as if by being out of our mind they are not in your mind; yet nothing is hidden from you. We seek to treat them as unimportant and diminish their significance; yet each and every one causes you anguish and pain.

You alone judge rightly, and search the depths of our hearts to reveal our true nature of disobedience and wilfulness.

We crave after things in an effort to satisfy a craving in our souls. We seek after possessions and pleasures as if this was the purpose of life.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We envy the wealthy and all the satisfaction in life that they seem to have, yet forget that possessions and money do not guarantee peace of mind and soul. We boast of our qualities and skills. We like to tell of what we are able to achieve all by ourselves, yet fail to acknowledge your blessings in our lives and neglect your call to live a life of modesty and gratefulness.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We are hardened to the distress in other’s lives, and are unable to perceive their greater needs. We withhold the simplest of help that we are asked to give. We neglect to comfort those who need a quiet word of consolation. We refuse to consider giving to someone because of the cost that it may mean for us.

Merciful God, forgive us.

Merciful God, please forgive us for each and every time that we have failed you and have failed others. Please forgive us for each and every time that we have not lived according to your perfect laws and precepts.

For we acknowledge that we alone are responsible for creating the chasm that exists between yourself and our sinful lives.

Yet merciful God, you declare your almighty power in showing mercy and pity towards us. Your Word reveals that you are a God of boundless compassion, who eagerly forgives all penitent sinners.

There is no other god like you, for you are a God who pardons sins, whose compassion extends to casting our sins into the deepest depths of the ‘sea’.

Let your Holy Spirit empower us in our worship and in our daily service for others. Continue your work in our lives so that we may mirror your nature in our thoughts and words and deeds.

Complete your work in us when you call us to yourself to share in the table of abundance that you have told us has been prepared for us. May we follow the path of repentance and faith, to your glory and honour. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from James 5:15b and 16)

James reminds us that a confession made in faith before God will be acknowledged. So, having confessed our sins before God, we can be confident in knowing that God has listened to our prayers, that He has heard them and acknowledged them, that our sins have been forgiven and our lives have been made clean in God’s sight.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination

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 opened to know your truth and your way. Amen.

Bible Readings:

Psalm 19:

7 The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

8 The Laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind.

9 Reverence for the LORD is good; it will continue forever. The judgements of the LORD are just; they are always fair.

10 They are more desirable than the finest gold; they are sweeter than the purest honey.

Esther 10:

2 All the great and wonderful things that King Xerxes did, as well as the whole story of how he promoted Mordecai to high office, are recorded in the official records of the kings of Persia and Media. 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank only to king Xerxes himself. He was honoured and well-liked by his fellow Jews. He worked for the good of his people and for the security of all their descendants.

James 5:

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? They should pray. Is anyone happy? They should sing praises. 145 Is there anyone who is sick? They should send for the Church Elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the Name of the Lord. 15 This prayer, made in faith, will heal the sick person; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. 16 So, then, confess your sins to one another and pray for

One another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Mark 9:

50 Jesus told his Disciples:

“Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?

Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”

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: ‘Spirit of faith, come down’ (MHB363 Wesley’s Hymns number 85)

[This YouTube clip is for another hymn, but is used here for the tune]

Verse 1 of 3

Spirit of faith, come down,

reveal the things of God,

and make to us the Godhead known

and breathe the living Word;

your grace on us to apply

and give us eyes to see

who did for every sinner die

has surely died for me.

Verse 2 of 3

O that the World might know

the all-atoning Lamb;

Spirit of faith, descend, and show

the virtue of His Name;

the grace which all may find,

the saving power impart,

and testify to Humankind

and speak to every heart.

Verse 3 of 3

Inspire the faith so tall

which does the mountains move,

and saves whoe’er on Jesus call

and perfects them in love,

you give us hope so full,

we trust your every word,

we cry, with joy unspeakable,

“You are my Lord, my God!”

Charles Wesley

Sermon

If you read the second half of Jeremiah 25: 23 using the New Living Translation you will read:

“the people who live in distant places”.

And, then, there is a notation of an alternative reading of this phrase,

“all who clip the corners of their hair”.

I was confused when I came across this during the week. I am aware of alternative readings of Bible passages, but they usually involve a variation of only one or two words. With these alternative readings of this phrase from Jeremiah 25: 23 there are gross differences. One deals with people who live in a stated geographic location, “distant places”, the other deals with an ethnographic group of people of apparently no stated geographic location but can be identified as those who clip the corners of their hair.

Why is there this difference?

The explanation lies in the difficulty of making a straight translation of the Hebrew words into English words, because of the variation in the usage of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and of the frame of reference upon which the translator works.

The context of the verse is that it is part of a list of Nations who are under God’s judgement, Nations who share in drinking from “a wine cup filled with (God’s) anger”, as we read in Jeremiah 25: 15. This list is of Nations or Peoples in the vicinity of the Nation of Israel or with whom the Nation of Israel have had some sort of contact or knowledge.

The phrase in question is formed by three Hebrew words, as shown in this table. The word in Hebrew is in the top line, the English pronunciation is in the middle line, and the English translation is in the last line. I am basing this on what I found in a Concordance and a Hebrew / English Dictionary prepared by James Strong in 1890, based on how the Hebrew words have been translated in the King James Version. Hebrew is read from right to left.

With the first word, Kal, it always translated as “all or every one (who)”. With the second word, kaw-tsats, of the 14 times that it appears in Hebrew texts upon which the translation of the King James Version was based, it is translated as “cut” 11 times and “utmost” three times, all three in the Book of Jeremiah (9:26, 25: 23 & 49: 32) , and all relating to a highlighting of Nations who are being judged by God. (https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/kjv/qatsats.html) I didn’t dwell on why that is so because of time constraints. With the third word, paw aw, it is translated as extremity or corner. There may appear a big difference between these two words, but there isn’t, as we will see.

At home, I have access to 13 versions or revised versions of the Bible. At the end of your Order of Service you will find a table which lists the words used in each of these versions or revised versions.

Two versions appear to omit the phrase, Eugene Peterson’s The Message and the New English Bible. Two versions (King James Version & The New King James Version) translate the phrase as relating to a geographic location. Seven versions translate the phrase as relating to an ethnographic grouping of people. Two versions, the New Living Translation and the New International Version, include both alternative readings.

The problem with translating Hebrew into English, is choosing from alternative meanings of a Hebrew word, and then filling in additional English words so that it makes sense.

From this slide, we can see that both readings of the phrase make sense and comply with the context of the verse.

The translators of the King James Version and the New King James Version opt to read the phrase as:

“all who (live in the) utmost (KJV)/ farthest (NKJV) extremity (corners) (of the known world)

James Hyatt in his Commentary on Jeremiah in The Interpreter’s Bible maintains, though, that “the KJV misses the meaning” (Volume 5 p896) . He, in line with seven versions of the Bible, opts to read the passage as:

“all who cuts off (shaves or trims) the corners (the extremities) (of their hair or beard)”

Notice how, in this option, corners and extremities can apply to the identical object, in this case, not applying to geography, but to physiology, to one’s hair or beard.

There are records of tribes who lived in the northern part of Arabia who did just that, who shaved or cut off the corners or extremities of their hair or beard as “a religious practice honouring the chief Arabian deities”. (Frederick Cawley and Alan Millard in Jeremiah in The New Bible Commentary p635, James Hyatt in Jeremiah in The Interpreter’s Bible Volume 5 p896) This practice clearly identified them as a people who shared a unique religious practice, differing from those practiced by neighbouring peoples.

The People of Israel were aware of this practice and its idolatrous undertones, which was why God forbade them to copy the practice, as we read in Leviticus 19: 27 & 21: 5.

Why am I highlighting this difficulty with Jeremiah 25: 23? It is to highlight the care that we must exercise when reading a particular English translation of the Bible and being dogmatic that it and only it is the true and accurate translation of God’s words as God gave them to His original audience. It is to highlight the value in thinking about a passage and considering the nuances in how English words are used. This issue arises in today’s readings.

In each of the four passages that were read today, there is a sentence in which the Good News Bible has translated one of the words as “good”. My question is, although the same word, “good”, appears in each passage, does it have the same meaning each time it is used, or does the Good News Bible, in an attempt to simplify reading the Bible by only using a limited number of words, blurs the message of a passage by not using different or additional words that the original Hebrew or Greek text would allow? Unfortunately, because of time constraints, we will only be able to look at two of them today. So, in each of these two readings, what does “good” mean?

In today’s passage from the Book of Esther we read:

“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank only to King Xerxes himself. He was honoured and well-liked by his fellow Jews. He worked for the good of his people and for the security of all their descendants.” (Esther 10: 3)

So what does “good” mean here? The Hebrew word is “tawb”, and is actually translated as “good” (Strong’s OT2896) . But the context of the passage clarifies its meaning for us.

The Book of Esther involves Mordecai, a Jew living in the Persian city of Susa and who held an administrative position in the Court of the Emperor, and his young cousin, Esther, who he had adopted since her parents had died, and who became Queen to the Persian Emperor Xerxes (elsewhere known as Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes – Joyce Baldwin in Esther An Introduction and Commentary p55) Together they foiled a scheme by Haman, the Prime Minister, to rid the land of Persia of all of the Jews who lived there (Esther 3: 13) . Haman was a descendant of Agag, an Amalekite (Esther 3: 1) , a People who were Israel’s “oldest and bitterest enemies” from the time of the Exodus and throughout the History of the Israelites to the reign of King David. (Gordon McConville in Esther The Daily Study Bible p167) Haman’s intentions were based on offended pride, personal rivalries with Mordecai, and, most certainly, racial and religious prejudice and hatred. Do we not see similarities with the racial rivalries, and the religious hatred and prejudice prevalent in the current situation in the Middle East, ironically between Iran and Israel, because Iran occupies much of the land of the ancient Persian Empire, including the ancient city of Susa where the Story of Esther is sited.

Mary Leith in an explanatory note in The New Oxford Annotated Bible writes of Mordecai as “a model of Jews living harmoniously in the Gentile world”. (p719) It is a tragedy that such is now not the case, and the current situation in the Middle East all too clearly reveals the work of Satan in the World seeking to undo the Will and Purpose of God for such harmoniousness among Humanity.

The Emperor promoted Mordecai to a high position in the Persian Empire, “second in rank only to the King himself” (Esther 10: 3a) , and the second half of Esther 10: 3 gives an epilogue of the life of Mordecai.

“He was honoured and well-liked by his fellow Jews. He worked for the good of his people and for the security of all their descendants.” (Esther 10: 3b)

Joyce Baldwin writes:

“Mordecai’s interest was not in promoting his own advantage but the welfare of the whole Jewish community, and he spoke peace, which means prosperity of all kinds, health, security, material plenty and good relationships. In making these his aims for the total Israelite population of the Empire he would secure prosperity also for the Country (of Persia) as a whole. Joyce Baldwin in Esther An Introduction and Commentary p115)

Gordon McConville writes:

“The final picture of Mordecai is of one who, far from exploiting his power for personal ends, was motivated by love for his People and a desire for their good. (He is an example of) those who put themselves and their resources at the disposal of other people, and, particularly, the People of God”. (Gordon McConville in Esther The Daily Study Bible p197)

Paul addressed this matter with the Church in Ephesus, when he wrote:

“(The ascended Christ gives gifts to the People of God) to prepare all God’s People for the work of Christian service in order to build up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 11 & 12)

Christ equips each of us with Spiritual gifts and talents, not so that we can promote our

own abilities and worth, but so that we can promote the welfare of others, promote God’s peace within God’s People, and to the promoting of God’s Good News to the World.

This understanding of living for God and living for others is also expressed in today’s passage from Mark 9. Mark records a time when Jesus was teaching his Disciples, saying:

“Salt is good; Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 50)

So what does “good” mean here?

The Greek word that is used is “kalos” (Strong’s NT2570) , and, again, translates as “good”, but good in terms of being something valuable for us. And the imagery of salt makes this clear to us.

“Salt was a widely used and precious commodity in antiquity, giving ongoing life and flavour to food.” It was closely tied to the “purification and preservation’ of food (Eugene Boring in Mark A Commentary p284) Salt is ‘praised’ for its goodness. But how can salt be used to describe “friendship”?

Francis Maloney writes that just as food was penetrated by salt to preserve it and to give it flavour, so the Christian is “penetrated by (their) belief in God and (their) openness to God’s ways”. As such, the Christian’s faith “gives sense and flavour to the Christian’s commitment to the way of Jesus”. The Christian’s faith is “the driving force that makes sense of Christian life and gives it flavour. (Francis Moloney in The Gospel of Mark P191&192) Only in that way will we be “at peace with one another”. (Mark 9: 50) (Francis Moloney in The Gospel of Mark P192)

Christ warns the Church that “faith that does not touch on all of one’s life” is as useless as tasteless salt. (John Reilly in Praying Mark p115) Christ warns the Church that if our actions are based on promoting self-interests, they will not lead to the promoting of the welfare of others, to the promoting God’s peace within God’s People, nor to the promoting of God’s Good News to the World. (Walter Wessel in Mark The Expositor’s Bible Commentary p109) As such,

our actions will not lead to the purification nor the preservation of the Church.

When questioned by the “rich, young ruler”, Christ reminds him that only God can be described as good. (Matthew 19: 17a, Mark 10: 18b, Luke 18: 19b)

Christ is referring to such passages as Psalm 27: 13:

“I know that I will live to see the LORD’s goodness in this present life.”

And to Psalm 68: 10:

“in your goodness, O God, you provided for the poor”

The Apostle John writes:

“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4: 8)

If we understand that God is good, and that God is love, does it follow then that ‘to love is to be good’ or that ‘it is good to love’?

Yes, that is correct, but only superficially, for a consideration of these two statements leads to a greater understanding and an awareness of a greater responsibility.

Martin Luther is quoted as saying:

“Love is an image of God, and not a lifeless image, but the living essence of the all-divine nature which beams full of all goodness.” (Reader’s Digest Quotable Quotes p46)

My understanding is that we are called to love, as God loves, so as to display the goodness of God to the World, which gives witness to the majesty and glory of the character of God, and calls Humanity to submit to the Will and Purpose of God for Humanity to live out the goodness of God in our interactions and relationships with others, for only in this way will we experience the peace that only God gives. May that be our goal for the future. Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the hymn:

“Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side” (AHB48 TiS123)

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Finlandia.]

Katharina von Schlegel

(translated by Jane Borthwick)

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:

God of mercy, we pray for a world in which even ordinary Humanity fails so often. We pray for government ministers in every nation.

We pray that those who lead and take on great responsibilities may not simply wish to seem great in the eyes of others, but may genuinely serve their people, searching continually for polices and strategies which will be for the good of all, especially for the weakest and most vulnerable.

God of goodness, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger, homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the Nations of the World towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace.

God of all compassion, we pray for those who are sick, especially those whose illness is long term and demands much patience to bear. We remember before you those who are lonely and depressed, those who live in despair, and for any who struggle with addiction.

Comfort with your presence those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, and give them courage and hope in their troubles.

God of justice, we pray for those who live in fear of violence, for political prisoners, and for those who imprison them.

Strengthen the World to confront the oppressor, and to free the oppressed, so that all people may know the peace and unity which you seek for your Earthly realm.

Eternal God, we regret that so little has changed in our World today since the days of Esther.

There is still intrigue in high places. There are still unholy alliances. There is still the problem of evil in the guise of good. There is still deceit used to gain selfish ends.

So it will be in the World until its end. Yet we ask for your aid as we go about building our lives, our nation, and our World in this twenty first century.

May we not be disillusioned because of the deceit of peoples’ hearts.

May we not lose faith in people because of the faithlessness of the few.

May we not fail to see this as your wonderful World or be dispirited.

May we not lose a faithful and expectant spirit which is expectant for good, expectant for hope, expectant for triumph.

May we not lose hope in the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

As with Esther in her day, may we not forget to give you thanks for your goodness to us.

Be with us, O God, who faithfully turns sorrow into gladness, weakness into strength, and defeat into triumph.

(http://www.thisischurch.com/prayer_worship/intercession/ordinary25_yearb_2015_stewart.html, https://lifeinliturgy.wordpress.com/2018/09/26/pentecost-19-proper-21b/, https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/prayer/, http://www.richardeinerson.com/september-29-2024.html )

Additional Prayers: (These were not included in the church service)

Almighty God, we pray for your Church that we may welcome the gift of the Spirit and be transformed by the Spirit’s work in us so that your mercy, compassion, and presence may be manifest through us to our World.

We pray for the grace of discipleship, that we may never prefer anything, even our most treasured possessions, to our relationship with Christ.

We pray you will break the chains of jealousy and greed that work to claim our hearts and hold our society in bondage.

We pray for a renewed sense of mission, that we may each use our unique gifts and opportunities to share your love through words, deeds of compassion, hospitality welcome,

or cups of water.

We pray for an openness to the Holy Spirit, that we may welcome all whom you call to serve in the various ministries of our faith community and listen for the Spirit’s promptings about new forms and styles of service that are needed to meet the hungers of Human hearts.

We pray for all young people, that the Holy Spirit will fill them with wisdom and understanding so that they may correctly perceive the values of life and not be seduced by wealth, fame, or power.

We pray for all whose faith is weak, that the Holy Spirit will draw them closer to you and protect them from being scandalized by the Human failures within and conflicts between communities of faith.

We pray for all who have been cheated or defrauded of their income, that you will overturn the injustice and provide for their needs.

We pray for all children, particularly those who lack food, homes, or healthcare, that you will guide us in providing for these little ones.

We pray for all who are suffering, that you will heal the sick and those who have suffered abuse, free those caught in addiction, and give hope and strength to those who are recovering from hurricanes, flooding, and fires.

We pray for refugees and displaced people, that you will give them courage as they seek lives free of violence and intimidation, and that they may find welcoming new communities.

We pray for Peace, that you will open doors to negotiations and the end of warfare in all the areas plagued by violence.

Almighty God, we pray for the peoples of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

We are thankful for the distinctive rhythms, music, dance, food and natural medicine in this area, for the beauty of the region, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and ocean coastlines, and especially indigenous peoples’ relationship with, and care for, the natural environment, for churches who witness and work both ecumenically and with those of other faiths to build relationships of trust and commitment amid ongoing injustice and oppression, and for the diversity of languages and cultures flourishing in the region despite disruptions that have occurred through colonization, and political and economic turmoil.

We pray for Christians to have the courage, imagination and energy to build bridges of

peace and understanding against conflict and division, and to pursue justice for the poor, marginalized and dispossessed, for an end of corruption in all levels of the society, including economic exploitation which impoverishes and hinders economic growth from benefitting all, for immigrants and refugees seeking a new home, and those who accompany and support them, and for coca farmers to find sustainable incomes from other crops, for an end to drug trafficking, and effective assistance for those who are addicted.

A Mapuche* Blessing

God of life, Mother of all, you renew creation.
Bring us peace and justice, ‘balance’ in the Mapuche sense:
balance and harmony for the earth,
balance and harmony for the peoples of the world,
balance and harmony for men and women,
balance and harmony between nature and ourselves and God.

(*Mapuche means ‘people of the earth’. They are the aborigines living in the south of Chile and Argentina. Source: the Mapuche Pastoral Team, Santiago, Chile. From: The website Red de Liturgia, Latin American Council of Churches)

Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.We thank you for the gift of life,
which is renewed every moment with your beauty.
Your mercy, God, confirms your love.
In your hands are our destiny and our life.
All-powerful and merciful God, we pray for the future of Peru,
for the poor who often go hungry, for the victims of disasters.
Provide them with all they need from you, with all they require of you.
For the salvation of our souls through the death of your Son,
we thank you, but we pray for those who are left out,
who do not have a relation with you, who do not even know of your existence.
Lord, no longer allow human evil to go forward.
Keep corruption, which often touches the life of churches, from proliferating.
We especially pray for the authorities of Peru,
that they be given the wisdom to plan towards a better future.
We pray for justice because here, too, the rich dominate
while justice is denied to the poor.
Lord, we pray for the leaders of your churches,
give them courage to bear with the poor, and the ignorant,
but also with those educated, who in their hypocrisies scorn your people.
Grant, O Lord, peace in all the world
and an end to war which only destroys and kills.
May the strength of the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts.
May we live under your refuge and protection.
Bless our families. Give us your happiness.
Thank you, Lord, for turning your ears towards our requests.
Give us the humility to accept your will.
In your hands we place our future and our livelihood.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us much more than we deserve,
especially for giving us the happiness of having access to your word.
Receive our adoration and our prayers. Thank you, Lord, for answering us.

(Victor M. Ascanio Huaringa, Peru, 2005. English transl. Terry MacArthur/WCC)

God of Life, prepare our hands for a touch, a new and different touch.
Prepare our hands for a touch, a touch of encounter,
a touch of awakening, a touch of hope, a touch of feeling.
Many are the worn-out gestures. Many are the movements frozen in time.
Many are the useless excuses just to repeat attitudes.
Give us daring to create new titles of community,
new kinds of affection, breaking away from old ways of relating,
encouraging true, meaningful ways to move into closeness.

(Ernesto Barros Cardoso, Brazil. Gifts of Many Cultures: Worship Resources for the Global Community, Maren C. Tirabassi and Kathy Wonson Eddy, United Church Press, Cleveland OH, USA, 1995, p.4.)

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord, and flood the earth.
And we will be like a garden watered, cared for, exposed to life.

Oh! let these waters come, impetuous and pure,
and destroy the powers and clean the paths which my people will take,
singing and rejoicing in an endless celebration,
the Word, Life, Freedom and the Resurrection!

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord,
and clean away the debris and we will have courage to act,
to serve, to change the world.

And the waters will flow from your altar, Lord, life will be rekindled,
and we will see the new creation, act of your love.

(Simei Monteiro, Geneva, Switzerland. English transl. Colleen Reeks. Whole Life, Holy Life, Ernesto Cardoso, ISER, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Prayer for peace and justice in Bolivia

O God, from Bolivian soil,
The Bolivian people implore you to listen to their voice,
feel their sadness and see the tears of your people,
which are also your tears.
So many bodies without any life left have fallen in the streets,
in the roads and in the fields,
leaving behind pain and sorrow within the Bolivian family.

In those moments in which their hearts are mourning from such suffering,
give them consolation.
Do not allow them to relinquish their self-control, but give them a vision
so they can see with their own eyes the way they ought to go,
so they can reach life by the path of justice.
Hear, O God, the voices of the multitudes
who march in the streets and highways crying for justice,
tired of so much misery, the lack of work, corruption and violence;
tired of so much authoritarianism by the people in power,
who take decisions without consulting the people
and who are guided by their own stingy interests;
tired that the natural resources that you have given for the well-being of all the people
are once more being used to benefit the economic interests of the large
transnational corporations.

Hear the voice of the Bolivians and give them discernment and strength
so that they can respond to hatred with love, to injustice with righteousness,
to apathy with commitment to their people, to individualism with solidarity,
to violence with peace.

Hear their voice and inspire within their hearts (and within ours) the knowledge of peace,
the strength of justice, the joy of being close to one another.
Guide them to walk with the crowds on the way of peace with the signs of justice.
O God, hear their voice and grant to them (and us) your eternal peace.

(Gustavo Loza and Mirela Armand Ugon, Cochabamba, Bolivia. © Red de Liturgia y Educación Cristiana CLAI-CELADEC.)

(https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/bolivia-brazil-chile-peru)

We thank for God for the Bible Society of The Persian Gulf team as they address the diverse needs of various nationalities and cultures in their region. We pray for wisdom and strength as they provide spiritual resources in a context where Christian activities are limited. We pray for the millions of migrant workers in The Persian Gulf facing challenges like isolation, low wages, and tough living conditions, for their safety and well-being, and for opportunities to hear messages of hope through the Bible Society and local churches.

We thank you God for increased financial support for the work of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) and for the opportunities these extra funds make possible in 2024 and 2025. We pray for the CPX team as they speak at events around the country over the coming months — that their messages will be clear, and that you will challenge and encourage those present.

We thank you God that school students are delving into your word in their SRE classes. We pray for BSA’s Scripture Grants program to reach more students this year. “Our Bibles have arrived!” shares Christine, SRE teacher. “The students were so excited and were keen to look up the Bible verses we were using for our Scripture lesson. Thank you so much for providing these Bibles for Scripture at our school, at no cost.”

We pray for your guidance and support for the translation of the Bible for ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, for which there are usually no printed Scriptures. We thank you for the newly translated Gospel of Luke, complete with study guides, in several minority languages, and pray that this will greatly impact those who speak the language, and that many Bible study groups will form to study it. We pray that new believers are grounded in your word and also that many will know your love as they read your word in their heart language. We thank you God for the Scriptures being translated and distributed to people like Tuyen* who lives in rural Vietnam and has never had access to Scripture in the ethnic minority language of her family. When reading the Gospel of Mark, Tuyen shares, “The stories are more interesting in [my language]!” This translation has allowed Tuyen (along with 650 other families in her province) to experience God’s word in their heart language and preserve the use of it in their community.

We praise you God for the success of BSA’s Masterclass events in the last month, at which high school students were encouraged with relevant talks about living as a Christian. We pray for the students who attended and those who bought ‘Read This.’ Bibles — that this event and God’s word continue to bear good fruit in their lives.

(Bible%20Society%20September%202024%20Prayer%20Letter.pdf)

Almighty God, we pray for global leaders to choose peace over war, for more to receive the peace that comes from one’s restoration to you.

We pray for your protection and encouragement for those serving in conflict regions and countries which are hostile to the Gospel.

We pray for more churches to provide for the use of Sign Languages for supporting the worship of the Deaf community.

We pray for communities without a sign language to be able to develop one.

We pray for you to strengthen the faith of believers persecuted around the World. May their faith and FEBC broadcasts inspire others to follow Jesus.

We prat that Christians may experience discipleship and community along with a desire to reach out to those who have not heard the Good News.

We pray for the unity of believers around the world, that we would be one with one another and with you (John 17:21).

We prat that you will strengthen FEBC’s partnerships with local churches around the world.

We pray for local teams producing their own programs in local languages, that they will connect with the local communities with whom they have a focus.

We pray for FEBC teams worldwide who have been gathering for digital media and evangelism training, for the fruitful application of the learnings.

(FEBC%20Praise-Prayer-Jul-Sep-2o24.pdf)

We praise you God for the seven Christian lunchtime groups in public schools around Canberra this year, and for the 20+ volunteers who serve each week to make them happen. We pray for deepening connections between churches, schools, volunteers, children and their families.

We pray that you will continue to open doors for young Christians to be trained in leadership through future development and growth of the SU Australia Emerge program in Tasmania.

We pray that the Spring Camps may run smoothly and the campers and leaders find joy in Jesus during this time of creating a loving community. Please give peace to all the leadership teams as they oversee the programs.

Please bless the Secondary Make a Difference (MAD) camp at Coolamatong. May all who participate on this camp come to a greater understanding of your love and grow in their desire to be a blessing to others around them.

We pray that the Alice Springs Kids Games would be a time of faith, connection and fun for the children.

We pray for guidance for Mark Hawkes in the Mid-North region of SA as he seeks to lead a number of teams in a few towns reaching children and youth, and finding the right ways into the communities.

We pray that the Years 7-12 campers at the Beach Bash Camp will have fun and explore their faith in a meaningful way.

We pray that the primary school aged children on the Zone 40 camp in the ACT will have fun, feel a sense of belonging, and engage well with the Gospel message and teaching offered at camp.

We pray for the Inspire Art Camp in NSW that amongst all the fun & creativity, the campers would come to a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus.

(Scripture%20Union%20Prayer-Guide%20July%20to%20September%202024.pdf)

Almighty God, we pray for the stabilisation of the social and psychological situation in South Korea, which is confused by low economic growth and an ageing population.

We pray for all the work of The Leprosy Mission Korea, that leprosy work and care for elderly and disabled persons, will operate smoothly. We pray that all the operations of TLM Korea will continue to work well.

We pray for your blessing on TLM Korea’s Jesus Hospital and nursing home for the elderly, who help not only elderly people affected by leprosy who are not benefiting from the public assistance system, but also poor and low-income elderly and disabled people to become self-reliant.

We thank you, God, that the Board of TLM Korea is managing our work very well, for Ki Hyo Bae – Chairman of TLM Korea, and for Nan Hee Kim – Medical Director Allun Cho. We pray for continued blessings and guidance for them.

We pray for José Manuel Carballo, one of the volunteers in Spain, for his family and his work with his church, where he is a church elder. May you open the door at the right time for him to travel to Nigeria and see the work and find direction on his service overall.

We pray for Vivian and Samuel Calderon, two volunteers for TLM Spain, offering thanks for their business, which, although it has struggled through the recent turbulent years, is starting to show signs of recovery. We pray for their financial health so they can fulfil their desire to use funds from their business to support workers in the mission field. We pray, too, for their family, their marriage and for their daughters, Noa and Sara.

We pray for Miguel Torralba, a volunteer who is carrying out his thesis on leprosy in Spain at the Fontilles Alicante Sanatorium. We pray for the success of his thesis and for his work as a doctor, as he continues to care for his patients. We pray, too, for his family and his church.

We pray for Jose Real, another volunteer at TLM Spain, for the health of his wife, for his children and grandchildren. We also pray for all his responsibilities in the church, for health

and constantly renewed strength.

We pray for Administrative Assistant Spain (all volunteers) José Manuel Carballo Vivian, and Samuel Calderon Miguel Torralba Jose Real.

We thank you God for the work of Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy GPZL, a global coalition committed to ending leprosy, who represent most of the worldwide stakeholders involved in leprosy, including individuals and organisations (such as TLM) who share our triple-zero vision: zero transmission of leprosy, zero disability, and zero discrimination.

We pray for unity and a sense of shared purpose as the Leadership Team works on more focused objectives for the coming years.

We thank God for the work done to date towards future low-cost diagnostic tests for leprosy, and pray for the GPZL diagnostics working group as it encourages and motivates diagnostics developers and funders towards that end.

The Leadership Team currently includes representatives of organisations of persons affected by leprosy in Brazil, Colombia and Nepal. We thank you God for the flourishing and increasing confidence of people’s organisations in many countries.

We pray for guidance and good health for the GPZL Leadership Team Chair – Bill Simmons, and for the Vice Chair – Takahiro Nanri.

We thank you God for the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Organisations ILEP, a consortium of international organisations, including The Leprosy Mission, with a shared desire to see a world free from leprosy, and an acknowledgment that none of us can achieve this on our own. We thank you that through the programmes of its member associations, ILEP spans more than 60 countries and 1,000 project locations worldwide, and that most of the global expertise in leprosy resides in ILEP’s members and their in-country partners.

In the past two years, ILEP member associations have embarked on a series of collaborative projects with potentially global impact. We thank you God for the progress made and pray for an ongoing enthusiasm to work together on game changing innovations.

The ILEP Advisory Panel is a group of seven people from six countries who bring a depth of insight through personal, lived experience of leprosy. We pray for the impact of their work as they link with organisations of persons affected by leprosy in various countries, encouraging them to raise their voice especially on issues of discrimination and human rights.

ILEP members have mainly worked in countries with high rates of leprosy, but countries that are closer to zero transmission of leprosy are increasingly calling for ILEP’s support in the ‘last mile’. We pray for ILEP and its members as they decide how to meet this opportunity

We pray for guidance and for good health for the ILEP President – Brent Morgan, its CEO – Geoff Warne, and its Administrator – Monty Mukhier.

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

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

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

Give us today our daily bread.

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

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

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

Now and forever. Amen.

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the hymn:

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling” (Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 115)

Will Thompson

Benediction

Act with integrity towards others, give purpose and hope in all you do and say, have purity of mind in all you think, and live in peace with one another.

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

Welcome

Announcements

Call to Worship

Prayer of Praise

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

“I will sing I will sing a Song unto the Lord” – (Scripture in Song volume 2 No 254)

Max Dyer

“For I’m building a People of Power” – (Scripture in Song volume 2 No 262)

Dave Richards

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we come before you contrite and repentant. We come before you as fallen people.

We are all guilty of letting you down, of going our own way; guilty of offences against your instructions for us and negligent in omitting to love others as you love them.

You alone judge rightly, and search the depths of our hearts to reveal our true nature of disobedience and wilfulness.

We crave after things in an effort to satisfy a craving in our souls. We seek after possessions and pleasures as if this was the purpose of life.

Merciful God, forgive us.

For we acknowledge that we alone are responsible for creating the chasm that exists between yourself and our sinful lives.

Yet merciful God, you declare your almighty power in showing mercy and pity towards us. Your Word reveals that you are a God of boundless compassion, who eagerly forgives all penitent sinners.

There is no other god like you, for you are a God who pardons sins, whose compassion extends to casting our sins into the deepest depths of the ‘sea’.

Let your Holy Spirit empower us in our worship and in our daily service for others. Continue your work in our lives so that we may mirror your nature in our thoughts and words and deeds.

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from James 5:15b and 16)

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination

Readings

Psalm 19:

7 The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

8 The Laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind.

9 Reverence for the LORD is good; it will continue forever. The judgements of the LORD are just; they are always fair.

10 They are more desirable than the finest gold; they are sweeter than the purest honey.

Esther 10:

James 5:

One another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Mark 9:

50 Jesus told his Disciples:

“Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?

Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”

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: ‘Spirit of faith, come down’ (MHB363 Wesley’s Hymns number 85)

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Leominster.]

Verse 1 of 3

Spirit of faith, come down,

reveal the things of God,

and make to us the Godhead known

and breathe the living Word;

your grace on us to apply

and give us eyes to see

who did for every sinner die

has surely died for me.

Verse 2 of 3

O that the World might know

the all-atoning Lamb;

Spirit of faith, descend, and show

the virtue of His Name;

the grace which all may find,

the saving power impart,

and testify to Humankind

and speak to every heart.

Verse 3 of 3

Inspire the faith so tall

which does the mountains move,

and saves whoe’er on Jesus call

and perfects them in love,

you give us hope so full,

we trust your every word,

we cry, with joy unspeakable,

“You are my Lord, my God!”

Charles Wesley

Sermon

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the hymn:

“Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side” (AHB48 TiS123)

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Finlandia.]

Katharina von Schlegel

(translated by Jane Borthwick)

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

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:

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling” (Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 115)

Will Thompson

Benediction

Act with integrity towards others, give purpose and hope in all you do and say, have purity of mind in all you think, and live in peace with one another.

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

Benediction Song

“God be in my head” MHB405

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

[This Benediction hymn is being sung to the tune My Jesus I love Thee – refer to MHB437.]

[This YouTube has piano music – there is an introduction.]

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

[We will sing the words through twice, so stop the YouTube at the 1.36 minute mark.]

God be in my head, and in my thinking.

God be in my eyes, and in my looking.

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.

God be in my heart, and in my loving.

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

Announcements

Call to Worship

Prayer of Praise

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

“I will sing I will sing a Song unto the Lord” – (Scripture in Song volume 2 No 254)

Max Dyer

“For I’m building a People of Power” – (Scripture in Song volume 2 No 262)

Dave Richards

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we come before you contrite and repentant. We come before you as fallen people.

We are all guilty of letting you down, of going our own way; guilty of offences against your instructions for us and negligent in omitting to love others as you love them.

You alone judge rightly, and search the depths of our hearts to reveal our true nature of disobedience and wilfulness.

We crave after things in an effort to satisfy a craving in our souls. We seek after possessions and pleasures as if this was the purpose of life.

Merciful God, forgive us.

For we acknowledge that we alone are responsible for creating the chasm that exists between yourself and our sinful lives.

Yet merciful God, you declare your almighty power in showing mercy and pity towards us. Your Word reveals that you are a God of boundless compassion, who eagerly forgives all penitent sinners.

There is no other god like you, for you are a God who pardons sins, whose compassion extends to casting our sins into the deepest depths of the ‘sea’.

Let your Holy Spirit empower us in our worship and in our daily service for others. Continue your work in our lives so that we may mirror your nature in our thoughts and words and deeds.

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from James 5:15b and 16)

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination

Readings

Psalm 19:

7 The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

8 The Laws of the LORD are right, and those who obey them are happy. The commands of the LORD are just and give understanding to the mind.

9 Reverence for the LORD is good; it will continue forever. The judgements of the LORD are just; they are always fair.

10 They are more desirable than the finest gold; they are sweeter than the purest honey.

Esther 10:

James 5:

One another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

Mark 9:

50 Jesus told his Disciples:

“Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?

Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”

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: ‘Spirit of faith, come down’ (MHB363 Wesley’s Hymns number 85)

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Leominster.]

Verse 1 of 3

Spirit of faith, come down,

reveal the things of God,

and make to us the Godhead known

and breathe the living Word;

your grace on us to apply

and give us eyes to see

who did for every sinner die

has surely died for me.

Verse 2 of 3

O that the World might know

the all-atoning Lamb;

Spirit of faith, descend, and show

the virtue of His Name;

the grace which all may find,

the saving power impart,

and testify to Humankind

and speak to every heart.

Verse 3 of 3

Inspire the faith so tall

which does the mountains move,

and saves whoe’er on Jesus call

and perfects them in love,

you give us hope so full,

we trust your every word,

we cry, with joy unspeakable,

“You are my Lord, my God!”

Charles Wesley

Sermon

You are invited to listen to or join in singing the hymn:

“Be still my soul: the Lord is on your side” (AHB48 TiS123)

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Finlandia.]

Katharina von Schlegel

(translated by Jane Borthwick)

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

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:

“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling” (Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 number 115)

Will Thompson

Benediction

Act with integrity towards others, give purpose and hope in all you do and say, have purity of mind in all you think, and live in peace with one another.

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

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

“God be in my head” MHB405

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

[This Benediction hymn is being sung to the tune My Jesus I love Thee – refer to MHB437.]

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

[We will sing the words through twice, so stop the YouTube at the 1.36 minute mark.]

God be in my head, and in my thinking.

God be in my eyes, and in my looking.

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.

God be in my heart, and in my loving.

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

“God be in my head” MHB405

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

[This Benediction hymn is being sung to the tune My Jesus I love Thee – refer to MHB437.]

[This YouTube has piano music – there is an introduction.]

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

[We will sing the words through twice, so stop the YouTube at the 1.36 minute mark.]

God be in my head, and in my thinking.

God be in my eyes, and in my looking.

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking.

God be in my heart, and in my loving.

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

Service for Sunday 29th September which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

Service for Sunday 29th September which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

Welcome: –

Call to Worship: –

Prayer of Praise:

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

Prayer of illumination

Bible Readings:

Sermon

Prayers for Others:

Benediction

Benediction

About The Author

BaldHills Uniting

Service for Sunday 29th September which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber

Welcome: –

Call to Worship: –

Prayer of Praise:

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

Prayer of illumination

Bible Readings:

Sermon

Prayers for Others:

Benediction

Benediction

Related Posts

About The Author

BaldHills Uniting