Welcome: –
Call to Worship: –
(from Leslie Weatherhead in That Immortal Sea p68 & 69)
‘Was there ever in History a story in which everything went so wrong? Was there ever less justification in a World supposedly ruled by an omnipotent and good God? His own dear son, who, at all points, sought only his Father’s will, who went about doing good, whose hands had known no assault save on disease, whose lips had spoken words of anger only against sin, whose feet had never followed a path of selfish interest, but had toiled on unending errands of mercy, was at last alone; his cause discredited, his friends in hiding, his enemies grinning at their ‘triumph’, his body in agony, his spirit ebbing away in an unnatural night of horror and dereliction.
But listen to his last words spoken:
“Father, into Thy hands I trust my spirit.”
Yes, this is the only thing we can commit to God. Our bodies suffer disease and pain, our purposes are frustrated, our dreams shattered, our Earthly security destroyed. But one thing is indestructible and immortal – the spirit.
If we were alone we would feel overwhelmed. But our Heavenly Father is near, the guardian and guide of our spirit. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing overwhelms Him. And He knows the way Home, for as we read in the Psalm:
‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’”.
Let us come together in humility and with thankfulness to offer our praise and worship to God, our guardian and guide, the one who walks with us, supporting us, through our valleys of fear and dread to a place of safety and peace, as He has promised to us.
Prayer of Praise
(Psalm 145: 1 to 9 & 17 to 21)
I will proclaim your greatness, my God and King,
I will thank you forever and ever.
Every day I will thank you,
I will praise you forever and ever.
The LORD is great and is to be highly praised,
His greatness is beyond understanding.
What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next,
They will proclaim your mighty acts.
They will speak of your glory and majesty,
And will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
People will speak of your mighty deeds,
And will proclaim your greatness.
They will tell about all your goodness,
And sing about your kindness.
The LORD is loving and merciful,
Slow to become angry and full of constant love.
He is good to everyone,
And has compassion to all He made.
The LORD is righteous in all He does,
Merciful in all His acts.
He is near to those who call to Him,
Who call to Him with sincerity.
He supplies the needs of those who honour Him,
He hears their cries and saves them.
He protects everyone who loves Him,
But He will destroy the wicked.
I will always praise the LORD,
Let all His creatures praise His holy name forever. Amen.
We sing the Hymn: ‘Our God reigns’ Scripture in Song volume 1 number 201
Leonard Smith
We sing the hymn: ‘Something Beautiful’ Scripture in Song Volume 1 number 204
Prayer of Confession
(Moira Laidlaw in Liturgies On-line Pentecost 25C)
Gracious and merciful God, we give thanks that you gave a whole new dimension to traditional faith when you entered the confusion and messiness of Human life in person – in Jesus Christ. He communicated your divine love in ways which gave significance and purpose to people’s lives.
We mean to do likewise, but we hesitate, and the moment is lost. We confess that all too often we fail to communicate our faith in ways which empower others.
As we remember what you, O God, have done throughout History, and in and through Jesus, we acknowledge that part of our task as a community of faith is the passing on of these memories in responsible and credible ways.
We confess that we get so caught up with the pressures of the present that we forget how important these memories are for shaping our identity as people of faith, for shaping and reshaping our values, for shaping our dispositions and our goals.
You demonstrated in Jesus that your care for us extends beyond time and space. Forgive us when we find that we have no spare time to even think about caring for those outside our family or faith community.
We need reminding again and again, O God, that you, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, strengthen us to be people of faith, people refreshed and empowered by your Spirit.
Remind us that, despite our weaknesses and our failures, you are shaping and reshaping our lives in new and exciting ways.
We pray therefore, that the greatness of your love will be truly visible as we hold fast to the traditions we have been taught. And we pray that you, most merciful God, will comfort our hearts and strengthen us in every good work and word. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
(from Ephesians 1: 19 & 20)
The Apostle Paul reminded the believers in Ephesus of the power of God through which He raised Jesus from death. It is this power of God that has enabled our sins, once confessed, to be forgiven and forgotten. Let us be assured then, that we have been reconciled with God and are welcomed into His family.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer of illumination
(from Uniting in Worship Book 1 number 13 & 14 p599)
Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to be guided by your Word and the Holy Spirit, that in your light we may perceive your mercy and grace, that in your truth we may find freedom, and that in your will we may discover peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
Haggai 1 & 2:
14 The LORD inspired everyone to work on the Temple: Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah, Joshua, the High Priest, and all the people who had returned from exile. They began working on the Temple of the LORD Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of the second year that Darius was emperor.
1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month of the same year, the LORD spoke again through the Prophet Haggai. 2 He told Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah, to Joshua, the high Priest, and to the people, and to say to them:
3 “Is there anyone among you who can still remember how splendid the Temple used to be? How does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all. 4 But now don’t be discouraged, any one of you. Do the work, for I am with you. 5 When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, so do not be afraid.
6 Before long I will shake heaven and earth, land and sea. 7 I will overthrow all the Nations, and their treasures will be brought here, and the Temple will be filled with wealth. 8 All the silver and gold of the World is mine. 9 The new Temple will be more splendid than the old one, and there I will give my people prosperity and peace.”
The LORD Almighty has spoken.
Ephesians 2:
19 So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now fellow citizens with God’s people and members of the family of God. 20 You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the Apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself (Psalm 118: 22, Matthew 16: 18, Luke 19: 27, Acts 4: 11) . 21 He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. 22 In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.
[Today’s English Version]
This is the Word of God.
Praise to you Almighty God.
Luke 20:
27 Then some Sadducees, who say that people will not rise from death, came to Jesus and said,
28 “Teacher, Moses wrote the Law for us:
‘If a man dies and leaves a wife but no children, that man’s brother must marry the widow so that they can have children who will be considered the dead man’s children.’ (Deuteronomy 28: 5)
29 Once there were seven brothers; the oldest got married and died without having children. 30 Then the second one married the woman, 31 and then the third. The same thing happened to all seven – they died without having children. 32 Last of all, the woman died. 33 Now, on the day when the dead rise to life, whose wife will she be? All seven of them had married her?”
34 Jesus answered them,
“The men and women of this age marry, 35 but the men and women who are worthy to rise from death and live in the age to come will not then marry. 36 They will be like angels and cannot die. They are the sons and daughters of God, because they have risen from death. 37 And Moses clearly proves that the dead are raised to life. In the passage about the burning bush, he speaks of the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is the God of the living, not of the dead, for to Him all are alive.” (Exodus 3: 6)
39 Some of the Teachers of the Law spoke up:
“A good answer, Teacher!”
[Today’s English Version]
This is the Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
We sing the Hymn: ‘Glory be to God on high’
[This hymn is being sung to the tune Monkland – The Video clip is for another hymn, but is used here for the tune.]
Verse 1 of 4
Glory be to God on high,
God whose glory fills the sky!
Lift your voice, you people all,
Praise the God on whom you call.
Verse 2 of 4
God his sovereign sway maintains,
King o’er all the Earth he reigns.
All to Him lift up their eye;
He does every want supply.
Verse 3 of 4
We on Earth the triumph join,
Praise Him with the host divine;
Pure and holy hearts alone
He has chosen for His own.
Verse 4 of 4
Him, whose joy is to restore,
Him let all our hearts adore:
Earth and Heaven repeat the cry,
Glory be to God on high!
Author unknown
Sermon
Screen 1
‘There are no seven wonders of the World in the eyes of a child, there are seven million.’
Walter Streightiff
Walter Streightiff, a Twentieth century writer and newspaper editor, once wrote:
“There are no seven wonders of the World in the eyes of a child, there are seven million.”
(Reader’s Digest Quotable Quotes p57)
There is much truth in this statement, for you can truly see the wonder in the eyes of a child as they discover things about the world around them. Never-the-less, it is true that the Greeks of the third century BC did compile a list of what was considered to be the seven most significant architectural wonders of the ancient world, based on information passed on from journeys by travellers and merchants and studies by historians.
Yet, the list is restricted to a limited area around the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. That, in itself, means that significant architectural wonders elsewhere in the World are omitted. We are told that the largest religious structure ever built was Angkor Wat in Kampuchea, or Cambodia as it was known. This is not on the list of the seven wonders. It is an enormous complex of 72 temples and monuments extending over an area of 15 miles by 5 miles. Building here commenced in 900AD and was completed in 1150AD.
The Temple constructed in Jerusalem during King Solomon’s reign is also not listed as one of the wonders of the ancient world, though no less elaborately constructed and decorated to those on the list, and occupied only a fraction of the area compared to the temple complex at Angkor Wat. It took 7 years to construct (1 Kings 6: 38) , being completed in 959BC, and existed for approximately 370 years, until it was looted and destroyed by the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar in 587BC. (2 Kings 25: 9 & 13 – 17)
The Prophet Haggai was one of the 50000 Jews who, in 536BC, were instructed by the newly crowned Persian Emperor Cyrus to return to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon, with the express purpose of rebuilding the Temple to the God of the Jews. (Ezra 1: 2 – 4) The returned exiles started their work with enthusiasm, clearing away the rubble and commencing to relay the foundations.
However, after a while, they became discouraged and stopped their efforts. People who had moved into the surrounding area when the Jews were sent into exile resented the return of the Jews, and convinced the regional Persian Governor to write to the Emperor complaining, quite falsely, that the newly returned Jews were illegally rebuilding their City. (Ezra 4: 1 – 23) As well, those who had returned were starting to gain an understanding of how much effort would be required to rebuild the Temple, even if it was on a smaller scale than the Solomon’s Temple. In fact, they eventually took 20 years, until 516BC, to finalise their work. (Ezra 6: 14 & 15) There was also a drought at the time, and the newly resettled people were convinced that their real task was to ensure that there was sufficient food available, so, consequently, they spent more and more time in their fields and in tending their flocks, and eventually ceased to spend time on the rebuilding of the Temple.
In 520BC God spoke to the Prophet Haggai, telling him to give a message to Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah and to Joshua, the High Priest. God’s message addressed all of the people’s concerns. God reminded the people and their leaders that they had been sent back to Jerusalem with the express purpose of rebuilding His Temple. By ceasing their efforts they were neglecting the very reason why they were there. They were neglecting the very purpose for which God had allowed them to return to their homeland in Judea. They had the wrong priorities, because serving God should have been foremost in their minds and their efforts. In reality, they were serving themselves instead. How many times do we do the same? How many times do we seek to do things for our own gain or for our own fulfilment, and not in obedience to the will of God?
By ceasing their efforts they had forgotten how important it was for a Temple dedicated to God be constructed in Jerusalem and to be visible to all who lived in the surrounding countryside or who travelled through the nearby land, as a visible reminder that the God of the Jews had not abandoned His people, that the God of the Jews was more powerful than any invading army who sought to obliterate any record of the existence of God and of His covenant relationship with His people, the Jews. Do we see ourselves as just such a witness to those with whom we mix each day? Do we realise that God’s love is visible in us, and, as such, we are living reminders to others that God has not abandoned them? Do we take such a responsibility too lightly as well?
The Prophet Haggai told the people that the drought that they were experiencing was in fact brought upon them by God to remind them of their incorrect priorities. (Haggai 1: 9 – 11) Through Haggai, God sought to encourage the people to put the rebuilding first in their efforts and to put their trust in God to provide for their needs. God promised that from now on He would bless them with everything that they needed to survive, if only they would trust Him entirely. (Haggai 2: 5 & 19) How much do we trust God? How much do we put our trust in God to fulfil His promise to us to bless our lives? How much do we put our trust in God to ensure that we have all that we need in our lives?
God did not deny that they had met opposition from others to their efforts. God did not deny that others would do all that they can to make trouble for them, that others would speak lies and spread falsities about them in an effort to stop them. But God reminded them that He was the LORD Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. Who else was comparable in their power and capacity to complete all that they had planned? Who could possibly hinder the plans that God had for them? And God encouraged them with these words, “When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, so do not be afraid.” (Haggai 2: 5) How much do we ourselves take these words to heart? How much comfort do we take from knowing that, in the same way, God is with us, and, therefore, that we have no reason to be afraid of anything that the World can put in our way? For who could possibly hinder the plans that God has for us?
The people had memories of the grandeur of Solomon’s Temple. (Ezra 3: 12) The one they were building, in comparison, seemed so much smaller and so much simpler. What was the point in continuing, the people complained, for when it is completed it would appear so insignificant as a Temple? But God replied, “Do the work, keep on building, for I am with you”, I will dwell there when it is finished and it will be the place where you will find me and where you will worship me. (Haggai 2: 4b) It was not so much the opulence of the Temple that was crucial for right and true worship, so much as it was open for the people to come and to offer their thanks and praise to God. How much are we preoccupied with how the outside looks, rather than focussing on our availability to God? How much are we preoccupied with doing things the right way or the old way, and forget that God’s presence is not dependant upon what flowers are on the table or upon what songs are sung, but simply where even two or three are gathered in His name.
In spite of this, God concludes, “The new Temple will be more splendid than the old one, and there I will give my people prosperity and peace.” (Haggai 2: 9) Now, how are we to understand these words of God, for, indeed the first Temple built by Solomon was more splendid than the second one ever was. The second Temple was rebuilt by King Herod, which commenced in 19BC and was completed in 64AD. (IVP New Bible Atlas p110) By all accounts this remade Temple was much more splendid than even Solomon’s Temple. And yet Herod’s Temple was itself destroyed in 70AD when the Jews revolted against Roman rule. To date, the Temple in Jerusalem has never been replaced. To what then could God be referring, for how can His promise of prosperity and peace be dependent upon a physical building when eventually no Temple existed?
The Apostle Paul addresses this issue by arguing that the growing body of believers, Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, free and slave, form the new Temple to which God is referring. Paul writes in Ephesians 2, “You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the Apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself. He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the LORD. In union with Him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through His Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 20 to 22)
The new Temple, to which the Prophet Haggai is referring, is the future Church, much more splendid in God’s eyes than any building or structure could ever be. For God takes pleasure in being in fellowship with those who have accepted Christ Jesus as their LORD and Saviour. And it is in God that we find peace and spiritual well-being, in accordance with the promise that He gave to Haggai. That is ours to claim, ours to experience, ours to live out as we live in communion with God here on Earth. But, more importantly, we look forward to the reality of our resurrection to everlasting life in communion with God in Heaven, as Jesus testified to the Sadducees (Luke 20: 27 & Coleman Luke in Luke The Gospel of The Son of Man p110) Let us take courage from this promise of God and let us be the Temple dedicated to God, where God lives through His Spirit.
I will finish with this verse from a hymn by a Swedish hymn writer, August Storm:
Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy
From Thy gracious throne above;
Thanks for every need provided
From the fullness of Thy love.”
(from Our Daily Bread 16 October 2005)
Amen.
Offering
Offering Prayer
“For the life that you have given” TiS774
[This hymn is being sung to the tune Austria – there is no introduction.]
[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
Loving God, knowing your love for all of Humanity, especially your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.
We pray for the Church, that we may offer faithful witness to your abiding care for us and always live as your Children, revealing your likeness to the World around us. May we communicate harmoniously with those of another denomination. Save us from dogmatism, pride and divisiveness so that we may all be your humble servants.
We pray for the World that is so often deaf to the only teaching that can bring true joy. Open the minds and spirits of people to your spirit and its message of repentance and grace. We pray for all who do not believe in eternal life, that they may come to know you as the living God who offers the fullness of life and everlasting peace to everyone.
We pray for the grace of sacrificial love, that we may be open to all the ways you call us to lay down our lives in witness to the truth and in loving service of others.
We pray for freedom that you will help us to place you at the centre of our life and to let go of all the things that interfere with our relationship with you.
We pray for all who have experienced torture and abuse, that you will heal their memories and free them from all fear and hatred.
We pray for an end to torture and ethnic cleansing, that you will change the minds and hearts of government and military leaders who use pain to control and punish people.
We pray for those who are persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. Please bring relief to their distress and the assurance of your presence and your blessing upon them.
We pray for all who are fearful of death, that they may discover your faithful and life-giving presence with them and draw closer to you, who is faithful to us in both life and death.
We pray for all who are approaching death, that they may experience your presence as they commend themselves to your love and mercy.
We pray for all who are grieving the death of a loved one, that they may know your comforting and healing presence.
We pray for parents who have lost a child, that you will be presence to them in their grief, to heal their pain, and to give them hope.
We pray for all who are recovering from violence, natural disasters, or crime, that you will ease their pain, give them strength, and guide them to the support and assistance that they need.
We pray for the leaders of Nations that they may exhibit true dignity, govern with grace and wisdom for the benefit of all and not those with power and influence.
We pray for a world where people will join together to do things that cannot be done alone. May business and industry bring cooperation between workers and management and owners, so that greed does not bring injustice and oppression, so that incomes are fair.
We pray for the sick in body, mind and spirit, that you will relieve their suffering, heal their hurting and bring them joy instead of sorrow.
We pray for peace, that you will bring an end to violence between Nations, on city streets, in schools, and within families, and bring all who are suffering to safe place.
Copyright © 2022. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use. – https://liturgy.slu.edu/32OrdC110622/ideas_other.html
(Raymond Chapman in Leading Intercessions P42 and David Hostetter in Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year C p200 & 201)
We pray for the peoples of Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
We are thankful for the amazing diversity of people and cultures living on the islands of Oceania, for the magnificent natural scenery and sea life, for the strong, faithful presence of churches in these lands, and for the stories and bold witness to the impact of climate change, reminding the rest of the world that we are all in the same ‘boat’ on this planet, 70 percent of which is covered by the ocean.
We pray for efforts to preserve these island nations in the midst of rising seas, for those adversely affected by earthquakes, volcanoes and cyclones, for those dealing with the legacy of past nuclear weapons testing and with garbage dumping today, and for good governance – especially in preserving indigenous cultures –which effectively serves those who are impoverished, hungry, lacking education or unable to make a living.
Prayers
Prayer of confession and intercession
Creator God, God of the oceans,
God of the land and all that is within it: You created this world with the power of your word.
You formed humankind with your own hands, and breathed your own breath into us.
You gave us these lands as a gift– a source of our identity and sustenance.
you empowered us to be the stewards of what you have made.
Loving God,
we have failed you and abused the gift you have given us.
We have offended you and defiled what you have made.
Forgive us for betraying your trust.
Forgive us for our greed and arrogance.
Forgive us for what we have done to your earth.
Forgive us for what we have done to your oceans.
Forgive us for what we have done to your creatures,
on the land, in the sky and in the depths.
Hear, O God of Compassion:
The cries of the land have become a desert; land laid barren through corrupt
agricultural practices, pollution, mining and deforestation.
The cries of islands are drowning in the rising seas,
oceans that rise with the melting of the ice.
The cries of distress from Mother Earth- storm and drought.
God of Life,
heal your wounded earth. Empower us to choose the road that leads to life.
Guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake
So that we may experience once again your Shalom in the land and in the sea.
This we ask in the name of the one who came that we way have life in
abundance, your Son, our Saviour Jesus the Christ.
(©2012 Rev. James Bhagwan, Fiji)
Loving God, provide a voice for our struggles.
Provide extra paddles to bring us together.
Grant peace to our hearts, our ears and our eyes
to forgive and to love our neighbours and our enemies.
O Lord, give us a chance to redeem the Fonua*
and to reclaim paradise.
* “land and people” in Tongan language
(© Rev. Valamotu Palu, general secretary, Pacific Council of Churches, Suva, Fiji)
O God, save our shores from the weapons of death,
our lands from the things that deny our young ones love and freedom.
Let the seas of the Pacific Ocean carry messages of peace and goodwill.
Turn away from our midst any unkind and brutal practices.
Let each child swim and breathe the fresh air
that is filled by the Holy Spirit.
O Lord Jesus, bless all who are makers of that inner peace
that breaks down the barriers of hatred,
and unite us with the open arms of your cross,
that all the peoples of the world may live happily together.
(Prayer by Amanuka Havea, Tonga, published in Your Will Be Done © Christian Conference of Asia Youth, Hong Kong, 1984.)
We pray for the indigenous peoples of Oceania, that they will not be adversely affected by the dominant materialistic culture of Western Nations, but find their destiny in wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ. Please protect them from being influenced by sects and denominations that seek to present to them a different gospel. May they remember the heritage of those missionaries who lived and died to bring to them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Raise up indigenous leadership within their churches, who love your Word and are diligent in their service for you.
We pray for those churches that practice a cultural Christianity, coloured by legalism, nominalism, and a failure to confront the worship of ancestral spirit gods. We pray for a deep cleaning of the church in Oceania through the Holy Spirit to bring about revival and renewal.
We pray for an end to the social troubles brought about by alcoholism, family violence, a lack of job opportunities, or a dependency upon international welfare and aid, that you will enrich family live and social interaction.
We pray for your support and guidance for Bible translation projects, so that your Word will become fresh and meaningful as it is read in the languages of the indigenous peoples.
We pray for strong and fervent leadership of the churches, for diligent teaching and training of pastors and church leaders, and for the strengthening of Bible Colleges and schools.
We pray for honest and dedicated national leaders and governments, that are not hindered by corruption or a seeking for power and privilege, but a seeking for the betterment of the peoples of the islands that make up this region on Earth.
(Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk in Operation World)
We pray for the Scripture Union ‘Taking on Goliath Camp’ team and a group of Grade 6-8 students on an adventure bushwalking camp in TAS over coming days, for safety for those participating, and for opportunities for Bible study and discussion.
We pray for SU Institute of Training (SUIT) students who are finishing up their studies, that they will find a direction for where you are leading them in the future.
We pray for the leaders of upcoming SU school “Leavers” programs in WA; that they will make connections and impact the lives of our young people at a pivotal point in their lives.
We pray for your guidance as we prepare a new camp leadership development event for Far North QLD in Term 1 in 2023.
We pray for the development of the new, monthly skatepark ministry for young people in Burnie (TAS) and for Zac the director (and local chaplain). We pray also for the new Bikes N’ All program launching this month in Penguin (TAS), that it will be a meaningful way to reach out to youth.
(Scripture Union Prayer-Guide-November-2022-Brisbane)
We pray for the success of the Community Health Education Programme (CHEP) in Tanzania, for plans to establish a health science college, which will be unique in Tanzania, so as to provide a lecture course on leprosy and third year students will do rural research on leprosy, which will greatly benefit the work of Leprosy Mission.
We pray that you will protect the Tanzanian team from Leprosy Mission from Covid-19, and deliver the team so they can continue to do your work.
We pray that you will continue to strengthen the partnership between Leprosy mission and the Government of Tanzania. We praise you that the Dodoma Regional TB and Leprosy Coordinator is working increasingly in partnership with Leprosy Mission, which is leading to positive results for the communities.
We ask that you encourage people, institutions, and companies to collaborate with The Leprosy Mission Spain as they work to support people affected by leprosy.
(Leprosy Mission 2022 Prayer Diary)
We pray for Bush Chaplains visiting people on properties for a cuppa and a chat, often the ones identifying issues that need to be addressed. We thank you for their work in lending a sympathetic ear and being able to refer people to other service providers as appropriate. We ask that you will support and guide them as they provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those in need.
We thank you for Outback Links volunteers, who provide assistance to outback families with projects around their properties or just to provide a listening ear. Guide and support these volunteers as they serve you in this unique way.
Please be with Pastor Michael Chapman as he fulfills his call to minister in the Carpentaria – McKay patrol area. Protect him as he flies to his destinations. Strengthen him as he deals with the problems and issues of those whom he visits.
(Frontier Services news)
We ask that you bless the efforts of those leading Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School, that the Holy spirit is engaging with the children who attend the classes, opening hearts and minds with a clear message of your love for them.
We pray for the Chaplain at Bald Hills State School, Kylie Conomos, that you are guiding her efforts to care for the children and teachers at the School, that you are encouraging her in her work and supporting her as she gives of herself to those whom she serves there.
We pray for those whom we have not seen recently, who have been unable to join us in worship and fellowship. May they experience your closeness with them in their own circumstances and situation. May they experience your love and care for them. Please protect and provide for them as they move through their daily lives.
Eternal God, you know our problems, and have promised that you will help us to solve them. You know what we lack, and have promised to meet our needs. Help us to depend upon you day by day and to call upon you when life gets hard. Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care. To your glory we pray. Amen.
We sing the Hymn: ‘Through all the changing scenes of life’ TiS112
Verse 1 of 6
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
Verse 2 of 6
Of His deliverance I will boast,
Till all that are distressed
From my example comfort take,
And charm their griefs to rest.
Verse 3 of 6
O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His name,
When in distress to Him I called,
He to my rescue came.
Verse 4 of 6
The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just,
Deliverance He affords to all
Who in His mercy trust.
Verse 5 of 6
O make but trial of His love,
Experience will decide
How blessed they are, and only they,
Who in his truth confide.
Verse 6 of 6
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear,
Come, make His service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.
Nahum Tate
Sacrament of Communion
(following Uniting in Worship 2 p162 to p222)
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Invitation
Christ, our Lord, invites to his Table all who love him, all who earnestly repent of their sin and who seek to live in peace with one another.
Prayer of Approach
Lord God, we come to your Table, trusting in your mercy and not in any goodness of our own. We are not worthy even to gather up the crumbs under your table, but it is your nature always to have mercy, and on that we depend. So, feed us with the body and blood of Jesus Christ, your son, that we may for ever live in him and he in us. Amen.
Narrative of the Institution of the Lord’s Supper
Hear the words of the institution of this Sacrament as recorded by the Apostle Paul:
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new Covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, for the remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.’” (1 Corinthians 11: 23 to 26)
And, so, according to our Saviour’s command, we set this bread and this cup apart for the Holy Supper to which he calls us, and we come to God with our prayers of thanksgiving.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
With all we are, we give you glory, God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one and holy God, Sovereign of all Time and Space. We thank you for this wide red land, for its rugged beauty, for its changing seasons, for its diverse people, and for all that lives upon this fragile Planet. You have called us to be the Church in this place, to give voice to every creature under Heaven. We rejoice with all that you have made, as we join the company of Heaven in their song:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed be the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
We thank you that you called a covenant people to be the light to the Nations. Through Moses you taught us to love your Law, and, in the Prophets, you cried out for justice. In the fullness of your mercy, you became one with us in Jesus Christ, who gave himself up for us on the cross. You make us alive together with him, that we may rejoice in his presence and share his peace. By water and the Spirit, you open the Kingdom to all who believe, and welcome us to your Table: for by grace we are saved through faith. With this bread and this cup we do as our Saviour commands: we celebrate the redemption he has won for us.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out the Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ. Make us one with him, one with each other, and one in ministry in the World, until at last we feast with him in the Kingdom. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, in your holy Church, all honour and glory are yours, Father Almighty, now and for ever.
Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
Breaking of the Bread
The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Lamb of God
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the World,
Grant us peace.
The Distribution
Receive this Holy Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and feed upon him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
(after all have received the bread)
The body of Christ keep you in eternal life.
(after all have received the juice)
The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life.
Prayer after Communion
Blessed be God who calls us together.
Praise to God who makes us one People.
Blessed be God who has forgiven our sins.
Praise to God who gives us hope and freedom.
Blessed be God whose Word is proclaimed.
Praise to God who is revealed as the One who loves.
Blessed be God who alone has called us.
Therefore, we offer to God all that we are and all that we shall become.
Accept, O God, our sacrifice of praise.
Accept our thanks for we have seen the greatness of your love. Amen.
We sing the Hymn: ‘When the Roll is called up yonder’ Alexander’s Hymn Book No. 3 number 70
James Black
Benediction
(from Leslie Weatherhead in That Immortal Sea p90 & 91)
‘Humanity’s only purpose in living is the glory of God, and all of our achievements are vain unless they can be used for God’s purposes.’ Let the glory of God be the motivation behind all that we do with our hands, all that we say with our lips, all that we think with our mind, and for all that we strive with our spirit.
May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Benediction Song
“Now to him who loves us saves us” TiS771
(only the one verse is needed)
Now to him who loved us, gave us
Every pledge that love could give,
Freely shed his blood to save us,
Gave his life that we might live,
Be the Kingdom
And dominion
And the glory evermore.
Samuel Miller Waring
Service for Sunday 11th February, which was conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber 
Service for Sunday 11th July 2021 – Kerry Webber 
Service for Sunday 13th February 2022, prepared by Mr Geoffrey Webber 
Service for Sunday 5th December 2021, conducted by Mr Geoffrey Webber 
