Sunday Service Marsden Rd Uniting Church June 16

 

Marcia introduced Carolyn who welcomed us all, and asked for notices. These included the announcement that the church has received a grant of $15000, making the installation of air conditioning in the church more than a possibility. Also next week we will joining together in our Friendship Circles for morning tea after the service.

On the order of service, "Words for Worship" MediaCom was acknowledged as the resource.

Call to Worship

"God invites us to this place.

Because God loves us we are here in God's house.

Here the Good News: God offers forgiveness to us all!

Because God loves us, let us worship the God of love."

"Invitation, forgiveness and love" - words to light our drab lives - words of promise and hope.

Hymn TIS 107 "Sing praise and thanksgiving" The second verse is the most amazing for me: that in our state of darkness He still regarded us as His and drew us from that hopeless state into an awakening we did not deserve or earn.

Opening Prayer To the "God of hospitality and refuge" to remind us of our obligation to pass on that sanctuary to others because God is not just the God of MRUC or even the God of Christians. He is God of all!

Prayer of Confession

Carolyn prayed on our behalf, confessing that we are not what we ought to be, we don't always do what we ought to do. We don't look after others the way we should, because we are not watchful enough to notice their needs. We assume our right to all we have, food, clothes, power and privilege, without taking into account the cost to others (perhaps because they are out of sight) and the devastation caused to the planet. She then, for us, asked for forgiveness because we come in humble repentance.

Then, the relief that comes because of Jesus' sacrifice and God's never-ending grace - we are freely forgiven.

Hymn TIS 282 "The voice of God goes out to all the world". The last line of each verse is "With power, with justice, he will walk his way." Finally, He will prevail. Whether we be heads of corporations after that last dollar, investors after an easy profit, gamblers after a quick buck or just consumers of the "good" things of life who measure success by what we have and how comfortable we are, we will not get in His way.

Readings Galations 2: 15 - 21

                 Luke 7:36 - 8:3

The message in Galations is one we all know but would do well to think about again. Jesus' liberating message is not one for people of a particular race, educational standard or language group. It is for all. Equally, we are to show His love to all.

Luke has a similar message. Jesus was dining with a Pharisee when a woman, known for her sinful way of life, came and wept at Jesus' feet, dried the tears on His feet  with her hair and then applied ointment to His feet. The host complained about Jesus allowing such close contact but Jesus told him very directly that this was the whole point of His ministry: to save the lost and it is those that recognize their "lostness" who show the most gratitude. 

Reflection Carolyn began by telling us three stories. The first one was about a woman from a poor area who felt compelled to attend church and as a result of that "chance" experience, she started to collect food for people who had none. This led to the bread of communion that restored her faith, turning into mountains of groceries at food pantries open to the poor. The second story was the story of Simon, the Pharisee recounted in the readings section above. The third was about a Palestinian girl Areen, who saw her sister Abeer shot dead with a rubber bullet though the eye as they left school. Areen was left with so many questions that started with "why?" Such monstrous action needs a constant non-violent response. Justice is demanded. God's justice.

All of these stories demonstrate that we all belong to God and as people who profess to be following God's commands we must extend the hand of fellowship to all. We must forgive, appreciate, accept differences and act graciously towards others. All need grace and forgiveness.

Hymn TIS 621 "O God of every nation". "in love and mercy guide us, and heal our strife-torn world" This was written in the context of the world wars of the twentieth century. Clearly, we haven't  learnt much and hatred and greed still throw us into conflicts where the innocent suffer. Our prayer is that more people will heed God's command to love one another.

Prayers of the People

The first part of this prayer is attributed to the Mission Prayer Handbook (1991) Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, p7(adapted)

A prayer acknowledging God as the God of all people, all through time: historical people, travellers, migrants and refugees. A prayer thanking God for being totally different and asking for forgiveness for our indifference to the pain and suffering of others and asking that we should be directed into peaceful action to reflect God's universal love. We then prayed for the needs of our friends and family, concluding with the Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 687 "God gives us a future" The last lines are ones to remember: Love us into action, stir us into prayer, till we choose God's life, and find our future there.

We were then sent out with a blessing and sang:

May the feet of God walk with you, And His hand hold you tight.

May the eye of God rest on you, And His ear hear your cry.

May the smile of God be for you, And His breath give you life.

May the child of God grow in you, And His love bring you home.

Amen.