Helen
welcomed us all and the notices were given out, including one for the
"Simply Sharing" meal on July 14 at 5.30 pm, aimed at supporting a
project to create scholarships for theological study places for women throughout
the Pacific.
Call to Worship Sing praises to the Lord, all you, his
faithful ones.
Weeping may linger
for the night, but the joy comes with the morning.
Psalm
30:v.4
Hymn TIS 134 "Praise my soul the king
of heaven"..."ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven". Really, you
couldn't knock back an offer like that, could you?...praise the everlasting
King!
Prayer A prayer to the creator God,
marvelling that the one who sustains the entire universe; restores, forgives,
supports and strengthens us. He who knows and understands our every weakness, is quick to
bless. "God of grace, we humbly offer you our praise and thanks.
Amen.
Scripture Reading 2 Kings 5: 1 - 14 was brought to us by Ruth.
This is a reading of many details and you would be well advised to read it in
full, but the section in the bible is headed "The Healing of Naaman".
Two aspects of this story caught my attention: firstly Naaman sought physical
healing but ended up with belief in God's power to heal. The second aspect that
came home was that when Elisha didn't make any sort of ceremony of the healing but sent a
messenger to tell Naaman to wash in the Jordan seven times, Naaman became angry and refused to do anything so
simple and had to be convinced. It sometimes seems so hard to humble ourselves
and simply ask for forgiveness. But then it also seems equally difficult
sometimes to accept something so freely given. But that's the way it is. We can
do nothing to earn or "work off" our cleansing and healing.
Reflection Helen focussed on the story of Naaman, first
setting the scene in the north kingdom where 10 of the 12 tribes had settled.
Naaman
was a leader in the adjoining kingdom of Aram, who could be relied upon to win
battles and was well thought of in his country and by his king. Israel and Aram
were not at full scale war but there were regular border skirmishes and during
these, people were regularly taken captive to be work as slaves. It was by this
way that an Israelite girl came to be Naaman's wife's servant.
This
turned out well for Naaman who was suffering from an incurable skin disease
when the girl told Naaman's wife he could be cured if he went to Israel's
prophet. Naaman took the idea to his king who saw it as an excellent way of
protecting a loyal and good man, and so sent him off with generous gifts and a letter to
the King of Israel.
The
Israelites were in a period of worshipping no one or anyone but when the King
received the letter he was furious because he, at least, still recognized
healing as a God-given talent which he knew he didn't have. He put the request
down to a war-mongering effort on Naaman's king's part and so tore his clothes.
However,
Elisha heard of it and sent a message to calm the King and to tell Naaman to go
to him. What happened there is described above in the bible reading section.
Helen
showed us how this was a message to the Israelites who were ignoring God. God
wants a relationship with each person; he wants us to love him. Naaman wasn't
one of his people but he sought healing and as a result, believed.
God loves
us all. When He looks at Australia what does He see? Where are our hearts?
Are we
trying to love God and each other? Does God see division or are we 'one'
together?
How do we
show our love for God at church? By simple things like praying and singing.
We have
to remember: Love The Lord your God with all your hearts and your neighbour as
yourself.
Prayer An acknowledgement of our own limitations and
wonder at being chosen to do God's extraordinary work. Helen continued, asking
God to give us faith in ourselves and asking for forgiveness when we are held
back by fear. "Lord you have called us. Give us the courage to step out in
faith." Amen.
Hymn TIS 595 "O Jesus I have
promised" A hymn that resonates with all of us. We so much want to carry
out God's plan but are so easily distracted or frightened off. "Speak to
reassure me"..."O guide me, call me, draw me,"
Communion Introduction:
Helen began by reminding us that a purpose of sharing in the communion is
to remember that we are called also to share our faith with others. She
also reminded us that however inadequate we feel, God provides and it is His strength
we rely on.
"Let us lift our 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.
We are the body of Christ. Around the table, we enact our
faith. The body broken is restored to wholeness: lifeblood poured out brings
healing to our world."
A time of Silence
Passing the
Peace Helen explained that
at the table we receive God's peace made flesh and that we would then share
that. "The peace of the Lord be
with you...And also with you" We then reached out in peace to each other.
There followed a special time brought to us by Helen and
Ruth, both speaking of our being transformed so that we will take our place
more fully as God's people, reviving our vision of community.
The Words of
Institution
These were read from Mark 14:16 - 25 by Colin ..."he
took the bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take, this is
my body.’ Then he took a cup,
and after giving thanks he gave it to them,...’This is my blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many.’”
Prayer over
the Elements
"Lord, like us, there is nothing special about the
elements before me. Everyday bread and grape juice. We ask now for your life
giving, transforming Holy Spirit to enter each person here today, transforming the everyday and ordinary
into the sacred. Together, as we share the elements, may we remember Christ's
sacrificial love for each one of us."
The Distribution The people were served in the
pews.
Hymn TIS 530 "Now let us from this table
rise" Having been renewed we should "choose again the pilgrim
way." We have been here today with a purpose. Let us not short circuit
that purpose by reverting to previous behaviours.
Prayers of the People and The
Lord's Prayer
Pat asked that we should keep in mind the less fortunate and gave thanks for
those who help the needy. She gave thanks for the beautiful weather we have
been enjoying.
She asked
for God's blessing on the Church worldwide and on own congregation as we seek
out a new minister. Pat asked for God's hand on Helen and Graham as they move
into a new phase of their lives.
She then held up the health concerns of people
known to the congregation and then led us in the Lord's Prayer.
"Your will be done" are the words
that echo in my heads continually. They can be quite off putting when I would
rather it was my will.
Helen then bound the sections of
the service together moving onto The Freewill Offering.
"We
respond to Your generosity to us, with these gifts and our lives...accept and
use our offerings for your glory"
Hymn TIS 188 v. 1 - 3 "Where the wide sky rolls down" The
God I love blessing the country I love.
Blessing "...May we go forth from
this place open to the grace that calls us, surrounds us, and surprises us.
Hymn 188 v. 4 "Now people faith, come
gather round"...." Australians, whatever your culture or race, come,
lift up your hearts to the Giver of grace"
No comments:
Post a Comment