Marsden Road Uniting Church 17 November 2013

 

Kaye introduced Suzanne our guest minister, who issued the

Call to Worship Uniting in Worship 2

"True belonging is of God, source and end. God is light:

Let us live in light.

True forgiveness is in Christ, healer and joy. Christ brings new life:

Let us celebrate life.

True power comes from the Spirit, inspiration and hope. The Spirit gives peace:

Let us receive peace.

Hymn TIS 181. "Come O God of all the Earth" God, author of all goodness and the energy that powers the universe: we ask that the creative power that achieves all we see about us  enter our lives and mould us into people who show your love to the world.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession Seasons of the Spirit, Wood Lake Publishing Inc.

Suzanne led us in thanking God for giving us a vision of what might be and the good health to work to realize that vision. She asked that in times of fear and misery that these visions sustain us.

My problem is that in times like this I look away from God and do a very childish sulk, lengthening my time of misery and making my journey back all the harder.

Suzanne then led us in confessing our inability to see ourselves in God's image and our tendency to forget the loving relationship we have with God, dwelling on past grievances and ignoring the offer God makes to us, forgetting to look to God, (who is the answer to everything)

"We forget to call on your name. Forgive us, gracious God. Amen.

If only we could keep this in mind at all times then we could avoid a lot of the damage we do to ourselves.

Words of Affirmation

Before we call to God,

God promises to answer.

Even as we pray to God,

God hears our prayers, our hopes, our fears.

Surely, God is our salvation.

We will trust and not be afraid, for God is our strength and might; and yes, God is our salvation.   Amen

Hymn TIS 609 "May the mind of Christ my Saviour" May God live in, dwell within, rule, and fill me so that "(I may) run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I inward go."

 I find the prospect of being so taken over by God's Spirit terrifying: being infused with the Spirit of our powerful, pure, creator - even though he is wholly love - is more than I can cope with.

Bible Readings. Ruth brought today's readings to us.

Isaiah 65: 17-25 The promise of a new creation where everything will be as it is meant to be. It is certainly something we long for but I think we are meant to be part of the creation of this new order and I don't think we are always heading in the right direction.

Luke 21: 5-19 Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of the temple and a warning not to be led astray by false prophets. Jesus predicts chaos and persecution of those who follow Him but protection for them. Very difficult to think about. When were or are these things to happen? What form are these events to take?

Reflection Suzanne began by placing the NT reading in context, near the climax and conclusion of Christ's ministry, when the disciples were wanting to know what was going to happen. They were looking for assurance but as this reading reveals they met a prediction of destruction around them and of their own persecution. Not exactly good news and certainly information sure to raise levels of anxiety.

 

Suzanne then referred to the natural disasters that happen around us, which we find hard to comprehend and which raise many questions for us. What should we do to prepare for such events? Are they preventable or part of the natural order? Are they getting worse?

Suzanne canvassed the issue of "fear". When we are fearful  we are faced with choosing between reaching out to others and self protection.

Often after prayer and action to follow, we are left wondering about how much difference we have made and often feel helpless.

Should we immerse ourselves in suffering with others or get on with our own lives, recognizing our limits and trusting in God to take care of things?

Because of the exposure of calamities, crime and conflict in the media, we have come to see the world as a mean place. We have been given reason to FEAR.

This fear can be used to have us support a fight against a perceived threat. It can be used to manipulate us. This type of disordered fear is a problem.

On the other hand, Suzanne pointed out that fearlessness may indicate that we love nothing but on the other hand fear can also be an over-reaction. For example, we hear of people buying guns to protect their families, thereby creating a more dangerous world.

Suzanne made the obvious statement that the solution is to create a safer culture.

As it is, people strike pre-emptively: they look after themselves rather than practice Christian hospitality. Their lives become contracted.

However, Jesus encouraged his disciples to witness to God's love, even when all seems lost.

Christ called his disciples and calls us to be a pilgrim people: Christ calls and sustains us. His costly love has given us a gift of great hope. This love of God is testified to in Christ's death which challenges us, as we journey through life in this world, not to fear but to bring comfort and peace.

Hymn TIS 414 "There's a Spirit in the Air" Be confident - get on with the job we have be given.

Offering Thanks to God for His generosity, a prayer that we should be mindful of all that God offers us and a plea that we should be faithful in our stewardship.

Prayers for the People and the Lord's Prayer Suzanne offered prayers for the destitute, homeless, refugees and those in the midst of warfare and natural disaster, that they may be sustained as they survive each day with a sense of hope and peace. She prayed for those who care for such people that they will be granted wisdom and compassion. That those who suffer anxiety and depression will be given meaning and purpose in life. Suzanne led us, praying for comfort for the lonely, isolated and the grieving and those that care for the vulnerable older and younger members of our community. She then prayed for the concerns of the local church and people known to our congregation followed by the Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 678 "God gives us a future" "Daring us to go" That's where the new creation is coming from - us working in God's strength and guided by His Spirit. (I think)

Benediction

The grace of Christ attend you; the love of God surround you;

the Holy Spirit keep you; this day and forever.

Go out into the world in the power of the Spirit; in all things, at all times,

remember that Christ is with you: make your life your worship

to the praise and glory of God. Amen

As is becoming our gambit, and a comforting one, we prayed for each other as we ended the service with the words of "May the feet of God walk with you"