Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 17 July 2016

MARSDEN ROAD UNITING CHURCH SUNDAY JULY 17

Call to Worship

The ungodly laugh in their conceit, plotting the destruction of the righteous with sharp tongues and works of treachery.

They are fools. For the righteous are like fresh olive trees in the house of the Lord, and will dwell in God's steadfast love forever and ever.

Like green olive trees in the house of God. we come into God's presence.

Like young saplings in the courtyard of the Lord, we drink deeply from the waters of life.

Like the fruit of God's vineyard, we ripen in the light of God.

Come, let us worship the Lord.

Hymn TIS 596  "Fill my whole life, O Lord my God." It is not enough that we are wholly filled with praise for God, but we should also declare that praise to the world and walk every step of our lives with God.

Opening Prayer

John compared God's gift of abundant life to a basket of summer fruit - something that invites us to partake through all our senses. He then spoke of God's presence being a joy to the heart and a blessing to the spirit. Sometimes that awareness fades but as soon as we look again, it is there.

Prayer of Confession and Declaration of Confession

John made reference to something of which we are all so aware: our ability to lose our focus on God and His will because of the demands of our daily lives. Why do we try so hard to cope by ourselves? John's words: Bring forth your words of peace, and bring us back to life. John spoke about how we forget about others. It's just so easy when we are tired and hurting. Correct our ways when we are so self-centred and neglect the poor and powerless. And sometimes, instead of seeking comfort in God, we turn to the glitter around us. Draw us to you, Holy One, and lead us into life. Amen.

In Christ, we are united and reconciled to God. Amen

The peace of God be with you all. And also with you, We then exchanged the peace with each other.

Offering

Loving God, you fill our lives to overflowing like baskets of summer fruit. May the offering we return to you this day show our gratitude for your many blessings, and our commitment to love our neighbour as you have loved us. John prayed that all may come to know the richness of God's love. Amen

Hymn TIS 607 "Make me a channel of your peace" The message continues, asking that we pass on the blessings we receive to others around us. We are blessed that we may bless others

Bible Readings: Amos 8: 1-12; Colossians 1: 15-28; Luke10: 38-42

The reading from Amos was about the terrible things that would befall the people because of their hypocrisy. They couldn't wait until their religious obligations were over and they thought that they could go back to cheating the poor.

Colossians brings us hope in that: "And you who were once estranged...he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death."

Luke offers a different perspective. Both Martha and Mary were followers of Jesus but saw their duty towards him differently. After church there was discussion about this and whether Jesus should have told Mary to help her sister. I'll let you think about that.

Sermon

John brought us a message about distractions. Was Martha distracted by her domestic tasks or should Mary have helped her and given her more time to be with Jesus, too? John spoke about the many distractions of our lives. I am typing this blog on my iPad. It is being very useful at the moment but it can be more than a distraction!  Remember hospitality is a responsibility in Middle Eastern countries, even now. John said how we can all relate to the position of Martha but we can imagine Jesus saying that the dishes could wait.

One of our women pointed how very like a man that was. Dishes don't do themselves. But there is an important point here: priorities. In today's world there is so much we can be doing. We have to protect ourselves from being overwhelmed by the mundane tasks so that we don't have time for the important things in life. As John concluded: We can all learn a lesson from Martha. There will be time for the important chores that need to get done, but find the balance. Sit at Jesus' feet and worship Him and there will be time for the rest.

Hymn TIS 585 "I heard the voice of Jesus say." This hymn focuses on some of our most deeply felt needs but God can meet any need and mend any broken life.

A Musical Interlude while we prayed privately

Prayers of Intercession

John prayed on our behalf to God who cares for his people and who shows justice to all. He prayed for those who seek justice in today's world and those who go hungry while food is stockpiled on wharves with nobody trying to distribute it. He prayed that the leaders of the nations will look to see that those who are cheated of wages will have their rights restored and that resolutions will be found to all the conflicts worldwide. He raised up the people of Turkey and Nice, asking for God's blessing on them. He prayed that communities be renewed by God's grace. He then prayed for the concerns of our own congregation after which we joined in the Lord's Prayer. Amen.

Hymn TIS 567 "God of all power, truth and grace" "God of all power, truth and grace,

which shall from age to age endure, whose word, when heaven and earth shall pass, remains and stands forever sure." These words give a sense of security, so that we can step out in confidence, in His Name.

Benediction

Go into this week

Formed by the Word of God, informed by the compassion of Jesus Christ, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. And may the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life be with you in your life.

Amen. Amen. Amen.