Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church June 30

Robyn welcomed the congregation and then we shared

The Call to Worship An acknowledgement of our yearning to be in God's presence and to have Him calm our fears. "Come all you who thirst, all you who are heavy laden. Come and take refuge here."

Hymn AHB 374 "Glorious things of you are spoken" God is our sure foundation and on Him we can rely to provide those things that matter and those things that last. It is He that makes us whole. It is for this we give thanks and through this we come to realise that this world's successes and rewards will never make us the sort of "Kings" that God's work in us can.

Prayer of Adoration & Confession & Assurance  An acknowledgement of God's greatness, shown throughout time and in His creation. A confession of how we devalue our lives and find excuses: how we are half-hearted and selfish. A plea for forgiveness.

"Sustain us, Lord God, nurture the fruit of the Spirit within us, so that we may live freely and responsibly as your children." Amen.

Readings Delivered by Pat. 2 Kings 2: 1 -2; 6 - 14. Elijah's life is coming to an end. He needs to travel from Gilgal to Bethel, then to Jordon. At each stage he tells Elisha to stay behind but Elisha insists on remaining faithful.

Because of his faithfulness, after Elijah was carried into Heaven, Elisha is able to take on Elijah's mantle and Elijah's spirit settles on him. A lesson for us I think? Hmmm.

Galatians 1: 5; 13 - 25 We are reminded that we are free and not to slip back into slavery. However even as free people, we still have to obey Jesus' teaching. "But the harvest of the  Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness and self control. A big ask! And we can only get there in God's strength.

Luke 9:51 - 62   An account of Jesus traveling with His disciples.

The first lesson we learn comes from Jesus rebuking the disciples for wanting to punish people for refusing them hospitality.

The second lesson for us comes from the account of the different responses people have towards Jesus. Some enthusiastically pledge to follow without knowing the cost. Others say they will follow when they have taken care of other concerns.

Jesus says. "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God"

We may think we are exempt because we regularly attend church and are faithful in our bible reading and prayer time. However think of the excuses we make for not "doing" or "being" for someone else.

Hymn AHB 92 "God has spoken by His prophets" God's unchanging, everlasting word has been given to us by His prophets, by Jesus and by His Spirit. "God the first, and God the last." That's all we need.

Message  Robyn led our reflection on the Galatians reading. Robyn pointed out that those characteristics spoken of in Galatians, including love, joy and peace, are called fruit and that fruit is grown, not made.

They are the result of a living process.

As spiritual fruit, these are the result of our growth under the influence of the Spirit of God. Then Robyn, relating a story within a story, suggested it is as though we have two wolves inside, a white, good wolf and a black, bad wolf who are struggling for domination.

Which will win? The one we feed. Let the "fruits" grow in us and dominate us. They will do this if we allow God's Spirit to feed them.

 

Hymn AHB 520 "Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to thee". Take every part of me and what I think is mine. Bring me to realise that all I am and have comes from you and belongs to you.

Offerings and Notices We returned God's blessings to us for use in His work.

Prayers for the People  Margaret led these prayers, asking for God to still our hearts and minds, "So that we can open the depths of ourselves to (God's) work."

She prayed for leaders in the wider community and in the church and in our church at Marsden Road.

She then led us in praying for people associated with MRUC and then we joined in The Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 607 "Make me a channel of your peace". Make me a channel of anything you choose. May I serve you among your creation of people, the environment, and all other living things.

We were then sent out praying for ourselves and each other:

Hymn TIS 777 "May the grace of Christ our Saviour, and the Father's boundless love,

                             With the Holy Spirit's favour, rest upon us from above.
                          Thus may we abide in union with each other and The Lord,
                          and possess in sweet communion joys which earth cannot afford."

                                                                                   John Newton (1725 - 1807)

AMEN.

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church June 23

Helen welcomed us all and the notices were given out.

Call to Worship

"Praise be to God who reigns above the heavens

Praise be to God who dwells within our hearts
Let the majesty of creation worship in reverence
Let each man, woman and child pray in faith
All  Praise be to God"

Doxology "Praise God from whom all blessings flow"

Kid's Time Out

A reflection on the theme, "Watch the donut, not the hole"

After we all sang a song on this theme, Helen asked the congregation to name things for which we could say "Thank You" to God. As each suggestion was made, a candle was lit.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord, I've nearly set the church alight with these candles, with these flames of praise. I can feel the warmth of these prayers. Thank you so much for being in us, and inviting us in with you. We are never alone.  Amen.

Hymn TIS 147  "To God be the glory" ...great things He has done. It's not that the "great" things are all spectacular by the standards of some. It's great that I have a warm home, it's  great that I have fresh food, it's great that I can call on help if I need it. But more than all of that, it is great that God enlightens my heart and mind.

Prayer of Confession

Lord we thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to ourselves and to one another.....And yet...so many "And yets". We need "fixing" so that we remain open to God's guidance to see others as God sees them...other inheritors of His grace. To see the possibilities for peace nationally and internationally...in God's strength.

"Reform our attitudes and behaviour, that by your grace we may be the instruments of your saving word."  Amen.

Declaration of Grace

You are no longer judged and condemned by the law, for in Jesus Christ, you are children of God...your sins are forgiven; be at peace. (I think I will read that again, and again and...)

There are times we can't find God-when God seems so far away.

Psalm 42 & 43:  (condensed) Like a wallaby searching for a waterhole...I crave you, God, with every fibre of my being...everything inside me thirsts for you, God...I feel so defeated inside: Every day I read of your rock-solid love...my wounds are deep and painful...Let your truth blaze like a beacon...I tell myself not to give up hope, for you are my God and my help...and I'll be glad of that again.

Hymn TIS 26  "Just as a lost and thirsty deer longs for a cool and running stream"...still I hope and trust my Saviour and my God. You are not alone. I am not alone. God is constant.

Scripture Reading  Luke 8: 26 - 29 The story of Jesus driving a number of demons out of an afflicted man into a herd of swine. The man wanted to join Jesus and his flock. But Jesus told him to go back to his home and tell what had happened. Does anyone know what has happened to us?

Reflection Helen introduced the reading from Luke's gospel by explaining that the writer is trying to show-"Who is this Jesus?"

A rumour was running around Luke's community that Jesus was an unprincipled person, who for the sake of a worthless madman, destroyed the livelihood of many by letting the Legion of demons leave the man and inhabit the herd of pigs, which immediately stampeded over a cliff and were killed. The rumour also added that Jesus cared only for His own - the Jews. However Luke claimed these accusations were not so. The madman had been unmanageable for years. He broke out of any chains put on him to restrain him and to protect him and nothing could be done to rid him of the demons. However, when Jesus came along the demons recognized Him. They addressed Him as Jesus, Son of the Most High God and sought His permission to enter the pigs. Jesus had power and authority over demons. And as a result of the demons leaving the man, he became peaceful. Jesus was able to do what chains could not do.

Jews had nothing to do with pigs but the Romans used them as sacrificial animals and as a result the Romans had the nickname "pigs". So this story shows Jesus more powerful than the Romans.

Further, this man was a gentile and was returned to his community whole, and Jesus told him to return to his community and tell everyone what God had done for him.

Good story? But people aren't possessed by demons today are they? We are off the hook. Sorry, no. This man howled in torment but how often have we wanted to scream about behaviour in the wider community or in the church. What about the worry and anxiety, the nightmares, the low self esteem, our fear of not being accepted, of not fitting in. What about our trying to keep up with all those "shoulds". This is a message of restoration, acceptance and love. What are our names? We are Children of God. We are loved by God. We are healed by Jesus.

Hymn TIS 584  "Just as I am without one plea" This hymn says it all. Whatever we look like on the surface and to other people, inside we are all lost and in need of the healing of God's grace... O Lamb of God I come, I come.

Freewill Offering "God, our lives and everything we have comes from you as a free gift. We want to act in your world as you act in us. May our offering be part of our living generously towards others." Amen.

A time of quiet reflection.

Prayer for others and The Lord's Prayer Mae led us, reminding us that, as we came together in an attitude of prayer, of sayings focusing on prayer: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of" and "Those that wait for The Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint". Mae prayed for us that we should be made surer than ever of God's presence in our lives: that we should live and worship according to God's direction; that we should be channels of love and peace and in order to do that, God's peace and quiet be in each of us. Mae prayed for that hidden life within each of us; those hurts and fears; the unresolved dilemmas and tensions that prevent our living lives according to God's plan and then that God will give us the strength to meet each day. Mae then directed our prayers to support the leaders of government, commerce, church and caring professions: to support Helen and the inspirational ministry she leads at MRUC. After praying for the needs of family and friends of the congregation, we then joined together for The Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 670 "Jesus put this song into our hearts" Jesus has taught us all we need to live a life of grace...are we listening?...are we acting on those lessons?

Commissioning and Benediction

Go now, proclaiming to all how much Jesus has done for you. And may God be your fortress; May Jesus Christ release you from all that torments you;

And may the HS give you light and truth...to sustain you day and night.

Go in peace to love and serve The Lord.

...In the name of Christ. Amen

Hymn of Departure TIS 106. "Now thank we all our God" With all we have, we thank God for all He is and all He can do for us and the world around us... "who ever was, is now, and shall be ever more."

Amen to that too.

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.

Sunday Service Marsden Rd Uniting Church June 9

Respect for Seniors Sunday

Helen welcomed us all and notices were given out, which included an invitation to stay back after church  on June 23 to join the  Friendship Circles at morning tea, after which the

Call to Worship took the form of a blessing, offering us the gift  that worship with God and with each other can bring.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

The love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.
And also with you.

Poem "When I am Old" a poem by Jenny Joseph was read by Ruth.

A poem about the freedom of old age - a time when we have no longer have any need to prove anything to anybody or obey all the little rules in case someone won't like us or let us join.

"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat that doesn't go...I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired...I shall go in my slippers in the rain...wear terrible shirts...and eat three pounds of sausages at a go...or only bread and pickles for a week...But maybe I ought to practise a little now...so people...are not too shocked and surprised, When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.”

Helen spoke to us of the great blessing aging can be - extra years to grow spiritually and a time when we can look back at how God has been with us in the past, sometimes without our knowing. We can learn lessons from our past and mentor younger people as long as we listen to and respect each other.

Hymn TIS 467 "I am the church" I am; you are; we are; all who follow Jesus are: the church. The church is not a building. It's made from different people; different races; different ages. Sometimes it's a place of singing, sometimes praying, sometimes laughing and sometimes crying...but always it's made of people.

Kid's Time Out

Back to Helen: The bible tells us to be kind, to respect older people (Sirach 3:12-14a)

Helen said what we all know - that older people can look a bit scary and sometimes they do things we just have to put up with and then told her about her old aunts who did stuff she didn't like but how she knew that they loved her.

One thing we do know is that is that old people like to share stories, remember things that have happened.

 

Delma

then shared her reasons for coming to church each week. Delma told us that when she misses church, she misses something special. Delma told us that she has attended many different types of churches, some lively, some quiet and even one outdoors- but all are special places. They are places where Delma learns to love God more and learns to understand Him better- one thing she knows is that God loves her!

 

It was then Margaret's turn to explain why she believes God is real. She said that she was made aware of God through the beauty of the universe and through the way it all works together so smoothly. She then spoke about how she knew God was real because He has kept drawing her back each time she has strayed away and finally, she knew God was real because He is able to mend all that hurt we suffer in life.

We are only one person but if we "shine" out God's love, we make a difference.

Chorus "Jesus bids us shine" No practice needed here for the older members of the congregation. A simple but true message - we are here so the world will experience God through us.

Prayer Helen prayed for us, our fear that longer days on this earth are not the answer for the hunger of our souls - do we have any meaning to live for? Yet God surprises us, with the knowledge of those who love us, a word of how we can help others. As our abilities lessen, God keeps surprising us.

Hymn TIS 129 "Amazing Grace" ----how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me...(from anything that may come my way)

Back to Helen This was a time for the congregation to share. Do we ever feel invisible?

People gave examples of being passed by, but God sees us differently. God has a purpose for us - in God's service we do not retire - we may do different things in His service as we grow older but we never pass a "use by" date.

Helen then spoke of the Incarnation and the part played in that drama by older people.. First we were told of Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist, the one who was to announce Jesus to the world. Then we heard about Simeon and Anna, two elderly but faithful people whose lives had been spent waiting on the coming of the Messiah.

"God certainly includes older people in his plans. God knows and hears the longing of our hearts. These are unspoken longing and prayers held in God's hand.

Prayer Helen prayed to our loving God, saying that she had been taught to dread getting older but now accepted her limitations, cherish her white hair and actually enjoy being older.

Poem.    "Lament to The Lord "  by Mavis Clark. Stephen read this poem, which expressed regret at all the changes that have taken place in worship in an attempt to make it more relevant to younger people. The speaker expressed resignation at having to put up with the changes but said she would keep to the expression of her faith with which she feels more comfortable.

Hymn TIS 569 "Guide me O my great Redeemer" A case of the sentiment expressed in the poem above, evidenced by the number of people who kept to "great Jehovah" for their expression of their faith. It is how we best worship a God that matters.

Scripture Reading  Luke 7: 11-17 Because of the length of the service, I will leave this to your own thoughts.

Reflection Helen returned to the theme of Jesus crossing boundaries which she had explored in the previous week. We were directed to focus on the story from Luke, where Jesus was approaching Nain and came upon a funeral procession. A widow was burying her son. This woman had been the daughter of her father, then the wife of her husband and finally the mother of her son. Now they were all dead and so, for all purposes, so was she. She had lost all sense of identity- she had lost all hope for the future. But what did that matter- she was just one widow. It did for her. It meant that any sort of dignified or meaningful life was over. And nobody cared. Except Jesus. He saw her plight and had compassion on her and, breaking every rule, touched her dead son, bringing him back to life. "And Jesus gave him to his mother". Jesus had given back life to both of them.

In just the same way, because Jesus has compassion on us, He can give us a new future.

Prayer Helen prayed to God, the Alpha and Omega, saying that we would like to think that we can ignore death. However the reality is there. Helen continued " I take comfort that Jesus himself faced death with anguish and pain in the Garden. I can never fully grasp that struggle, and yet it brings peace that Christ knew my human fear."..."Death one day will be swallowed up in victory. Hallelujah! Amen."

Hymn TIS 232

"O the deep, deep love of Jesus" - unmeasured, boundless,

free...underneath...all around...changes never...my everlasting glory.

After the Freewill Offering, Helen led the prayer for others, that they should live peacefully in the present, knowing that their real treasure is in Heaven. Then after

Hymn TIS 594. " Fight the Good fight", Helen blessed us: "May God go before to lead you and follow after you and give you strength"

We left, blessing each other "May the feet of God walk with you."

Sunday Service Marsden Rd Uniting Church June 2

 

We were warmly welcomed and the notices given out.

Call to Worship "O sing to the Lord a new song.

                                Declare God's glory to all people.

                             Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name.

                                Worship the Lord in holy splendour."

An impossible task. How can we tell of God, just as He is? How can we strip away the fog of our hopelessly imperfect version of the Perfect Love; the Untarnished Truth; the Eternal Creator? But we must continue to try.

Prayer of Invocation Helen prayed for us, that we might experience God's grace and peace and give Him praise for it. Sometimes we wonder where God is in our lives but we only have to look at what is good; what leads to light; what causes our love for each other to show through. That's God in our lives.

Hymn TIS 72 "From all who dwell below the skies" A song celebrating God's goodness to us. Everything that isn't God owes Him grateful praise.

Scripture Reading Susan read to us from Luke 7: 1 - 10. The healing of the Centurion's slave. This man knew about power but he knew Jesus' power was something far beyond his own. Then why don't we trust Him to take care of things! Why don't we hand over the reins and trust?

Reflection Not works or race but Faith. Helen began by explaining that today's reading begins a new section on the "inclusive gospel". A gospel that includes everyone. All people are welcome; all people are loved. People of that time would have been thunderstruck. For the Jews remaining Holy was of major importance and that included not defiling themselves by mingling with those who did not keep the law. Jesus did just that and in doing so, changed the boundaries of what constituted holiness. Not all the people who responded to Jesus were the people anyone would expect to respond. The Roman Centurion in today's reading would not have been expected to seek out Jesus. He knew that himself, and asked that Jesus not enter his house because he knew what a kurfuffle that would cause. Instead he acknowledged Jesus’ authority, declaring that all that was needed was His word. This was a man that knew about authority and recognized a unique kind in Jesus. Jesus' response was to say that He had never seen such faith - and this was in a Gentile. No one is outside God's love.

Helen then recounted a story concerning a woman she had come across in her work as an OT. This woman's standard greeting was "Having Fun" even when the staff were clearly not doing anything like that. When Helen heard she was leaving she was delighted that this daily irritation was going. However on her last day the woman came to Helen holding a copy of Psalm 23 saying it had changed everything for her - it had given her hope. It seems an antique Salvation Army lady had given to her. That Salvation Army lady knew that the gospel is for all. Helen said she felt ashamed.

How often do we not bother to extend a chance to meet God to someone because we see them as someone who doesn't fit the category of our idea of what a Christian might look like.

Prayer A prayer from Helen that we will see others as God sees all of us. No worse nor better but each made in God's image.

Freewill Offering Given with the prayer that the little we give can make a difference in God's hands.

Hymn TIS 640 "Kneels at the feet of his friends" Jesus did not think He was above washing His disciples’ feet. Neither should we think any task too humble for us or that we should be careful about which people we show God's love to.

Prayer for Others and The Lord's Prayer Graham prayed on our behalf, that we should have faith like that of the Centurion and then called our attention to the appalling events happening world-wide, far from us geographically and far from us in terms of any influence we could have over them. He prayed that we bring these matters to God, the only One with the authority and power to deal with them. Graham then prayed for the more personal concerns of the congregation and we joined together in The Lord's Prayer.

Helen then gave the invitation to share in the taking of the bread and wine, clear, saying it is for all who were seeking to love God more and apart from that there are no other qualifications.

"For it is here, at this time, we remember the body of Christ broken for us,

and the blood of Christ poured out for us."

Hymn TIS 693 "Come as you are" - "Love sets no limits...love never ends...don't run away shamed and disheartened...come as you are." I once spoke to a person much wiser than myself about not feeling worthy of calling myself Christian or worshipping as one... I felt such a fake. It had been an issue with me for some time but her answer settled it forever: "God called you as you are." That's the answer- it's not about me - it's about God.

Scripture Reading John 13: 1 - 11. This was a paraphrase of the account of Jesus, realizing His time on Earth was coming to an end, set about clarifying His role and the role of the disciples towards others. At first Peter questions the possibility of Jesus washing his feet but when Jesus says it is necessary to Peter's discipleship, Peter goes overboard and asks Jesus to wash feet, hands and head. Jesus had to make it clear that his concern was holiness not hygiene.

Because of this, Helen directed us to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.

Symbolically, Helen washed her hands, asking God to wash away her iniquity and cleanse her from her sin. Likewise, having been cleansed, she was able to minister to the elders and washed their hands, praying that they would be cleansed.

"Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us

 Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.

 Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world. Grant us peace.

Scripture Reading John 13: 12 - 17. Paraphrasing again. Jesus has to make sure the disciples understood what had happened. Just as He had ministered to them, so must they minister to each other. If He, the Master and Teacher humbled Himself to care for them, so must they humble themselves to care for each other. "If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it - and live a blessed life." As we used to write beside important points in our school books, "NOTE WELL"

Hymn TIS 655 "O let the Son of God enfold you" Over and under, around, through, within, without - soaked in Jesus Spirit. Give up every part of ourselves.

Prayer over the Elements By your Word and Holy Spirit, Lord, bless these gifts, that we may truly share Christ's body and blood, and become by grace, Christ's body, given for the sake of the world.

The Distribution we were all invited again, to partake, in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and as a sign of the bond that ties us together.

Following Communion The Lord be with you/ And also with you

                                        Go in peace to love and serve the world/ In the name of Christ

Amen.

Hymn TIS 549 "God be in my head" A sort of reminder, in simple language of what had gone before. May God direct my thinking, my perception of the world and people around me, the words I speak, my motivation. May God be with me until the end.

Fulfillment with "the lot".