We were
all welcomed and the notices were given out including one that Robyn Harvey is
to take next week's service.
This was
followed by the Call to Worship taken
from Psalm 50: Gather to me my faithful ones, Offer to God a sacrifice of
thanksgiving.
Hymn TIS 675 "Lord, the Light of your
love is shining" an acknowledgement of, and praise for the affect of God's
presence in our lives, illuminating the dark areas and releasing us from the
burden of the ignorance that darkness enforces upon us. A prayer that the light
of God will continue to blaze on our lives, changing us, mirroring His light
onto the world about us.
Prayer of Praise To The Lord of Light: the only
answer to what would seem impossible situations: we worship you.
We give thanks
for all those influences that lift us out of our despair: that make us want to
reflect that light to those around us.
We fail
without meaning to and suffer terribly as we stumble around, knowing the living
death of alienation.
When all
else fails we ask forgiveness and God gives Himself without judgement and
timidly we begin again on our true path
Wonder.
Joy. Love.
Baptism of Aidan Ruth announced that Alysia and Martin had
come to present their son, Aidan for Baptism. Helen then explained that Baptism
is a sacrament of the church; that Jesus himself was baptised and that he had
told us to baptise others. She confirmed this by reading Matt.28: 18-20.
Helen
explained that Baptism is Christ's gift. That it is the sign by which the
Spirit of God joins people to Jesus Christ, and incorporates them into his
body, the Church.
The
parents then asked that Aidan be baptised in the faith and family of Jesus
Christ and affirmed their belief that the Bible guides unto follow Jesus
Christ.
Helen
then, touching Aidan's ears and mouth addressed him, "Aidan, may The Lord
open your eyes to receive His word, and your mouth to proclaim his
praise."
The
congregation proclaimed their belief by saying the Apostles' Creed and while
Ruth poured the water, Helen traced the importance of water: in creation, in
the flood, and in the Exodus, asking that the water, by the power of the Holy
Spirit, would be a place of blessing and salvation for Aidan.
Aidan was
then baptised in the name of the Father, And of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit, after which the parents, Godparents and the congregation made their
promises to support Aidan.
Aaronic Blessing The Lord bless you and keep
you;
the Lord make
His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you;
the Lord lift up
His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Hymn E.J SMITH "All praise to you, Christ Jesus vv.
1,3,4 A song to Christ Jesus, our all. The One whose grace brings sense to our
lives. The One whose call cannot be ignored and whose renewing affect cannot be
denied. And then a prayer that we will stay close, so that God's message will
be known to all.
Scripture Reading Luke 12: 32 - 40 delivered by
Colin. An entreaty to make out treasure in heaven, for then that is where our
heart will be. Also, an entreaty to live our lives as though we will meet our
Saviour in the very next moment.
Reflection The Thief
With
reference to today's reading, Helen explained that the community being
addressed by Luke was suffering internal pressures. These were Gentiles amongst
which were some wealthy individuals. This people were all generously donating
to the work of the church but were expecting Jesus to return quite quickly. When He
didn't, they
started to question what was going on.(was this a scam?). By this time
Jerusalem and the Temple had been obliterated and so these people were asking,
"If this can happen to God's chosen, what could happen to us
Gentiles". So Luke is assuring them that all is well- that their Father
wants to give them all, and that they should lay up their treasure in Heaven,
where it will be safe.
Luke
tells them to keep giving and keep looking forward to the promise- don't give
up for we don't know when the Master will come- He will come unexpectedly, like
a thief in the night. And when He comes, He will serve us.
Faith is risky but when Jesus comes all the
material things will disappear, so there is not much use clasping them close to
us now.
Bank up
God's love. Change direction. Look to the Kingdom coming.
Prayer Jesus, teach us how to live our lives so that
we are always prepared for and welcoming of your surprising presence.
Teach us
to live each day as if it were our last.
Hymn TIS 687 "God gives us a future" Daring us;
for a new life; leaving behind yesterday; fear and doubt must not hold us back;
God gives the strength; meets the
challenge; loves us into action; till we choose God's life and find our future
there. Scary stuff. Unless we take a big faith-filled leap, we will cling to
our old selves and our old ways forever.
Freewill Offering God of Light, may these
offerings offer hope to those in darkness. Amen
Prayers for Others and The
Lord's Prayer
(paraphrase)
A prayer to the one who is our all, for
inspiration to pray and act with the compassion of Jesus Christ. There followed
a prayer for the starving and those that scrabble around for food. For those
who lack the freedom to live normal dignified lives. For those who have not
been able to make their way and use their skills, so as to feel valued, in such
a fast moving world.
"Bread
of life, there are some who are spiritually hungry, who yearn for some faith
and passion, who search for your meaning and your name, who look for someone
they can trust and hunger for something worth worshipping. Please satisfy their
hunger with the bread of life.
Response Holy friend, sift our prayers
and turn our hopes into deeds.
And to
you, bountiful God, Father and Provider, Christ and Saviour, Holy Spirit and
Friend, be honour and glory, worship and praise, from now to eternity."
Bruce Prewer
The Lord's Prayer
Hymn TIS 315 "Mine eyes have seen the
glory" We know it well. A declaration of our experience. A declaration of
our confidence in God's power to triumph over evil in the world and in our
hearts. Hallelujah!
Blessing May the peace of the one who
is Mystery, open our eyes to the beauty in the ordinary, and open our ears to
the call of those in need of our care.
Dismissal Go in peace, to love and
serve The Lord.
TIS 779 May the feet of God walk with
you...
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