We Gather.
We are called to worship. With
reference to Jesus' story involving the comparison to a mustard seed, we were
called to worship. Speaking of faith, hope and love as small as a mustard seed,
the strength of which has been revealed to us through the apostles, prophets
and those who have cared for us, we prayed that God would be made known to us
through the service.
Hymn TIS 179 "Praise with joy the world's
Creator" Praise to the God who is all things to us, celebrating His power
to reconcile. At this time of the year, it is easy to rejoice in the blessing
of brilliant weather that lifts our spirit, but the storms are just as
important to growth.
We Approach God in Prayer through Chris, we declared our wonder of the
Creator, Upholder, In-dweller, Lover of all. We acknowledged the need to be
silent in such a presence and to offer thanks and praise. We made a plea for
all those innocently suffering in the world, looking within at our complicity
in this. "in silence, then, before the mystery both of your presence and of
your absence, we wait upon you now."
"Be still and know that I am God"
"Trust, and let the mercy and peace of God embrace you.
Trust, put the past behind you and face the future with quiet confidence."
Trust, God is faithful and can be absolutely relied upon.
Be assured, your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God,"
We listen to
the Word of God.
As we read the scriptures: Kaye brought
us the readings from Lamentations 1: 1- 6;
3: 19 - 26. 2 Timothy 1: 1 - 14. Luke 17: 5 - 10
Lamentations begins, with weeping for the demise of Judah.
The author continues in this tone, but then remembers, "The Lord is good
to those who wait for him,".
The Timothy reading is a word of encouragement from Paul, who
concludes: "Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the
Holy Spirit living in us."
The reading from Luke raises difficulties. Many of us in full
faith, feel we have been left wondering, yet in this reading, Jesus says it
only takes a minute amount of faith to achieve much. Then, a very culturally
bound example, used to remind us that we owe everything to God.
We Reflect. Chris spoke
of the many things that have been happening in the world this past week. The
tragic, the celebratory, the effects of human greed or fear. The hope generated
by the young and their hopes. Chris pointed to the problems and blessings we
all experience and said that God makes himself known in both, with reference to
the Lamentations passage. However it seems to many that when the events
surrounding us are discouraging we have the sense that God has left us, to
return when things seem brighter. The truth is that God is always with us, He
is never away. He is the God of love, so our lives and God's presence are
always intertwined.
The community that Timothy belonged to was under great
pressure to turn away from God and this letter was encouragement to them to
hang on to their true faith. It was also an instruction to support each other,
an instruction that we should take to heart. Am I the one to be here for
others: to listen to their needs?
We each have a part to play to assure others that God's love never ceases and in so doing we
have a part to play in building the community of God.
Communion is an expression of that community.
We Begin Our
Response
Hymn TIS 691 "Faith
will not grow from Words Alone" ..."...our faith must feel its way
about". Understanding doesn't come on a platter. We must search it out,
believing that we will be spoken to, if we are listening.
The announcements were followed by Prayers for the People. Delma gave thanks for answered prayer.
Calling attention to the Naval Celebrations, she prayed for the safe return of
all service men and women. She prayed for our brothers and sisters in war torn
countries, asking that wars should cease and peace reign, adding a plea that
each of us will do our part to bring peace. She prayed for those in need, known
to the congregation and then we joined together in the Lord's Prayer.
Hymn TIS 514 "Be
known to us in the Breaking of a Bread" A Prayer, asking God to come to
us, in this special time. An opportunity to switch off everything else and
listen even more intently.
CELEBRATING
COMMUNITY THE SACRAMENT OF
HOLY COMMUNION
"Welcome to the Table
At this table we give thanks for justice, love, peace and
freedom.
At this table we give thanks for friends and strangers
together in community in this safe place. At this table we welcome old and
young.
A place at the table. All are invited.
Welcome, let us share our meal."
Gathering we declared
our God the life within and rejoiced.
Thanksgiving We gave
thanks for the elements of life that bring us together, celebrating the mystery
that is the origin of us all. We acknowledge
the embodiment of God in each person. Expressed uniquely.
The Story We remembered
the story that we were celebrating.
"Together may we re-imagine the world
Together may we work to make all things new.
Together may we celebrate the possibilities and hope
We each have and are called to share."
There followed The
Breaking of Bread and the Pouring of Wine: May there be healing of
humanity...May we be healed.
Communion "Bread broken,
cup full.
To eat and drink together reminds us of the deeper aspects of
human fellowship, for from time immemorial the sharing of bread and wine has
been the most universal of all symbols of community. So let us share this
symbolic meal together."
After Communion We thanked
God for gathering with us and for the presence of each other. "May we
continue to be truly thankful in all we do and all we become."
The Peace The peace of
God is here...to stay
Thanks be to God.
We go out to
live love in the World
Hymn TIS 414 "There's
a spirit in the air" "Praise the love that Christ revealed, living,
working in the world" That's the whole point isn't it. If we keep it to
ourselves we haven't fulfilled our mission.
We are sent out with a blessing.
We were exhorted to live out the love of God and Chris prayed
that we would be guided to grace, mercy and peace.
Amen.
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