GATHER
Call
to Worship
"Ldr.
Strength through vulnerability. Peace through pain.
All. Jesus is the image of the unseen God.
Ldr. Justice through questioning. Light
through darkness.
All. Jesus is the image of the unseen God.
Ldr. Courage through truth. Love through
reconciliation.
All. Jesus is the image of the unseen
God."
Ruth Burgess, "Candles and
Conifers", Wild Goose Publications.
Hymn
TIS 216 "Rejoice
the Lord is King" A celebration of the greatness of our God. Believe it
and rejoice!
Opening
Prayer A
plea that we will see the truth and be open to God's vision.
Prayer
of Confession
"With
humble hearts, trusting in grace, let us confess our sins before God and one
another:"
This
was an interactive prayer asking for forgiveness for our lack of discipleship,
for not showing God's love, for not listening to Him, for trying to run our own
show, and for using God's work for our own ends.
For
this we asked forgiveness.
Assurance
of Forgiveness
We
hope for forgiveness and we are certain of forgiveness. "We have been
rescued from the power of darkness".
"Know
that you are forgiven, and be at peace." Thanks be to God.
ENGAGE
Hymn
TIS 28 "God
is our strength and refuge" A declaration of our faith in God as the
answer to anything life can turn up. Sit still and listen.
Scripture
Reading: The
readings today were delivered by Pat. Jeremiah 23: 1 - 16. Harsh warnings for
those who lead God's people astray. And the promise of a true leader.
Colossians
1: 11 - 20. The word that the promise from Jeremiah has been fulfilled and
praise for Him who has fulfilled the promise.
Luke
23: 33 - 43 The Crucifixion: the deriding of Christ by the soldiers and the
insight of Jesus' fellow condemned that He is God. Look closely. Which are we -
really?
Reflection
Unfortunately,
I was unable to attend today's service so what follows is my attempt to
summarise Chris' notes.
Chris
pointed out that today marks the end of the church calendar with Reign of
Christ Sunday. We have been led by the seasons through the life, death,
resurrection and ministry of Jesus. The relevance of this has been that we have
learned as disciples of Jesus, to live our lives like Him.
Today's
passages focus on a. From judgment to promise: b. Description of situation to
its solution: c. From what people have messed up to what God is still able and
willing to accomplish.
In
each passage is the same idea of an ending and a new beginning; a new
possibility beyond our past and our present, each speaking of reconciliation in
a restored relationship.
This
Sunday used to be called Christ the King Sunday but the connotations earthly
kings and queens throw up do not fit with the image of Jesus' sovereignty.
Jesus is close to us and involved in our lives. He lived simply and was/is not
cut off from the people.
He was
chosen as king because of his ability to relate to the people (today, us). He
stood for a different way of being valued to the point of giving His life.
"To
celebrate the Reign of Jesus...let that rhythm of life we have encountered
beating through the scriptures and beating vibrantly in the life of Jesus, beat
boldly in our hearts.”
Respond
Hymn
Sans2 "The
Life of Jesus" (George Stuart) A song of the example
Jesus set, showing us how to live our lives. We have all heard it said,
"God is love" and Jesus showed us how that love works in this world.
The
Offering and Prayers for the People were expressions of the
obedience of the congregation to live as Jesus did.
Go
Forth
Hymn
TIS 547 "Be
Thou my Vision" A plea that God's way will inform everything we do, so
that we will show His love to the world.
Sending
Forth (interactive)
"Ldr.
Our God reigns. All.
Our God reigns.
Ldr Our God believes in us. All. Our God
believes in us.
Ldr.
Our God loves us. All.
Our God loves us.
Ldr.
Our God sends us. All. Our God sends
us.
Ldr. Our
God blesses this world through us. All. Our God blesses this world
through us.
Ldr.
Our God reigns. All.
Our God reigns. Amen.
Hymn
TIS 779.
"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.
Aubrey
Podrich
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