Beth
commenced the service with a Prayer to God who opens the new day
and the new year before us, asking that we should know that we are enfolded in His
love.
HYMN AHB 44 "I'll praise my maker while
I've breath" Praise for our maker - when do we stop and give thanks for
our very existence? When do we stop to appreciate the people God has put in our
way or His creation that speaks of Him and uplifts and enriches us by its mere
appearance? And then the God who mends and soothes and comforts -when do we
stop with gratitude and turn to the One who provides it all?
Prayer Beth led us and,
dispensing with all formality and speaking as a friend, knowing that we would
be heard and receive full response, approached the God who became one with the
"trash and treasure of humanity". She gave thanks for this time of
the year and asked for His aid in helping us to put aside our hurts and asked
for forgiveness for the times we forget Him and each other, knowing He
understands our humanity, and knows age makes it hard to read and to do. Beth
added that it was often age and not will that caused us to forget and asked
again that we should know that we are loved and in the everlasting arms and that
our sins are forgiven.
Hymn AHB 552 " Have Faith in God" A
little gentle self talk, reminding each aspect of our being that God is the
answer to any failing that we have.
Scripture
Readings
Isaiah 63: 7 - 9 A pledge to remember, acknowledge and praise God for His
graciousness and mercy to us. Amen.
Matthew
2: 13 - 23 The story of the flight to Egypt to escape the evil wrath of Herod.
Even when Herod died and Joseph and Mary thought it safe to return, they found
that Herod's son, Archelaus, was then the ruler and given his reputation of
being a nasty piece of work, they withdrew and settled in Nazareth.
Reflection Beth used a series of
stories from her life to illustrate the lessons she had learned about God and
thought to pass on to the congregation. These stories told of how in our lack
of wisdom, we so often tangle ourselves up and create a lack of balance in our
lives.
She then showed that through the love shown to her by other people to
help her balance her life again, she realised that it was God working through
them and understood that by looking to God, we can retain something like a
balance. We are not perfect and being a Christian doesn't make us so, therefore
there will be times when we take our eyes off God and try to steer our own ship
but He is full of love. Also, we are not guaranteed immunity from grief and
hurt but God can relieve our hurt and soothe us. Beth then told a story of a
Chinese woman who had, with her load of washing been given a lift by a rickshaw driver. Embarrassed at causing
physical distress to the man she got out
at the bottom of a hill to relieve him of the burden but he turned to her and
told her to climb back in with her burden, saying, "I am strong
enough" (the application of that story is left to you). She then told
another story of a lady who was in greater distress than she was, but gave her
comfort.
Beth,
then referring to the ladies in all the stories told, said they realised they
were in the sunlight side of the Cross. Before the Cross - nothing. After the
Cross - hope. We were then entreated to become part of the team that, in God's
strength, carries others. It's a brand new year - get on with things.
Hymn
TIS 658
"I, The Lord of the sea and sky" God: Whom shall I send? Only one
answer to that. Us: Here I am Lord...I will go Lord if you will lead me I will
hold your people in my heart. However imperfectly, there are only us poor
humans to do God's work.
Offering Our chance to return of
our worldly wealth to God's work. In this congregation, my observation has been
that greater contributions are given in human care and energy and Amen to that.
Prayers
for the People Chris reminded us that 2013 is almost over and that it is
time to thank God for His steadfast love and mercies and answer to prayers,
whether we have been aware or not of God's hand in things. He asked that the
gospel should be brought to completion in our becoming Christlike and gave
thanks for the privilege of prayer. He prayed for those who have suffered in
Australia and abroad from disasters, natural and man-made and asked for
guidance for our leaders and then the special concerns of the congregation,
ending with The Lord's Prayer.
Hymn
Gracegift - Beth Howard, tune Lara's Theme "
Giver
of Grace, Your love has come to me. True wealth is mine, faith holds reality.
I
didn't know that there could be such love. Each waking day holds a new treasure
trove.
This
day, I offer you my love, this day, I celebrate with You
I am
set free, broken, the chains of sin.
Praise
you, My Lord, giver of peace within. I offer you all that I hope to be.
I
pledge my live for eternity. (Repeat)
A
presentation was then made by Warwick to Beth to thank her for all her ministry
during December.
Benediction
from TIS 685,,
Lord,
I come to you-let my heart be changed, renewed, flowing from the grace that I
found in you. And Lord, I've come to know the weaknesses I see in me will be
stripped away by the power of your love.
Hold
me close, let your love surround me; bring me near, draw me to your side and as
I wait I'll rise up like the eagle and I'll soar with you: your Spirit leads me
on in the power of your love. The problem and the solution. Amen.
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