Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 17th August 2014

The Call to Worship  Hugh called us into the presence of God – to come with joy, thanksgiving, music and song as we affirm our “great God” our maker and shepherd.

We prayed together for our eyes to be open to see Him and for our worship to be worthy of His presence.  We asked to be transformed so that we can see the world through His eyes. 

Hymn  TiS 447                                   “Lord Your Almighty Word”

John Marriott, the author of this hymn died in 1825 at the young age of 45.  He was a curate and the son of a minister and in the words of this hymn he painted an almost magical picture of the instant power of God.  A picture which leaves me with a feeling God will indeed; “Move o'er the water's face, bearing the lamp of grace and in earth's darkest place let there be light.”  Hugh told us that this “Missionary Hymn” has been sung in more than 50 different languages.

Announcements:  There were details of a Bible Study and notice of the next “Equinox Outing” as well as thanks from Joan for the care and the food provided during the wonderful Progressive Dinner on Saturday night.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession:  We offered Praise and Adoration to God, with the hope our singing and praises would be heard throughout the world.  We want to be God’s Kingdom People, today and always.  We confessed we have not always been truthful about our relationships and we have tried to hide “things” from God and others.  We asked for mercy and forgiveness that we might be renewed and forgiven.  Again we were forgiven.  “Thanks be to God.”

Offering / Prayer:  With our offering, collected by Oliver and Calliope with help from Alan and Nerida, we showed our gratitude for everything we have and Hugh prayed for the use of those gifts we were able to present.

Children’s Message:               “Welcome others as Jesus welcomes us”

Hugh illustrated this “Welcome” message, with colourful images of door mats – some saying “welcome” and some with appealing pictures and messages, but the idea was always that we should welcome others in the same way that Jesus always makes us feel welcome when we come into his “house”.  The children went out to Sunday Kids with Chris & Chrisanthi with a blessing.

Bible Reading:                         Psalm 67 (page 431) Matthew 15:21-28  (page 739)

 Bob read the two passages for us this morning.  This short Psalm has a pragmatic approach to the expectation of God’s graciousness and blessings which we can anticipate if we Praise Him.  The passage in Matthew’s Gospel has some confronting thoughts for us to understand in the seeming dismissal by Jesus, of the Canaanite woman who asked for pity and healing for her daughter who was tormented by a devil.  When she was persistent, the woman was rewarded for her great faith. 

Reflection:                               “A Woman’s Faith”

Hugh began his reflection with a powerful and emotive description of “That kind of deep anguish that will not let you go? So deep and painful, that you wanted to scream?”  He described what we have all experienced to some degree at some stage in our lives.  “Sometimes it would sneak into your dreams, dreams so bad that you wanted to wake but could not.  But then during the day it was even worse; the wounded child inside you crying out, wanting to be healed.”  He reminded us that today there is greater understanding of this kind of inner emotional pain, which in Bible times were called demons.

Next Hugh reminded those of us who have been parents how we would do anything for our sick child to be healed.  “It touches your heart just to be in the same room with them”, he reminded us. “That’s why the girl’s mother was ready to try anything, even the religion of others.  And it’s understandable because when all else fails, people turn to God.”

“‘Is he really the Son of God?’ the Canaanite woman wondered.  ‘That’s what they say anyway. His words have power, they say’. To her, however, it doesn’t matter what other people said as long as her sick daughter received help.”  It is a little hard for us to hear that, “Jesus answered not a word.”  Then when the woman persisted he treated her very harshly and even humiliated her by using a common Jewish mocking term of the time.   She accepted this willingly in order to persuade Jesus to help her daughter.  I can’t help but admire her and as Matthew tells us, the heart of Jesus was softened by her great faith. 

Hugh told us; “If you look throughout history to those who had the greatest influences, you most often find that they possessed parents of great faith. They had mothers and fathers who prayed for them and did whatever possible regardless of the obstacles, just like the woman in today’s story..

Isn’t it an amazing learning that God could change his divine plans because of mother’s desperate, persistent and determined prayer?  We need to pray for others; we need to pray for the church; we need to pray for the world. And above all, we need to persistently pray for our children and their children in this increasingly difficulty world.

Not just for their problems to be solved, but also that their lives will be always and continuously filled with God’s presence, whatever it takes, whatever it takes.  Just like the mother in today’s passage in Matthew’s Gospel.”

Hymn TiS 648                        “Help Us Accept Each Other”

Frederik Herman Kaan was a prolific writer and translator of hymns after the end of the Second World War.  Many of his hymns dealt with issues of peace and justice and were written as a summary to his sermons.  He was born in the Netherlands in 1929 and lived through the Nazi occupation and witnessed the death of three grandparents from starvation.  Just imagine the impact of such an experience!  His parents sheltered refugees in their home and worked in the resistance movement and Fred became a pacifist and a Christian. He was confirmed in 1947 and moved to England where he began training as a minister in 1952. 

The last verse of this hymn certainly reflects Fred’s experience and helps us to grasp God’s mission for us today.

“Lord, for today's encounters - With all who are in need,

Who hunger for acceptance, For righteousness and bread,

We need new eyes for seeing, New hands for holding on:

Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!”

Prayers of the People:  Our prayers for the people were led by Hugh who began with thanks for the wonders and diversity of the world.  He prayed for guidance for us to approach God for solace, healing and comfort and for help for us to make sacrifices so others may come to God.  We prayed for those who are sick, those who have bad relationships and for captives everywhere throughout the world – and for war torn lands and countries where hope may be fading for many people.  Our prayers were directed towards all in need – those known to us and those who are not known to us - yet in need our help and prayers.  In the hope that all of us in this little church would experience God’s love and presence so others will be blessed by us, we joined together in the Lord’s Prayer.

Hymn TiS 465                                "Father in Heaven"

Daniel Thambyrajah Niles was a Ceylonese priest and evangelist who held many important positions in “the church” and was chairman of the Youth Department of the World Council of Churches between 1948 and 1952.  He was appointed Executive Secretary of the Department of Evangelism in the World Council of Churches in 1953 and also served as chairman of the World Student Christian Federation. He was also one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches.  But most of us remember him for his translations of beautiful lilting hymns we love to sing.

The Benediction & Blessing    “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”   Amen.

Retiring hymn:                               “May the feet of God walk with you”