Welcome
Rowena welcomed us using a verse that spoke to
the weary who need refreshment, the anxious who need calming by the spirit. She
offered welcome to the complacent to be challenged by Jesus' message. She told
us that we were all welcome and would find rest in God's presence.
Hymn
TIS 693
"Come as you are" God's all encompassing love, inviting us to be his,
no matter what our condition. No matter how many times we fail, we will be
welcomed back when we realise our darkness and turn back to the light.
Announcements
Don't
forget the breakfasts for Guys and Gals
on September 13 at 8.30am. See Elaine or Margaret or David.
Prayer
of Adoration and Confession (Adapted from Liturgies Online)
"Awesome
and great God, whose holiness is beyond our capacity even to imagine - we worship
you. Your care for us is evident through your grace and mercy which we
experience in Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Rowena then acknowledged God's lavish love that empowers us and let us see his
many blessings around us. She reminded us that we were on Holy ground and
offered our praise. Rowena then asked for God's patience as we learn
hospitality, confessing how we often create closed communities where there
should be room for all. She confessed on our behalf that we exclude people
because we only see the differences - in who we are, or in belief, or in
viewpoint. Or because we think we know the right way, or the thing that must be
done, or because we fear - the unknown - change - or perhaps even discomfort.
She prayed: "Forgive us, dear God for those times we have let you
down"
Declaration
of Forgiveness
"Here
is some good news. Christ is with us. Christ is always with us. We are forgiven
people and we are given new opportunities to become more Christ-like each and
every day."
Offering
and Prayer
Rowena
spoke of God's offer of refreshment and renewal in Jesus Christ. She then
offered our gifts and asked for blessing on them and on our lives.
Hymn
TIS 629 "When
I needed a neighbour" A hymn based on Jesus telling his followers that
when we show love and service to even the least of the human race (and maybe
all creation) we are showing that love and service to him. Time to think about
that, and how we conduct our daily lives.
Scripture
Readings Psalm
119: 105-112. The psalmist speaks of God being his guide, affirming that he has
remained true to his commitment, regardless of forces acting against him.
Forever.
Matthew
10: 40-42 A promise that each of who acts as Jesus Christ would in our service
to others, will be rewarded. Perhaps, it may be, that if we do act that way, we
already have our reward,
Reflection
- The Hospitality of Christ
Rowena
introduced her word to us with a story about a pastor who was to be introduced
as head pastor at a church of 10,000 adherents. He transformed his appearance into
that of a homeless person and walked around the church before the service, he
smiled at everyone - 3 smiled back - the others gave him dirty looks or stared.
He asked for coins for coffee and was refused. When he sat at the front of the
church, he was asked to move to the back. Then the elders announced the
presence of the new senior pastor. Applause broke out but died to nothing as
the man walked to the front. He then took the microphone from the elders (who
were in on it) and said, "Then the King will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my father, take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave
me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
And
then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed
you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger
and invite you in? Or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick
or in prison and go to visit you?' 'The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.'" With that the minister dismissed the congregation until
the next week. (adapted from Christ Global Network)
The
question is - how would we behave in such circumstances?
Rowena
then pointed out how we are all aware, as committed Christians of the task we
have of showing Christ's hospitality to others. She highlighted how we have
been blessed by God's extravagant love and welcome which shows how we can be in
community together. But what of the stranger?
The
early church would not have survived without hospitality. There were no motels.
Our
hospitality might be a simple smile or hello. How often do we welcome these
people who have fallen through the cracks in our society? Are we willing to
risk our own comfort? Or safety?
We can
offer simple hospitality by refusing to stereotype. "Just imagine if our
nation, Australia, could find the courage to generously open up our borders to
those who seek shelter and freedom and friendship, we might just find again
that God provides new life; a society with a greater depth of compassion, a
deeper and more abiding live and a resultant vibrant and enriched
community."
Hymn
TIS 473
"Community in Christ " An exhortation to all of us, as a church, to
be Christ to the world. To serve, not just the people or causes we like, but
listen for God's voice for direction of our energy and material riches.
Prayers
of the People
Rowena
prayed to our gracious and Heavenly Father, giving thanks for the beautiful
day, the rain that had refreshed the
world and the sunshine that followed. She gave thanks for this world with which
we have been blessed. Then prayer was offered for those injured and hurting in
war-torn countries; those suffering from the results of misunderstandings that
linger for centuries. Speaking for us all, she admitted that we feel so small
and useless and prayed that we might understand how we could make some change.
She then prayed for the personal needs of the congregation, their families and
friends. She asked for God's hand on the unemployed and the penniless and asked
that those who run the country will see that all share in its blessings. We
then joined in the Lord's Prayer.
Hymn
TIS 681 "Lord
let me see" A prayer to open our eyes to the way God sees other people and
act towards them as he would. Seriously.
Benediction
Rowena
sent us out with the message still ringing in our ears, and its effects
revitalizing our lives, praying that God will provide for us, so that we will
see Jesus in the stranger that we meet and that we will be led in the ways of unconditional love.
Closing
Song. "Now
unto him who is able to keep,
Able to keep you from
falling,
And to present you
faultless
Before the presence
of his glory
With exceeding joy.
To the only wise God
our Saviour
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and ever.
Amen.
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