Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 10 January 2016

Call to worship

God is present in our midst! God shares in our joys and our sufferings.

God is present in our midst! The Spirit is blowing through our Synod.

God is present in our midst! Christ is calling us to follow.

Let us move with God, Let us transform our communities,

Let us unite for the common good, As we bring our worship, thanks and praise! (Based on Liturgy from Synod Mission Plan)

Hymn TIS 442 “All Praise to our redeeming Lord” This hymn reminds us that we have been commanded to work hand in hand with each other in harmony, depending on God's grace to guide and inspire us. So often we just rush ahead without consideration for either our neighbour or even God himself.

Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving

Thanks was given for all God's gifts but at this time the grace and refreshment of Baptism. Thanks was given for God's great love that gives us the inspiration to see a new future and see the world differently. Sometimes, when I am despairing of all that is going on in Australia and the world, it is only the inspiration of God that makes me realise that good is possible and that good people are working to make the world a better place in the face of all that is bad in the world.

Prayer of Confession

Confessing that we are not worthy of the blessing of baptism. It is always a comfort to me that my worthiness or unworthiness plays no part in God's plan. I only have to be open and willing and God's grace is freely given. And the amazing thing is that God doesn't wait until I am 100% open and willing. I only have to respond just a little and he is prepared to bless abundantly.

Words of Assurance

The love of Christ burns with passion which is enfolded in a love which knows no ending. Christ the Human One knows all that we face and enfolds our lives each day with the great gift of pardon. Thanks be to God.

DVD Geese

Elaine showed us a brief video on how the behaviour of geese in flight provides a model of pastoral care. They share the burden of leadership. They look after their sick and ailing. It was an interesting lesson: given the care of an animal group for each other, how much more should we care for each other.

Hymn TIS 494 “In water we grow” Reflection on the role of water in our lives but more importantly to its role in baptism. "Our old self goes under, in Christ dead and drowned. We rise, washed in wonder, by love clad and crowned."

Bible Readings These were brought to us by Jack. ​Isaiah 43:1-7 A promise from God to Israel that he will protect them - no matter what.

Luke 3:15-17,​ The people became very excited over John but he said it wasn't him but one who would come after him: He will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand. 21 - 22 Jesus was baptized but something different happened: You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.

Sermon "Being baptised by the Holy Spirit and fire! What does that mean for us?” Epiphany is a time to "reflect on the way in which Christ began his ministry to all people." It is also a time to think upon our own baptism and call to discipleship.

John was baptizing in obedience to God as a sign that people needed to be cleansed of their sins and the way the Jewish religion was practised. They needed to turn away from their purely outward form of religion. Perhaps we could think about this from time to time. Are we just going through the motions or are we leaving ourselves open to guidance of God's spirit in us? "John the Baptist's ministry could be linked with the Essenes who were a Jewish monastic community...were seeking to separate themselves from much of the corruption of the Jewish religious system..."

"John's comments were: The Messiah was more powerful than John, and John saw himself as the servant of Christ...the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire, not just water...The Messiah would be involved in a sorting out process...The Messiah would call people to be faithful to God."

Time to reflect on our own baptism. Jan had done some research "people...would be fully immersed and overpowered by God's spirit within, where God would write his law on our hearts and minds...Jesus’ ministry enabled God to break through in the most powerful way...he promised the Holy Spirit would be poured out...Pentecost was a life changing event for those who received the Holy Spirit, and for us when we came to our faith commitment. Baptism reminds us that we are deeply loved by God...God's grace is freely given...but we know we will sometimes fail..God and each other...but there is always room for forgiveness and restoration. Are you drawing on the grace that God has for us, letting the wind of the spirit blow the cobwebs away and being fired up for a year of service and blessing?

Hymn TIS 270 “On Jordan’s bank the baptist’s cry” Praise for everything that has happened in the story above. Because of all these things, we can be free of our burden of sin and energized to live a life of service.

Prayers of Intercession Jan prayed for all areas of our church life, finally asking: Send your Spirit upon us, O God, that we might image you in all that we do. She then prayed for the personal concerns of the congregation and then we joined together in the Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 168 “For the fruits of all creation” Thanks for all God's gifts, both material and spiritual and the opportunity to share with our neighbour.

Blessing This time of blessing always draws the service to a close and prepares us for the week ahead.

Blessing Song TIS 781 “Father bless us as we go, Jesus walk beside us, Holy Spirit guide us."