Today
we were very happy to welcome Akosita to our church to lead our Sunday Worship.
She drew us into the warmth of her relationship with God, through prayers that
evoked heartfelt responses from the members of the congregation, hymns that
brought back memories and a sermon that spoke to each of us in our individual
situations.
Drawing
on Matthew 11, Akosita Called us to Worship
One: God
invites us to venture into unknown places. We can do that, for we know that God
goes with us.
All:
We trust, we dare, we
follow.
One: Jesus
calls us to take his yoke upon us, and learn from him. We can do that, for
Jesus also says, “If you are tired, come to me, and I will refresh you.
All:
We trust, we dare, we
follow.
One: Let
us worship God, who challenges us, and who comforts us.
All:
We trust, we dare, we
follow.
Hymn TIS 52 “Let
us sing to the God of our salvation” The one we can rely on…always.
Opening Prayer:
Akosita
opened in praise, allowing each of us to lift our hearts to God:
God
of Eternal Promise, we are in awe of your amazing goodness.
We
praise and adore you, O God, for doing wondrous things in our lives.
For
loving and forgiving us, even when we become distracted by the events of our
daily existence.
We
are aware of your divine activity in our lives, prompting us to deepen our
trust in you.
She
then reminded us of the eternal invitation to everyone who lives:
Jesus
has invited us to come to him and receive a yoke that fits us well, to lead us
and guide us in his ways. Loving God, may we step forward…May we step forward
boldly and with trust, assured that you care for us deeply and wonderfully.
Amen
With
this Akosita drew us all into the circle of God’s everlasting arms, and being
in this trusting state we were able to confess freely that we aren't what we
should be.
Prayer of Confession and Pardon
One: Sometimes,
our lives seem out of control. We know what to do.
All: But we just don't do it.
One: We
are torn between doing what is right, and doing what is popular. We know what
you do.
All:
But we just don't do it.
One: Other
times, we hide from doing what is right, hoping God won't notice. So we can
rejoice, knowing that God also forgives us and gives us strength to begin over.
All:
Thanks be to God.
We
could all identify with the words that were spoken to us and the words we read,
and as a result we were all aware of burdens lifted and a sense of newness.
Lynell then brought to us the readings from the Bible:
Romans
7: 15-25a
Matthew
11: 16-19, 25-30
Reflection
Akosita
took the second half of the Matthew reading on which to base her reflection and
delivered a measured introduction, drawing attention to the verses she was
using…vv 28-30.
Her
theme was Come and Rest, and she spoke of these words in Matthew
as a soothing balm to the ears for time when we are struggling and overwhelmed.
She
said, that for her, it was a beloved passage, given to invite people to
discipleship. It was addressed to the people of Israel who were, at that time,
weighed down with the do’s and dont’s of legalism. And so the people were given
this marvelous invitation….encouraging the people to come to Jesus.
These
words had an awakening effect, providing assurance, forgiveness, and renewal,
for which we give thanks to God.
We
all need rest….from school, from work, from family and friends and the Holy
Spirit refreshes us.
Akosita
pointed out that God created the universe and then rested. The whole point of
creation is to rest in it and that is the whole point of turning your Jesus…to rest
in him. Jesus wanted to lift up people but was seen as ineffective by some
because he wasn't the saviour who came to liberate the people from the rule of
other political powers. But they and people in this time are looking to the
wrong sort of liberation.
We
have to see that our worth comes from the gift of love from God. We belong to
God who makes everything and every day
holy. Amen.
Hymn TIS 590 “What
a friend we have in Jesus” An old hymn that comforts us in difficult times.
Prayers of the People
Akosita
led us in praying for those that follow Jesus and those that haven't made that
decision yet. Again her words were ones of comfort, keeping our focus in the
love that is offered to all. We then joined in The Lord’s Prayer.
Hymn TIS 154 “Great
is your faithfulness” another old hymn where we joined to express our praise
and our confidence in God for his faithfulness to us in all things.
Sending Out
Go
with God who calls you by your name, secure in your relationship with Jesus
Christ, and trust in God in so you do. Akosita then pronounced the
Benediction after which we blessed each other in the words
of
Hymn TIS 779 “May
the feet of God walk with you’. Our prayer for all.
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