Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 2 April 2017

Dry Bones and Resurrection

Hymns today : 84; 242; 210; 684

I don't normally include John's heading but this one struck a chord. Life can become dry without warning. Sometimes a life that seems so bright and full of promise simply deflates into mere survival. It's not even that our sense of the presence of our maker disappears. We can be very aware of that, but it just doesn't seem to make very much difference.

And so by way of encouragement - to myself as much as anyone, I will include the words of John's "Call to Worship" - (Mary J Scifres, Abingdon 2016.)

In the midst of life, we are in death. But in the face of death, God’s Spirit comes to bring us life. Can dry bones live? Can life emerge from death? Only God knows. And yet, Christ promises just such a miracle through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

 All who are dwindling and dying . . .

come forth to new life.

All who are lying in darkness and despair . . .

come out into the light.

All who feel separated and alone . . .

come to the presence of God, whose Spirit finds us here

After this John prayed "Come, Holy Spirit. Breathe new life into our lives and our worship. Create new possibilities, in our imaginations and in our dreams. Send the promise of your hope into our depression and our despair. Expand our hearts and our minds, as we enter your presence this day. Amen."

Our responsibility to turn to God for the solution to our dryness was presented in the confession.

Prayer of Confession

God of new life and emerging possibilities, forgive us when death and despair occupy our focus. Embolden our faith when your future feels out of reach. Strengthen our courage, that we might come forth into the light and life of your promises. In hope and trust, we pray. Amen.

And our confidence that, in God, our solution lies, was stated in the declaration of forgiveness.

Declaration of Forgiveness

In God’s love, there is hope. In Christ’s forgiveness, there is peace. In the Spirit’s power, we are renewed and brought forth into life. Thanks, be to God!

The result of being at peace is that we can offer that to each other and open our hearts  to give-in all the ways giving can be done.

The announcements were an indication of the ways people of this congregation give to each other and to the community around us. They often pass as "housekeeping" but they are much more for anyone who is listening closely.

The service of communion followed. I always find this service most uplifting without knowing why. I think there are many reasons. It's a time when the whole congregation focusses on why we join together each week. There is the sense of being one with each other - not just those in the building in which we are celebrating the sacrament but also with all believers worldwide and through time. This is over and above the message that we are loved by our maker. The creator of everything that exists cares about each one of us and the lives we.

The readings, Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:23-45 were delivered by Alan. In Ezekiel we are confronted with sight of a valley of dry bones. The message that jumped out at me was that dryness is all that this world offers. That was followed by the account of the raising of Lazarus. The connection is not difficult to make. A couple of people I know speak of God as that enlivening presence.

In his sermon John had this to say:

...We must walk with Ezekiel all around the valley, because a major part of witnessing the story of God’s redemption is seeing just how much we need it. Those of us who have been staring into the darkness of our souls during the Lenten season know that we really do need God’s resurrection. The second reason for hearing these stories at this point in the Christian calendar has nothing to do with us or our sin...

Purely external to us, it has everything to do with learning that it is God who brings life out of death and that God is the one acting for our redemption...

Part of the story shows us who we are, but the rest shows us who God is...

However, when faced with the reality of taking up our crosses to follow, we quickly realize there is nothing within that equips us to do it. At this point, the Lord gently reminds us that it is not about us. The spiritual work we do during Lent was never intended to be what sustains us and what brings us the new life we need...

 Rather, our spiritual work is meant only to help us clear the path so that we can see God’s work in and for us. It is God who will strengthen us to follow Jesus. It is God who will bring resurrection where there was only death and decay. It is God who can breathe new life into our mortal body.

In the Intercessory Prayers Laurel focussed on the many difficulties facing people near and far: those affected by the floods which have been so destructive, causing so much fear and heartbreak; those in other countries in Africa where there are no resources to meet the needs of the suffering people and those who will benefit from the donations of Lent Event. It's difficult to know why prayer works since God has his eye on those people regardless of whether we pray for them or not. Perhaps it's just that as we join with them in their difficulties, our strength is added to theirs giving them added life and in doing so we are changed.

Benediction

Let those who were languishing and dying rejoice.

We go forth with the promise of life.

Let those who have lain in the shadows of despair take heart.

We go forth with the promise of light.

Let those who have known the separation of loneliness feel union in life with the Spirit.

We go forth revived by the Spirit to proclaim the glory of God.

Hymn 780: “May light come into your eyes”

Sunday Service Marsden Road Unitng Church 19 March 2017

Call to Worship:  A Woman of no Distinction

This was a moving passage which highlighted the need of the woman at the well, and of all of us, to be seen as the people we are and valued for that. It is only the creator who can do that fully, but as people who have given ourselves to the service of others, we should do everything we can to let people know that they are valued - just as they are. This passage highlighted the need to share the love that has made us closer to what we should be, with others.

Hymn: "I heard the voice of Jesus say  -  TiS 585

"lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast."  What an invitation! - but sometimes we are just far too independent and proud to take it up. Show a little humility and admit you need help.

Prayer of Confession: Rowena confessed for us our doubts and fears: our inability to let go: our inability to take our troubles and fears to the Source of all Wisdom. We don't know how that works, so we turn to the world's wisdom. As a result we hurt others: we show contempt for people who we don't understand. Rowena asked that that rock-like facade we show the world be broken open and that we should offer ourselves to be forgiven. Amen

Declaration of Forgiveness:

The source of living, life-giving water offers forgiveness. All we need is to humbly accept it. Accepting forgiveness can be very difficult.

Offering Prayer:

We have been loved in overwhelming abundance and so we respond in kind. We complain about our lack or about how much people keep asking of us. Come on! Look at all you have.

Time with the Children:

Rowena use this time to show how we judge others and reject them for the most superfluous reasons. Look past the superfluous- see the real people. Guess what! We are all just people.

Hymn: Just as I am  -  TiS 584  verses 1, 2, 4, 5. The words of someone who has been able to humble themselves and admit their need.

Scripture Readings:                                                                                                                          Psalm 95. John 4: 5-42. John is all about finding ourselves to be of worth in the eyes of the only one who really knows us. The Psalm is exuberant praise from someone who can see all they have been blessed with.

Reflection:

Rowena spoke to us about Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan women at the well. Jesus often spoke to the multitudes but at other times to individuals and this conversation is the longest recorded on a one-to-one basis. The Jews despised the Samaritans and avoided them. This woman was avoided by her own community but here is Jesus, a Jew, talking with her - at length - about very personal issues. He was ready to ignore the rules to offer grace. (Notice, he didn't say she had to become a Jew, he simply offered her living water as a free gift.)

And in speaking to her, he revealed more of himself and her understanding of him increased. A lesson for us all: the more we spend time with that enlivening presence, the more we will understand him and the gift we are offered.

And the practical message: are we willing to be hospitable, in any way we can, to the lonely, the rejected, the people who are different from us?

Hymn: Come as you are  -  TiS 693

An invitation that is hard to resist. A thought that occurred to me was about  the "facade" Rowena referred to earlier. We really spend a lot of time pretending to the world about what "top" people we are. But why do we try to do that with God? Especially since he calls us - just as we are!

Prayers of Intercession:

Rowena prayed that having been refreshed by the Living Word, we should turn our attention to the world around us: we should be sensitive to the needs of those who hunger and thirst spiritually or physically. She prayed for those with health issues, naming people in our own community, and for anyone in crisis, including those whose crisis is a joyful one. She prayed for those who are looking for that living water but don't know where to find it, that they will know God's presence and through that, their sense of purpose. We then joined in The Lord's Prayer.

Hymn: I will sing the wondrous story  -  TiS 233

Do we?

Benediction:

We're sent forth to offer that living water to the world.

Closing Vesper:                                                                                                                       

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 a God our Saviour, Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power, Both now and ever. Amen

v

Sunday Service Marsden Road Unitng Church 12 March 2017

 We Know. . . nothing.

Call to Worship - (James Dollins, Abingdon 2016)

​​We are blessed to be a blessing.

​We are called to go to places that we don’t know.

​We look to the hills for our strength.

​Our strength is in God, who always goes with us.

​We walk in faith.

​Come, let us worship the God who calls us and who walks beside us throughout the journey.

HYMN TIS 76:  "I to the hills will lift up my eyes:" Taking my cue from the theme John offered us, I thought about this hymn in the context of our knowing nothing. If we assume that we can solve all our own problems, we run into a lot of problems. For anything of real value, the answer is not around us but beyond.

Opening prayer

Our ever-present strength and help, we come this morning in response to a call we have felt in the marrow of our bones. We may not be sure; we may even be full of doubts and not fully understand how we got here, but we are here. Help us listen with new ears and open hearts. Touch us during this time of worship, that we may know your unconditional love— not just for the world as a whole, but for us individually. It is for this that we long and for which we search. Amen. The words that struck me here are "Help us listen with NEW ears and OPEN hearts."  We shouldn't assume we know it all but be open to grow.

A Prayer of Confession

Loving and ever-present God, we confess that we are not always sure of you.

Our doubts overwhelm us at times.

But we continue to search and to yearn for reassurance of your presence with us, no matter what is going on in our lives.

In times of joy and in times of sorrows and challenges, help us feel your presence with us.

Give us a faith that looks to the hills, where we will find you, steadfast and sure.

Be with us on our journey, the journey to which you call us, that we may walk in your ways with you beside us. Amen.

Declaration of Forgiveness

​God so loved the world— God so loved us— that God goes with us every step of the way. In this we are blessed. Know that God hears, answers, and loves us— and in this loving, understands and forgives us. Amen.

Thanks, be to God! Our total absence of wisdom about things eternal, can be relieved by God's generous willingness to lead us.

The Peace

Choose life, and you will find peace. Choose unity, and you will discover that our differences make us stronger, not weaker. In unity and holy love, choose life this day, as you share the peace of Christ with one another.

Invitation to the Offering

Dear God, Source of light and love, all things belong to you. You generously share with us the blessings of home, food, friends, and life itself. May we offer a portion of what you have given us in our morning’s offering. May our gifts and joyful service strengthen your church, that we may share good news and compassion with those in need. "Of course, our Faith counts for nothing unless it makes a difference. Relieving the daily burden of others is an outplaying of God's love around us.

We have been blessed to be a blessing to the world. May the gifts we dedicate and offer you this day, bless a world in need, not only with our material resources, but with our very selves. Amen.

Hymn TIS 242:  “I danced in the morning when the world was begun” All about following the lead of the One who understands the melody.

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Readings: ​​​Genesis 12: 1-4a. Romans 4:1-5,13-17. John 3:1-17

​The Genesis reading provided the base story of Abram having the faith to follow God's instruction. It was a matter of believing that God had a plan, which while being part of God's greater plan was also for the good of Abram and his family. Romans and John both speak about that faith or utter belief that God's plans are to bring us a life that is just not new but on a different level. Look up Jeremiah 29:11 for an explicit statement of that intent.

Preaching of the Word - We Know. . . Nothing - John 3:1-17

John spoke about the reading from John. He made many cogent points but something that resonated with me related to Nicodemus' statement : "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God..." which I had always seen as a sign of the man's insight but what he was really saying was that past that introduction, Jesus mystified him. Rev. John reminded us - and most of us are of advanced years and have been thinking over these issues all that time -  if we find ourselves thinking we have it all under control and we know what it's all about, we should stop right there.

My spin on that is that we should open ourselves to hear the melody of the creator: we should open ourselves to bring remade, even at this stage of our lives: we should be willing to trust utterly in the path that is opened before us.

Hymn TIS 155: “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder” God's authority to guide us through an authentic existence stands right before us in his creation.

Intercessory Prayers​

​Rev. John prayed for all the created world which was made in an act of love and which we have willfully destroyed and misused. This world where we have failed to show care or creative thinking. Where we have failed to share with all people. He prayed for all who are in terrible circumstances; all those who lack the necessities of life: people with psychiatric illness or an addiction, that each would find God. John prayed for peace between nations and that all will turn to the Source of everything for Salvation. John asked for healing for the sick, friendship for the lonely, and comfort for the dying and that we will learn to love each other as we ought. After that we joined in the Lord’s Prayer.

Hymn TIS 658: “I the Lord of sea and sky,” God has only us to carry out his work here where we live so hands up for the job ahead.

Benediction

​​​Go now in the sure knowledge that God goes with you every step of your journey. Go to be a blessing to everyone you meet. Go, surrounded by the steadfast and strengthening love of God. Go in faith to love and to serve God’s people wherever you go. Amen.

Hymn TIS 778: “Shalom to you” To everyone who exists, I wish the very best of all that our Lord has to offer. Amen.

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 5 March 2107

I was unable to attend today's service but was fortunate to have John's notes, so I could enjoy the service at home and think on it.

Call to Worship - (Mary J Scifres, Abingdon 2016)

​​Vulnerable and naked, we came into this world. Vulnerable and naked, God came to us on that long-ago Christmas morn. Let us come into God’s presence, vulnerable and naked in spirit, knowing that we are safe and secure here.

​In the wilderness of life, we are not alone.

​God is with us, even in the midst of our loneliness.

​On the treacherous paths, God’s guidance is ours.

​We will walk in God’s ways of wisdom and truth.

​Come to hear. Come to learn. Come to the hiding place of God.

​Here we find grace. Here we find love. Here we will worship and pray.

I have copied The Call to Worship in full because I think it encapsulates much of our situation before God.

I'm also very aware of the details of the crucifixion at this time. God has always reached out in love to us but our response has often been unbelievably ungrateful and unappreciative. Sometimes we reject his offer outright and at other times we think that we can improve upon it. But when Jesus offered his whole life, to teach, to heal, to guide, to be an example to us in how to live a whole life: when he set us free from the shackles of "should" and "ought" into a life of freedom and liberty our response was not only unbelievable but also monstrous. We killed him! And if he came again today we would do it again. We are so blind and weak!

Hymn 119: “I sing the almighty power of God” stresses the almighty creative power, obvious in the environment around us: the same creative power which can transform us and lead us on a straight, steady path but instead of admitting our vulnerability and opening ourselves to the life-giving work of the Creator of everything, we become defensive, close down and prevent grace from entering in to heal and nurture.

John's Opening Prayer

"​Faithful God, strengthen us for the journey ahead. Guide us with your knowledge and your love. Send your Spirit to drive us and guide us where we need to go— ever-closer to you and to your ways through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord Amen."

Goes to the essence: 'closer to you'. That's where we find that peace that we search everywhere else for.

And what a world it would be if everyone who lived could admit their vulnerability, open themselves to be healed and draw close to one who is Light and Love, so that we could all say, every minute of every day:

As we have been loved faithfully, let us share this love with one another.

Peace be with you!

And also with you!        What  a world it would be!

Hymn 412: “God sends us his Spirit” speaks of the way we become aware of God with us. Through the Comforter. Stay still and quiet and you will know the presence which gives assurance that you are loved and cared for. And when it happens, the world changes.

These words in the Communion Service: "Are you hungry for God? Come to the bread of life. Are you in need of forgiveness? Come to the table of grace. Are you empty and alone? Come to the feast of love. Come, even when naked and vulnerable, for here we are covered with abundant grace and filled with the goodness of God." are an invitation that is not only true for the table to which all are invited but to the grace which is offered freely at all times to all people.

We don't have to beg. God is generously offering all this and more. The readings:  ​​​Genesis 2: 15-17; 3:1-7:​​​ Romans 5: 12-21 and Matthew 4:1-11. All focus on sin, its introduction into the world, and Jesus dealing with it.

​I think about this a lot. Firstly, many so called sins are really a breach of some cultural rule about which God is not concerned. My thought is that God is not like we are - offended at the slightest thing - but saddened at the space that is put between us and that Love he is, by our attitudes that shape our behaviour. We don't seek forgiveness to avoid some penalty, we are asking to come back to that closeness with God that is our true place and which we forego through seeking our own selfish way.

In his sermon, John spoke clearly about this:

"This is the matter of our spiritual nature, of our soul, which is the essence of life. It is to this aspect of our human nature, which marks our relationship with our Creator, the Eternal One, that we honour and strive to keep alive. But there will be many occasions when body and soul make a journey into the wilderness.  From birth to the time of our return to God, we will have ample opportunities to experience a journey that will lead us into and, hopefully, out of life's wilderness.

We are called to view our journeys into the wilderness, or wilderness wanderings, as times of testing, as times in which God prepares us for a task. We may also view the wilderness as a place where the spiritual strength and stamina of our souls is refined and strengthened. Life’s wilderness experiences do test our faith. We are exhorted to resist temptation from the power of sin and evil forces that seek to dominate our lives.

More to the point, our faith is tested to see if we are anchored in God's authority and ultimate power. And as Christians, in the wilderness, we recognize the triumph of Jesus Christ over the power of sin and death-Jesus Christ who in human form experienced times of testing and temptation just like we do.

And later: "How do we find our way out of the wilderness? Jesus' experience in the wilderness is the key. Our Lord's experience demonstrates that there are spiritual tools available to us as we go through the wilderness. These tools are prayer, fasting, and scripture."

The last hymns : Hymn 569: “Guide me, O my great Redeemer" and Hymn 779: “May the feet of God walk with you” and the benediction all focused on the way to tread a true path: by staying close to that which is Love, Light and Peace.

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Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 26 February 2017

The heading for today's service was "Shone like the Sun" and we were called to worship with the words: "Transfigured by light, Jesus was changed. James, John and Peter saw it and were changed. Come away to the mountaintop; be still, be yourself, be who God intends you to be. Be changed."

Of course there were other perspectives which were explored but the one that evoked the most unambiguous response in me was the image of God's holiness as untarnished, light: the Shekinah: God is present.

This shining presence was the focus of all three Bible Readings: the first from Exodus 24.12-18, where God appears to Moses in the cloud which was necessary to cover that glory so that Moses would survive. The next was from 2 Peter 1.16-21 referring to God's presence as Jesus was proclaimed the "Beloved". The last reading was from Matthew 17: 1-9 which describes how the  experience of God's presence manifested itself to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.

On all these occasions the experience for those whom it touched was well out of anything that they could easily cope with. When God is present it is unmistakable. It cannot be ignored. There must be an authentic response.

The hymns, too, reflected the same theme, with the first, Hymn 102, while not mentioning light, spoke of the formless nature of God, surging where it will. Hymn 675 was more specific, praying for God's radiant light of love to shine on us, while Hymn 602 also linked God's love with his light, asking that the blaze of God's light will restore the light we give to others. Hymn 268 continued the exuberant mood speaking of the joy that God's light brings with it and then Hymn 780 was a prayer bringing us to the logical conclusion that the light that we had thought about and rejoiced in through the service would become ours and show in our eyes. Amen to that.

When John delivered his sermon, the point that struck me was that when Jesus was declared the "Beloved", the significance was that we are to follow him. Jesus' light shone brightly and unmistakably.

In Jesus we are given more than a set of rules, we are offered a relationship with the individual true light,

I don't know if John said this, but I heard: Jesus’ light is such that we don't even have to open our eyes. That light is such that it penetrates out hearts and minds, even when our eyes are shut. That penetrating light assures us of God's love and that he is calling us to a new way of living. The question is: Do we want to see?

The Prayers of Intercession were pleas that we all will see: that we all will see the way of light and how to live it in community with each other.

At the conclusion of the service with the events which are recorded as having taken plan on the Mount of Transfiguration in mind, we were sent forth:

​Let us not linger too long on this mountaintop. Go and bear God’s light to a world that longs for peace. May God our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter walk with us now and forevermore. May the blessing of that same God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 5 and 12 February 2017

Today I am offering notes and reflections on two services. This has came about because of pressure of other responsibilities. I hope I can return to something more regular in the future. Margaret.

Marsden Road Uniting Church: Sunday February 5.

John began with an appeal to our God for us to be enabled to be his hands and voice in this world, providing for and comforting those who hunger and thirst, both physically and spiritually. He acknowledged our call to shine God's light and grace out to others, spreading joy and asked that we be freed from our fears so as to include everyone, even those who may not be easily accepted by everyone. He prayed that the joy of God's friendship, will be visible to others.

He then confessed, on our behalf, that we don't always live up to our mission and asked for forgiveness, so we will take His message at face value and do exactly what we have been told to do without any diluting to make things more comfortable for us. He asked that our eyes be opened wide.

That way we won't be able to avoid the seriousness of our commission. By this time in the service I was feeling most disturbed. We promise so much and deliver so little by comparison with the expectations of our commission. Sometimes I think it would be better if Christians weren't such nice people. We become so comfortable in our own congregation, we forget our real mission is to build the Kingdom.

Then the declaration of forgiveness.  God's hand of reconciliation is always extended. We can start again. With thanks.

Having been reconciled we extended that peace to those near us. Will we be able to remember to continue to spread that peace after we leave each other today and go into the week?

Our first act to do so was to gather the offering and pray: "Generous God, you shower us with blessings and call us to share. Thank you for this opportunity to shine your light into the world through our work of justice and compassion. We pray and live in the name of your true light, Jesus Christ. Amen".

 Hymn 474: “Here in this place new light is streaming”​​​   Continued our focus in this theme.

The service of Holy Communion which followed, reminded us of why we meet each week and of the basis for our ability to act in God's name. It highlighted the love of Jesus and his resolute mission to turn the world upside down, that humankind would, at last, focus on what is the authentic message of God. That service also opened our hearts and minds to the need to maintain our relationship with God and each other, all evoking great thankfulness within us.

All we can do in response is humble ourselves in simple thanks:

Prayer after Communion

Holy God, we came to this table scarred by regrets and broken dreams, anxious about many things, knowing that we are not immune to evil's lure. And you met us at this table; embracing us in our brokenness, naming us "beloved", claiming us for eternity. We thank you, living, loving God. Amen.

The First Reading: ​​​Isaiah 58: 1-12.  Gospel Reading: ​​​​Matthew 5:13-20.

John spoke very clearly to us about the fact that we know quite well the message of God but that we don't really want to hear it. I have heard Christian leaders speak of the need to be "sensible" when sharing generously in God's name. We wouldn't want to "go without" ourselves would we? That's exactly what we are called upon to do. Jesus said that he is The Way. He has shown us how to live but do we do it? None of our time, energy or possessions belongs to us. It all belongs to God.

And so do we. "You shall be Holy, for I the Lord your God am Holy." is in the Lectionary readings for February 19. That asks us to be remade in the image of God. Wholly.

Now back to John:

So, the next question is easy to ask and hard to answer. What are we going to do about it?

Hymn 655: “Jesus Christ is waiting” The message continues. We have to respond.

Marsden Road Uniting Church: February 12th February 2017

John introduced the service: ​God invites us to choose life this day. Could it really be that simple? Could the vast majority of our uncertainties, our insecurities, our gut-wrenching angst fade away if we simply decided to choose life today? The hardest things in life are the least complicated. Choose life.

He then spoke of the joy of walking daily with God. He spoke of the value of God's teaching as our shelter from the uncertainties of life: as our guide to authentic life.

​Blessed are those who choose life.

John then prayed that we be guided into that authentic life, that we will be able to walk straight without too many of our usual mistakes and stumbles. He asked that we be spiritually fed, so that our faith will grow as our foundation for spreading the joy of believing to others.

We were then constrained by our conscience as much as the Order of Service, to confess that we haven't been true to our mission and John, on our behalf, prayed for forgiveness. He pleaded that we be given Grace to make wise decisions and through God's Spirit to follow tight paths.

John then made the Declaration of Forgiveness​ and urged that we: "Choose life this day and live." Then all that was left was to give "Thanks to God!"

The Peace: It followed that we act: Choose life, and you will find peace. Choose unity, and you will discover that our differences make us stronger, not weaker. In unity and holy love, choose life this day, as you share the peace of Christ with one another. Peace be with you! And also with you!

Readings: Deuteronomy 30: 15 invites us to choose life by following God’s directions for our lives. God’s directions for living and loving are written on our hearts. How can anything be written on our hearts?  (An allusion to the method of writing at the time.)

Jesus commands us to love one another as he loves us – and he communicates that love to our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit and he wants us to communicate that love to other people. So – a way of describing that is saying that his love is written on our hearts – to stay there forever.

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9

And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. (Quarreling about whom to follow)

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Matthew 5: 21-37

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement. But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire.

John focused on anger: "At the heart of our Lord’s teaching today is a clear concern for the damage we can cause through our anger, our tendency to abuse and defile precious relationships and the harm we cause when we compromise precious trusts and commitments..relationships … I am convinced that this is what our Gospel lesson is really addressing. We create a precious trust when we enter a meaningful relationship with another … within our family and circle of friends, at our workplace, and certainly within our congregation."

Then the prayer after the Offering said it all: May the gifts we bring before you this day be signs of our commitment to choose life, as we walk in your ways and grow united in your Son, Jesus. May the offering we share with a hurting world bring the blessings of life and the happiness of friendship. Amen.

And to complete the service: Hymn 780: “May light come into your eyes”

Sunday Service Marsden road Unting Church 29 January 2017

A Lovely Walk

Call to Worship - (B. J. Beu, Abingdon 2016)

​​Who is able to stand in the face of the storm and not be moved? Who is able to kneel before the Lord and not be put to shame? Those who walk blamelessly and speak truthfully with gentleness from their whole heart. Those who are not afraid to appear foolish in the pursuit of peace.

​What does the Lord require of you?

​To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.

​With what shall we come before the Lord?

​With speech that is gentle, and words that build up.

​With actions that bring peace, and works that lift up the lowly.

​Come, let us worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth.

​All are welcome here!

Hymn TIS 454: "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness"

Opening prayer

​​Let the hills hear your voice, O Lord, let the mountains quake before you. Let all who call on your name walk in the ways of righteousness and peace. Let all who look to you for help be blameless and do what is right. May our words be gentle and may our hearts be free from guile and deceit. May our actions be rooted in justice and mercy, and may we be known as peace makers, the blessed children of God. Amen.

A Prayer of Confession

John prayed on our behalf, admitting that when life gets too big for us, we seek blessings for ourselves rather than looking after the needs of others. He confessed, for us, how we react to what others do rather than act in God's name. When wounded by the actions and words of others we seek approval rather than being a blessing for others.

"Fill us with a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, that we may be pure in heart, merciful and kind, and walk humbly in your ways. Amen."

Declaration of Forgiveness​

The God who blessed us to be a blessing is stronger than our weaknesses, and greater than our failings. Even when we fall short, God’s love embraces us and sets us on our feet again.

Thanks, be to God!

The Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. As God’s beloved children, let us share the peace of Christ with those around us.

Offering Prayer

God of mercy and compassion, may these offerings be for the world: peace and justice, love and kindness, comfort and hope; may these offerings be for our church: honour and openness, gratitude and thankfulness, inspiration and expectation. Blessed are those who seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Amen

Hymn TIS 146: "God, who made the earth" (Beechwood)

Bible Readings.                 ​                   

Micah 6: 1-8 Hear what the Lord has to say. He has taken you out of the land of slavery and been with you all through your history. Remember. What will I do? Will I bring burnt offerings? Will I make sacrifices?

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

     and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

     and to walk humbly with your God?"

​​​​​​1 Corinthians 1: 18-31.  For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are...

Matthew 5: 1- 12. 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down; 3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.’

Preaching of the Word  ​​A Lovely Walk - Micah 6:1-8

​​​In the book of Micah, the Lord is structured and methodical. The Lord tells Israel everything that is on God’s mind. The Lord gives exact, historical details of what the Lord has done for them. The Lord reminds the people how God has never left them, not one time. The Lord brought them up out of Egypt, redeemed them from a life of slavery, gave them leaders, and protected them! There is no question of the Lord’s presence and action in their lives.

​​​Yet the nation Israel has forgotten they are in a covenantal relationship; they have gone astray and not repented. The Lord demands their loyalty and love; they are estranged from the Lord. God reminds Israel of the Lord’s saving acts that they may again enter a right relationship. The Lord reminds them of what has been done on their behalf and how they thrive when they follow the Lord’s ways. The Lord understands the people. God knows that they will try to make God happy, and that they will try to do so in ways that they have been told are wrong...

​​​​​​Today, as New Testament people, we may think that these requirements have been replaced by the cross. Yet, if injustice, poverty, and oppression exist in our world, we need to be reminded of the Lord’s words. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly. Three small phrases perhaps, but they carry the weight of the Torah and the New Testament alike. O mortals, human beings, why should we try to offer more than what is asked for when, even now, we cannot give the minimum the Lord has required?

These are three paragraphs of John's sermon. They are the ones that came home to me most particularly. We forget what God has done for us. We forget that he is wise and we are not. We forget that it has been his wisdom that has made our lives blessed and we try to go our own way.

We need to remember to abide by his teaching.

Hymn TIS 618: "What does the Lord require"

Music to lead us to prayer

Intercessory Prayers​

​In his prayer John prayed for the needs of all people, particularly those who exist in harsh situations, through no fault of their own but through the fault of people who are seeking their own advancement. He prayed for Godly leadership and then prayed for our congregations and the needs of those known to our congregation who need special support at this time. We then joined in The Lord's Prayer.

Hymn TIS 448: "Blest are the pure in heart"

Benediction

​​​Seek justice and discover God’s blessings. We go forth to walk humbly before our God.

​​​Practise kindness and touch Christ’s presence within. We go forth to follow the way of peace.

​​​Share mercy and abide in the Holy Spirit. We go forth in the footsteps of compassion.

Go into this week blessed by the assurance of God’s care inspired by the presence of Jesus Christ              energised by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Hymn  TIS 778: “Shalom to you now,”