Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 27 April 2014

 

Call to Worship

Leader: Come to worship Jesus Christ, risen forever.

All:       Come to rejoice in life born out of death.

Leader: Come to grasp hope in the face of fear.

All:       Come to find forgiveness for our sins.

Leader: Come to release your doubts into the very presence of God.

All:        Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Following this, Hugh led us through a time of challenge and invitation to renewal, singing the next Hymn 156 "Morning has broken", alerting us to the possibilities of the joys of committing ourselves anew to our relationship with God.

Then he led us in a Prayer of Praise, asking God to raise us to new life, releasing us from the distractions of daily life, that hide Him from us.

We were then Called to Confession, asking us whether we had allowed the Easter season to make any difference in our lives. Are we living a life of hope and promise? Or are we holding back in fear?  Then an invitation was given to confess our sins. We confessed that we had not been trusting in God but had been content with the ways things are, excusing ourselves from taking action and remaining in our comfort zone. For this we asked forgiveness and that God would "Catch us up into the dance of his Holy Spirit, so that we may find hope and others find happiness through us."

Hugh then assured us, "Let it be declared! In the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, our sins are forgiven."

The Offering was then received as a way of showing the healing generosity that Jesus showed in the sacrifice of his life.

Stephen then brought us the Readings:  1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31. Peter tells us of the hope for the future through our new birth - our reason to rejoice. John tells us of Jesus' appearance to the disciples after the resurrection, not chastising them for their disloyalty or cowardice but offering them peace. Even when Thomas refused to believe without touching Jesus' wounds there was no condemnation.

In his Sermon, Hugh highlighted Jesus' love for his disciples, forgiving them for their fear and showing enormous confidence in them, granting them authority in this world. Hugh told us of all those emotions the disciples were suffering, hiding away, avoiding trouble from the people around them. Emotions just like those we experience: failure, betrayal, confusion, disappointment, shame and guilt - lots of it. But Jesus went straight past all that to forgiveness. And that's how God responds to all our failures. Forgiveness and a plan to move on. We can rely on God for that. There's no need to run away and hide. He will forgive and help us start again. But it means we have to accept our mission to forgive and forgive, showing the world God's love.

This theme of being forgiven and moving on to the next step in God's plan for us was expressed in the next Hymn 687 "God gives us a future” charging us to leave behind our failings and look for the signs God leaves for us to follow.

Delma then led us in Prayers for the People, thanking God for answered prayer, and went on to pray for those we care about, pleading for peace in all those countries which are being torn apart by warfare and civil strife. She prayed for the decision makers in the government and the church and for those who come to the aid of people in distress. Then she asked for God's healing hand on those known to us who are sick and asked us to join in The Lord's Prayer.

And how to achieve all this? Hymn 745 "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" and all we need will be given to us.

 

Benediction

Go from this community of disciples with hope that overcomes your fears and doubts.

Go with the promise of new life. Go for God. Go with Christ. Go in the Spirit.

And the peace of the Risen Christ be with you now and forever! Amen.

Hymn 720 "Halle, Halle, Halle-lujah.

 

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 20 April 2014

“Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other; born in our darkness, he became our brother.

If we have seen him we have seen the Father: Glory to God on high!”

After leaving the Good Friday Service with the words of this 1968 hymn by Rev. Fred Pratt Green to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus in becoming human and dying for our sins, it was good to return this morning to rejoice together on Easter Sunday Morning.  After the Call to Worship

Hymn  TiS 370                                   Christ the Lord is risen today

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!   Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!  Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

The robust hymns written by Charles Wesley so long ago still stir our hearts and souls to be active and eager in our adoration and worship.  Grahame and Mavis really enjoyed playing this hymn!

Prayers of Adoration & Confession  These responsive prayers challenged us about the times we doubt or deny God and distance ourselves through sin; to become overwhelmed and feel separated from His Love. 

Then the amazing solution! No-one but you, Jesus, no-one but you!

Love poured out on that cruel cross, a blood offering so we might go free.

Love poured out, infusing this world with rivers of grace and hope of rebirth.

Love poured out, and into these hearts, who drink from a stream that never runs dry

Halleluia!   Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed!

May this prayer of ours resound not only in these walls but touch the lives of all we meet and forever be the truth of which we speak.  Halleluia!  Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed! Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Offering / Prayer  Carolyn and Colin were helped with the offering by Charlie and Oliver and Hugh asked for God’s Blessing on our gifts.

Children’s Address:  Hugh tackled the difficult task of explaining the true message of Easter to young children.  He did this gently and thoughtfully, without spoiling the fun of a degree of chocolate indulgence, caused by the somewhat confusing “commercial” message of bunnies laying chocolate eggs.

Bible Reading:                                  Psalm 118:14-24 Page 457    Matthew 28:1-10 Page 755

Terry read the Psalm which seems to have foretold how the death and resurrection of Jesus might change our lives if we truly believe.  “With his right hand the Lord does mighty deeds, the right hand of the Lord raises up.  I shall not die but live to proclaim the works of the Lord.”

Matthew’s Gospel presents the most dramatic version of the resurrection with details of “A violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven; he came to the stone and rolled it away and sat himself down on it.”   No wonder the guards shook with fear and passed out!  No wonder the angel needed to tell “the women” there was nothing to fear – that must have been a great challenge for them to remain calm while being told by an angel that Jesus had risen from the dead!

Hymn TiS 526                                    Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us

Patrick Appleford wrote hymns in the style of 1950s popular music in order to take the Gospel message to the younger people of that time.  But this wonderful hymn has made the difficult transition from acceptance as a contemporary hymn - to become a “traditional” hymn.  It was written for Holy Communion and tells the story of; “The Christ, Mary’s Son, who was born as one of us and who died and conquered the grave to set us free. The last verse takes up a theme of the first - as the living Lord has come to us so we would come to him.”

Reflection:                                         “Resurrected Christ”

Hugh began his reflection by painting a funny picture of how we might react if, while buying petrol for our car, we saw a person, presumed to be dead and lying in the back of a hearse; sit up and look out the window and watch us with lively interest.  

After all the grief of the crucifixion, the nerves of Mary and the other women and Peter and the other disciples must have been just about at breaking point by Sunday morning.    Although they had been told that Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day, it was obvious that nobody had allowed that impossible thought to penetrate their minds. 

What happened that first Easter is an amazing story and I think I would have been like Thomas, who continues to get “bad press” for needing proof of the resurrection of the man who stood alive before him after the agonizing death on the cross - claiming to be Jesus.  Hugh told us that once he had “proof” Thomas had devoted his life to being a missionary in India until his death. 

In telling us of the profound effect the resurrection had upon the disciples, Hugh reminded us that; “Just before Christ was crucified Simon Peter denied publicly that he even knew Christ and yet, a mere seven weeks later on the day of Pentecost, Peter told the story of Christ’s death and resurrection with such conviction and power that three thousand people became believers (Acts 2:41).”   I am imagining the challenge of standing up in front of 3,000 people to convince them they can have eternal life because a man had risen from the dead.  Yet I have the benefit of the weight of witnesses to the power of faith in the resurrection, through 20 centuries of believers!

Later in the narrative of Matthew: 28, there is a story of how the chief priests gave the soldiers a large sum of money to say that the disciples came during the night and stole Jesus’ body while they were asleep.  As Hugh noted; the belief or not of this “stolen body scenario”, describes the major difference between Christians and the rest of the world, over the person Jesus Christ.

Hugh finished his reflection with passion; “This is not propaganda, dear friends. This is not a myth. It is not a story fabricated to deceive. This is the jumbled testimony of actual witnesses to the most amazing event in history. These witnesses to Christ’s resurrection recorded their testimony with all the doubts of their friends and the accusations of their enemies.

The point is… after they saw the resurrected Christ, these disciples were completely transformed. They moved from doubting and fearful to dynamic and vigorous in their witness to the resurrection … Let us not forget, not even for a second. ‘We live because He died, and we live eternally because he lived again.’  Yes. Christ is risen!  The Lord is risen indeed!” 

Prayers of Intercession:  Hugh prayed for all people throughout the world; In the name of Christ our Lord, who defeated death that we might live through his great love in dying for us and for our sins.  He prayed for the church and for unity among leaders and congregations, working together to spread hope in a world where there is much despair and suffering.  He asked that the comfort of the Risen Lord and the Easter message would touch the hearts and lives of all people, those known to us as well as those whose circumstances we don’t personally understand.  Hugh asked us to gather our prayers and praises into one and say the Lord’s Prayer together.

Communion                           Served in the pews by Elaine, Pat, Colin and Carolyn

It was very pleasing to share in Holy Communion on Easter Morning, with the Prayer after Communion said together, summing up our experience and our future tasks.

Thank you, O Christ, for this feast of life. We are fed by your love; we are strengthened by your life.

We are sent forth into this world to live your way and share your joy.

We are now commissioned to: feed as we have been fed, forgive as we have been forgiven, love as we have been loved.  Thanks be to God. Amen. 

Hymn TiS 390                        Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks ...

“Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord, alleluia, alleluia, give praise to his name.”  This is the best known of the hymns written by Composer - Lyricist: Donald Emry Fishel and it is easy to understand why the gentle swinging rhythm and words please the singers of this hymn of rejoicing.

The Benediction & Blessing 

We were sent out to be confident and full of renewed hope and trust in the transforming love of God, followed by the Blessing: “And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide now and forever.”                           Amen.

Hymn TiS 720                        Halle, Halle, Halle-lujah

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 13 April 2014

 

 

Call to Worship

Leader:

The story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem

tells us that after his celebrated arrival

He went to the Temple and looked around at everything.

As we gather here for worship today, may it be

with a sense that Jesus has walked in too, and is looking around.

People:

May our eyes be open to see Him,

May our hearts be ready to be seen by Him,

May our worship be worthy of His presence,

And may we be transformed

so that we see the world through His eyes.

Leader:

Let us worship God our Father.

The Lord be with you.

People:

And also with you.

HymnTIS161 "Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!" A song of triumphant praise. We should start each day with one of these, life would take on a totally different hue.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession. Hugh's prayer referenced the triumphant ride into Jerusalem and the shout of the crowd, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", and asked that, "our enthusiastic presence contribute to a world-wide recognition that (God) is indeed. the King of all". He then confessed our many sins and begged forgiveness for them, assuring us that we were forgiven.

Offering Once again our youngest members collected the offering which was dedicated to the work of God in our community.

Hymn TIS 256 "From Heaven you came" (vv. 1, 3 & 4) The first verse of this hymn teaches us a lesson, that if everyone heeded it, the world would be a vastly different place. Jesus came to serve,  not to be served. The outcome was our redemption. Our service cannot bring such a life-changing and world-changing effect but we can make a huge difference. But the more people who expect to be served, the worse humanity will be.

Readings John 12: 12 - 18; Philippians 2: 5 - 8 read by Joyce.

The reading in John was the story of Jesus' triumphant ride into Jerusalem and the people's marvelling at the works he had done. It looked as though things were done and dusted but the threat it raised in the minds of the Pharisees was to spell out the end of Jesus' life on Earth. Even people who are simply good and upright in their dealings can have such an effect. If you get in the way of the power or wealth of some people simply by being honest, they will find a way to remove you.

Philippians takes us to the next step. Because Jesus emptied himself of all but love, "God also highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name". Good will triumph and absolute good will triumph, absolutely.

Reflection Hugh began by reminding us that the people were so sure of Jesus'  Kingship that they were about to take him physically to make him their king by force. That happened earlier in his ministry and here it is happening again. Hugh then pointed out that when the people shouted   “Hosanna”  it could have also been used as it was to greet military heroes.

Then it could mean, "Save us our King. Protect us and save us from our enemies and oppressors". We all know why the people would have been so motivated - years of rule by foreign powers.

But Jesus came for a different reason - to establish a different kind of kingdom - he came to show "love, grace, forgiveness...he lived for it, suffered and died for it and lived again for it."

I wonder how much we look to Jesus, maybe not for relief from an earthly oppressor but as a way of solving earthly problems. Have we surrendered ourselves to his service or do we expect service from him. Sometimes I think that if I need freeing from an oppressor, then it's from myself.

"This is a life-or-death matter. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour gave up his life for this matter. For us to live his life on earth. Christianity isn't a religion - it's a new way of life"

Quartet Hugh, Malcolm, Grahame and Stephen sang the evocative, "Were you there?" A challenge to us all.

Prayers for the People and the Lord's Prayer Hugh led us in a prayer "For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.”

He prayed for peace in the world, and the welfare of our planet and its peoples. For Carlingford and all other localities. He prayed for all those suffering and in need and for our own church and its ministry. And then we joined in the Lord's Prayer, praying as the Lord taught us.

Hymn TIS 648 "Help us accept each other" vv. 1, 3 & 4 Another lesson in Christian living. We are accepted by God, himself. We have nothing to recommend us. That acceptance is full and free. Pass it on - that's all we can and should do.

Benediction

May the Lord bless us and protect us.

May the Lord smile on us and be gracious to us.

May the Lord show us his favour and give us his peace.

 

And the Blessing of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit abide with you, now and always.

 

Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 6 April 2014

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

Call to Worship

Leader: From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lord.

People: Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help!

Leader: If you kept a record of our sins, who could escape being condemned?

People: But you forgive us, so that we should stand in awe of you.

Leader: I wait eagerly for the Lord's help, and in his word I trust.

People: I wait for the Lord more eagerly than sentries wait for the dawn.

Leader: Israel, trust in The Lord, because his love is constant and he is always willing to save.

People: He will save his people Israel from all their sins.

Hugh then said a word about the musicians, Grahame, Roger and Andrew, who lead the music each week, and Warwick, the teckie, who delivers the PowerPoint, for the sacrificial nature of the service they offer to the rest of the congregation. They rarely can enjoy or even benefit from the service because they are too busy seeing that the correct music and screen support is delivered at the right time. Our thanks to them.

 Hymn TIS 72 "From all who dwell below the skies" A song of pure praise from all creation. Hallelujah. And amen to that! Our mothers spent so much time teaching us to say "Thank you." You would think we would realise that we had to do at least that for each gift that comes to us minute by minute. If we did, we might even think to give praise as well, for each amazing thing that comes our way, rather than thinking "it just is".

Prayer of Adoration and Confession. Hugh prayed to our Lord who is beyond all comprehension and all wisdom, that the morning would be a time of awakening for the complacent, a time of companionship for the lonely, a time of insight for the confused, a time of release for the guilty, a time of healing for those who ache and are ill and a time of new life for all people.

"We praise your name...we celebrate your presence...we will show your love to the world..."

"We...confess our sins...we have sinned against you and our neighbour. Forgive our sins and restore us again to your image..." Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering  The youngest members of our congregation collected the offering and Hugh dedicated it to the work of revealing the Kingdom.

Hymn TIS 655 "O Let the Son of God enfold you" Life can bring its sorrow and its hardship. We  sense our own failings and lack of understanding. This hymn says it all.

 Bible Readings: Laurel read to us from John 11: 1 - 8; 25 - 36. This reading covers the time when Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus saying that their brother was dying. Jesus did not go to them immediately and even when he announced that he was going to go, his disciples reminded him of the hostile reception he had received there from the Jews previously. He went and received a remonstration from Martha, who said that if Jesus had been there her brother would not have died. Jesus' reply was that her brother would rise again and then went on to tell her that, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live..." That's certainly worth our praise!

 Reflection Hugh began his reflection with a reference to the death of "Mr. Hooper" from "Sesame Street".  The staff discussed how to tell their very young audience and after engaging child-development experts, worked the announcement into the script of an episode. The point of Hugh's "parable" was the punch line "when people die, they don't come back." As Hugh said, the Psalmist put his finger on the heart of it: As for man, his days are like the grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more."

"In our Christian faith, however, death is not the end of life; death is the beginning of a new life and a new living"

Hugh told us that Jesus has gone before to prepare a new home for us: that God wants to take us out of all that causes our suffering here and give us a new start.

Hugh then referred to the story of Lazarus, saying, Jesus wept for his own loss but also wept with the people in their grief and loss. In the same way, Jesus is with each of us, right next to us, in all that we suffer.

To go to Martha and Mary, Jesus had to risk being killed but he did so to be able to share their pain. And when we are in pain, Jesus is there sharing that pain with us, if we will let him.

Hymn The Summons: "Will you follow me if I but call your name?" A challenge to us all to commit ourselves anew (or for the first time) to the call of God. He doesn't promise an easy path. In fact, in this hymn, the hardships which are predicted require a sure faith in God.

Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer Joan led this part of our service. It is important part because it gives an opportunity for one of us to bring the current concerns of the congregation to the Lord. Joan thanked God for the strength he gives us to cope with life's harder experiences. She mentioned, in particular, the terrible events in the news - the earthquake; the lost plane (presumed crashed) and other disasters. Joan thanked God for the support we are given which allows us to support others and gave thanks for God's love that comes to us through life's experiences. While acknowledging that we can speak with God all through the day at home, she gave thanks for the extra strength that praying as a church gives. Joan prayed on our behalf for those known to us who need God's support and asked for God's help in finding someone to be our minister. We then joined in The Lord's Prayer.

 

Communion

The Peace:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Preparation of the Table

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this bread to set before you, which earth has given and which human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God forever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation: through your goodness we have this wine to set before you, fruit of the vine AND work of human hands. It will become for us the CUP of our salvation.

Blessed be God forever.

The Spirit of The Lord is with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to The Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.

 Prayer Hugh then prayed, thanking and praising God for His Son and all creation. He thanked God that his Son came to live amongst us, and died for us, rising to a new life, fulfilling the Father's promise.

"Therefore with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, forever praising you and saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of The Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer

Hugh prayed to God, the source of all holiness, that by his power, the bread and wine would become to us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Let us proclaim our faith.

Christ has died: Christ has risen: Christ will come again.

The Distribution

 

The Prayer after Communion

We thank you for the sacrifice you made for us and that, now as members of Christ's body we become his agents in the world, being a blessing to those around us. 

Hymn TIS 409 "O breath of life" A prayer for renewal, confessing our need and acknowledging our awareness of the task before us.

Benediction:  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord

Sunday Service Marsden Road Unitng Church 30 March 2014

 

Stephen welcomed Ace Kim and the other members of the OneHeart congregation who had come to take the service.

Ace then spoke to us of his journey from the time he was at Epping West UC and his vision that led him to his ordination and his leadership of the OneHeart congregation which is meeting at Eastwood UC at the moment. He told of seeing our lovely church and feeling the presence of God around it and how he was glad to be finally worshipping with us.

He spoke of the service that was to follow being different and probably louder than we are used to but hoped that we would be able to glorify God through it. He added that the beauty of God is everywhere, that we are all the children of God and thanked the young people for their passion in expressing their love of God.

Hymn "Amazing Grace" sung a little differently; differently enough to make the meaning leap out anew. Are we still amazed? Are we even still thankful?

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Grace led us in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, our mighty Lord, who offers love and forgiveness to all and who is clear for all to see in his amazing creation. On our behalf she gave thanks that Jesus, the Son, had come to save us and was present with us. She asked for God's forgiveness for the guilt which we confessed for our constant foolishness and gave thanks that we can approach boldly, confident that we will be renewed and refreshed. Grace asked that we should be challenged in our mission to serve in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Ace declared: your sins are forgiven

Offering In a reference to his children, Ace reminded us that we come into this world with nothing and everything we have is a gift from God. After our offering was gathered by our "very young people" Ace offered it back to God for his work out of the abundance of his great blessing.

Hymn "Lord I lift up your name on high, Lord I love to sing your praises.

            I'm so glad you're in my life, I'm so glad you came to save us."

When we sing hymns, are we motivated as the author of this hymn was, or are we motivated in some other way or do we just sing?.sometimes it's just good to rethink our position.

 

This was followed by a video clip of the work of the OneHeart ministry showing the diversity of nationalities and age groups who worship together and their various activities including work in the community.

Heng then gave his Testimony of being quite opposed to Christianity and also of being tongue-tied in company. Then he became very attached to a young lady who unfortunately did not want to continue their friendship. Heng became very depressed and cried and cried. His mother, who was a Christian, handed him a bible and told him to open it anywhere and read. He read the story of the man born blind and the questions Jesus was asked about whose fault it was. Jesus' answer was that it was not the fault of anyone but that God should be glorified. He saw the parallel with his own situation and so started his Christian journey. Then he became involved in OneHeart and in no time he was able to speak freely in social situations and now is able to work for the OneHeart group, a changed man.

Bible Reading Val brought the reading to us: Psalm 23: We all know it well. Often we hear it at funerals but it has more to say than our relationship with God at our dying. It speaks of our lifelong walk with him and the many blessing he heaps upon us during that journey.

Reflection

Ace spoke to us, confessing his ignorance of the role of a shepherd until well into adulthood. He knew God was his shepherd and that meant that he was his guide and leader and protector but it was only when he visited an Australian sheep station that he saw a shepherd in action - on a huge property where he couldn't walk its width, it was so big; where the shepherding was done in a ute, bumping over a rough dirt road.

 

 

It was on this farm that Ace found out that sheep are different from a lot of other animals in that they can't defend themselves in any way. They need a leader- they are not only weak but they have no idea of finding their own way. Anything here sound familiar? Yep! All of us! Without our shepherd leading, guiding, supporting and protecting us we all end up in trouble.

Ace then thanked the people at Marsden Road Church for the opportunity to worship and share together. He prayed that the Lord would lead and guide us, pouring out his love and grace to give us strength for our journey.

Hymn When peace, like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll.

           Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well it is well, with my soul.

Amen to that. Whatever comes, God is with us.

Prayers for the People Val led us, praying for God's love and care for those far away, those travelling: for all those in need that they will be given hope and strength and that those who are alone will feel God's presence. She prayed that the worldwide Christian church should serve with love and sensitivity.  Val then prayed for local concerns and for those known to our church who are suffering and in pain.

Ace then blessed us: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

                                   The love of God

                                   And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit

                                   be with you all.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

 

Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 23 March 2014

 

Hugh welcomed us all to the Service and invited the people to greet each other briefly – he soon had to call a halt, saying with a smile; That’s good enough!”

Call to Worship (Responsive reading from Psalm 95)  Beginning: Come, let us praise the LORD!  Let us sing for joy to God, who protects us!  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and sing joyful songs of praise.  For the LORD is a mighty God, a mighty king over all the gods. He rules over the whole earth, from the deepest caves to the highest hills.

Hymn  TiS 52                                                 Let us sing to the God of Salvation!

This hymn of Praise written by Richard Bewes is a real celebration of Psalm 95 and Hugh encouraged us to sing with one side of the church holding and harmonizing the word P-R-A-I-S-E in each line of the chorus while the other side sang:   Praise our Maker, Praise our Saviour, Praise the Lord our everlasting King. Every throne must bow before him, God is Lord of everything!  We were all amazed by the beautiful sounds of Praise that we offered to our God and we could see that Hugh, with his imaginary baton; Malcolm on the piano and Andrew on the organ really enjoyed helping us to make such an harmonious and joyful “noise”.

Prayers of Adoration & Confession          

Our prayer focused on the Grace and Love of God who is with us each day with compassion and guidance and provides brightness for each moment.  We prayed that God’s Spirit will fill our hearts and minds with joy, thanksgiving and praise.

We confessed our personal sins in silence and asked forgiveness for our sins against God and our fellow people. 

Declaration of forgiveness:  “Christ died for us, the sinful. Christ lived again for us, the righteous.

Offering / Prayer  Hugh invited us to express our gratitude to God with our offering and Chris and Chrisanthi and a lovely group of children waited on us and were blessed - along with our gifts.

Children’s Address:  After reminding us we are indeed all God’s children and our Worship will go on to the end of the world, Hugh had us all singing again; this time in a round in four parts.  “Row, Row, Row your boat” never sounded like such fun before and the smallest of the children loved the feeling of community and cooperation.

Hymn TiS 229                                                Jesus loves me this I know

We nostalgically sang this hymn which reminds us all how easy it is to believe - if we don’t complicate and over-think things.  It somehow took us all back to simple child-like faith and belief in the Bible as God’s word.  The children went happily off to “Sunday Kids”.

Bible Reading:                                              John 4:5-26

Malcolm read the well known story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
 

Jesus said; “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never suffer thirst any more.  The water that I give him will be an inner spring always welling up for eternal life.” 



 Reflection:                                                     “Jesus and the Samaritan Woman”

Hugh began the reflection with an explanation of the 40 days of Lent as a time of preparation for Easter by reflecting upon Jesus, his suffering and his ministry, his life, death, burial and resurrection.  He told us that the story about Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel is also part of the journey to his death on the cross.

Hugh shared his fascination about the history of the town of ‘Sychar’ in Israel, where around 300 people still calling themselves Samaritans live today and where Jacob’s Well still marks the place where Jesus stood and had this significant encounter.  There is no dispute about this spot and Samaritans, Muslims, Christians and Jews all agree that this is the place where the story took place.  I agree - it is fascinating to contemplate standing where Jesus stood and it helps me to focus on the significance of this encounter in which Hugh told us Jesus deliberately “crossed the line”.  The line he crossed in speaking to the Samaritan woman was both a racial and a gender line and it broke a very strict taboo to every Jew at that time.  This was a line drawn by the society of the time and it involved the breaking of common law and civil law. 

The most important thing in taking away the real message of this story is to ask ourselves “WHY” so we can grasp the mindset of Jesus and understand the lessons that he wanted to teach the people of his time.  The taboo had grown out of centuries of hostility and unfriendly and worsening attitudes from Jews, who resented the way Samaratins, who were also descendant of Israel, had opened themselves up to the wider world and were no longer of pure Jewish blood.  They were, Hugh told us, receptive and adaptive to different cultures.  Surely a trait that we try to follow today, but in many cultures progress has been depressingly slow as we have experienced, even in our own lifetimes.  Our 11 year old grandson was speechless recently when we talked about Rosa Parks who challenged American society in 1955 and refused to sit at the back of the bus.

No wonder the woman was surprised when Jesus approached her and said; “Hello woman, could you give me a drink?”  No wonder the disciples were “greatly surprised to see Jesus talking to her”, when they returned to the well.

“Authentic evangelism flows from a mindset that acknowledges the ultimate value of people - forgotten people, lost people, wandering people, up-and-outers, down-and outers - all people. The highest value is to love them, serve them, and reach them.” Hugh shared this quote from George G. Hunter, who one of the great modern scholars in evangelism and mission.  Hugh went on to say that he believes Jesus crossed the line to show the people of the time that; “Loving people, helping people and making others happy and acknowledging their value was his mission and his biggest law.”  As we approach Easter we should ponder on the willingness of Jesus to do this even at the expense of his own life.

“Are we able to take up this evangelical challenge at our church in Marsden Road, Carlingford”,  Hugh asked?  Will we take it as our mission to reach out to the people and love them, accept them, serve them and offer them our genuine Christian friendship, and do whatever it takes to help them to experience ‘God is love and He is real’.

Dear friends in Christ. Do you still remember what Jesus said to Peter in their first encounter? He said: “Peter. Follow me and I will teach you to catch people.”   Jesus is still calling you: “Follow me. And I will teach you to catch people”  Amen!

Hymn TiS 640                                                            Kneels at the feet of His friends

The gentle swing of the folk tune from Ghana in this Hymn written by Tomas Colvin, a Scottish Missionary, with its lesson about who are our neighbours and how we should serve them, certainly cemented in our minds Hugh’s call for us to reach out and “catch people” and learn to value all kinds of people.

Prayers of Intercession:  Noelene prayed for the people who have been lost in the plane that has vanished mysteriously and for their families and friends.  She prayed for those trapped in war torn countries, for people without enough food, for people without work or security and for all who are sick.  She brought the needs of the people mentioned by the congregation before God and prayed for our leaders in our church and in Australia.   We then said the Lord’s Prayer together.

Hymn TiS 650                                                            Brother Sister let me serve you

As I sang this hymn written by Richard Gillard, I was struck by thoughts of the blessings we sometimes deny others by being too independent and dismissive of their need to serve us.  This is probably a hard lesson for many of us to learn.  This hymn, also called “The Servant Song” is gentle and prayer-like.

Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road; we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

 

 The Benediction & Blessing                                

The Benediction advised us to “Go out and share with others” - and with a renewed spirit of evangelism we sang the Blessing; May the feet of God walk with you.                                                                                     Amen.