Carlingford
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We Have So Many Ways.
9.30
am
Gathering
God’s People
Prelude Music to prepare for
worship
Acknowledgement of First Peoples
We acknowledge the first people who have cared for this Land, where we
worship, the Wallumedgal.
May
our worship join with the voices of the First Peoples of this Land.
Gathering
God’s People
Call to Worship
(Mary J.
Scifres, Abingdon Worship Annual 2017)
Hope in
God. Expect miracles. For with God, anything is possible!
We call
to the Lord,
and God
hears our prayers.
We lift
up our praise,
and God
hears our songs.
We wait
for the Lord,
and God
answers our hope.
Hymn 672: Lord of earth and all creation
(Tune – Westminster Abbey - Purcell)
1. Lord
of earth and all creation,
let your love possess our land:
wealth, and freedom, far horizons,
mountain, forest, shining sand:
may we share, in faith and friendship,
gifts unmeasured from your hand.
2. People
of the ancient Dreamtime,
they who found this country first,
ask with those, the later comers,
will our dream be blessed or cursed?
Grant us, Lord, new birth, new living,
hope for which our children thirst.
3. Lord, life-giving healing Spirit,
on our hurts your mercy
shower;
lead us by your inward
dwelling,
guiding, guarding, every
hour,
Bless and keep our land
Australia:
in your will her peace and
power.
Tune:
Westminster Abbey; Composer: Henry Purcell (1680)
Opening prayer
Miraculous, wonderful One, come to us
now. Pour out
your grace and your love. Shower us with
the power of
your Holy Spirit, that we may become
people of
miracles— people filled with the laughter
of hope. Amen
A Prayer of Confession
Holy One, be with us in our weakness.
When we laugh out of fear, calm us with your
courage.
When we laugh out of doubt, empower us with your
faith.
When we laugh out of our confusion, guide us
with your wisdom.
Transform our nervous laughter into songs of praise
and shouts of joy and trust.
In your blessed name, we pray. Amen.
Declaration
of Forgiveness
In God’s
faithfulness, we are made righteous. In Christ’s love, we find peace and hope.
In the Spirit’s strength, our laughter of derision is transformed into laughter
of joy.
Thanks,
be to God!
The
Peace
With Christ’s peace in our hearts and God’s hope in
our lives, let us share signs of joy and love this day.
Peace be with you!
And also, with you!
(You
may like to exchange a sign of peace with those around you.)
A Word with the Children/Young People
Theme: God’s Love
Object: A String of pearls or pearl earrings
This morning I’d like you to think about a
string of pearls. Do you know where pearls come from? They come from oysters.
An oyster is a shellfish that lives in the ocean. They have a very hard shell
that protects them, but sometimes something like a small grain of sand can get
inside the shell and it causes a lot of pain and discomfort for the oyster.
God has given the oyster a way to ease that
pain. When a grain of sand gets in there, the oyster oozes out a liquid that
coats the grain of sand and then it hardens. The oyster keeps doing this over
and over until the grain of sand no longer causes pain. This is how these
pearls are made. Something that started out being painful turned into something
very beautiful and valuable.
The same thing happens to us. Sometimes
something comes into our life that causes a lot of hurt and pain. When that
happens, God gives us something to help ease the pain. He gives us His love. If
we ask Him to, He will ooze out His love to ease our pain and suffering. Often
what started out to be very painful in our life can turn into something
beautiful.
Dear Lord, we thank you that when we have pain
and hurts in our life, you ooze out your love to ease the pain. Help us to
remember that you can take the most painful hurts in our lives and turn them
into something beautiful. Amen.
Offering Prayer
Bless these gifts, O God, with your hope and love, that others may know
your healing power and your miraculous possibilities. In joyous trust, we pray.
Amen.
Hymn 235: A man there lived in Galilee
(Tune –
Tyrolese)
A
man there lived in Galilee
like
no one else before,
for
he alone from first to last
our
flesh unsullied wore;
a
perfect life of perfect deeds
once
to the world was shown,
that
everyone might mark his steps
and
in them place their own.
A
man there died on Calvary
above
all others brave;
he
gave to all, he saved and blessed,
himself
he scorned to save;
no
thought can gauge the weight of woe
on
him, the sinless, laid;
we
only know that with his death
our
ransom price was paid.
A
man there stands at God's right hand,
divine,
yet human still;
that
grand, heroic, peerless soul
death
sought in vain to kill.
All
power is his: supreme he rules
all
realms of time and space;
yet
still our human cares and needs
find
in his heart a place.
The
Service of the Word
The First Reading: Romans 5.1-8 NEB page 875
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8 NEB
page 732
After the final reading the reader will say For the Word of the Lord
Please respond by saying Thanks
be to God.
Readings:
Romans
5: 1-8
1 Therefore, since we are justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in
our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not
only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces
endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope, 5 and hope does not
disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while
we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed,
rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person
someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God
proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Matthew 9:35-10:8
9 35 Then Jesus went about all the
cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good
news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every
sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because
they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is
plentiful, but the labourers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of
the harvest to send out labourers into his arvest.’10 1 Then Jesus
summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to
cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These
are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and
his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother
John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector;
James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and
Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent
out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter
no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of
heaven has come near.” 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the
lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
Preaching of the Word: We Have So Many
Ways...,
We have so many ways of learning about God. We learn from Holy Scripture,
of course. We learn from our worship, from the seasons of the year and the
glories of nature, from one another, in our prayers.
There is a way of watching movies that can open our minds and hearts to
God in ways more powerful than we might imagine. When we see a movie strictly
for entertainment, we've received our money's worth, but when we watch the
screen through the eyes of faith, God can touch us in ways that are worth much
more, ways that are surprising, even transcendent. Ordinary, commercial films
become "Jesus movies."
Take the film, The Green Mile, for instance. The Jesus figure
in The Green Mile is obvious, of course. John Coffey, an enormous
black man in the South, has been accused of murdering two small girls, and upon
his arrest he is delivered to "the Green Mile," death row in a
southern prison. It becomes apparent fairly early in the film that John is
innocent; he is sweet and what we used to call "simple-minded;"
despite his huge size, he weeps quietly at times and is afraid of the dark. He
shows tenderness to all but the truly evil ones he encounters on the Green
Mile, and after a couple of miraculous healings, there's no doubt in our eyes
just who John Coffey represents. He's our Jesus figure in this movie.
Jesus showed us the nature of the Divine as he walked this earth among
us. So, what can John Coffey show us about the nature of God if we view him
through the lens of Christ, praying that the Holy Spirit guide us to any truth?
In Matthew's Gospel today, we learn that "Jesus went through all the
towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of
the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Matthew continues:
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Compassion. "Com-passion." "Feeling with." Feeling
another's pain, another's suffering.
In The Green Mile, one of the several climactic scenes shows us a
gruesome execution, one in which a sadistic rookie deliberately omits a step in
the electrocution process, essentially cooking a Cajun inmate named Edouard
Delacroix, a man for whom John Coffey -- and the movie's viewers -- have
developed a fondness. In one of the most graphic death scenes in cinematic
history, as Del screams and jolts and jerks and smokes, John Coffey, in his own
death row cell, experiences exactly the same torture. He jerks and grimaces as
though he were sitting in "Old Sparky" himself. The lights on the
Green Mile dim, then burst, as he lives through Del's electrocution from afar.
After the body has finally died and has been removed for burial, the
officer in charge of the Green Mile, Paul Edgecomb, returns to his block and
walks to John's cell. Sweat pours from John's body; he is still trembling. He
says to Edgecomb through clenched jaws, "Boss, Del, he the lucky one. He
out of it now."
"Do you mean you heard that all the way down here, John?" asks
Edgecomb.
"No, Boss. I felt it," replies John.
John Coffey, our Jesus character, actually felt the pain of his friend.
He experienced his torture, as though he had somehow been in the body of
Edouard Delacroix.
Compassion. Feeling with.
"Freely you have received, freely give," Jesus tells the twelve
as he sends them out to preach and heal those for whom Jesus has such great
compassion. We might overhear him saying something like, "Heal every
disease and sickness. Cast out evil spirits. Take the message of the Kingdom to
those who live on death row every day of their lives. Help me care for them. Have
"com-passion" on them. Feel with them. I can't do it all by myself.
The task is too great to be done alone, even by me. And it's not God's purpose
that it all be done by me. You're in this, too. We can't do it without you.
You're going to be my Body on earth soon, so you'd better get out there and
start learning what that means before I leave you."
So the followers of Jesus, his disciples, the ones who had left fishing
nets and families to follow and learn from this magnetic young man who spoke so
winningly of his heavenly Father, these twelve meagrely prepared ones were now
to take their first steps as apostles -- those who are sent out to do for the
hurting of the world that which Jesus himself wishes done.
As we step into their shoes today, let's listen to this story carefully,
because it is our story, too. We are his disciples today and more -- we are his
Body. Christ, the compassionate one, is the Head of the Body. Information
Central. Where the commands to the Body come from. Unless our own head tells
our index finger and thumb to move closer together, we can't do so much as pick
up a pencil. We need, as Christ's Body, to listen more carefully to Christ, our
Head.
What is Christ telling us? To go out and be do-gooders in the name of the
church? No! Some people see this passage as a mandate for evangelism, and that
can look scary, even impossible, especially for western white protestants. I
read of a plan in the 90's, where someone was heard to say that their plan for
evangelism was to build a really attractive aquarium next to the ocean and then
wait for the fish to jump in. That's not what Jesus is calling us to here.
Jesus is sending us out to do the work that springs from a heart filled
with compassion, with empathy, with doing our best to experience another's
pain. We can never reach this ideal, of course; each person's pain is unique.
But the heart of the compassionate Christ, which is and must be our own
corporate heart, has no place for criticism, for judgment, even for merit. We
help those who need help, not those we deem worthy of our help. It is not our
own help we offer, of course; we are merely the vehicles for Christ's healing
touch, his saving grace, his Word of hope.
As we move more deeply into our identity as Christ's Body, as 21st century
apostles, in this work of embodying Jesus today, church growth is a side effect
of Christ's impact on those we encounter. Evangelism happens because the
"evangel" is Good News indeed! And as we do the will of the one who
sends us out, our own lives become daily more filled with the love and grace of
our Saviour.
Freely we have been given, not deserving. Freely and with compassion we
are called to give. The harvest is plentiful, and we are the laborers today in
a field filled with weeds and hungry for the harvest. Shake off the dust and
let's go!
Hymn
186: Stars and Planets
flung in orbit
Stars and planets flung in orbit,
galaxies that swirl through space,
powers hid within the atom,
cells that form an infant’s face:
these, O God, in silence praise you;
by your wisdom they are made.
Skies adorned with sunset splendour,
silent peaks in calm repose,
golden fields awaiting harvest,
foaming surf and fragrant rose:
earth, its bounty clothed with beauty,
echoes all creation’s praise.
Life in wondrous, wild profusion,
seed and fruit, each flower and tree,
beast and fish and swarming insect,
soaring bird, rejoicing, free:
these, your creatures, join in chorus,
praising you in wordless song.
Humankind, earth’s deepest mystery,
born of dust but touched by grace,
torn apart by tongue and colour,
yet a single, striving race:
we, in whom you trace your image,
add our words to nature’s song.
Gracious God, we bring before you
gifts of human life alone,
truth that throbs through song and story,
visions caught in paint and stone:
these, O God, we gladly offer,
gifts to praise the Giver’s name.
Christ, the Word before creation
as creation’s final goal,
once you came for earth’s redemption;
by your Spirit make earth whole:
then, O God, the new creation
will your praise for ever sing.
Author: Herman G. Stuempfle
Intercessory Prayers
We pray for our local community that we
can all learn to share with one another. We ask for your blessing on all people
in this community in their daily life and work. For the young and the elderly,
for families and for all who are alone. Guide and enable all who lead and serve
our community and on those whom we depend for our daily needs. We give you
thanks for human skill and creativity and all that reveals your glory in our
lives.
We pray for you church throughout the
world, for all involved in mission and outreach. We ask for your blessing on
our church here and we thank you that there is so much friendship here. Show us
how to help each other so that the worship we now offer is the worship of a
true family, through Jesus Christ who is head of the Church. Give us grace to
proclaim the gospel joyfully in word and deed and help us to fulfil our calling
and to care for one another in an unselfish fellowship of love; and to care for
the world around us by sharing with it the good news of your love; and serving
those who suffer from poverty hunger and disease.
Loving God, in your hands are the
destinies of people and of nations, we bring before you in our prayers those
who have been entrusted with special responsibilities for the life of our
nation. May all involved in negotiations uphold goodwill and mutual understanding
and show due respect to each other.
Loving God, we pray for all of us here
this morning, for our families and friends. Inspire us to work at our
relationships and remind us to welcome you in every situation we meet. We ask
for your blessing on our family members and on all for whom we love and care.
May we always be ready to forgive, respect and value them.
Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
Loving God, we commend to your healing
all who are in pain or are ill at home or in hospital. We pray for those about
to undergo or who are recovering from surgery: for all who depend on others for
life and movement. May they be reassured by the strength of your presence. In a
moment of quiet we name in our hearts those whom we know who are in need of our
prayers.
Lord in
Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
We pray for the bereaved and the
desolate: may all in trouble or sorrow draw strength from your life and your
victory over death. We pray for those who have died that, falling asleep to
this life they may wake to eternal life in the joy of heaven.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world; a light which no darkness can quench. We pray for all who have died and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.
Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
Jesus Christ is the light of the world; a light which no darkness can quench. We pray for all who have died and light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and brings hope.
Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
We thank you Father that we are all
invited to share your life-giving love: make us worthy of all you have
promised.
Merciful God accept these prayers for the
sake of your Son, our Saviour – Jesus Christ. Amen
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us
today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against
us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom,
the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn
233: I
will sing the wondrous story
(Tune – Hyfrydol)
I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was bruised, but Jesus healed me;
Faint was I from many a fall;
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
Days of darkness still come o'er me,
Sorrow's paths I often tread,
But the Saviour still is with me;
By His hand I'm safely led.
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He'll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.
Of the Christ who died
for me,
Sing it with the saints
in glory,
Gathered by the crystal
sea.
Benediction
Go now in peace. Laugh this week with hope.
Take God’s love with you wherever you go!
Go
now in peace. Go now in hope. Go now with the love of God. And may that same
Almighty God, creator, redeemer and giver of life guide your dance in life
forever. Amen
(Tune – Somos Del Señor)
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom
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