1 November 2020_Sunday Worship_All Saints Day
31 Oct 2020 by Seungjae Yeon in: Worship Online
Preparing for Worship
Welcome to Boronia Park Uniting Church and our service of worship for Sunday 1 November 2020. We, Boronia Park people are so blessed by those who have contributed to all services with their gifts, talents and sacred calling from God and his Son, Jesus Christ. In our congregation’s history, many served people and community while they were with us and some are still faithfully serving. We believe that they are now in the blessed land with God of all creation. Sometimes we would better remember them as we continue our commitment in Christ and his Church today. We might call them saints for us and for others who had received their services.
All Saints' Day. All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day or Hallowmas is the day after All Hallows' Eve (Hallowe'en). It is a feast day celebrated on 1st November by Anglicans and Roman Catholics. Also, in the Uniting Church’s lectionary calendar, we are encouraged to observe it. How fortunate we are able to celebrate the feast with many other Christian brothers and sisters.
In this worship, there is an opportunity for readers to remember your honourable saints (no matter they were canonised or not) and your favourite Christians like spouse, parent, grandparent, auntie, uncle, friends, throughout your life. As part of your remembrance of them, you might light a candle and pray to God for them.
Acknowledgement for the First Peoples
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, Elders past and present, on which we gather today. We recognize their special relationship with the land and all creation.
Call to Worship
See how God loves us!
God loves us enough
to swallow up death forever.
See how Christ loves us!
Christ loves us enough
to share our loss and grief.
See how the Spirit loves us!
The Holy Spirit loves us enough
to offer us words of hope we can trust.
Hymn: The Church Has One Foundation
Verse 1
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord:
she is his new creation
by water and the word;
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
Verse 2
Elect from every nation
yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth:
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses
with every grace endued.
Verse 3
Through toil and tribulation
and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore,
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blessed,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
Verse 4
Yet she on earth has union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give to us the grace
Like them, the meek and lowly,
In heaven to seek your face.
Samuel John Stone
CCLI Licence #260394
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray:
You have blessed us
with saints all of our lives,
God of the ages:
those who put up with us,
and those who prepared us for discipleship;
those who have touched us with their compassion,
and those who illumine the way for us.
Through the valleys and over the hills,
down the dusty streets of every village,
saints travelled with you,
Jesus, Child of grace and glory:
those who impetuously chased after you,
and those whose feet longed to turn back;
those who jostled for your attention,
and those who made sure little children
were able to meet you.
You surround us with saints,
even when we don't recognize
or much less appreciate them,
Spirit of wonder:
some live down the corner from us,
while others are on the other side of the world;
some run to catch the leaves spiralling to the ground,
while others make a meal for a sick neighbour’s family.
For all the saints of every age, especially our,
we give you our gratitude and praise,
God in Community, Holy in One.
Amen.
Call to Reconciliation & Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
Here in this community of those who seek God, we know we are not saints. We are wrapped in those strips of words, of thoughts, of actions which bind us to sin, not to God. But our God has promised us new hope, new life, fresh mercy, if we will but confess. I invite you to join me, as we pray together, saying,
We all say this together in one voice:
We come to you,
Listener of our broken lives,
with our hands soiled with the pain we have caused,
with our ears stuffed with the words of those who speak falsely, with our hearts stained with those lusts and hungers
we would be embarrassed for others to know.
Forgive us and have mercy on us,
Wiper of our tears.
As we seek to journey from the baptismal waters
towards the feast you prepare in glory,
may we turn our faces toward you in every moment,
listen to your words in the depths of our hearts,
and follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour,
every step of the way.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Lift up your heads, saints of God!
Your sin is gone,
your hands once full of foolishness
are now empty.
God has clothed you
with garments of joy to wear to the feast.
Our former life has passed,
our new life in Christ has begun.
All things are new - including us!
Thanks be to God,
we are forgiven!
Amen.
Kid’s Talk
Rosemary Brook
Good morning everyone- to our beautiful young people and all of us who are young at heart.
Do you remember what Alan and Gabby spoke to us about last week?
I’ll give you a hint [Rosemary draws a big rectangle in the air] Yes, you’re probably right, ‘Focus on the big picture’. Gabby asked us if our ‘big picture’ included a possible career and very importantly, being a Christian. Gabby also reminded us how important it is to have a strong faith in God.
As children and young people, it’s natural to want to focus on our future and there are three very important questions:
- Who am I?
- Where do I belong?
- What is my purpose?
One of today’s Bible readings gives us a very special answer. John tells us in 1 John 3 that God loves us so much that we should be called ‘children of God’. Isn’t that amazing? To be so loved by God that we are his children.
So when we ask ourselves:
Who am I? What can we say? I’m a child of God because God loves me so much.
Where do I belong? What can we say? We belong to God and God’s family, the church.
What is my purpose? Why am I here? What am I going to do? Well, its bound to be connected to God, isn’t it?
God invites us to follow Him and be part of his plan, His …Big Picture!
Being part of God’s plan might be about our career choice. Or it could be something quite surprising …because of someone we met; a new unexpected opportunity; or something we’ve read. Or it could be very simple. God loves us and will support us as we keep close to Him.
But sometimes our lives can become very busy with lots of distractions. So I’ve found it’s a very good habit – one we might need every day - to choose God/ choose Jesus/ choose faith/ choose the things that are important to God. By doing this we can be part of God’s picture…every day…and you can’t get any bigger than God’s Big Picture!
In closing, I’ve brought along a few things from Oceania! Because this week, we are praying for our sister churches in Oceania. Do you know where Oceania is? These things [on the table] might give you some good clues! Oceania is very near us…in fact Australia is sometimes included in the definition of Oceania.
This vase is from the Highlands of New Guinea; this shell and the shell necklace are from Fiji; and this book I‘m going to read is all about Oceania. It’s called The Rising Tide Among the Islands and Atolls of the Pacific Ocean by Tom Bamforth (2019).
Some other countries in Oceania include Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Kiribati. There are quite a number of others. I was surprised to find out that there are 41 million people in Oceania and 30 official languages and that Oceania is the largest cluster of islands on the planet, sometimes referred to as a continent- with over 10,000 islands!
So, Oceania is a part of the world where we also belong! We have the most wonderful, amazing world with really inspiring people to help us understand our world - and our relationship with God.
Let us close in prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us all the time.
Thank you that you have a big picture for us,
for your church,
for this amazing world you created.
Be with our beautiful young people and their families
as they grow ever closer to you,
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Bible Readings
Jenny Keast
Korean/Chinese Translation
First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 (New Living Translation)
Praise from the Great Crowd
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar,
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!”
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”
14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”
Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.
15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne
and serve him day and night in his Temple.
And he who sits on the throne
will give them shelter.
16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty;
they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.
17 For the Lamb on the throne
will be their Shepherd.
He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.
And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (New Living Translation)
The Sermon on the Mount
5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Sermon: How Big is Life?
Seung Jae Yeon
As we begin to explore this sermon, let’s count the people you have met till today. Firstly we imagine how many people would be there. [Time to imagine and count] So, how many people you have met? I give you this algebra to help you to estimate the figure.
(Your age – 5) × 3 × 365
Your age is the main number. Most of us remember people we meet after age 5. Assume we interact with 3 new people daily in life, 365 days are in a year. If I use my age, which is 45 in November, in total it will be (45-5) × 3 × 365 = 43,800 people. Is it a lot?
The current life expectancy for Australia in 2020 is 83.5 years (macrotrends.net). If I live the age, I would meet 85,957 people in life. This figure is enough to fill ANZ Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park which has 83,500 seats. Imagine that you could gather with those who you have met. Depend on your age, you would have the gathering at ANZ Stadium or any other huge venue on this planet. But this question is asking you in a different way. How many people have you really impacted in a lifetime? (So that if you threw the gathering, they would come.) Your family, friends, colleagues and those who visit you are the ones you have impacted their lives? No matter it is big or little, important or less, positive or negative, in your lifetime you are one impacting many other people. How big is life? How amazing you live life to have impact for whatever number you have calculated?
If I have a chance to name people who have had impact in my life, there are too many people to recall them all. Most of them are Christians who touch my spirit, soul, and heart in my faith journey both in Korea and Australia. Especially those who are now in the blessed place called Heaven with God are recalled by me, from time to time. Since I prepared this service, I have committed to sit recalling their names and what they had done for me. My grandmother, Chun Soon Yu came to me first. She was a humble lady who lived very tough life but so faithful and blessed in her last few years. That was because she believed in Jesus, her Saviour and showed her life anew in Him to me. She was uneducated but able to praise and pray in Jesus’ name by copying letters from bible and hymn book. As she copied and wrote on the last page of her notebook, I believe that she is now in Heaven with God living everlasting.
Jesus loves me, He will stay.
Close beside me all the way;
I love Him, and when I die.
He will take me home on high.
She had a huge impact in my life, especially my Christian life by her last words that she copied from her hymn book. If I threw a gathering where I invite the people I have met, she must have had No. 1 seat next me. She is my saint and I will remember her till my final breath. So, who is your saint in faith? How you would remember her or him while you have a faith in Jesus Christ and live the life given by God everlasting?
The book of Revelation in the New Testament was written as a prophetic book, but it is more than that. Revelation reminds us to live by faith that God has already won against all life’s matters through his Son Jesus Christ in allying with his holy people. Revelation 7:14 tells us about the holy people witnessed by one of fellow saints that “these are they who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This testimony of saints or those who lived before us having impact means every story of them is working in our lives. Most of all, Jesus is the object of every testimony and impact that our family, friends, neighbour and colleagues would contribute to us. I believe that both are the source and the key to breakthrough in our life’s faith journey. If the testimony of Jesus and the impact of your holy people are at work in our lives, shouldn’t we share those stories? Let others know what Jesus Christ has done for us in life and inspire them to get to know more about the Life beyond the current one. Talking about a situation where God intervened can increase someone’s faith to see the same happen in their own lives.
Jesus taught the vast cloud of his holy people on the mountain. These words are encouraging us to keep our faith alive and to pass our faith to our children and their children emerging.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (verses 8-10)
I would love for you to join with each other in sharing an answered prayer and make this hope possible to the next generation. They may see the presence of God who we have met, meet today, and will meet tomorrow. They may also remember us as holy people whenever they have joyous time or tough time in life.
Again, count the people your life impacts till today. There are many more people who you will never meet, and yet they might love to have what you can offer. One last thing. Please remember that you are one of 43,800 people I have met in my life. You could offer something to me today. How big is life? The life that you have an impact to someone or toward the world is given by God today.
Amen.
Special Talk: How should we celebrate All Saints Day?
Interview Rev Michael Armstrong, the Rector at All Saint's Church and St. Mark's, Hunters Hill
Prayers of the People
Isabella Lee
Dear Heavenly Father,
After a week of rain, we pray that this upcoming summer will bring good health to both the people of Australia and the land on which we live. We pray that our church family always feel supported and loved. Surround those who are feeling isolated, overwhelmed and lost with your comforting presence and the warmth of your love.
Remind us that our small actions make a difference in the world and that each individual’s contribution matters.
Teach us to be constantly curious and eager to learn more about the world that we live in. Teach us to not be wasteful, to be grateful for what we have, and to cherish the opportunities that we are offered and the relationships with those we love. Teach us the power of passion and purpose.
Lord, we pray for the leaders of Australia and the world, that they make calculated decisions in the best interests of their people. Remind our leaders of their duty right the wrongs that they see in the world.
Fill the hearts of the leaders at both St Charles Borromeo and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish with both compassion and wisdom. Guide them to teach but also to learn from the people around them. For the members of the congregations, we pray that they continue to share Your love with each other.
In the world cycle of prayer this week, we pray for the countries in Oceania. French Polynesia, Kanak, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. We pray for their people who are dealing with the environmental effects of our waste and pollution. Help us to be mindful of the impact of our actions to the conditions of these island nations.
We pray for the members of our congregation, for their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. For those who are suffering from illness at this time, comfort them with Your love. I’d like us to take a moment to think of those who we know that are in need of our prayers.
- - - - - - - - - - -
We pray for Seung Jae, Grace and their family and we thank them for their constant service to our community. Please continue to give them inspiration and drive.
At this time, we pray for the students who are finishing their final year of school, especially Josh, Daniel and Lily. We pray that you continue to give them the focus they need to complete their exams, and that you will bless and guide them through the next chapter of their lives.
We pray all this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Song: Come As You Are
Verse 1
‘Come as you are:
that’s how I want you.
Come as you are;
feel quite at home,
close to my heart,
loved and forgiven.
Come as you are:
why stand alone?
Verse 2
‘No need to fear,
love sets no limits;
no need to fear,
love never ends;
don’t run away
shamed and disheartened,
rest in my love,
trust me again.
Verse 3
‘I came to call sinners,
not just the righteous;
I came to bring peace,
not to condemn.
Each time you fail
to live by my promise,
why do you think
I’d love you the less?
Verse 4
‘Come as you are;
that’s how I love you;
come as you are,
trust me again.
Nothing can change
the love that I bear you;
all will be well,
just come as you are.’
Words and music by permission Spectrum Publications, Melbourne
CCLI Licence #260394
Communion – Great thanksgiving for All Saints Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
almighty God,
Creator of heaven and earth:
God of Abraham and Sarah,
God of Miriam and Moses,
God of Joshua and Deborah,
God of Ruth and David,
God of the priests and the prophets,
God of Mary and Joseph,
God of the apostles and the martyrs,
God of our mothers and our fathers,
God of our children to all generations.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your Church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread,
gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Take, eat;
this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
When the supper was over he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
"Drink from this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me."
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
Renew our communion with all your holy people,
especially those whom served and touched many lives—
Marion Anderson,
Iris Ayrton,
Thelma Butler,
Margaret Cameron,
Valerie Cooper,
Colin and Winifred Hill,
Owen Summers,
Dulcie Smith,
Kevin Walsh,
Cliff Watson, and
all before them in our hearts.
Silence may be kept for the remembrance of names.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
strengthen us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory,
and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honour and glory is yours,
almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
Copyright: “The Great Thanksgiving for All Saints and Memorial Occasions” Copyright© 1972 The Methodist Publishing House; Copyright © 1980, 1981, 1985 UMPH; Copyright © 1986 Abingdon Press; Copyright © 1987, 1989, 1992 UMPU. Used by permission.”
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 forever.
Amen.
Song: This Kingdom
Jesus God's righteousness revealed
The Son of Man the Son of God
His kingdom comes
Jesus redemption's sacrifice
Now glorified now justified
His kingdom comes
Chorus
And this kingdom will know no end
And its glory shall know no bounds
For the majesty and power
Of this kingdom's King has come
And this kingdom's reign
And this kingdom's rule
And this kingdom's power and authority
Jesus God's righteousness revealed
Jesus the expression of God's love
The grace of God the Word of God
Revealed to us
Jesus God's holiness displayed
Now glorified now justified
His kingdom comes
And this kingdom will know no end
Geoff Bullock © 1995 Geoff Bullock Music
CCLI Licence # 260394
Offering
The offering will be used for the congregation’s continuing mission and ministry including young people and youth ministry in these changing times. Please make your offering through a Bank Deposit or a personal cheque whichever is convenient to you.
Account Name: Boronia Park Uniting Church
BSB: 634-634
Account: 100023784
Reference: Offering
Please contact Robyn Harvey, Treasurer on 0418 783 290 or robyn.49@bigpond.net.au for more information about how to make Direct Debit.
Benediction
Now let us go to show others how much God loves them!
We will go to bring life into all the places
where death seeks to swallow those around us.
Now let us go to how our sisters and brothers how much Christ loves them!
We will go to share in the loss and grief of everyone around us.
Now let us go to show the world how much the Spirit loves them!
We will offer words of hope to all filled with despair.
© 2015 Thom M. Shuman
The blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon all saints before and after us
and remain with all his faithful people
now and forever.
Amen.
Photo News
Last Tuesday 27 October: The morning blessed by many cups of coffee and tea!
16 coffee/tea lovers came join the monthly morning gathering at church. It was productive and filled by a great joy of conversations and laughter. [Next meeting] We will have one more gathering before Christmas, which is on Tuesday 24 November at 9:50 for 10am start.
Table Group A: Melody, Rosemary, John and Susan S.
Table Group B: Marie Luise, Neryll and Esma
Table Group C: Jenny W., Jenny K., Robyn and Susan B.
Table Group D: Jean, Sharnie, Margaret T., Elaine W.
Next meeting: Tuesday 24 November 2020, 10am. There are many seats you can sit with each other.
Click to download pdf version of the worship resources.