Preparing for Communion Service

 

This week we continue to use one of rites provided in Uniting in Worship 2 (the Uniting Church’s book of worship). This is an ecclesial rite called Prayers with the Family after a Death. We are all invited to join in the prayers as one or more of our congregation members are in grief. As Minister, I have been sensitively praying for the family who have mourned for the loss of sister and aunty. I believe that as we pray together, God may listen and help them to see a hope that all will meet again in heaven.

Also, this week, we remember who we are in sharing the holy meal called communion. You may wish to find a comfortable space and prepare a piece of bread and a cup of wine/grape juice for partaking in His Life eternal.

 

It is ok to share communion at home as we had done at church.

 

 

Acknowledgement for the First Peoples

 

I/We would like to begin by acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders past and emerging. I/We extend that respect to them with our faithful prayer in this worship.

 

 

Call to Worship

 

No one is an island.

We are all joined in Christ Jesus.

Who else is like you, loving God?

Who is like you: beautiful in holiness,

awesome in all the things you do for us.

 

No one lives by themselves,

no one dies by themselves.

Whether we live or die

we are the Lord’s.

The Lord is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation.        

Attributed to Bruce Prewer

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

let us worship God with all our hearts.

 

 

Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

 

 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;

O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation.

Come all who hear,

brothers and sisters draw near,

praise him in glad adoration.

 

Praise to the Lord who in all things is wondrously reigning

and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining:

have you not seen

all that is needed has been

sent by his gracious ordaining?

 

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper our work and defend us;

surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend us:

ponder anew

what the Almighty can do

as with his love he befriends us.

 

Praise to the Lord, who when darkness of sin is abounding,

who, when the godless do triumph, our best hopes confounding,

sheds forth his light,

scatters the horrors of night,

saints with his mercy surrounding.

 

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.

Let the Amen

sound from his people again;

gladly for ever adore him.

 

Joachim Neander 1650-80

CCLI #260394

 

 

Prayers with the Family after a Death

 

SCRIPTURE SENTENCE

 

Jesus said:

‘Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest;

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls’.                 

Matthew 11:28-29

 

PRAYERS

 

Lord Jesus,

we wait for you to grant us your comfort and peace.

We confess that we are slow to accept death

as an inevitable part of life.

We confess our reluctance to surrender

this friend and loved one into your eternal care.

You, Lord Jesus, know the depth of our sorrow;

you also wept at the grave of your friend Lazarus.

Let the Holy Spirit come upon us now,

the Comforter you promise.

Grant us your love and peace

as we reach out to comfort one another.

Be our companion as we live through the days ahead;

and even as we mourn,

may all that we feel, think, say and do

bear witness to our faith.

Amen.

 

Gracious God,

you made us and you love us.

Your love is our security and our hope.

We find our true selves, complete and whole,

only within your love.

And because in love you have prepared for us

a destiny more wonderful than we can imagine,

we trust you with our loved ones and ourselves;

in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

 

Kids Talk

Alan Keast

 

 

 

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 (ENG/KOR/CHN)

Jenny Keast 

 

Forgiveness

 

²¹ Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

 

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

 

²³ “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. ²⁴ When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; ²⁵ and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. ³¹ When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. ³² Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. ³⁵ So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

 

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

  

NEXT SUNDAY – 20 September 2020 The Sunday worship will be prepared and led by the people of Boronia Park Uniting Church.                  Bible Reading – Matthew 20:1-16 (NLT), CHRISTY KIM                Children’s Talk – MARGARET MAXWELL                Prayers of the People – PHOEBE KIM                                Local churches’ Prayer Cycle: GladesHill Presbyterian Church and Kalos                                Korean Presbyterian Church                                World Cycle of Prayer: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru

 

Sermon         Seung Jae Yeon

 

 

Let me tell you this story:

 

Seungjae sat quietly. He was thinking.

The rest of his family were talking and laughing as they sat on the sofa after dinner. But Seungjae was remembering when he took more than his share of the food. He remembered how Grace and his three children had said, “We forgive you!”

 

“Jesus?” he said. “How often should we forgive someone? I mean, if someone keeps doing something bad, should we just say, ‘I forgive you!’ over and over?”

“Sure!” said Jesus. “Over and over and over and over.”

 

“But what if someone keeps doing something they shouldn’t do?” Seungjae asked.

“You have a baby puppy, don’t you?”

“Yes, we’ve just got him” said Seungjae. “He’s almost two months old. His name is Arong. We call him Arongi.”

 

“Now suppose Arongi pees on your clothes. Would you forgive him?”

“Of course!” laughed Seungjae.

“What else would you do?”

“I’d give him a good clean.”

 

“And if he pees on your clothes again, would you forgive him?”

“Of course!”

 

“What if Arongi did it over and over and over and over. How often would you forgive him? How often would you give him a good clean?”

“I’d do it over and over and over and over and over and over,” laughed Seungjae. “But, Jesus, Arong is not even two months! He doesn’t know he shouldn’t pee on my clothes.”

 

 

Jesus smiled. “You know something, Seungjae? Most of the time, when people are doing a bad thing, they don’t really know it’s a bad thing. Often, it’s because they don’t know how to do good things.”

 

“We’re trying to teach Arongi how to keep his space dry and clean. He’s starting to learn.”

“You know something, Seungjae? God is a little bit like a dog owner. God keeps forgiving us, over and over and over and over. Just like you do with little Arong. And at the same time, God is helping us learn how to be more kind, more loving. And fair.”

 

This story is one of ways of introducing our first puppy Arong. He is the most gorgeous puppy ever in my life. He has been with us only five nights at his new home in Sydney. Every second he is growing big and getting smart. He learns both Korean and English as we train him. He now recognises five of us, welcoming when we come home and crying out when we disappear from his sight. We feed him two good meals per day that he enjoys it very much. But the hardest thing is for him to pee and poo at a right spot. As a country boy from Gundagai, Arong gets confused where he does right thing on tiled floor because he had done on hay in his original home. So far, he has peed on various spots in our family room such as cushions, carpet under the dining table, just tiled floor and Grace’s ugg boots. I have tried to teach him to pee on the pee training mats and precaution him against peeing not on the right spots. He turns just two months today (Friday 11 September) which means he is still immature that he cannot succeed all the time. So I have kept forgiving him over and over. (Now, while I am typing this sermon, Arong just made mistake so that he is paying for that.) I forgive him, learning how many times I would forgive him if he pees on wrong spots.

 

To forgive and forgiveness come from everyday life as a dog owner, a friend, a family member or a Christian. I believe that forgiveness is not naïve but relational. Forgiveness may require restoration and reconciliation among peoples rather than only say ‘sorry’. (I personally value of saying sorry if appropriate.) I would define ‘forgiveness’ like this: To forgive in mortal life is the most immortal form of love. The antonym of ‘forgive’ is not ‘unforgive’ but ‘regret.’ Because the person that you would forgive is not here with you anymore. While we have breath in our body, we can forgive and be forgiven by each other.  My Arong is forgiven because of his life though he pees on wrong spots. I can forgive him because I live my life this moment with him as a dog owner. If you fear forgiveness, I would encourage you to allow yourself to forgive someone in your mind right now. Jesus in the parable does not teach us how to. He emphasises only 77 times which means we should forgive until your forgiveness is acknowledged by those forgiven. In return, you may have peace and calmness in life.

 

In reality, we have experienced so little forgiveness, haven’t we? Does it mean that we may be afraid to find a way to forgiveness and restoration?  Are we afraid to be forgiven? Bill Loader says that “forgiveness and being forgiven is about letting go of control, accepting that debts can never really be squared … Grace given and received is the basis for reconciliation.” Do remember that we are the people of God who are created by the image of God. And also we are the followers of Christ Jesus by the acceptance that he achieved on a cross. His death and resurrection, the ways of forgiving us have led us so far. Please remember we are all forgiven and then given the life everlasting.

 

We thus forgive others over and over and over by the generosity of God and the authority of Jesus Christ who offers us grace. Through forgiveness we may experience God’s love and Christ’s grace from everyday life. If someone near you is in your dept of doing wrong, please forgive. While he or she lives life, there is still a chance to forgive or be forgiven. Forgiveness is again in our mortal life the most immortal form of love that Jesus Christ showed in his life’s journey. No more reason! It is enough that Jesus was crucified, died but rose again in order to teach us how to forgive. If you did wrong to someone and you realise how serious it would be, ask him or her for forgiveness. Then do not regret. Your life is precious and important so you can forgive and be forgiven. 77 times or even more while we live with each other.

 

Amen.

 

Prayers of the People

Isabella Lee

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We pray for peace and patience this week, help us all to find strength in you in our daily lives. We pray for all the members of our church, for their health and safety. We pray that with any challenges they may be facing, that they remember they never have to face it alone. Help them remember they are so loved by You and by the family that we find within our church. We pray that we remain connected to each other and are able to grow closer even though we are unable to meet as a congregation.

We pray for the Local churches: St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. We pray for the leadership teams of these congregations, may they have the wisdom and empathy to communicate effectively with their people. We pray for the members of these congregations, that they show support of each other and understanding for situations that others face.

In the World Cycle of Prayer, we focus our attention on the people and leaders of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. We pray that the leaders of these countries will have the compassion to make decisions only in the best interests of their people. That they will demonstrate a clear and great example of leadership for all, throughout this pandemic and always. We pray that you will bring peace across these nations and remind them of your everlasting love.

God, you have always been patient towards us, full of understanding and grace. We pray that we will continue to learn from our impatience, when things don’t turn out as we expected or wanted them to, when we misplace our anger at our family, friends, colleagues or strangers, the times we wait for appointments, results, significant days or events, when we sit and watch the clock instead of making use of the time.

Remind us of the value of our lives here on earth. Help us to appreciate the times when we are waiting instead of becoming impatient. Time is just a number. We are so grateful for each day we are given, each moment that we are given, each opportunity that opens, whether it be small or big.

Lord, we pray for those who feel isolated and lonely give them the warm company of your presence and remind them that with you, they are never truly alone. For those who are facing challenges, guide them to overcome their hardships and strengthen them with your love. For those who are dealing with new changes in their lives, may you help them understand the importance of patience and persistence.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

 

 

CELEBRATING THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

 

Setting of the Table

 

Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him,

who earnestly repent of their broken image in God

and seek to live in peace and love with one another.

 

 

The Peace

 

We are the body of Christ.

 

In the one Spirit,

we were all baptised into one body.

 

Let us the pursue all that makes for peace

and builds up our common life.

 

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

 

 

Communion Song: Bread is Blessed and Broken

 

Bread is blessed and broken,

wine is blessed and poured;

take this and remember Christ the Lord.

 

Words and music © 1989 The Iona Community

CCLI #260394

 

 

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving 

 

Let us pray:

 

Hear the words of institution of this sacrament as recorded by the apostle Paul:

 

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you,

that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread,

and when he had given thanks,

he broke it and said:

 

This is my body, which is for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying:

 

This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it,

for the remembrance of me.

 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death 

       until he comes.”              1 Corinthians 11:23-26

 

And so according to our Saviour’s command,

we set this bread and this cup

apart for the holy supper to which he calls us,

and we come to God with our prayer of thanksgiving.

 

Please join in the prayer: 

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

we thank you for inviting each one of us

to be part of this community.

 

Help us never to think of our position in it

as one of privilege,

but as an opportunity to serve

each other and your world.

 

As we travel together, 

help us to be constantly aware of the needs 

of the rest of the community,

and keep us humble.

 

Lord, help us never to make trouble,   

but always to work for peace,       

to be open, warm, and honest,     

motivated always by your love.

 

Help us never to stand on the letter of the law,

never to be concerned with our own rights, 

our own place, our own importance.

 

As we come together to receive your bread and cup,

make us bread ready to be broken,       

wine ready to be shared,

to meet the needs of all your children,

and be your presence in the world.

 

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.

 

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 meal.

 

Through your Son Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit in your holy church,

all honour and glory are yours, 

Almighty Father, now and for ever.

     Amen.

 

 

Breaking the Bread

 

The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.

 

 

Presenting the Cup

 

The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

 

The gifts of God for the people of God.

The body of Christ.

 

 

Communion

 

Please join this table fellowship in spirit, celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ.  You may eat and drink with your faithful prayer or reflect on your own meaning of the Lord’s Supper if not participating it.

 

Bread is blessed and broken,

wine is blessed and poured;

take this and remember Christ the Lord.

 

 

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 in the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

 

For the kingdom,

the power and the glory are yours 

now and forever.

 

Amen.

 

 

Prayer after Communion

 

Let us pray:

 

Lord Jesus, we love and adore you.

You're a special friend to us.

 

Welcome, Lord Jesus, o welcome.

 

Thank you for coming to us.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

O thank you for giving yourself to us.

 

Make us strong to show your love

wherever we may be. 

 

Be near us, Lord Jesus, 

we ask you to stay close by us forever 

and love us, we pray.

 

Bless all of us children in your loving care 

and bring us to heaven to live with you there.

 

We are ready now, Lord Jesus, 

to show how much we care.

 

We are ready now to give your love

at home and everywhere.

 

Amen.

 

 

Song: On Eagle’s Wings

 

 

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,

who abide in his shadow for life,

say to the Lord: “My refuge,

my rock in whom I trust!”

 

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

bear you on the breath of dawn,

make you to shine like the sun,

and hold you in the palm of his hand.

 

 

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,

and famine will bring you no fear:

under his wings your refuge,

his faithfulness your shield.

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings …

 

You need not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day;

though thousands fall about you,

near you it shall not come.

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings …

 

For to his angels he’s given a command

to guard you in all of your ways;

upon their hands they will bear you up,

lest you dash your foot against a stone.

 

And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

bear you on the breath of dawn,

make you to shine like the sun,

and hold you in the palm of his hand.

And hold you, hold you in the palm of his hand.

 

Text and Music: Michael Joncas ©1979

CCLI Licence # 260394

 

 

Offering and Prayer

 

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.

 

Let us pray:

 

We have the means to give,

we have the reason to give,

and there are many waiting for us to give.

Yet often, our hands hold back,

and we hoard what we have for ourselves.

 

God of grace,

help us live and give in your kingdom of love,

where there are no enemies,

only brothers and sisters,

and kindness is the air we breathe.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.     

Attributed to Carol Penner

 

 

Benediction

 

As you have been forgiven,

now go into a world that needs your forgiving, healing touch.

Bring peace and hope to others,

sharing God’s love with them.      

Attributed to Nancy C. Townley

 

The blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

be upon us and remain with us always.

Amen.