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Announcement

1. Welcome
2. Soul Survivor camp
   1. All done and well done – Thanks for prayers and thoughts on the campers.
   2. One Photo slide
3. Bus Trip – Cottage Point
   1. One Photo slide
   2. Next: Saturday 8 May 2021
4. Worship Committee meeting after this worship service
5. Anzac Day Dawn service 5:45AM FOR 6AM service at the church front lawn & Anzac Day service at 9:30AM
6. This morning – Easter 3

 

 

Acknowledgement for the First Peoples

 

We acknowledge this land that God has created and blessed. We pay our respects to the Wallumettagal people of the Eora Nation, the first inhabitants of this place. We honour their custodianship of the land on which we gather today and its surrounding waters, and offer our respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.

 

 

Opening Prayer

 

Leader asks:

Today I am thankful for…

So, what are you thankful for today?

 

 

Let us pray:

 

O God,

You who are always doing a new thing,

we confess that we sometimes close windows

against the fresh air of new ideas,

against the noise of other people’s worries,

against the winds of change.

 

God of every place and time,

we confess that we often draw the curtains

against people who are different,

against world news or community concerns.

 

Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes,

our shuttered churches,

the security systems on our hearts.

 

Open up our lives,

and let your Spirit blow through.

 

Lord, help us to relax.

 

Take from us the tension

that makes peace impossible.

Take from us the fears

that do not allow us to venture.

Take from us the worries

that blind our sight.

Take from us the distress

that hides your joy.

 

Help us to know

that we are with you,

that we are in your care,

that we are in your love,

that you and we are one.

 

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

 

 

Song of Praise

380 Yours be the glory

 

Verse 1

Yours be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory

over death you’ve won;

 

angles in bright raiment

rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes,

where your body lay.

 

Refrain

Yours be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory

over death you’ve won.

 

 

Verse 2

See, Jesus meets us,

risen from the tomb;

lovingly he greets us,

scatters fear and gloom;

 

let the church with gladness

hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord is living,

death has lost its sting.

 

Refrain

Yours be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory

over death you’ve won.

Verse 3

No more we doubt you,

glorious Prince of life;

life is naught without you:

aid us in our strife;

 

make us more than conquerors

through your deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan

to your home above.

 

Refrain

Yours be the glory,

risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory

over death you’ve won.

 

 

The Peace

 

Peace be with you

And also with you.

 

 

Bible Reading     Robyn Harvey

Luke 24:36-48 (New Revised Standard Version)

 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

³⁶ While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ³⁷ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate in their presence. ⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

 

Robyn: The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

 

 

Kids’ Talk

A brief time to pray for the parent(s) and those who nourish and influence them

 

 

Prayer of the People     Joshua Yeon

 

Let us pray:

 

Ever faithful Lord,

Ever giving Son,

Ever present Spirit,

For the many gifts you grant us

and the opportunity to enjoy these things;

For your daily provision

and for the constant signs of your healing love;

For the hope amidst hopelessness

and the light which always shines;

For all these things,

‘thank you’ is just not enough

but it’s all we have:

… to show our gratitude in word, in thought and in action.

 

So thank you, Lord

and may our thanks move beyond words

to transform us into thankful people,

faithful people,

seeing people,

people who see need and see the need to act,

people who love to live and live to love,

people who serve you by serving others.

 

Help us to be amongst those

who include the excluded

and bring in those who are marginalised,

that when the opportunities come our way

to be healers of division and hurt,

to be peacemakers

and restorers,

we won’t be found wanting.

 

Loving, following Father,

We bring before you people and issues

that are closest to us

and that occupy our minds at this time …

 

We remember now our church families and their surroundings

 

- education, employment, sustainable life, future plan and hopes, kids and parents’ wellbeing in Australia and in their own motherlands.

 

- for those who are unwell and might feel isolated

 

- for ministry and mission of our congregation: growing young and discerning period for next generation, playgroup, learning for leisure etc.

 

- for leaders, church council members, elders and minister.

 

Mighty, wonderful Father,

we bring before you people and issues from around our world,

including those we’ll never know personally

but who remain our sisters and brothers in you …

 

We remember now the churches and Christians in the countries of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine

 

Transforming, healing Father,

help us to make the light shine in dark places,

to make peace known in violent places,

and to bring hope to despondent places.

Our prayers, spoken and silent

are brought to you now.

 

We remember the work of the people at St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.

 

We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus,

the healer, includer and redeemer,

forever, Amen.

 

 

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 of Praise

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

 

Verse 1

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

 

Verse 2

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

 

 

Chorus

My chains are gone I've been set free

My God my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love amazing grace

 

Verse 3

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

My chains are gone I've been set free …

(Sing chorus two times)

 

Verse 4

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

 

 

Sermon (Note)

 

(1)

I love walking

 

I love walking with Arong

 

MY recent challenge – Walk with Arong to Boronia Park, where I work

 

In walking with each other,

      TWO different pattern – two different routes

• My route:
  • straight and energy and time efficient
  • Part of my daily things to do
  • Bypass
  • rational direction
• Arong’s route:
  • everywhere especially first 10-15 minutes
  • All that he wants and needs for the day
  • No bypass
  • Instinctive behaviour
  • Excitement in walking
• Leash
  • you “lead” your dog with a lead, your dog leads you with a “leash”
  • A leash just connects him to you but he is in control.

WONDER who follows who?

      AM I following Arong?

      Is Arong following Me?

 

(2) I missed walking with Arong last week

BECAUSE OF THE SOUL CAMP.

 

Camp out

 

Great joy to see our young ones

GROW THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST

Meeting new friends and other leaders

At meal time, workshops,

venue which was called downtown where campers can mingle with each other over chats, games and having hot drinks and snacks.

AND AT GATHERINGS

 

At gatherings,  which is a worship service

Massive size congregation about 320 people

Band leads songs and prayers – make worshippers dance. Our young ones also danced with others.

Speakers were all great ones delivering

 

God’s message to audience

      Anna Coulston, Tom French and Matt Gelding

All talked about FOLLOWING

 

How to follow Jesus

How much the cost of following Christ

To start means to finish – perseverance with Christ

In my weakness, God is so strong

 

Trust the messenger, Jesus and then know him more

The Son of God messaging you

Asking to you to follow HIM

Come Follow Me

 

(3) My highlight – Prayer exchange with a 12 yo young Christian NATE.

 

“Can I pray?”

 

• What I learnt from the encounter with him
  • Not say the importance of prayer and “pray”
  • But just PRAY.

 

Leash moment – Brain and heart can connect only by prayer

 

• Leash
  • Brain “leads” your heart with prayer, your heart/soul “leads” you and your life with power of prayer.
• Jesus leads you when we pray and our prayer invites Jesus among us as Saviour and Messenger.
• A prayer just connects Him to you but He is in control.
• In our relationship thru prayer, we are able to follow HIM toward God the Father.

 

(4) Jesus, the Peace maker.

 

Today’s passage, Jesus says, “PEACE BE WITH YOU”

Jesus – not just saying or teaching

how to make peace between or among the disciples in fear.

BUT bringing peace to them

because on that cross He made the peace, fulfilling God’s peace on earth.

He, himself the peace between God and all creation.

THE PEACE HE MADE AND BROUGHT US

THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS

THE GIFT THAT WE MAY BRING TO THE WORLD

 

(5) Final Topic

 

In verses 45-48, it says,

Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them,

“Thus it is written,

 

that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise

from the dead on the third day, 

and that repentance and forgiveness of sins

is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations,

beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things.

 

You are witnesses of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.

We are called to witness

who Jesus Christ is,

how much God loves us and

what a wonderful thing that the Holy Spirit works and moves among us today.

 

We are called to follow HIM this day.

We are the witnesses.

How awesome is the peace

that Christ made and brought for us?

 

 

Chorus (of My Chains Are Gone)

 

My chains are gone I've been set free

My God my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love amazing grace

 

What would you pray for now?

In following HIM, what you might need from Jesus?

 

Again, to pray or a prayer just connects HIM to us

And he is in control in our lives because of our prayers.

 

 

Concluding Prayer and Blessing

 

 

 

Sung Blessing      God be with you till we meet again

 

God be with you

till we meet again;

holy wings securely hide you,

daily manna still provide you;

God be with you

till we meet again.

 

Till we meet, till we meet,

till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you

till we meet again.

 

 

 

Anzac Day Sunday 25 April 2021, 5:55AM

[Click to view the liturgy of LIGHT UP THE DAWN this Sunday]