Boronia Park Uniting Church

Sunday, 29 August, 2021

 

Click to view pdf version

 

 

This Sunday worship service is prepared by the Minister, Rev. Seung Jae Yeon, Ashley Han (Bible Reading), Jenny Keast (Prayers of the People), and the music team and led by them. This worship resource is a gift to the church families and wider community.

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION AS OPENING PRAYER

 

These people honour me with their lips,

but their hearts are far away. 

(Mark 7:7)

 

Lord,

let our hearts not be far from you.

 

Help us reach out to our neighbour in the Holy Spirit,

even when we are not able to go out to meet them in person.

Let us tear down walls and invisible huddles

when we’d rather let them stand.

Stretch us, please.

 

Whether we are calling a friend,

offering a prayer, feeding the family,

be within us so that whatever we do,

we do with your love.

 

Let the world know we are your disciples

not because our hands are clean,

but because they are soiled with the mark of your people. Amen.

 

 

HYMN     I SEE THE LORD (Don Moen | John Chisum)

 

I see the Lord I see the Lord

Exalted high upon the worship

Of the people of the earth

I see the Lord I see the Lord

My eyes have seen the King

The Lamb upon the throne

Who reigns forevermore

 

The train of His robe fills the temple

A cloud of heav'nly worshipers

Surrounding His throne

We join with them now crying

Holy holy is the Lamb

The Lamb alone

 

 

BIBLE READINGS  ASHLEY HAN

 

Gospel reading: Mark 7:14-16 (New King James Version)

 

¹⁴ When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Here

Me, everyone, and understand: ¹⁵ There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. ¹⁶ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

 

Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Second Reading: James 1:26-27 (New King James Version)

 

²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

 

SONG       FATHER WELCOMES ALL HIS CHILDREN

 

Father welcomes all his children to his family through his Son;

Father giving his salvation, life for ever has been won.

 

Little children, come to me, for my kingdom is of these;

life and love I have to give, mercy for your sin.

Father welcomes all his children …

 

In the water, in the word, in his promise, be assured:

those who are baptized and believe shall be born again.

Father welcomes all his children …

 

Let us daily die to sin, let us daily rise with him,

walk in the love of Christ our Lord, live in the peace of God.

Father welcomes all his children …

 

 

SERMON                   SEUNG JAE YEON

 

Every morning, I find my green friends in the garden and greet. It’s simple. Just look at each one, celebrating this new day that my friend and I have together. Their responses vary. Some swing left and right. Some nod front and back. Some bloom. Some stand tall. Seasons change. My green friends never change. If sunshine is enough, moisture and fertility of the soil is good, they are the same all the time. What they are provided and what they provide are the same. That’s why I find them each morning to build a special relationship in all God’s Creation. God is the same, past, present and tomorrow.

 

My friendship or relationship to fellow humans would be different to the one with my green friends. I know it cannot be the same because there are different expectations and hopes that I may anticipate. By my own standard, norms, values and rules which are formed in life’s events and learning, I sometimes realise that I have my own lens (not my pair of glasses) to judge others, exercising power of my own perspectives. In me, there might be a place of this habit living and leading my ownself as I live the life given by my Lord Jesus Christ. So I persevere. Every single moment, I commit and recommit God’s love and call in my ordained life. I say to God, “Please help me to live by your will not by my own norms and rules. And widen my perspectives to see this world where I live in Your Creation. One Lord.”

 

I do sometime try to fix things. I fix my tools and white goods, kids bikes and Grace’s devices, and my belongings such as printer, guitar and many. And I tend to fix other’s opinion by giving them answers rather than to offer my ears and heart to listen. Sometimes I found myself preaching to others. I failed so many times to be a friend who has empathy or to be a colleague who respects and cooperates. Fixing things like guitar means great. But fixing others opinion or circumstances without deeply understanding them would disrespect the friendship and relationship. How many times would I fail more not to judge? And how would I pray to God that I need insights and wisdom that I listen for God and others carefully. My two ears to hear is what God wants me to live with fellow humans. As my green friends mean no harms and no judgement to me, I wish I could see hearts of all things and the purpose that God has in them. The Shema Prayer reminds me of the importance of listening and the significance of deliberating one’s place in life. “Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your might.” Everything in friendship and relationship should begin by listening because God is the Word who create the whole universe and the Word becomes flesh in Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Hear Jesus. And then act like him. Paul gives us an example, asking us, “To visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” What should we do? Before thinking about our further action, see this picture first.

 

 

[Donald Allen/US Air Force via AFP. Retrieved from Aljazeera]

 

Let us be honest. Who are they in the photo? From this photo, what thoughts come to you first? And what made you think like that? No matter how you interpreted or imagined, please keep that in your mind. More than 80,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since August 14, but huge crowds remain outside Kabul airport hoping to flee the threat of revenges and cruelty from the Taliban. (We also need to pray for the remaining of Australian Force personnel who are about to come back home this year.) This horrible news from the country would impact in various ways many other countries around the world like Australia, China, Korea and more. Its impact would also challenge our religion as we hear all related news and watch TV shows or Youtube channels speaking to you hundreds and thousands different perspectives on the lives of Afghani communities everywhere. Please hold the word of Jesus Christ, saying, “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.” And remind yourself the wisdom which was added later in the bible. “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

 

In response, I would like us all to hold one minute in prayer. Let us pray for Dari-speaking parents all around the world affected by the crisis in Afghanistan. Ask God that all parents can promote the wellbeing of their children and themselves. If appropriate, you may say the prayer to hear.

 

God of all parents,

Please open wide our minds to see them,

As we seek our needs.

The role ‘parent’ is precious and sacred.

In the role they live for and can die

if they save their children and family.

We cry. We mourn. We suffer.

Come nearer ever and heal us.

And call us to act.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE    JENNY KEAST

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

 

Once again we come before you to acknowledge our weakness and your grace and mercy. We continue to live in very difficult and trying times, for some, much more difficult than for others.

 

We thank you Lord for the provision you have made for us thus far; supportive family members, kindness from friends and neighbours and hopefully protection from the COVID virus. We continue to pray for leaders to make wise decisions to keep us safe but connected and for citizens to be respectful of others in their behaviour.   We truly appreciate all those who continue to face risks when they go to work to keep others fed and looked after. Please protect these people Lord. Please give others the endurance to persevere in such difficult circumstances. We also pray too for those financially impacted by lockdowns. Please supply their needs so they can survive.

 

We thank you Lord for good, soaking rain and now sunshine to appreciate outdoors. Help spring to be in our hearts as well as our gardens. We pray for all HSC students doing their trials in ways they would never have imagined. Show us a safe pathway to resume schooling for children who miss their friends and regular school activities.

 

We pray for all Uniting Church congregations and chaplains in our area and beyond that they will be serving you and their communities in your name.

 

Our World Cycle of Prayer encompasses Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissan and Senegal and we give thanks that they have moved forward from their scarred days of slave trading. We pray that their faith communities will work for the common good and that leaders will rule justly and wisely.

 

We think of our own church members and their families and pray they will continue to support each other in prayer and reach out to ask for help if it is needed.

 

Give Seungjae wisdom and insight to lead us through this long lockdown and pandemic. Help us to remember your love and grant us peace in the turmoil of daily life.

 

We pray these prayers in Jesus Name. AMEN.

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name,

我們在天上的父, 

願人都尊祢的名為聖,

하늘에 계신 우리 아버지, 

아버지의 이름을 거룩하게 하시며,

 

your kingdom come, 

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

願祢的國降臨, 

願祢的旨意行在地上, 

如同行在天上.

아버지의 나라가 오게 하시며, 

아버지의 뜻이 하늘에서와 같이 

땅에서도 이루어지게 하소서.

 

Give us today our daily bread.

我們日用的飲食 今日賜給我們,

오늘 우리에게 일용할 양식을 주시고,

 

Forgive us our sins, 

as we forgive those who sin against us.

免我們的債 如同我們免了人的債

우리가 우리에게 잘못한 사람을 

용서하여 준 것같이 

우리 죄를 용서하여 주시고,

 

Save us from the time of trial 

and deliver us from evil.   

不叫我們遇見試探, 

救我們脫離兇惡,

우리를 시험에 빠지지 않게 하시고 

악에서 구하소서.

 

For the kingdom, the power, 

and the glory are yours now and for ever.

因為國度, 權柄, 榮耀, 全是祢的, 直到永遠.

나라와 권능과 영광이 

영원히 아버지의 것입니다.

 

Amen.

 

 

OFFERING AND DEDICATION

 

The offering will be used for the congregation’s continuing mission and 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

Mail to:       Mrs. Robyn Harvey

96a Champion Rd. Gladesville NSW 2111

 

Please contact Robyn Harvey, Treasurer on 0418 783 290 or

robyn.49@bigpond.net.au for more information about how to make Direct Debit.

 

Next Sunday - Communion Sunday

Please prepare a cup of grape juice/wine and a piece of bread/wafer

 

Worship participants

Bible - Christy Kim

Kids Talk - Rosemary Brook

Prayers of the People - Joshua Yeon 

 

 

SONG       HOLY SPIRIT GO BEFORE US (E. J. SMITH)

 

Holy Spirit, go before us,

Every mind and heart prepare

For good news of life in Jesus,

For the joyful hope we share.

Gently lead the lost to safety,

Gently teach them Wisdom’s way,

Till they come to seek you gladly,

Till we find the words to say.

 

Holy Spirit, come and help us,

Give us words to speak of Christ.

Teach us how to tell all people:

Deepest darkness can be light!

Help us tell how faithful God is,

And how Jesus sets us free;

Take our words and make them gospel,

So that many may believe.

 

Holy Spirit, stay to show us

How to serve as Christ served us.

May our words of love be grounded

In love’s actions, first and last.

Your good news is news of justice,

And the strong befriend the weak

In your service, till compassion

Builds the peace the nations seek.

 

 

PRAYER OF PRAISE AS BLESSING EACH OTHER

 

O God from whom every gift derives,

we gather to worship You this day.

You are an awesome God,

greater than our comprehension or our imagination.

You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe You.

And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of Your vast love.

 

We have come to You in thanksgiving and praise,

to know that You are God

and to place our lives anew into Your perspective.

Enlarge our vision this hour with Your Word.

Instil in us, again,

Your hope in place of our despair,

Your peace where our hatred threatens,

Your joy amidst our depression,

Your love overwhelming our apathy.

 

May Your Holy Spirit surround

and indwell this congregation now,

and forevermore.

In Jesus we pray. Amen.                                        

Retrieved from: My Redeemer Lives

 

 

 

The Boronia Park Uniting Church communications team who recorded and edited the videos, ensured all the videos ran as they should and designed the invitation and order of service. All music reproduced and streamed with permission. CCLI Copyright and Streaming Licence: 260394, 33617. All English scripture readings in this service are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.