(From website "5 best spring flowering bulbs")
This week, as agreed, we continue to us one of rites provided in Uniting in Worship 2 (the Uniting Church’s book of worship). This is an ecclesial rite called “A Congregational Reaffirmation of Baptism”. We are all encouraged to make prior spiritual preparation for this service. As Minister, I am sensitive to those who have not been baptised. However, I believe that this rite may be a gentle invitation for them to reflect on the meaning of baptism or becoming a member of the congregation, as the baptised members would remind of their faith in Christ.
Also this Sunday we may celebrate Father’s Day. Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. Also let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a worthy and virtuous father. Let us praise those men who have no children but cherish the next generation as if they were their own. Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides. Most of all, we thank God for us that He is the good Father for all of us in heaven.
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.
Almighty God of all creation,
we join our voices to praise you today,
singing of your wonders,
giving thanks for your grace and care,
and celebrating the joys of life you have blessed us with:
family and friends;
new relationships and deeper relationships;
new life and transformed lives;
reconciliation and restoration.
On this day we are especially grateful for the gifts of fathers,
the gifts of being a father
and fathers that we miss.
We thank you for the many ways
that our fathers have shaped us,
for their example and their love.
Yet we also pray for those
who have painful relationships with their fathers;
those who are estranged from their fathers
and fathers who are estranged from their children.
And, God, we pray for those
who are unwilling or unable
to accept the responsibilities of fatherhood.
Gracious God,
all of our prayers are summed up
in the longing for your kingdom,
that wonderful, amazing, and new reality
that is emerging all around us.
John W. Vest
So we join our voices together, God,
praying for the coming of your kingdom,
using the words that Jesus taught us.
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.
Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy.
New Living Translation
This is the Word of the Lord.
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him, sing to our God,
praise the everlasting king!
Praise him for his grace and favour
to his people in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless:
praise him, praise him, sing to our God,
glorious in his faithfulness!
Father-like he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes:
praise him, praise him, sing to our God,
widely as his mercy flows!
Frail as summer’s flower we flourish,
blows the wind and it is gone;
but while mortals rise and perish
God endures unchanging on.
praise him, praise him, sing to our God,
praise the high eternal one!
Angels, help us to adore him,
you behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space:
praise him, praise him, sing to our God,
praise with us the God of grace!
Henry Francis Lyte 1793-1847 alt.
CCLI #260394
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
The Wisdom of God:
“Preach.” I have heard the word ‘preach’ at home, if I say something that is so right or informative. As a serious dad, I do teach all things that I believe that it is helpful for them to gain. From history of things such as Malatang to values of Christian faith, my ‘preaching at home’ would cover so many topics. I know listening is important than talking. I know my kids wanted to be heard and feel that someone pays attention to their interest or things that happened. But me, again, as a father, in accordance to what my DNAs might speak to me, I preach, believing that I must teach. Yes, I will continue to preach, teaching my children. My hope is that if you are a father, you excel at teaching your children or those near you.
In comparison to my preaching to children, my Grace is a great communicator. She is also strict but always lends her ears and even heart to our three children. As a pianist mother, her communication or teaching children is like music. She composes her communication with children to deliver her intent of teaching. So, she has not had any comment like mine, ‘preaching’. I wonder what skills or talents make her communication different to my preaching? No matter what, Grace and I, as Korean migrant Christian parents, do our best to communicate with three children because we are given an authority by God to teach them and to grow them in faith. If you are raising a child or children with your faithful prayer, I acknowledge that it is not easy but so important for us all.
This year, the celebration of Father’s Day reminds me of all fathers who strive to teach their children, father or mentor children of others if they were their own and model or remodel other’s life as Jesus Christ did. But the reality is some fathers excel while others fail. You, all fathers, should ally to each other. I can teach my own experiences and knowledges whereas you can do yours. We, all fathers and those who father our children, should join with each other to teach all young people and then touch their lives. I believe that God calls us father to fulfil what God wants to do in many lives. I can tell that all father’s role needs to show courage and determination in this challenging time, to challenge young people to move beyond self-limiting boundaries for others, and to model or remodel the qualities that would turn many lives into reasonable, principled, caring humanity. As our Father in heaven is for all, we, all fathers are called to father all humanity. Our Father-like role may start at home. If you need all other fathers’ help, do not hesitate to let them know. We teach what we believe in Jesus. Then young people grow their faith in Jesus.
From today’s passage, Matthew 18, all fathers, mothers and those who are in position to teach others may learn how we teach together. Frankly speaking, I should learn how it is important that we learn from each other. I do not think that we need to correct anyone’s practicality of doing faith at this moment. The passage encourages us to do teaching of Christian faith together. We are all life-time learner so that we need to be open for any opportunity to gain and receive for good. I personally agree with what Ivan Illich (1926-2002), Roman Catholic priest and social critic practiced at Centro Intercultural de Documentación, Mexico. He paid fees as he taught students. He believed that all teachers and students pay equally because learning is important to all equally. Don’t you have an encounter with your children that you learnt from their learning or themselves? Our teaching is not correcting others but giving us a chance to identify who I am and what I live with my faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus in the passage stresses that we are given a strong permit to say words and to take action on behalf of Him in the world God created. Your good words may change others life. Your faithful deed may transform young people’s future and qualities. What would you say and do now?
Also the passage tells us how important we pray together. Our joint prayers will be able to make others life different. We don’t know now so we now pray to God. Let your children and their concerning matters be in God’s hand through your prayer and our prayers. What my Grace recalls her mother is that she always prays to God for Grace. So she prays for her three children in any circumstances and let her children be in God’s hand. Her prayers are way powerful than my preaching! Fathers, pray more for your children and others if they were your own. I also believe that God be dwelling among us when we pray together in the move of the Holy Spirit. In verse 20, it promises, saying, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Once again, we may hear the clear voice of Christ Jesus. We, fathers are called to pray for each other, for each other’s children, and for the world. Our heavenly Father works for us. Thus we, fathers, especially as we celebrate Father’s Day in the midst of current pandemic, are called to get connected apart to pray. When we pray, God be among us. This is a true blessing upon all fathers and those who father many lives.
Let me conclude my sermon sharing with a prayer called “Fathers in Our Lives”.
Let us pray:
We giveA our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives.
Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.
We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.
This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways – both big and small – they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.
So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.
In Your Holy name, O God, we pray. Chuck Currie
Amen.
Let us continue this time of worship with joining the rite. We hope that no matter you are baptised or not, you may simple join the rite to reflect on the meaning of faith in journeying through life.
Brothers and sisters,
fathers and mothers,
sons and daughters,
friends and guest,
in our baptism, we died and were buried with Christ,
so that we might rise with him to new life.
We were initiated into Christ’s holy Church
and brought to life through water and the Spirit.
God’s mighty acts of salvation for us and all people
are gracious gifts, freely given.
Today we come to reaffirm our baptism,
declaring our allegiance to the risen Christ
and seeking to be obedient to his will.
Do you repent of your sins?
Do you turn to Jesus Christ
who has defeated the power of sin and death
and brought us new life?
Do you commit yourself to God,
trusting in Jesus Christ as Saviour
and in the Holy Spirit as God’s power and presence along the way?
And now I ask you confess the faith
into which you were baptised,
and in which you continue to live and grow.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, ‘catholic’ means ‘universal’
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
This is the faith of God’s baptised people.
We are not ashamed to confess it
in Christ our Lord.
I ask you now to pledge yourselves
to Christ’s ministry in the world.
Will you continue in the community of faith,
the apostles’ teaching,
the breaking of bread and the prayers?
Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
Will you seek Christ in all people,
and love your neighbours as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
May almighty God,
who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit,
keep us steadfast in the faith,
and bring us to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus,
refresh the lives of all your faithful people.
One of your family members may say of the following, and sprinkle water from the font by hand three times towards the members or those who worship together.
Sisters and brothers:
Always remember you are baptised,
and be thankful.
Always remember you are baptised,
and give thanks to the risen Lord.
Always remember you are baptised,
and praise the Holy Spirit.
Today we remember that, from the time of our baptism,
the sign of the cross has been upon us.
I invite you now to join me
in tracing the sign of the cross upon your forehead,
saying: I belong to Christ. Amen.
You mark yourself with the sign, saying:
You may trace the sign of the cross on those around you,
saying: You belong to Christ. Amen.
You mark others with the sign, saying:
All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now compared to this
Knowing You Jesus knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all You're the best
You're my joy my righteousness
And I love You Lord love You Lord
Now my heart's desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness
Knowing You Jesus knowing You…
Oh to know the pow'r of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die
Knowing You Jesus knowing You…
Graham Kendrick
CCLI Licence # 260394
Let us pray for all the baptised everywhere
and for ourselves in this congregation of God’s people.
That our redemption from evil
and our rescue from the way of sin and death
may be evident in our daily living.
Lord, in your mercy,
That the Holy Spirit may continue
to open our hearts and lives
to the grace and truth we find in Jesus our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy,
That we may be kept in the faith and communion
of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Lord, in your mercy,
That we may be sent into the world
to witness to the love of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy,
That we may be brought to the fullness
of God’s peace and glory.
Lord, in your mercy,
Attributed to St Richard of Chichester
Loving and Merciful Father,
We remember this Father’s Day of your fatherhood. As we celebrate fathers all around the world, we remember you as our original father.
Father, the world is now in a lot of chaos. The period of Covid 19 is prolonged and even reoccurring in areas are increasing. Many people are struggling. We know that all of this is the result of our failure to manage this earth that you have given us. Father forgive us. Please let the governments and people become aware of it and keep aware of environmental issues. Father, please give strength, courage, and health to all workers fighting on the front lines. Especially protect those who are vulnerable, and elderly peoples.
Father, we pray for Lebanon. As you know, there was a big explosion in Beirut last month. Hundreds died and thousands were injured, the whole country fell into sorrow. Please comfort this country and look after the families and people in pain. We pray that the world including countries in the West can join in the pain and help them economically and emotionally.
Father, we pray for Ghana and Nigeria. Please protect those exposed to violence and terrorism. We pray for the economic growth of these countries. Father, please help all people in these countries to receive financial benefits and help them avoid hunger. Please help the churches in these countries to share the love of Jesus with courage and maintain a peaceful relationship with other religions.
Father, we also ask for your remembrance of our congregation. We pray for each and every one of these church family members. We pray you will keep them healthy and safe. We pray for our young people, that they can continue their education well, even in difficult times.
We pray all these things in Jesus name.
Amen.
Attributed to Rev Barnabas Joo
To conclude the prayers, we all say the following prayers of commitment.
Praise be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits,
you have won for me,
for all the pains and insults
you have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer,
friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
move you move dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day. Amen.
Attributed to St Richard of Chichester
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.
Verse 1
Who is this man, who gathered people to him,
and touched their lives along each dusty way;
who spoke to all with passion and with peacefulness
and valued all their ordinary days?
Who is this man, who, at the long day’s ending,
would draw apart to wait on God and pray,
and, in that mystery that knows no ending,
would find God’s wisdom and would know God’s words to say?
Verse 2
Who is this man, who gave to women dignity
in partnership of worth and equal grace,
who listened to the stories that they told him
and honoured all, whatever was their place?
Who let them choose to come and join his company,
and learned with them God’s love for every race,
who showed to each the courage of their nature
to care and tend each lonely and each suffering face.
Verse 3
Who is this man, who spoke to men of gentleness
and showed them all the children at this side;
who taught of love and justice for all people
and took a towel and washed away their pride?
In him they saw the strength of truth and mercy,
and how he trusted God to be his guide,
knew how he led them through misunderstanding,
and then forgave them when they ran away to hide.
Verse 4
Who is this man who calls us now to follow,
a shadow presence asking us to be
companions on the way through this life’s journey,
to live in truth, to set our tired world free?
So let us find each other now in partnership
with ears to hear and eyes awake to see,
that we might grow in grace and understanding
and walk beside that man who comes from Galilee.
Words: Mary Pearson
Music adopted from Londonderry Air
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.
God, our Father,
bless these men,
those who equally learn from each other,
that they may find strength as fathers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honour them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
The blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon us and remain with us always.
Amen.
NEXT SUNDAY – 13 September 2020
The communion service will be prepared and led by the people of Boronia Park Uniting Church.
Bible Reading – Matthew 18:21-35 (NLT), Jenny Keast Children’s Talk – Alan Keast Prayers of the People – Isabella Lee Local churches’ Prayer Cycle: St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish World Cycle of Prayer: Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
If you are able, please prepare a piece of bread and a cup of wine/grape juice to join communion. |