Sunday Worship Service for Young People

 

Pentecost 11

Leaders: Boronia Park Young People and other leaders

 

Click to view pdf version

 

This Sunday worship service is prepared by the Minister, Rev. Seung Jae Yeon at Boronia Park Uniting Church, for Sunday school children and those young at heart. In his preparation, Anthony Huggins (The Lord’s Prayer) Michelle and Jayden (Bible Reading), Isabella Lee (Grown-up’s Talk), Rosemary Brook (Prayers of the People), and Jayden, Michelle, Zachary, Heather and Emily (Singing) join participate in leading the worship service.

 

 

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

 

What I am thankful for today is that I have been with our young people of the congregation observing their faith journey and them increasing the kingdom of God everyday. I give thanks to God that I, with those young people, am dwelling in God’s love in order to witness of the living and loving God. So, I may ask you the same question.

 

What are you thankful for today?

 

Take a moment to think about thankfulness to God and to others. Then share yours with family, friends, or neighbours after this service.

 

 

OPENING PRAYER: WALK IN LOVE

 

The letter to Ephesian Christians communities written by Apostle Paul tells us this:

 

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, 

forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

And walk in love, 

as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

_{(Ephesians 4:32-5:2, ESV)}

 

As the Word of God speaks to us clearly how to live as Christ follower, friend and family member.

 

Let us pray:

 

Lord our God,

we thank you that you tell us the Way we should walk in.

We also give thanks to you because of Jesus Christ, your one and only Son,

who walked with many friends and believers of God.

 

Heavenly Father,

please help us to grow our faith in your Son,

have a joy in us as we learn about your kindness, tender heart and love.

 

In this time of worship,

come help us draw to your presence where we can find your hope.

 

We pray 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.

 

 

SONG       JOHN 3:16

 

John three sixteen,

 

For God so loved the world that He gave

His one and only Son.

 

That whoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have eternal life.

_{Seeds Family Worship | CCLI #260394}

 

 

BIBLE READINGS           MICHELLE AND JAYDEN LAM

 

Gospel reading: John 4:35 (English Standard Version)

 

³⁵ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

 

Second reading: Ephesians 5:1-2 (English Standard Version)

 

Walk in Love

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

 

Grown-up’s Talk    Isabella Lee

 

“How do you walk in love?”

 

Today’s bible readings address the core components of the Christian faith. Our relationship with God and the importance of leading a life with love. This world that we live in is filled with a lot of conflict and hate. And through my 17 years of life experience…I have concluded that it is almost always our differences from each other that drive us apart.  Sometimes, it’s easy to forget how everyone is unique and different. Our identities are completely individual and wonderful. What we share is beautiful, our similarities are beautiful. Shared experiences and beliefs help us to connect to other people, yet, our differences are what encourage us to learn and grow.

 

For me, to walk in love doesn’t mean putting myself in other people’s shoes. Everyone’s experiences are valid and can be so different from your own that attempting to cram your feet into shoes that don’t fit might do more harm than good. Instead, try to understand that everyone is on their own path and have their own shoes and whilst you might never be able to fully comprehend what they are going through, you can still approach them with acceptance and love. Now I’m also not saying that you have to befriend everyone on the planet, because maintaining almost 7.7 billion friendships is unattainable. What I mean to say is to actively approach your differences with another by listening to what they have to say. Keeping an open mind is important, however it can be easier said than done. Everyone has their biases which we have always had or have adopted throughout our lives. Often, we aren’t even aware of the biases that we have. It takes conscious effort to become aware of them and even more effort to unlearn or reshape certain pieces of them to have a more open mind. I often find myself making judgements about things or people that I personally don’t know much about. In that moment, it is important for me to think about why I responded to something or someone in that way. Was it a reasonable judgement to for me to make? Or is it something that I should try to understand better before making any assumptions? Some of the friendships that I cherish the most may never have been formed if I hadn’t listened and kept an open mind. The positive changes that these individuals have brought to my life and contributed to my understanding of the world is monumental. What walking in love means to me is sharing my love with others. It means not only being tolerant of peoples’ differences but embracing them and learning from them. If someone doesn’t want to accept your love, understand that you did your part, but you can’t control how others respond. It isn’t a simple path to walk in love, but it is worthwhile, because learning from differences helps your world and view of the world to expand and grow.

 

So, to all of you I ask the question…How do you walk in love?

 

 

CHILDREN’S ADDRESS         SEUNG JAE YEON

 

Food. I love food as I enjoy eating and cooking. I am super excited when thinking and talking about food. Recently we, Boronia Park people have studied and reflected on one of the ‘I AM’ statement, the Bread of Life. Jesus told that he is the Food given by God for those who believe it. This is what and how Jesus described himself during his ministry with people of God. In the last week, my sermon talked about what it means to have the bread of life in our daily faith journey, self-celebrating my seven years ministry with you. And I am a rice eater. Thankfully I recalled that in all things, we were able to be good enough because of One God and One Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Let us get back to the topic, food. All my memories in my childhood seem to link food I smelt, tasted, touched and ate. And all that I can recall would take me to the little and tiny kitchen of the unit where our family lived for fifteen years. I can draw it in my mind. Its size is like my current study room. In there a fridge, a microwave placed upon the fridge, a sink and cupboard which was a treasure box, a two-burner gas cooktop without range hood, a boiler (we called it boiler that is a central heating system in each household to provide hot water to each room to keep the floor warm. I still miss it in winter!) and a table and four chairs for our dining and a radio airing a classical music channel all day long. In the little kitchen, my mother made all wonderful, sweet, awesome and amazing stories in cooking food for our family. Her humble and sacred presence in the kitchen had formed me. No matter what, she was there before I got up, and after I went to bed. In that tiny kitchen, I would say that I found a universe where I can dream, imagine and vision for my life. Food that my mother cooked is so important to me. Her food was a food of my life so I can imagine what it means to have the bread of life as Jesus described to his friends.

 

Since the lockdown started this year, our Yeon family in Sydney has gathered around the table for each meal every day. Grace is a central in preparing, cooking and serving us. Her passion, giftedness, willingness, joy and agony are there too. She seems to like to see us eating and enjoying her food. Merely no left-overs and complaints after each meal. But saying ‘thank you’ and praising her time and energy for her family. Because of her cooking and feeding us, we, five of us can gather around the table, honestly pre-tasting a glimpse of heavenly banquet and the bread of life that Jesus described to us in the reading today.

 

“I am the bread of life”, said Jesus. Then he invited his friend to join him and his father through him where they would never be hungry and thirst. Eternal life and God’s kingdom in this life and beyond. He wanted his friends to see the sign in his feeding of 5,000 plus men, women and little ones. In sharing, giving, receiving, thanking, eating and talking, Jesus wanted them to imagine how the kingdom of God forms and transforms their lives. In this meal and all stories linked to the meal, Jesus would have wanted them to abide in God, as well as God came abide in and among them. Jesus’s feeding and saying ‘I am the bread of life’ had brought the kingdom of God, One God for the people of God. They were one in this meal. They were one with Christ and one with each other in the bread of life. Jesus simply fed them, bringing the kingdom of God in him to his friends. Lunch with the Lord. Should they live for him? Lunch after walking dusty road. Should they invite others to join the bread of life?

 

Does someone make most of your meals for you? To thank them for the food, write them a thank-you, say "thank you", or give them free for one or two (even more) meals a week! This sermon will focus on thanking those who make food for us on a regular basis. This could be someone living in your household such as your spouse or parent. Or providing food that is pre-cooked and packed on a regular basis for your meal. We know making homemade meals is time-consuming and then there is the clean-up time for washing dishes. Sometimes it can feel like a thankless job. I confess that I did not appreciate all the meals and time my mother spent making meals for me until I moved out and was responsible for my own meals.

 

A great way to thank the regular food maker is to give them a night or day off! Go to kitchen for lunch or dinner or take a turn making the meal and doing the clean-up. Even helping with the clean-up is a blessing. I am always thankful when my children do the dishes! Saying “thank you” after the meal is nice. An occasional thank-you note is another thoughtful gesture. Here is an example for your food maker.

 

Dear [Mom, Dad, or their name],   Thank you for providing wonderful homemade meals for the family. I know that sometimes they can take a while to make. Please know that I appreciate them as they provide energy and taste great! The [name] dish you made today was fantastic!   Love, [Your Name]

 

 Then, this is my thank you note to my Grace.

 

Dear Grace,

 

Thank you for taking the time to make our meals and have enough leftovers for me to eat if joined you late. Your meals are so much meaningful to me like the bread of life. Nothing compares to your dishes. Promise! I understand that all the cooking can be a lot of work and time. It’s worth it. You are amazing and I love you for caring enough to make healthy food for us. Please don’t forget that you are the one among us who shows the sign of how much God loves us.

 

Love,

 

Seung Jae

 

How do you thank the people in your life that make your meals? What would you say today when your meal is prepared by someone? They love us and give themselves for us in the humble and sacred activity every day. Your saying thank you would teach you how you appreciate the bread of life given by God for your daily faith journey. You may taste the bread of life as you thank someone for cooking and feeding you today.

 

Amen.

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE    ROSEMARY BROOK

 

There is just so much and so many to pray for in our world - but as today is a Sunday School service, I’ve chosen to pray for young people and the Church and conclude with a prayer for our former cherished Minister, the Reverend Annette Hawken.

 

Heavenly Father,

 

We know that your son Jesus really loved and respected young people and always encouraged them to come to Him so he could bless them, gently teach them, and just enjoy their wonderful, exuberant company.

 

We are so thankful for all the amazing and gifted young people in our own church family and for all the joy they bring us.

 

We thank you for everyone who nurtures them including their loving families; their caring teachers and Sunday School teachers Lenny and Margaret; our creative Minister, Seung Jae, and our beautiful Growing Young congregation.

 

We want our young people, from the littlest to the oldest, to develop a deep sense of who they are- so deeply loved by you; where they truly belong; and what exciting things you might have them do in the future.

 

Show us how to guide and inspire and give opportunities to our young people - and very importantly, help us as older ‘young at heart’ ones to learn from our young people, as you very much want us to.

 

Help us to show young people great empathy, especially at this time when their schooling, HSC and further studies; their usual sporting and other activities; the opportunities to hang out and celebrate with their friends; their plans for the future; and their usual wellbeing… are so disrupted. Specially bless them so they know you are always there, right alongside them.

 

Today we also think of Aboriginal young people, First Nations’ young people as last Wednesday 4 August was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander* Children’s Day – an annual celebration First Nations People have set aside expressly to encourage and celebrate their young people.

We thank you for the love and care their families and communities have provided for them, growing them up strong and safe in their cultural traditions and for thousands of generations.

 

Help us to do what we can to support their children’s safety and wellbeing and development which we acknowledge are so closely linked to the strengths of their family, community, culture, language and Country.

 

 

May ATSI* young people be proud in culture, strong in spirit. And give us the grace to learn so much more from First People’s Knowledge, Understandings and experiences.

 

We turn now to pray for your church. We thank you for:

 

• our dear Minister Seung Jae, Grace and their family for their care and devotion; and our loving congregation and our caring leaders

 

• nearby churches, Churches Together, such as Hunters Hill Life Church, formerly the Congregational Church

 

• far away churches such as your churches in Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea See Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea | World Council of Churches (oikoumene.org)

 

• underground churches, and brave isolated Christians, facing severe restrictions, discrimination and persecution

 

• international church inspired organisations, helping the most vulnerable in the most heartbreaking of circumstances

 

• churches of the future – what will they be like and how can our actions now help them meet untold challenges in the future

 

• church leaders now - of all ages and denominations and across the world- as they seek to find fresh ways to speak your truth.

 

And a special prayer:

 

Today we remember our very dear previous Minister, the Reverend Annette Hawken who passed away on Tuesday morning. We keep Annette in our prayers and Annette’s dearly loved husband, Nigel and her boys; Annette’s mother and wider family and dear friends such as Robyn, and all who loved her or whose lives were touched by her.

 

We are so thankful Annette was our minister – so full of life, delight, fun and wisdom, and a true and intrepid leader for us in a time of transition and we owe so much to Annette for our current church building. We could always see and feel Annette’s absolute love and passionate trust in you, and her unquenchable desire to serve others on your behalf.

 

We know that Annette showed immense and inspirational courage and fortitude as her health declined and showed amazing thoughtfulness for others, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

 

We are just so thankful that Annette is experiencing a most wonderful new kind of life with you. We take a few moments for our own individual prayers for Annette and for her family, and also for others dear to us who have passed away.

 

Thank you that you are a God of abundance and that you love each of us, young and young at heart, more than we can possibly imagine.

 

In Jesus’ name, we pray. 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      

 

Please contact Robyn Harvey, Treasurer on 0418 783 290 or

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

 

 

SONG       WHO YOU SAY I AM

 

Who am I that the highest King

Would welcome me

I was lost but He brought me in

Oh His love for me

 

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I’m a child of God

Yes I am

 

 

Free at last

He has ransomed me

His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin

Jesus died for me

Yes He died for me

 

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I’m a child of God

Yes I am

In my Father’s house

There’s a place for me

I’m a child of God

Yes I am

 

I am chosen

Not forsaken

I am who You say I am

 

You are for me

Not against me

I am who You say I am

_{Words and Music by Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan | CCLI #260394}

 

 

BENEDICTION

 

We go out for you, O God,

to speak what is true.

We go out for you, O God,

to live the purpose for the world.

 

 

We continue this journey with you, O God,

to act as your hands and feet.

We come this journey with you, O God,

with our family and neighbour.

 

The blessing of God almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be upon us and remain with us always.

 

Amen.

 

  

 

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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.