SONG
The opening song is, “Crown him with many crowns”, from ‘Here I am to worship’, Kingsway Music. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuMh_ept-Js
Call to worship
We come to hear the Good News, to embody the love of God in Christ as we share our lives with others. .
You may like to light a candle at this time.
God’s truth is revealed in Jesus Christ the light of the world. May the light shine for the hope of the world.
Acknowledgment of country
As we begin, it is appropriate to recognise that this great land has been home to our first nations peoples for many thousands of years. Let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first inhabitants of the regions in which we dwell, and honour them for their care of the land.
Prayer
Let’s pray.
Gracious and Eternal Creator, you come into our midst and share in our pain. You transform our lives through your everlasting love and call to us to see you in the least, the hungry, the poor, the imprisoned, the naked, the lost, the grieving, and in ourselves.
Your reign challenges us and changes our view of the world, so that we may become a people who live compassionate and insightful lives. May we be authentic in our faith, embodying the Christ we serve. In whose name we pray, Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 22:33-43. The words of the reading is below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Luke 23:33-43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re-enactment of the entirety of Luke 23, by ‘Bible Audio’. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
Message
The message today is brought to you by Tim Jensen of the Saltbush Community. The reign of Christ is different to how we might understand the political powers of the world. Christ’s reign is about humility, compassion, love, forgiveness and mercy.
What makes your life different in knowing the reign of God? How does it make a difference in the life of the church?
Before a time of prayer you may like to spend some time in silence sitting still. Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Simply be still and open to God. You may prefer to do this while listening to the ‘Optional reflective music’ below.
Optional reflective music
“Ancient of Days”, performed by CityAlight. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMRf38Xsvs
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
Eternal Presence, Creator God who Reigns with Christ, dwell deeply within us so that we may know your truth, your love, your hope, and your reign in our lives. We pray that our own lives will reflect you and your purposes, and that they refresh relationships, communities and your creation. As you dwell within us may we know the sacred life you call us to, that we are made in your image, and we acknowledge your image in all we meet.
At this time, we bring you our prayers. O Christ we open ourselves in prayer for:
Your creation …
For others we have heard about throughout our world..
For other people we know and are close to …
For our church and our wider community …
For ourselves …
Blessing
Let us go into this week with our eyes open to Christ the King’s presence in our lives and our world.
Look at your hands, see the touch and the tenderness, God’s gifts to the world.
Look at your feet, see the path and the direction, God’s gifts to the world.
Look at your heart, see the fire and the love, God’s gift to the world.
This is God’s word. We will use our gifts to serve God in it.
Song
“There’s a light upon the mountains”, sung . If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuvbW7gVwaI
Postlude
“He reigns”, by Newsboys. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuLr5rQmp0
Fun Activities
Messy Family Fun Psalm 23
There are many fun activities at HomeFaith based on the theme of the ‘Good Shepherd’ at:
https://homefaith.net/resources/messy-family-fun-psalm-23-2022/
Pentecost Flames Salad Spinner Art and Prayer Ideas
Get a cheap salad spinner and use it to create some spinner art! It’s brilliant: quick, clean (because the spinner sits in its own bowl) and each piece is unique! The process of making the art really lends itself to Pentecost themes so here’s an idea to help celebrate the occasion. Go to the following link:
http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/04/pentecost-flames-salad-spinner-art-and.html
Resources
The prayers & blessing are based on content in the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/20-11-2022-a-different-reign-luke-2333-43/
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