SONG
The opening song is, “Here we stand”, courtesy of Emu Music. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t_4O8lFQ1M
Call to worship
Come, let us be thankful for this day. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
[based on Psalm 118]
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
For over sixty thousand years the Ancient of Days has breathed life into people in this land. Therefore, 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. Come Holy Spirit of God, blow amongst us, and our lives. Welcome us to this place, as we welcome you. Open our ears, our hearts, our minds, and be a gentle blowing, a quiet word, a fire burning, a healing presence, as each has need. In the presence of the faithful we will proclaim your name.
As we come together today, old or young, sure or uncertain, peaceful or troubled, hopeful or doubtful, we give thanks that you welcome us into your being and into your love.
Forgive us for our acts that mean that we are less than open to you. Forgive us for the ways open and hidden where do not welcome others. And forgive us that we find it hard even to acknowledge within ourselves that we are loved and welcomed.
[silence]
Thankyou Jesus that you continue to offer love. thankyou that you always welcome us. thankyou that you already forgive. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible readings for today are from the books of Hebrews and Luke. The words of the reading are below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading before the Gospel reading.
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets–who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented–of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading by the Lumo group. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBeIau8K7R0
Luke 12:49-56
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptised, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Message
The message is brought to you by Natasha He from the Saltbush Community. Natasha reflects upon Luke 12 and those words… “I came to bring fire…”
What did you hear in the Word today? How does it feel to ponder how the fire burns in us?
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
If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuApTydEi_o
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
O God of power and justice,
we long for justice in this world.
We long for the release of the oppressed and accountability for the oppressors.
O God of love and mercy,
we pray for support for those who are weak,
we pray for comfort for those who are struggling,
and we pray for love for those who are alone.
O God of wisdom and grace,
may you grant us the knowledge to do good.
May you grant us understanding of those in our community,
those we love and those we struggle against.
May we shine your light in this place, community, and the wider world.
O God of justice and peace, may the leaders of each nation seek your peace, that all people may live in harmony with each other, and that war becomes a distant memory. Come Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Blessing
As we leave this worship, may we carry in our hearts your goodness, may we carry in our minds your desire for justice, and may we carry on our tongues your message of hope.
And may the peace of God that passes all understanding be with us all. Amen.
Song
“Who would true valour be”, at Manchester Cathedral, England. If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiSAjwtpFUc
Postlude
“Siyahamba” (We are marching in the light of God). If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGOiANtGmhE
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 opening prayer is based on content in the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/pentecost-10-fire-luke-12-49-56/
The ‘Prayers for others’ and the ‘Blessing’ are from ‘Lay Leaders Liturgy, Year C, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost’, 2022.
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