SONG
The opening song is, :Show me your ways”, by the Sapphire Singers. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmepcTj2vt4
Call to worship
We’ve come to worship God, who loved us before we were yet born, who knows us even better than we know ourselves, whose presence never leaves us, and whose love for us never ceases. This is our God. Let’s worship together!
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
“And Jesus said to them…. Follow me.” Let’s pray.
Like clay in the potter’s hand, so we are to you, O Lord! You take the ordinary
and often imperfect, and make something beautiful, moulding us into the people
you envisioned us to be. In your hands we are made new, perfected Lord, by you. Be with all those who worship you today, for in your hands we are made useful in service Lord, for you.
A Father’s Day message
Here is a Father’s Day message found on Youtube.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 14:25-33. The words of the reading is below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it. Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.
So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
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=ydiacfJJBmw
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen of the Saltbush Community. Jesus says some challenging things. Following Christ comes with a cost that usually involves pushback from others. Sometimes that pushback can come from our family.
What does it mean for me to count the cost of discipleship? How do I carry my cross? How do we balance the need to respect and show love to members of our family with following Christ?
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
‘Hear me, Lord’, courtesy of Emu Music and sung by Liv Chapman. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF1VKZiMxP0
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
Ever present God, as we encounter your words and actions through Jesus may we know that we are invited to participate in your loving action for the world, to help restore creation, to be ministers of reconciliation and bearers of your hope. May we be open to your Spirit’s leading, to move in your life.
(pause)
For those who are shut out and shunned by the injustices they experience each day as they are judged by gender, race, class and religion. May we take up our cross and walk with the marginalised.
(pause)
For the planet and all living things that fight for survival against the insatiable plunder of human excess. May we take up our cross and seek sustainable ways of living and caring for your creation.
(pause)
We know you are with those who are experiencing difficult days in our communities. May we take our cross and care for others. (pause) In this time of silence, we bring you our prayers. May we know the cost of being cross bearers.
(pause)
In Christ, Amen.
Blessing
Go out into the world, to love and serve the Lord. Bless us and the people we meet along the way. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Song
“Christ our hope, in life or death”, by Keith and Kristyn Getty”. If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPT5QEDf9bA
Postlude
“Every move I make”, from South Africa. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI2BPjAla6g
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/pentecost-13-difficult-words-luke-14-25-35/
The opening prayer is from ‘Lay Leaders Liturgy, Year C, First Sunday after Pentecost’, 2022.
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