SONG
An interesting arrangement of the traditional hymn, “Immortal, invisible, God only wise”. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlbnP4_yj18
Call to worship
God is our strength and refuge, let us place our trust in God. For when times are troubling, God is with us.
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.
Gather your people, Lord. Gather us as community and as one. May the rich and poor, friend and stranger, young and old, those who feel far and those who feel near, be gathered together with you and with one another. And as we gather Lord, let us be a thankful people. Thankful for those around us, for freedom and beauty, and for things small and great. Thankful for times of rest and struggle, and for the food and drink you provide our body and souls.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us today that we may be a true reflection of Jesus in this world. And forgive us for those times when we turn our back on you and fall short of what you call us to be. May we be thankful for your ever-present Spirit and for the mercy you show us. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 16:19-31. The words of the reading is below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Luke 16:19-31
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’
He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house–for I have five brothers–that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
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=jNzxZZMBE-k
Message
The message is brought to you by Mark Faulkner from the Saltbush Community. A parable about the allure of wealth, but also an opportunity to ask to whom… to what… do we listen to and what is convincing for us in our own faith. Join Saltbush as we ponder life and faith together in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.
Try thinking of some examples of people around you who suffer, and who are overlooked and ignored, like Lazarus. Try and name the people that you, or your church, have a habit of looking through as if they are made of glass. What might you be able to do to make a difference in their lives?
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
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord” (based on Psalm 91), sung by Heather Jordan. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRVTM3q4Z5A
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
Eternal God, where there is hope, you are there. Where there is compassion and the desire for wholeness, you are there. Where there is the struggle for peace, you are there. And where the hungry are fed, and the poor empowered, you are there. You are there where ever there is delight in the trees of the land, or the depths of the seas. Wherever love is announced, you are there.
In you is such longing for your creation, and for humanity, and we thank you for that presence of you, in Spirit, in people, renewing, calling, and saving.In that knowledge, and in our simple faith, we bring our prayers for your creation and for the people of this world.
O Christ we open ourselves in prayer for: [silence for personal prayer or invite others with you to open prayer in between each]
Your creation …
Silence
For others we have hear about throughout our world …
Silence
For other people we know and are close to …
Silence
For our church and our wider community …
Silence
For ourselves …
Silence
Blessing
Go in peace, and show God’s love to everyone, in the name of Jesus Christ.
And may God be your refuge and fortress, and the love, the joy, the mercy, the truth, and the strength of God abide within you, both now and forevermore.
Song
“Won my heart”, courtesy of Emu Music. If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qB-zEw-6lw
Postlude
“When I needed a neighbour”, passionately sung by Sydney Carter, the songs original composer. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quBKGeg8_hw
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 & prayers for others 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-16-lazarus-and-the-rich-man-luke-16-19-31/
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