Song
‘Open’, by Mike Scott. You can also find this video directly at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wpB_MFsDIk
Prayer
Come! Come praise the eternal God! Despite our failures, God forgives and releases us.
Let us pray,
Jesus, be with us as we come in worship today. Please help us break the bonds of our refusal to forgive! Please let us use your strength to remove our shackles. Teach us how to forgive others in the same way you forgive us. To forgive, and then to forget. No strings attached. In the name of Christ. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Genesis 50:15-21. This followed by the Lumo video of the Gospel reading on forgiveness from Matthew 18.
Genesis 50:15-21
Realising that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.”
But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen from the Saltbush Community. Jesus describes the immensity of God’s mercy and forgiveness in ways that are beyond our comprehension. In knowing such grace are we then free to share this with others?
I wonder where you need forgiveness today or where you need to forgive another? I wonder where you think the church needs forgiveness. What one action can you or your local community take to be reconciled with others?
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
The reflective music is, ‘Make me a channel of your peace’, sung by Susan Boyle. If you have problems connecting, you can also try this link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUI2EyYIEKs
Prayers for others & blessing
You may like to join in praying as you watch this video led by Ros Robinson.
https://vimeo.com/457246794
Song
‘Forgiveness’, by Matthew West. It can also be found via a direct link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI
Resources
The closing blessing and sermon 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-forgiveness-our-deeply-human-need-matthew-1821-35/
Opening prayer from ‘The Sunday Website’, which can be found at:
https://liturgy.sluhostedsites.org/24OrdA091723/prayerpathmain.html