SONG
‘Morning has broken’, performed by Sina and Emily (composed by Eleanor Farjeon). If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgB1-Von_g
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 us pray,
Loving God, your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies never come to an end. Your touch turns deserts into pools of living water. As you embrace the land, its yield abounds. With wisdom you implant goodness and justice.
We proclaim your virtue. We thank you for breaking down the walls that divide us one from the other and the barriers that separate us from you.
Be with us in this time of worship as we and our brothers and sisters around the world lift up your most holy name; we ask it through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. AMEN.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 15:5-10. The words of the reading is below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Luke 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?
So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'”
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading, plus a bit extra, by the Lumo group. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8osIrdo10c
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen from the Saltbush Community. In this passage, is Jesus letting the disciples and us know that we already have faith and that we are loved and valued before we do or say anything? What an amazing gift!
You have this faith already. How do you live out this faith? What stops you from knowing you are already valued and loved? In what ways can we as a church share this awesome message?
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
‘How long?’, courtesy of Emu Music. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-99REFRxgI
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
We have been brought into loving relationship with God. Our eyes have been opened to a new world order, and so we pray for those in need of the kind- heartedness of God and a transformed world.
For those excluded from jobs and homes through mental illness:
may we offer acceptance.
For those enslaved in unfair work conditions:
may we be ethical, thinking consumers.
For those who live in unsafe places of war:
we pray for peace for their communities and call for an end to conflict.
For those using violence as power:
we pray that they may feel the calming breath of the Spirit, and that we may be examples of peaceful living.
For those who propagate hatred and fear of the stranger:
we pray their hearts might be broken by love and that we be bold in our love for all.
(pause)
In your name we pray. 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
‘All creatures of our God and King’, from Tommy Walker ministries. If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-bC3mTkHuo
Postlude
‘From little things big things grow’, by Paul Kelly. Includes an interesting story about Vincent Lingiari, an Aboriginal land rights campaigner. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ilmKD85TQ
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 for others’ are from the Saltbush service for this week, which can be found at:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/pentecost-17-youve-got-it-luke-175-10/
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