Song
‘Love divine, all loves excelling’, courtesy of Emu Music. If you have problems connecting, also try this link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udfVtSSZSyg
Prayer
“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, …. “Follow me”.”
Let’s pray,
Lord, in different ways people have heard a call to be disciples. At times the call seemed distant. At times that call made us feel sure footed. There have been paths that are hard, and others that seemed easy. Lord, we know that you continue to call us, whatever our situation in life.
Forgive us when we denied the invitation. Forgive us when we have been all too sure of ourselves. Forgive us when we have been judgmental of others as a way of thinking ourselves more special in your eyes.
So place once more your hand upon us, and let us hear again the way of forgiveness, challenge, discipleship, and the road before us. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Romans 4:13-25. There is also a dramatic reading of Matthew 9:9-26 from the Lumo group underneath.
Romans 4:13-25
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) –in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Abraham’s hope and faith
Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.”
Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Message
Project Reconnect – Paul Simpson
11th June 2023 (Year A Pentecost 2) “Faith and Grace, the best Way”
Faith versus Works or Grace versus law? The age-old problem conundrum! Is it Faith and Grace that is needed to lead us to life in Christ and righteousness?
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
‘My life’, by Gillaume & René Worship. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDQaNVTOXs
Prayers for others
Let us pray,
God of the day and night, God of the summer and winter, God of the drought and the rain, we find ourselves in your presence. Christ of friendship, of healing, of bread, wine and fish, we find ourselves in your presence. Spirit of the eternal presence of God, you blow amongst us.
We pray for your people. Where there is suffering, bring healing, and where there is loneliness and fear, may Christ be their friend. Where there is hatred and war, may Christ bring peace, and where there is bitterness, may Christ bring forgiveness.
Amongst your people, o Christ, turn us to healing. When we cling to things that are never life giving, Christ be our bread. Where your church is excluding of others, Christ inspire us to discipleship once more and disturb us into actions of grace. Spirit of the eternal presence of God, you blow amongst us. Turn us not to good words, but to be as we have spoken and prayed. For you desire mercy, not sacrifice, the doing of justice, and the loving of kindness. These are our prayers. Amen.
Blessing
Go in peace, and until we meet we again, may the love of the Father enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, and the fire of the Holy Spirit kindle us. Amen.
Song
‘This is Jesus’, by Lucy Grimble and Steph MacLeod. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBgEcGtdlOQ
Resources
The opening ‘Prayer’ and ‘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-2-the-calling-matthew-9-9-13-18-26/