Song
‘Sing of the Lord’s Goodness’, with Jo Boyce & the CJM MUSIC Collective (BBC Songs of Praise). If you have problems connecting, also try this link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGE6ZOumLQM&t=62s
Prayer
Let us pray.
Holy God, your faithful love toward us never ends! It is as sure and dependable as the sky over our heads. We have gathered to offer you our worship and our thanksgiving; to declare to any who will listen that you are our God, and we are your people.
O God, you have prepared for those who love you, for those who have faith in you, joys beyond understanding. May Your Spirit be at work among us as we worship, opening our eyes to the light of your presence.
Be present to us, as we are present to you in this time of worship, and throughout this day. To you alone be all glory and honour, now and forever. Amen.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Matthew 10:40-42. There is also a dramatic reading from the Lumo group below the words (which may include some additional verses).
Matthew 10:40-42
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen of the Saltbush Community. Jesus talks about how those who welcome prophets share a prophet’s reward. What is a prophet’s reward that is available to those who are welcoming?
What is the challenge from the Word today? I wonder what you have heard and thought from the Word today? How have you understood God’s reward? I wonder what you heard in the Word for our church? How would your church welcome prophets and the righteous even if what they say may be unsettling?
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 musical reflection for today is, ‘Create in me’. The song is sung by ‘The Acappella Company’ and the music was written by Terry Talbot. If you have problems connecting, also try this link at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noUeQQ64Q1I&t=132s
Prayers for others
Let us pray,
Gracious Creator, your reign is always near, may we be still long enough to know your presence. Knowing the abundance of your love and the depth of your mercy and grace is our most precious reward, bringing to us the fullness of life. You invite us to journey with you; as we bring to our prayers may our lives be a reflection of your will (pause).
For those who are powerless and weighed down by the injustices they experience each day as they are judged by race, class and religion. May they always be welcome with us (pause).
For the planet and all living things that fight for survival against the insatiable plunder of human excess. May we be welcoming to all your creation (pause)
We know you are with those who are experiencing difficult days in our communities, may we be free to share our lives with them also. Sharing the nearness of your reign (pause).
In this time of silence we bring you our prayers (pause).
In Christ, Amen.
Blessing
In the power of the Holy Spirit we now go forth into the world, to fulfil our calling as the people of God, the body of Christ.
Song
‘Brother, sister, let me serve you’, words by Richard Gillard and performed by Northumbria Community Music Group. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JahFRDrSCs
Resources
The sermon 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-5-a-prophets-reward-matthew-1040-42/