SONG
The opening song is, “In Christ alone”, sung by Krystyn Getty. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9VzJmtmSFI
Call to worship
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
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.
Mighty God, speak your truth to us this day. Give us the treasure of your wisdom and love, that we might become for the world the treasure you seek us to be. Clothe us with your compassion and courage, that we might be Christ to a hurting World. In your Holy Name, we pray.
You have given us a world of beauty, and we spoilt it. A world to feed us, and so many go hungry. A world of riches, and we are so often unwilling to share. Forgive us, gracious God, every time your heart is saddened by our selfishness. Enable us to see this world as a gift from you that can be shared, and those who live on it as our neighbours. We thank you that you forgive those who truly confess their sin.
In the name of Jesus, we pray these things.
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 12:32-40. The words of the reading is below. There is also a video of a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading underneath.
Luke 12:32-40
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Dramatic readings from Lumo
Here is the dramatic re-enactment by the Lumo group based on some of todays Gospel reading. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC8Aep5uyMQ
Message
The message is brought to you by Tim Jensen of the Saltbush Community. What does a Christian life look like? The message is based on Luke 12:32-40. Tim also interviews
What have been your experiences of a Christian life? Considering the reading, what do you think the Christian life should emphasise?
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
“Where your treasure is”, by Mart Haugen and sung by Camella Itona. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7PlO6UZcac
Prayers for Others
Let us pray.
Redeeming God, we pray for ourselves and for our world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We come with our whole selves, with joys and concerns, hopes and fears. Give us new life and new hope. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your body, the church, gathered here and around the world. May we continue to be a voice for the marginalised and oppressed, and may we open our doors and lives to all people.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your whole creation, all life on this earth and your whole universe. May we learn to care and attend to your creation rather than see it as an expendable resource for our use.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let us go from here trusting, in hopefulness, the promises of God. Know that the Lord is good and summons all creation to share in the hope-filled future with Christ. Go in peace. 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.
Go with the peace of God upon you, and go out in faith, sure of the things you hope for, certain of the things you cannot see, and blessed in knowing that God goes with you both now and forevermore.
Song
“Guide me, O thou great Redeemer”, sung by The St Michael’s Singers. If you have problems connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j48TLIRb4Q
Postlude
“Keep your lamps trimmed and burning”, a spiritual based on today’s Gospel reading from Luke. If you have trouble connecting, go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex6VyV8Qoqk
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 & blessing 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-3-following-luke-9-51-62/
The opening prayer is from ‘Lay Leaders Liturgy, Year C, First Sunday after Pentecost’, 2022.
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