SONG
The opening song is, “Come one, come all”, by the Australian composer Malcolm Gordon. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1WWsaZjI4Y&list=OLAK5uy_mTBvEMrYWZM-p-TgcXWx3kXtmoss21TnI&index=9
Call to worship & prayer
God’s truth is revealed in Jesus Christ the light of the world. May the light shine for the hope of the world [you may like tonight a candle here].
Let the celebrations begin and the dancing start for the abundance of God turns water to wine.
Prayer
Let us pray. Turn our hearts Jesus of the wedding feast from the ordinary things to the joyous celebration of life in you. Come let us worship God in feasting and celebration as we allow our lives to be transformed in the presence of Christian community. Amen.
Acknowledgment of country
As we worship let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first habitants of the land on which we dwell and honour them for their care of the land.
Video of reading
Here is a dramatic re-enactment of the Gospel reading from John 2:1-12. It was recorded by a group called the ‘Lumo Gospel’ that have created videos of the four Gospels. If you have trouble connecting you can go direct to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxrzOukvfrg
And/or reading
John 2: 1 – 11: The Wedding at Cana
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Message
Jesus is a guest at a wedding in Cana where water is turned into wine. This transformation becomes an invitation to join in the feast and abundance of God in our lives. Will you come and join the feast?
The speaker for today’s message is Geoff Wellington from the Saltbush Community. If you want to download, go to:
https://vimeo.com/643748005?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=102144267
Questions for conversation
Where is God already active in the world where we can join in?
I wonder what it means for us today to continue to offer invitation to the wedding feast where new wine is offered in abundance?
How might you practice your faith muscles to be build up in faith and love?
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.
Prayers for Others
Drawn by God’s love and abundant faithfulness to us, let us pray.
We pray for all those who would love to believe but can not yet trust in the living God. We pray for those who have rejected God because of the unloving behaviour of his followers.
Silence:
Fill us Lord, fill us to the brim.
We pray for all who give orders and influence over other people. We pray that all peoples may be led justly and with sensitivity.
Silence:
Fill us Lord, fill us to the brim.
We pray for all our relationships which need your transforming love; we pray for those we irritate and upset and those who have hurt and upset us.
Silence:
Fill us Lord, fill us to the brim.
We pray for those whose lives feel empty and lacking real meaning. We pray for those whose frailty, pain or illness makes it difficult to pray.
Silence:
Fill us Lord, fill us to the brim.
We pray for those who are dying and those who have completed their life on earth, that they may be brought to peace and everlasting joy.
Silence:
Fill us Lord, fill us to the brim.
We thank you for all the joys of loving relationships, all friendships we share, and the love we are enabled to give. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessing
The celebrating is over, but the welcome remains. Go to welcome all to the table where water is transformed into the new wine and love abounds.
Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
SONG
The closing song is, “Joyful, joyful”, music by Ludwig Van Beethoven (well, sort of). If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYKP2p6uEkM
Fun Activity
See below for a fun activity. Make a Christingle! If you don’t know what that is, taken a look below. If you want a fullscreen version, select the download button below.
Sources
Today’s worship is based on the 2022 service by the Saltbush Community.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/epiphany-2-gods-abundance-john-2-1-11/
“Prayers for others” based on:
Living Stones Year C. 2000. Page 26 Prayers for Intercession Susan Sayers
One Comment
keithr@nswact.uca.org.au
I used the ‘Jubilee’ template from ChurchThemes. Pick a good theme and be prepared to pay for it is my advice.