SONG
The opening song is “The summons”. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiXnbOORTAU
Call to worship
We come to hear the Good News, to live out the love of God as we share our lives with others. God’s truth is revealed in Jesus Christ the light of the world. May the light shine throughout all the world.
You may like to light a candle at this time
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. Therefore, let us also acknowledge those Aboriginal peoples who are the first habitants of the regions in which we dwell and honour them for their care of the land.
Prayer
Gracious God, the cosmos is filled with your wonder and glory, so much more than we could ever begin to comprehend. Yet you invite us to journey with you, to be alert to your presence and aware of your love. Thank you for the abundance of your life.
May we know it in our own living.
May we share your graciousness with others.
May we honour your abundant life in them.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Message for the young at heart
Andrew McDonough, the author of ‘Peter the fisherman’, reads his book and shows you how to draw a shark!
From the Bible
The Bible reading for today is from Luke 5:11. The words for the miracle haul of fish in the second half of the reading are included below.
Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who are partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Video:
You may also like to check out this short excerpt from the movie, ‘The Chosen’, which is a dramatic re-enactment that takes a few liberties with the Bible and adds some extra dialogue and expression. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWGCkovAUWM
Message
The message today is brought to us by Tim Jensen from the Saltbush Community.
Question: If Jesus called you today and asked you to follow him, where do you think he would take you?
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
Let us pray. Gracious God, your Word and Spirit challenge our lives. Remind us again that it is by your gracious abundance that make all things possible. We pray that you continue to speak to us, to challenge us and unsettle our pride, and to bring us to new life-giving ways of understanding.
(pause)
For those whose lives are given less value or respect because of gender, class, race or religion. May we honour your life in them.
(pause)
For all your creation, the land, the animals, the oceans that are under threat because of our insatiable need for more. May we honour your creation as we work for renewal.
(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, an expression of your love in their midst.
(pause)
In this time of silence we bring you our prayers. (pause)
In Christ, Amen.
Blessing
Christ calls each of us to set ourselves aside, to listen to his call, and to live a life of service that transform the lives of others. Go in peace to love and the serve the living God.
May God our Creator be our strength, may Christ our Saviour lead and inspire us, and may the Holy Spirit keep us strong and guide us home.
SONG
The closing song is, ‘Here I am, Lord’ by Daniel Schutte. If you have problems connecting, try this direct link to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRn3iDBoBI
Fun Activity
Are you a keen fisherman or woman? Perhaps you have caught a fish that was this big…
….or like me, and it was
….. uh, this big.
Did you know that people have been fishing for more than 40,000 years? I’m sure we’ve all heard a few fishing jokes and stories. For example…
Why wasn’t Noah any good at fishing? (He only had two worms.)
And here’s Moses fishing with a friend…
Or maybe you can relate to this story…
Mike had terrible day fishing on the lake, sitting in the burning sun all day without catching a single thing. On his way home, he stopped at the fish shop and ordered four mackerel. He said to the fishmonger: ‘Pick out four large ones and throw them at me, will you?’ ‘Why do you want me to throw them at you?’ the fishmonger asked. ‘Because I want to tell my wife that I caught them.’
The fishmonger paused, ‘Okay… but I suggest you take the snapper.’ ‘Why?’ Mike asked. ‘Because your wife was in earlier today and said that if you came by, I should give you the snapper. She’d like to have it for dinner tonight.’
Can you think of any fishing jokes?
Resources
Prayers based on the service from the Saltbush Community:
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/epiphany-5-catching-gods-graciousness-luke-51-11/
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