ORDER OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING The Gathering of the People of God

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1 Sunday, 18th February, :00am & 6:00pm The First Sunday in Lent (Year B) God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth. Genesis 9: 17. ORDER OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING The Gathering of the People of God GREETING Greetings and welcome in the name of Christ. God s grace, mercy and peace be with you. And also with you. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY We acknowledge the Dharawal people as the custodians for many centuries of the land on which we gather for worship today. CALL TO WORSHIP John baptised Jesus in the waters of the Jordan. 1 God said: You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased. We are washed by the waters of our baptism. God says: You are my beloved children. With you I am well pleased. We gather as God s beloved children to worship and to serve. Let us tell the good news of God s love! ministrymatters.com, from The Abingdon Worship Annual, edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright Abingdon Press.. HYMN (TiS.590) What a friend we have in Jesus

2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of the rainbow, you made a covenant with all creatures, promising life and hope. God of pathways, you show us how we should walk. Yet we forget our connection with one another and think that we are the centre of the universe. We wander from your paths of truth into paths of deceit and pride. Forgive us and lead us back into the arms of your love. Amen. ministrymatters.com, from The Abingdon Worship Annual, edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright Abingdon Press. DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Hear then Christ s words of grace: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God. INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME OF THE DAY HYMN (Tis.135) All things bright and beautiful We listen to the Word of God Before the Bible readings, the reader says: Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to our feet: A light to our path. Psalm 119: 105. FIRST READING Genesis 9: Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. 12 God said, This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. 17 God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth. NRSV. GOSPEL READING 1 Peter 3: Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. NRSV.

3 After this final reading, the reader says: And bear much fruit to your glory. Here end today s readings. SERMON Politics, religion and rainbows Lord, may your word live in us; We respond to the Word of God AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Colossians 1: Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible. All things were created through him; all were created for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Christ is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he may be first in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell; and Christ has reconciled to God all things, both on earth and in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross. Amen. Uniting in Worship 1 People s Book, p.126 NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH OFFERTORY HYMN (TiS.624) Christ be my leader by night as by day The people remain seated until the final verse. DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION THE LORD S PRAYER The People of God are sent out HYMN (TiS.569) Guide me, O thou great Redeemer DISMISSAL AND BLESSING THREE-FOLD AMEN. Please join us for tea or coffee after the morning service. It is a good time to make new friends and to catch up with old friends. ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK TODAY S SERVICES 18th February, :00am 6:00pm MUSICIAN TODAY READER THIS MORNING The Revd Geoff Flynn The Revd Geoff Flynn (Multicultural Service) (am) Scott Jackson (pm) Lorraine Jones Bernice Pinfold LECTIONARY NEXT SUNDAY 25th February, 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year B OT Reading: Genesis 17: 1 7, Psalm: Psalm 22: Epistle: Romans 4: Gospel: St Mark 8: SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 25th February, :00am The Revd Geoff Flynn 6:00pm The Revd Phil Newton MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY READER NEXT SUNDAY NOTICES NEXT SUNDAY (am) Beth Burrows (pm) students Elizabeth Roberts Tom Pardy Karen Zaini s request for the second week in a row is for serviettes, but also for cheese and devon. Can you help? Put your donation into the container in the church porch or, when it is open, drop them in to the Church office.

4 A Word from the Minister 18th February, 2018 Bunning Wollongong have rostered the Wesley Community Centre for the Saturday BBQ on Saturday, 30th June. This is an exciting opportunity for us to raise money for the Centre and will require a large team of volunteers to ensure that we can cover the whole day. If you are interested in helping, please leave your name and contact details with the Church Office. Please pray for the situation in Sussex Inlet that continues to generate negative publicity for the UCA. The Synod has supplied the ABC with the UCA perspective. I believe the Presbytery has given the Sussex Inlet Community every opportunity to act in good faith so as to come to a mutually acceptable agreement. Last Wednesday was a very rich day of pastoral care and worship. I met with the Elders in the morning, led our Ash Wednesday Service during lunchtime and conducted the funeral for Joan Andrew in the afternoon. I met with the Presbytery Standing Committee last Thursday and was pleased be part of the Presbytery Commencement Service yesterday. Thank you to everyone who helped with hospitality. The Presbytery Strategic Mission Committee (PSMC) has reviewed the Wollongong Mission Plan which was approved by the Church Council last December. PSMC believes that Wollongong Mission has amazing opportunities to witness and minister to the wider Wollongong community and wants to encourage the congregation to plan and dream and work together to further the Kingdom in this part of the Presbytery. PSMC have invited the Church Councillors and I to attend its March meeting. Next Tuesday and Wednesday I am required to attend mandatory Air Force training in Canberra in order that I can continue as a Chaplain at South Coast Private Hospital. On Thursday Brian Mascord will be installed as the new Catholic Bishop at the WIN Stadium. I have reserved four seats so please see me if you would like to attend. Next Sunday we will have the opportunity in our morning service to pray our thanks and goodbyes as Grahame Gould concludes his time with Lifeline SouthCoast. Finally, it is not too late to register for our Lenten Study, Virtual Easter: Nurturing the Virtues of Faith in a World of Instant Everything, which commences tomorrow at 2:00pm in the Wesley Auditorium. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. There is a leaflet in the church that says it more colourfully than this, but make sure you book the date as this is for ALL the church family, not just the junior members. It will be at the Fairy Meadow Beach Reserve (at the end of Elliotts Road), beginning at 4:00pm. Bring your own picnic gear, food and drink, and your sense of fun. JMC Family Picnic in the Park Saturday, 17th March, 2018 Contact Linda on for more information but remember that it will be at 4:00pm (or thereabouts) on Saturday, 17th March. What better way could you celebrate St Patrick s Day? 4

5 FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK Offerings for 11th Feb., 2018 Morning cash... $ Morning envelopes... $ Received by EFT (morning)... $ Total for morning... $ Evening cash... $ Total colletions for the day... $ Morning Tea... $ Donations Box... $ Total income for the day... $ So many people away last Sunday. Where were you all? A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon All proceeds to support Jaiy & Pasin at Agape Children s Home, Chiang Mai, Thailand Monday, 19th February 8:45 & 10:00am School for Creative Living classes. 2:00pm Lenten Bible Studay, Session 1 (see note elsewhere today). Wednesday, 21st January 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. Saturday, 24th February 9:15 for 9:30am Safe Churches Seminar at Northern Illawarra UC (Bulli). All members of Church Council are expected to keep their Safe Churches status up to date. It is good for others too. If you want more info, ask at office. St Matthias Day Who? Scratching your head? He was the Apostle chosen to replace Judas in Acts 1: and is never mentioned again in the rest of the New Testament. 2:00pm, Sunday, 11th March, 2018 Keiraview Uniting Church, Fisher Street, West Wollongong $10 including afternoon tea Contact Robyn or Ross on Spirituality in the Pub Wollongong invites you to a discussion on: Where will the Church be in 2050? On Tuesday, 27th February. The speaker will be Father Ken Cafe ofm. He is a Franciscan friar who has studied in Chicago, Sydney and Ottawa in theology and canon law. As a friar priest who has served in parishes in Townsville, Melbourne, Aukland and now Thirroul. He is a judge in the Tribunal of the Catholic Church in NSW and has been Episcopal Vicar for canonical services for the Diocese of Wollongong. He joined the Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club in 1970 and is still a surf training officer and assessor. He patrols regularly at Thirroul Surf Lifesaving Club. He is also a qualified AFL umpire and serves in that capacity with the South Coast AFL. The venue (as usual) will be the Woonona Bulli RSL Club, Princes Highway, Woonona. All are welcome. Please come and join in the conversation, Enquiries to Ann on or by to wollsip@gmail.com. 5 Church Council report to Congregation on the February Council meeting This was the first meeting for The Council welcomed Reg Smeaton, who has been co-opted to the Council to take on the role of treasurer. The Council looked at priorities for the coming year including how to grow the congregation. Opportunities for outreach were examined, including advertising to the new high-rise apartments, working with baptismal families and youth ministry. We lack the labour force to achieve the outreach we would like. We need to respond to Synod regarding how we intend to use funds from the sale of land. It is intended that interest from investment of sale proceeds be used to fund a ten year maintenance program in essence a plan prepared by the Property Committee to maintain the Church fabric and provide an ongoing worship space. Leaders were reminded of the Safe Churches program and the need for councillors to maintain their current status by attending courses as required. Lenten Bible Study Six studies, prepared within the Illawarra Presbytery and led by the Revd Geoff Flynn on the theme, Nurturing the virtues of faith in a world of instant everything. Mondays throughout Lent at 2:00pm in the Wesley Auditorium, looking at six Christian virtues. Register with the Church office (and it s still not too late!)

6 Cyclone Gita Appeal Photo credit: Rohit Pillay Dear friends, On 12th February, Tonga was hit by the strongest storm its seen in 60 years. The damage toll is massive. At least 70% of the population has been affected. Before Tonga faced the full force of Cyclone Gita, the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga opened their halls as evacuation centres, keeping people safe through the long and terrifying night. At the time of writing we are still anxiously awaiting to hear from our partners, as communications and power infrastructure has been damaged. When we hear from them as to their greatest needs, we will respond promptly. Please donate now to support the recovery efforts in Tonga. As soon as we have more details on how these donations will be used in the recovery efforts, we will update our page on the Assembly web site. Cyclone Gita is expected to intensify to a category five and is now moving towards Fiji. We are watching, praying and hoping with the Methodist Church in Fiji that their island nation is spared from another severe cyclone so soon after Cyclone Winston. 6 Please keep our dear brothers and sisters in Tonga and Fiji in your hearts and prayers. With hope and thanks, Dr Sureka Goringe National Director UnitingWorld. You can donate to the Cyclone Gita Appeal of the Uniting Church in Australia by putting your money in an envelope marked Cyclone Gita Appeal and placing it in the collection plate or handing it in at the Church office. We will do the rest.