27 th August Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Day of Prayer for Refugees

Transcription

1 A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am 27 th August Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Day of Prayer for Refugees We acknowledge the Jaara Jaara people, of the Woi wurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung language groups, the custodians of this land where we gather. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation.

2 GATHERING IN GOD S NAME Sentence for the day Jesus said to them, Who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Matthew Gathering Hymn 560 All my hope The Lord be with you. And also with you The Prayer of preparation (page 119 of the prayer book) Almighty God The Shema (page 120 of the prayer book) Hear, O Israel. The Confession and absolution (page 120 of the prayer book) Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, confident in God s forgiveness. Merciful God The Gloria (page 121 of the prayer book) Glory to God in the highest

3 Let us pray our prayer for the week O God, fount of all wisdom, in the humble witness of the apostle Peter you have shown the foundation of our faith: give us the light of your Spirit, that, recognising in Jesus of Nazareth the Son of the living God, we may be living stones for the building up of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the book of Exodus chapter 1 verse 8 - chapter 2 verse 10 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land. Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labour. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labour. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them. The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live. But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.

4 So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live? The midwives said to Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them. So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live. Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. This must be one of the Hebrews children, she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh s daughter, Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you? Pharaoh s daughter said to her, Yes. So the girl went and called the child s mother. Pharaoh s daughter said to her, Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages. So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, because, she said, I drew him out of the water. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Psalm 124 If the Lord had not been on our side, now may Israel say: if the Lord had not been on our side,

5 when our enemies rose against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive: when their anger was kindled against us. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, and the torrent gone over us: the raging waters would have gone clean over us. But praised be the Lord: who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler: the snare is broken, and we have gone free. Our help is in the name of the Lord: who has made heaven and earth. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Romans chapter 12:1-8 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God

6 Gospel hymn 376 I know that my redeemer lives Alleluia Alleluia The word of the Lord endures for ever. The word of the Lord is the good news announced to you. Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew, chapter 16 beginning at the 13 th verse Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon The affirmation of faith (page 123 of the prayer book) The Prayers of the People

7 The Greeting of Peace We are the body of Christ His Spirit is with us. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. Offertory Hymn 768 Praise God (repeat 3 times) *a collection to assist the mission of God in this parish will be taken up during this hymn Blessed are you Lord God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread and wine to share. It will be our true food and drink. Blessed be God forever Blessed are you Lord God of all creation, through your goodness we have this money and food to offer; to become your gospel in action in the world. Blessed be God forever THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Please turn to page 128.for ever praising you and singing Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest Blessed is he who comes in the Lord s name

8 Hosanna in the Highest We say together Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again in songs of never ending praise Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen With our hearts set on the kingdom and our hands open to serve, we pray as Jesus taught us Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Almighty and eternal God, The Sending out of God s people

9 may we who have received this sacrament of your Son s body and blood worship you in all we do, proclaim your word to all the world, and live in the power of your Spirit. Most loving God you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage in the power of your Spirit. The Notices Final Hymn 454 Worship the Lord The Blessing and Dismissal The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. ***some thoughts from Rev. Mel It feels like there is so much going on at the moment; so many things to pray about. The marriage equality debate, the prospect of conflict between the US and North Korea, climate change.our attention is drawn in so many different directions. Today, however, we are called to pray specifically for refugees. The General Synod in 2001 scheduled this day as a day for the church to pray for displaced people in the world.

10 It is particularly important at the moment to pray for those people who are in the care of Australia and living on Manus Island. The government has decided to close the Manus Island detention centre. On the surface that seems like a really good thing to do, however, there is no provision in place to care for the men who will be then left behind once the centre is dismantled. It is an extremely difficult time for these people who have already suffered so much in their own countries and in the journey to get away from conflict. It is hard to fathom what they will do now after being in a situation for so long, where their future was not their own to control. Please do take seriously this day and pray for refugees. Make your thoughts known to people in government and in opposition both sides need to hear that Christians care deeply about this. We are people who follow the love your neighbour law, that includes specifically caring for refugees, (Lev 19:33-3 and 19:9-10, Deut 10:18-19, Exodus 23:9, Matt 25:25-36, among others) when we become Christians. A prayer for refugees: Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; Look with mercy on those today who are fleeing from danger, those who are homeless and hungry. Bless those who work to bring them relief; Inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; And guide the nations of the world towards that day. When all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Peace, Mel

11 ************************ Pew Bulletin Every Week Tuesday Conversations at the rectory from 7pm Christian Meditation at the NR Hall from 5:30pm Share meal The next share meal will be on September 16 at Judy and Ian Hansford s house. Please see Rosie for details. Michael Leunig Fans of the poet and cartoonist, Michael Leunig, are invited to a special Evensong at St Peter s Eastern Hill on September 24 at 6pm. The Victorian Welsh Choir will be singing. St Peter s Eastern Hill is at 15 Gisborne Street, Melbourne (opp St Patrick s Roman Catholic Cathedral). Diary Date One Service at Trentham September 24th 10am Bishop Andrew s visit. Please mark October 28th in your diaries as our next Trivia Night. News from the Guilds St Mary s Guild: Can you help? We need supplies of rhubarb, oranges and lemons. Please see Carol or Sylvia for details. We will continue to need help in the next few months with baking something delicious, making jam, or supplying lavender, and with sellers at the street stall. Crowd Funding Page! We are short in our find raising for our new floor at St Mary s. We ve had unexpected costs because of persistent water and we need an extra $20, A crowd funding page has been set up for us to reach this financial goal. If you can help please go to

12 replacement-project. Or send it out among your contacts and invite friends to chip in too! If the internet is not your thing and you would like to contribute in cash or cheque please place your donation in an envelope clearly marked floor donation and either hand it to a warden or put it in with your weekly giving. Intercessions our prayers are asked for: John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Alison, Ethan, Kirsten, Carole, Wendy, Judy, Jonathan, Jeanette, Susie, Trevor, Rudi, Trish, Sheila, Hugh, Tim, Juddie, Joshua and family, Alan, Norma, Joy, Aldyth, Raff, Benjamin and Faye. Birthdays! Happy birthday today to Maggie, and later this week to Jeff Gillis, Sylvia Tett, Keith Turner and Anne Jackson. God s blessings on your special day and always! Years Mind and those who have died recently Today we remember June English, on Wednesday Violet Winterton, on Thursday Maria Milaw and on Saturday Vic Dalton. Next week s readings Exodus Ps , Romans Matthew PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC Rector: Rev d. Ian Howarth / Assistant Curate: Rev d Melissa Clark Assistant Curate: Rev d Neil Fitzgerald Hon. Assoc. Priest: Rev d Dr. Charles Sherlock Wardens: Derek ; John Friday is Rev. Mel s day off. If you need to speak with a priest on Friday please contact Rev. Ian.