11 th September, 2016 The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost and Baptism of Jack Robert John Punshon

Transcription

1 A member of the Central Highlands Cluster Ministry St George s, Trentham 9.00am St Mary s, Woodend 11.00am 11 th September, 2016 The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost and Baptism of Jack Robert John Punshon We acknowledge the Woi wurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people, the traditional 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 Gathering Hymn: 392 At the dawning of creation The Lord be with you. And also with you Sentence for the day I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke The Prayer of preparation Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen Hear, O Israel. The Shema The Confession and absolution Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, confident in God s forgiveness. God of the loving heart, we confess before you those places in our hearts where we have refused you entrance: people we have refused to love; habits we never got around to changing; good things we left undone; and ways in which we hurt you, ourselves and others. Come to us in the light of your Christ. Shine on those places we have hidden from you.

3 Show us new ways to live. Sweep clean the rooms of our hearts, that Christ may find a home in us. Be among us now and forever. Amen Let us pray Undaunted you seek the lost, O God, exultant you bring home the found: touch our hearts with grateful wonder at the tenderness of your forbearing love; grant us delight in the mercy that has found us; and bring all to rejoice at the feast of forgiven sinners. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the book of Jeremiah chapter 4 versus 11 to12, 22 to 28 At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good. I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,

4 and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. For thus says the LORD: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God Psalm 14 Fools have said in their hearts There is no God : they have all become vile and abominable in their doings, there is not one that does good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of Adam: to see if there were any who would act wisely and seek after God. But they have all turned out of the way, they have all alike become corrupt: there is none that does good, no not one. Are all the evildoers devoid of understanding: who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not pray to the Lord? They shall be struck with terror: for God is with the company of the righteous.

5 Though they frustrate the poor in their hopes: surely the Lord is their refuge. O that deliverance for Israel might come forth from Zion: when the Lord turns again the fortunes of his people, then shall Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. A reading from Paul s letter to Timothy chapter 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. For the word of the Lord thanks be to God

6 Gospel Hymn 659 The Lord is my Shepherd Alleluia Alleluia Your word, O God, shines as a light on my path. Alleluia The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke, chapter 15 beginning at the 1 st verse Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them. So he told them this parable: Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. For the Gospel of the Lord praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ The Sermon

7 The Baptism of Jack Robert John Punshon THE PRESENTATION We welcome Jack Robert John who comes to be baptised. I invite his sponsors to present him now. Godparents: We present Jack Robert John to be baptised. Will you accept the responsibilities placed upon you in bringing Jack for baptism? Godparents: I will Are you willing to answer on behalf of Jack? Godparents: I am By your own prayers and example, by your friendship and love, will you encourage Jack in the life and faith of the Christian community? Godparents: I will, with God's help Before God and this congregation, on behalf of Jack you must affirm that you turn to Christ and reject all that is evil. Do you turn to Christ? Godparents: I turn to Christ Do you repent of your sins? Godparents: I repent of my sins Do you reject selfish living, and all that is false and unjust? Godparents: I reject them all Do you renounce Satan and all that is evil? Godparents: I renounce all that is evil Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, and lead you in

8 the light of Christ to his everlasting kingdom. Amen Will you, by God's grace, strive to live as a disciple of Christ, loving God with your whole heart, and your neighbour as yourself, until your life's end? Godparents: I will, with God's help People of St Mary s, you have heard Jack s sponsors respond to Christ's call. Will you support them in this high calling? All: We will Let us pray Grant, merciful God, that Jack may be so buried with Christ in baptism that the new nature may be raised up in him. Amen May he know Christ s forgiving love, and continue in the fellowship and service of his Church. May he proclaim, by word and example, the good news of God in Christ. Amen We thank you for the ministry we have in your world and to each other in the household of faith. Hasten that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in Christ. Amen THE PROFESSION OF FAITH I now ask you to affirm as yours the faith of the Church. Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

9 Do you believe in God the Son? I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen This is the faith of the Church. This is our faith. We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

10 THE BAPTISM The baptism party gathers at the font The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. We give you thanks... Thanks be to God. And now we give you thanks that you have called Jack to new birth in your Church through these blessed waters of baptism. May he die to sin, rise to newness of life, and continue for ever in Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we give you praise and honour in the unity of the Spirit, now and forever. Amen Jack Robert John, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Jack I sign you with the sign of the cross to show that you are marked as Christ's own forever. When Jack has been baptised, the minister continues Live as a disciple of Christ, fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. Confess Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, look for his coming in glory.

11 A candle is presented God has brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father. God has called you into his Church We therefore receive and welcome you as a member with us of the body of Christ, as a child of the one heavenly Father, and as an inheritor of the kingdom of God. 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 129 Amazing Grace *a collection to assist the mission of God in this parish will be taken up during this hymn we thank you for responding to God s generosity with your gift. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING please turn to page 128 of the green book

12 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 for ever. Amen. The Sending out of God s people Eternal God, giver of life, in the breaking of the bread we know the risen Lord. May we who celebrate this holy feast walk in his risen light and bring new life to all creation. 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 586 Abide with me The Blessing and Dismissal Almighty God, who redeemed us through the resurrection of Christ, who raised us to newness of life through the waters of baptism, and bought us out of slavery into everlasting freedom, give you joy and peace in faith and bring you to your eternal inheritance; 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. Alleluia! In the name of Christ. Alleluia!

13 ***some thoughts from Rev. Mel This is an important anniversary in the history of our world. Fifteen years ago four planes were hijacked by terrorist; two flew straight into the World Trade Centre towers in New York, one flew into the Pentagon and the final one was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania when the brave passengers and flight staff took back control of the plane that was also heading towards Washington DC. It is one of those days where we will forever say I remember where I was when I heard about. I was living in Glenroy with a friend and my brother had been over for dinner. The three of us had been playing board games and listening to music and having a great time. My brother left but called me only about ten minutes later to tell me to turn on the TV. My friend and I sat there for hours and hours watching the footage, I don t think that either of us bothered going to bed that night her brother was in the armed forces so her first thoughts were about what might happen to him if this lead to war. I remember thinking surely the President won t let it get to that - I was wrong. The fifteen years following that terrible day have been awful. There were over 3,000 people killed that day but there have been many, many more killed since and injured as a result of anger and hurt that came about because of those attacks. Innocent civilians, military personnel and people from various other groups including al-qaedia and Daesh they all need our prayers. When I think about the image of the good shepherd carrying the lost sheep on his shoulders I think about how heavy a burden it must be for God to carry us all through the terrible times of war and terror. I try to pray with an open heart but sometimes I get angry that the world has changed so much; sometimes I am hurt when I see footage of children who are injured; sometimes I ask why this is happening. I m sure there are many of you who feel that way too. God searches us out, even in the darkest times of life, and carries us when we most need to be carried. Each one of us is precious and valuable to God.

14 I am so glad that we re able to have a baptism in Woodend on this anniversary. It gives me an assurance and a reminder that we re together in this world each of us is part of the love that God showed for us when Jesus was sent to us. Jesus became human so that we could sit in the presence of the divine. We welcome Jack with joy today into the family of God, and we pray that the world in which he will grow will be one that discovers and holds onto true peace. Saint Paul tells us that it is never too late and that we will be welcomed into God s peace with open arms, when we are ready to turn to a life of God s love and peace. Blessings, Mel. ************************** Pew Bulletin Diocesan Convention Grab a brochure and form if you re interested in the Diocesan Convention coming up next month. Information is on the notice board. Go For Gold! The Diocesan ABM Auxiliary organizes one major fund raising effort in the Diocese each year to raise money for the ABM Australia and this September the Auxiliary have organised the GO FOR GOLD collection. Please bring some gold coins on Sundays in September and drop them into the special collection tin. See Carol in Woodend or Faye in Trentham for further details. Lay Ministry training days - Woodend Servers training day has been postponed. Further information to come. Peter Fernon s Play October 8 Due to popular demand Peter Fernon is presenting This Jesus Story in the Norma Richardson Hall. Cost is $20 and the performance begins at 7:30pm Call for details.

15 Pet s Blessing Service October 9 We will celebrate the life and work of St Francis by blessing our animal friends and giving thanks for the beauty of creation. Bring along your best fur, feathered, or finned friend to the service. At Woodend, if the weather is good, we will celebrate outside and have a picnic in the garden afterwards. Invite your friends and neighbours! More dates for your diary! October 23 will be the launch of John Vander Reest s art exhibition November 5 will be our Trivia Night fund raising night November 26 Trentham flower show *more details about these events will follow. Intercessions our prayers are asked for: Penny and Keith, John, Sam, Jim, Andrea, Alison, Ethan, Kirsten, Grace, Claire, Christine, Barbara, Bernice, Joyce, Les, Carole, Wendy, Judy, Dustin, Jonathan Jeanette. Please let Rev d Mel know if there is someone who is in need of prayer. Birthdays! Happy birthday on Samuel Hemphill for tomorrow. May God s blessings be abundant on your birthday and always. Years Mind and those who have died recently On Saturday we remember Garry Donoghue Readings and Clergy for next week Rev. Mel and Rev. Charles will be looking after Trentham - Woodend Jeremiah , Psalm Timothy Luke

16 St Mary's Woodend (1864) - St George's Trentham (1927)* A member of The Central Highlands Cluster Ministry *These dates refer to the current buildings on the sites. The founding years of the two centres are Trentham 1864 and Woodend 1859 PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC Rector: Rev d. Ian Howarth / Deacon: Rev d Melissa Clark Deacon: Rev d Neil Fitzgerald Hon. Assoc. Priest: Rev d Dr. Charles Sherlock Wardens: Mark ; John WELCOME! It is good to have you here. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat after the service around the table near the font at St George s or in the Norma Richardson Hall at St Mary s. If you have children with you they are very welcome to use the children s corner at St Mary s.