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

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1 Sunday, 22nd April, :00am The Fourth Sunday in Easter (Year B) Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. St John 10: ORDER OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING The Gathering of the People of God GREETING Welcome in the name of Christ. God s grace, mercy and peace be with you. And also with you. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY CALL TO WORSHIP Come to the Shepherd! 1 Walk in the paths of righteousness. Come to Jesus Christ, the cornerstone! Ground your life in Jesus. Come to the Spirit, who abides in us! Feast at the table of joy! OPENING PRAYER HYMN (TiS.10) The Lord s my shepherd

2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION God knows everything, let us receive the truth in our confession. Take time to contemplate everything. Saving Lord We love in word and speech but not in truth and action, so we like those most like ourselves, and we take instead of give, and we try to fill our physical and spiritual needs instead of the needs of others. We do not declare the power of Jesu s name, not even for our own life, and so living is not centered on you. How can we bring the Good News to all people? Our Lord Jesus gives us the greatest gift: he lays down his life for us, and takes it up again, but we desire lesser gifts and we are unwilling followers of our Shepherd, Jesus. Lord, you know the truth in our hearts, better than we do. Forgive us for the sins we can name, save us from the sins we hide. Pause for reflection and self-examination. Bill Wessner, confessionrcl.blogspot.com.au DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Those who believe in him are not condemned. Thanks be to God INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME OF THE DAY HYMN (TiS.685) Lord, I come to you (The power of your love) The Service of 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 1 John 3: We know love by this, that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God s love abide in anyone who has the world s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before Christ 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and God knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive 2 from God whatever we ask, because we obey God s commandments and do what pleases God. 23 And this is God s commandment, that we should believe in the name of God s Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as Christ has commanded us. 24 All who obey the commandments of Christ abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. NRSV. GOSPEL READING St John 10: [Jesus said,] 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

3 I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father. NRSV. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because After this final reading, the reader says: Here end today s readings. Lord, may your word live in us; And bear much fruit to your glory. SERMON (Sharon Flynn) We respond to the Word of God THE APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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 again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. 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. The Apostles Creed ELLC, NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH OFFERTORY HYMN (TiS.655) O let the Son of God enfold you The people remain seated until the last verse of this hymn. DEDICATION OF OFFERING PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; We believe in the goodness of God. We believe God hears and responds to our needs. 3 We believe God responds to all children everywhere. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. We are grateful that we ve been blessed with enough water. But we know that many do not have enough. Not enough water, not enough food, not enough peace. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name s sake. Too many children do not see God s righteousness. Too many children watch violence, taste hunger, feel fear. Too many children cry from the unspeakable horror of war. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. To become involved is risky. Pain is often contagious. Our hearts may be broken and our lives may be threatened, yet we hear God calling and we can no longer hide. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies;

4 You annoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Our steps may be small and timid. We may read a book, write a letter, or make a gift; but each tiny step is blessed by God and multiplies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. God is more relentless than war. God is more pervasive than hatred. God is more insistent than despair. Amen. Amen. Written for the Union Church UCC of Tekonsha, Michigan, USA. 1994, Katherine Hawker THE LORD S PRAYER The People of God are sent out HYMN (TiS.588) DISMISSAL AND BLESSING In heavenly love abiding THREEFOLD AMEN. Then A Word from the Minister 22nd April, 2018 Last Monday I participated in a meeting of Synod, Uniting, Presbytery and Lifeline Centre representatives to discuss matters of management, governance, sustainability and risk management and the mitigation of Lifeline Centres not currently transitioning to Lifeline Direct (in our case, Lifeline South Coast). The meeting identified that the current Synod Bylaws need revising and that, as an interim measure, Uniting will enter into a separate Memorandum of Understanding with each Lifeline Centre. Students undertaking Australian Education Training Support are required to organise a special project that gives back to the community. The most recent course organised a Wesley Wednesday Sausage Sizzle and proudly presented me with a $504 donation to put towards the operating costs of the Wesley Community Centre. Last Tuesday Reg Smeaton drove our bus to collect a load of food and clothing donated to the Centre by Gerringong Uniting Church. I wish to express my thanks to Luke Gerholt for volunteering to oversee the operation of the Wesley Community Centre while Karen Zaini is on leave. As my representative, the Revd Tom Pardy attended a pastoral meeting of ministers and ministry agents of the Presbytery last Monday, 16th April, to discuss any concerns/feelings/processes that may be present in the Presbytery in the light of the UCA Assembly discussion on Same Gender Marriage scheduled for July. Tom informed me that the conversation was cordial and respectful and the prime concern of almost everybody present was not so much which way the Assembly might vote but that, whichever way it votes, there will be people who feel hurt and will need sensitive pastoral care. This week I am meeting the executive of the Illawarra People for Peace, the Management Committee of the Wesley Community Centre and the Ministers Association of Wollongong. On Thursday afternoon the Presbytery is meeting at Northern Illawarra Uniting Church and on Friday I am meeting with the Lifeline Australia Board. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. 4

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK TODAY S SERVICES 22nd April, :00am 6:00pm MUSICIAN TODAY READER THIS MORNING The Revd Geoff Flynn and Mrs Sharon Flynn The Revd Geoff Flynn Offerings for 8th April, 2018 (am) Scott Jackson (pm) students? Mele Faleafa The same request has come this week for donations are for canned food, long life milk, cereal and pasta. Perhaps you didn t give enough last weel? Put your donations into the container in the church porch or drop them in to the Church office during open hours. Thank you. Morning cash... $ Morning envelopes... $ Received by EFT (morning)... $ Total for morning... $ Evening cash... $ Total collections for the day... $ Morning Tea... $ Baptism donations... $ Donations Box... $ Total income for the day... $ Offerings for 15th April, 2018 Morning cash... $ Morning envelopes... $ Received by EFT (morning)... $ Total for morning... $ Evening cash... $ Received by EFT (evening)... $ Total collections for the day... $ Morning Tea... $ Donations Box... $ 8.55 Total income for the day... $ SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 29th April, :00am The Revd Geoff Flynn 6:00pm The Revd Phil Newton MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY READER NEXT SUNDAY am NOTICES NEXT SUNDAY (am) David Harman and Phil Newton (pm) TBA Marianne Samways LECTIONARY FOR NEXT SUNDAY 5th in Easter, Year B (29th April, 2018) Linda Knowles For OT Reading: Acts 8: Psalm: Psalm 22: Epistle: 1 John 4: 7 21 Gospel: St John 15: 1 8 Monday, 23rd April School for Creative Living classes in recess for the school holidays. St George s Day. According to legend (and he is mostly legend), he was a Roman soldier of Greek and Palestinian origin and officer in the Guard of Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. He is the patron saint of England, Greece, Russia, Georgia, Malta, Portugal and several other countries. Wednesday, 25th April ANZAC Day, the 103rd Anniversary. 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. Thursday, 26th April 4:00pm Illawarra Presbytery meets at Bulli. (Advance notices) Wednesday, 2nd May 9:30 for 10:00am Wesley Adult Fellowship meeting for May. (And) Saturday, 5th May Fashion Parade. Wait a minute! Isn t anyone here a real sheep? 5

6 Baptisms Today There are three Baptisms today involving four children. the first of the services begin at 11:30am for two of the Baptisms and the second service (with two children) at 12:00 noon. At 11:30am Ava Jayne Billett who is the five month old daughter of Leah and Brodie Billett. They have asked Sheridan Billett, James Grant, Amber Pender and Cameron Billett to be sponsors of Ava. Kini Smeaton is the elder for this family. Also at 11:30am: Noah James Mulhall who is the seven-month old son of Chloe and Brent Mulhall. They have asked Simone and Adam Mulhall to be sponsors for Noah. Linda Knowles is elder for this family. Then, at 12:00 noon: Alex Fynn Richardson Autumn Jane Richardson who are the almost four year old son and the almost three year old daughter of Taryn Coombes and Troy Richardson. They have asked Hayley Matthews and Terry Richardson to be sponsors for the children. Anne Valentine is the elder for this family. What should Christians attitude be to ANZAC Day? Clearly for some it will be an emotional time, remembering the suffering and loss of comrades or family members. These people need our support as individuals and as communities of faith. For chaplains in the military, it may will an opportunity in their official duties to remind people of the consequences that all members of the armed forces face in the event of military action and therefore a time to reflect on their own position. But there is also a need, perhaps a necessity, for churches to stand up against what can become a national cult, a national idol, and boozy celebration of Australianness (whatever that might be) and an exclusion of those who might not fit that image. This needs to be done sensitively, given the strong reactions such a stand will arouse. But it also needs to be done honestly, exploring what it is we should be remembering on ANZAC Day: what is our national identity? And when (if at all) 6 this should be celebrated? There needs to be greater integrity in understanding our history. Most especially, what voice should Christians have in these questions of history, identity, recognition and of commemoration? For some the idea of God being on our side is difficult to reconcile with the Jesus who chided his followers when one of them drew a sword to defend Jesus from the Temple guards in Gethsemane. Yet some published ANZAC services include prayers that seem to imply that only our boys are on the side of God. For those who have served in the military and perhaps are grieving over the impact of war, the Christian Gospel s central message of peace can be truly consoling. For all of us, one of the thought that should be in our mind on ANZAC Day is that of a commitment in our lives to work for the lessening of conflict.