SABBATICAL. A territory marked by prayer and holiness. PARRAMATTA CORPS PARRAMATTA CORPS. zuo ike nofo saʻoloto so kom txaus.

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Dale Goodwin
5 years ago
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being changed by the love of Jesus Christ so we share His love in action with all; all people, all

1 The Salvation Army: Mission Priority One 以祈禱和聖潔為標誌的信徒 A territory marked by prayer and holiness. SABBATICAL SUNDAY 1 JANUARY 2017 PARRAMATTA CORPS PARRAMATTA CORPS AUSTRALIA TERRITORY Our lives are being changed by the love of Jesus Christ so we share His love in action with all; all people, all generations, all nations. االسترخاء 放松 расслабиться આર મ bersantai zuo ike nofo saʻoloto so kom txaus ontspannen 편하게하다 आर म कर

Instead of our regular corporate, formal and structured worship we are setting aside this day for flexible, informal and versatile worship that can happen wherever you are, whoever you are near, and

There is a time for work and a time for rest! That is why our whole corps family is taking this day, the first day of January 2017 to rest in God and reflect on his goodness to us.

2 Instead of our regular corporate, formal and structured worship we are setting aside this day for flexible, informal and versatile worship that can happen wherever you are, whoever you are near, and whatever is appropriate to your own way of coming close to God in worship. sabbatical? Feel like you just made it to the end of the year? Now feeling exhausted? Feeling drained? There is a time for work and a time for rest! That is why our whole corps family is taking this day, the first day of January 2017 to rest in God and reflect on his goodness to us. In the pattern of creation, when God formed the world and all that is in it, he then stood back and reflected on what he saw. As he then rested from work, he did so with the knowledge that all he saw was a blessing. As we separate this day from our usual schedule let us draw close to God and see his blessings to us. May you bask in the Creators favour today and as you reflect on his goodness to you, may your whole being be renewed and experience God s perfect shalom*. Sabbatical: relating to the Sabbath. Sabbaticals create a space for rest and renewal. Leviticus 25: Exodus 23:10-11 the Sabbatical year was a big step of trust in the goodness of God; the Sabbatical year included generosity to the needy. Hebrews 4:9-11 reminds us that we enter into God s holy rest. soulshepherding.org more 2 *shalom means complete peace

INSPIRATION STOP It might be a good idea to ask ourselves how we develop our capacity to choose for joy.

HENRI NOUWEN God wants us to be present where we are. He invites us to see and to hear what is around us, and through it all, to discern the footprints of the Holy.

If we, therefore, as human beings made in the image of God also want to see reality rationally, that is, as it truly is, then we too must learn to look at what we see with love.

3 INSPIRATION STOP It might be a good idea to ask ourselves how we develop our capacity to choose for joy. Maybe we could spend a moment at the end of each day and decide to remember that day whatever may have happened as a day to be grateful for. In so doing we increase our hearts capacity to choose joy. HENRI NOUWEN God wants us to be present where we are. He invites us to see and to hear what is around us, and through it all, to discern the footprints of the Holy. RICHARD J FOSTER God looks at the world through the eyes of love. If we, therefore, as human beings made in the image of God also want to see reality rationally, that is, as it truly is, then we too must learn to look at what we see with love. ROBERTA BONDI He made you so you could share in His creation; could love and laugh and know Him. TED GRIFFIN Use these quotes or the scripture you have already read or the thoughts you have recorded in this booklet to help you dream and be inspired about what God is yet to do. Read Ephesians 3:20 and claim it for yourself. Allow God s word to inspire you for the future in your own life, for your family, for the future of the Parramatta Corps. Doodle ideas and scribble down any thoughts that could help you see what that might be... What do you need to do to stop and take a long and deep time out with our holy God? identify a space for stillness intentionally seek to rest in God practice a restful activity fishing, walking, singing, knitting... refrain from rushing do something that acknowledges you are now resting turn off your phone, put a sign on the door, light a candle take some deep breaths relax get comfortable Use this booklet or create your own way of encouraging and nurturing a Sabbatical space for rest and reflection and renewal. PRAYER: God whose labour led to light and growth, darkness and nurturing, creatures of sea and all crawling things on the earth; God whose labour led to all life and all beauty; God whose labour culminated in Sabbath rest, laying down the beautiful and hard work of that week: help us also to lay down the labour of our year in Sabbath rest. Help us to meet in silence and song, hearing your Word speaking anew to our needful spirits. Help us to release our many cares into your and one another s keeping. Help us to find renewal from our burdens, the sorrows and fears that weigh on us, the tragedies marring the world s beauty. Guide us to Sabbath rest, O God And once we have experienced its settling once we have been refreshed in its healing lead us into work once again: the work of healing others, and co-creating the Shalom of your dreaming. 3

ADORATION O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting.

PSALM 46:10 PARAPHRASE Use verses of scripture that you are familiar with to revere and adore the Lord.

Read the verses out loud; say them over and over again to let them sink in.

4 ADORATION O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His loving kindness is everlasting. 1 CHRONICLES 16:34 Cease from striving; know that I am the Lord. I am above all else; I am beyond all else. PSALM 46:10 PARAPHRASE Use verses of scripture that you are familiar with to revere and adore the Lord. Write your own paraphrase so it becomes even more personal and real. Read the verses out loud; say them over and over again to let them sink in. Sing words of scripture you know; allow the tunes to stir your emotions and lift you up in awe and wonder. Create your own prayer or prose to express why you worship and adore the holy God of the universe. worship 4

REFLECTION My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

5 REFLECTION My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. 1 PROVERBS 3:1-8 Look back over the year and reflect on what God has revealed, taught, confirmed and/or challenged you about. Unpack what you recall and really look at it scrutinise it turn it over see what is underneath it and behind it. Thank God for his instruction and leading. Ask for greater revelation, insight, understanding and faith in view 5

CONFESSION release Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put and a new and right spirit within me.

PSALM 51:10+11 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice

Include a time of confession in your Sabbath space so you encourage a sense of release from whatever may be oppressing

6 CONFESSION release Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put and a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. PSALM 51:10+11 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 JOHN 4:10 We are restless when things are weighing on our hearts and minds. Include a time of confession in your Sabbath space so you encourage a sense of release from whatever may be oppressing your spirit or separating you from God. Cast yourself on the mercy of God. Approach his throne of grace with boldness knowing he is a just and compassionate Lord. Draw your own symbol for forgiveness and freedom. 6 7

In the Bible, the passage for our communal reflection this morning begins with this greeting --

Sermon by Pastor MaAn Christian Education Sunday September 22, 2013 In the Bible, the passage for our communal reflection this morning begins with this greeting -- 1 From Simon Peter, a slave and apostle