Sunday, 30th September, 2018 10:00am Ordinary Sunday 26 (Year B) Jesus said, If any of you puts a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for that one if a great millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. St Mark 9: 42. ORDER OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING The Gathering of the People of God ORGAN PRELUDE 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 In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst who feeds the hungry. In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed 1 who calls for compassion and justice. In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumour of war who desires nothing less than peace for the world. In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness who gives life meaning. whose grace and love know no end. from Sacraments and Seasons: Peacemaking Through Worship HYMN (TiS.154) Great is your faithfulness
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbours and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. In your great mercy, forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Book of Common Worship, 1993, Westminster/John Knox Press DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Therefore I declare to you with confidence: Your sins are forgiven Thanks be to God. INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME OF THE DAY HYMN (TiS.590) What a friend we have in Jesus 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 James 5: 13 20 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. 19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save 2 the sinner s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. NRSV. GOSPEL READING St Mark 9: 38 50 38 John said to Jesus, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us. 39 But Jesus said, Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak 40 evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 42 If any of you puts a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for that one if a great millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 44, 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 46, 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom
of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. NRSV. 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 The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective We respond to the Word of God STATEMENT OF FAITH We are not alone; we live in God s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating; who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new; who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God s presence; to live with respect in creation; to love and serve others; to seek justice and resist evil; to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God! The United Church of Canada, revised 1998 NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH OFFERTORY HYMN 1 For the healing of the nations, Lord, we pray with one accord, for a just and equal sharing Tune: Picardy, TiS.497 of the things that earth affords. To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word. 2 Lead us forward into freedom, from despair your world release, that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace. Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase. 3 All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned: pride of status, race or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan. In our common quest for justice may we hallow brief life s span. 4 You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind; for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind; that by our response and service earth its destiny may find. Frederik Hermanus Kaan 1929 2009 The people remain seated until the final verse. OFFERTORY PRAYER PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION THE LORD S PRAYER The People of God are sent out The prophetic voice FINAL HYMN (TiS.585) I heard the voice of Jesus say 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. 3
A (brief-ish) Word from the Minister 30th September, 2018 Last Wednesday I met with the Management Committee of the Wesley Centre. We spend time planning for Christmas and, as is our tradition, we will be conducting a Christmas toys for children distribution and serving a free community lunch on Christmas Day. I met with the Presbytery Standing Committee last Thursday to consider the position description for the Tertiary Chaplain and the purchase of a commercial investment property to fund the Presbytery Minister, Tertiary Chaplain and a third ministry position. On Tuesday I am meeting with the Church Council and next Saturday I am celebrating the wedding of Daniel and Juliette. Today we are pleased to welcome Lorraine Jones back on the organ. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. SERVICES TODAY AND NEXT SUNDAY TODAY S SERVICES 30th September, 2018 10:00am & 6:00pm The Revd Geoff Flynn MUSICIANS TODAY READER THIS MORNING (am) Lorraine Jones (pm)? Peter Brodie SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 7th October, 2018 10:00am & 6:00pm The Revd Geoff Flynn MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY READER NEXT SUNDAY am (am) Beth Burrows (pm) not needed Grace Jenkins LECTIONARY FOR NEXT SUNDAY Ordinary Sunday 27, Year B (7th October, 2018) OT Reading: Job 1: 1; and 2: 1 10 Psalm: Psalm 26 Epistle: Hebrews 1: 1 4; and 2: 5 12 Gospel: St Mark 10: 2 16 This week's request from Karen Zaini, the manager of the Community Centre, is for cheese, garbage bags, tinned food and Christmas items (yes, it is less than three month to go!) Just put your donations in the container in the church porch or drop them in to the church office during office hours. This edition of the weekly news sheet produced in Thorne in Yorkshire, England. 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK Offerings for Last Sunday, 23/9/18 Morning cash... $ 564.00 Morning envelopes... $ 283.00 Received by EFT (morning)... $ 202.00 Received by EFT (evening)... $ 80.00 Evening cash... $ 269.55 Envelope (Drought appeal)... $ 200.00 Total collections for the day... $ 1598.55 Morning Tea... $ 36.75 Baptism Donations... $ 119.05 Donations Box... $ nil Total income for the day... $ 1754.35 If you would like to transfer funds electronically to Wollongong Mission, talk to your bank. Our BSB is 634 634 and our account number is 100 023 866. Advanced Arts & Notice sponsored Crafts Expo by the W Adult F esley ellowship (Got it w 25th, 26 rong last week) th, 27th O ctober! Mr Pardy is preaching today for a Harvest Thanksgiving service in Thorne, South Yorkshire, UK. 5 Monday, 1st October School for Creative Living classes is in recess for the duration of the school holidays. Tuesday, 2nd October 7:00pm Regular Church Council meeting for October. Wednesday, 3rd October 9:30am Bus leaves the church for the Wesley Adult Fellowship to have a walk in a private garden in Woonona, followed by Coffee at Bulli Beach. Book your seat with Kini Smeaton or with the Church Office. 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. Thursday, 4th October St Francis of Assissi Day. He lived from 1181 or 1182 until this day in 1226. He was a friar, a deacon and a preacher and founded no less than three different religious orders. He has often been associated with animals and their welfare and Catholic and Anglican churches often have services for the blessing of animals on this day (remember "The Vicar of Dibley"?) He doesn't seem to have a shield. Saturday, 6th October 11:30am The first of the two Baptism Information sessions for October. The second is scheduled for Monday, 8th October. Don't be late for church next Sunday! Daylight Saving Time starts and it would be embarrassing, wouldn't it?
THIS VERY AFTERNOON 6