Sunday, 4th February, 2018 10:00am & 6:00pm Ordinary Sunday 5 (Year B) That evening, at sundown, they brought him all who were sick or possessed with demons And Jesus cured many who were sick and cast out many demons. St Mark 1: 32, 34. ORDER OF WORSHIP THIS MORNING The Gathering of the People of God GREETING Greetings and 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 Let us worship God. Great and mighty is our Lord. God s wisdom cannot be measured. Sing hymns of praise to the Lord; Play music to our God. Adapted from Psalm 147: 5 & 7. 1 OPENING PRAYER Great and mighty God, we come to you with confidence, not because we deserve to be loved by you, but simply because you have shown your love to us. We know that we are accepted by you and we rejoice! We come with our hopes and with our fears; We come with our joys and with our worries; We come to you in the assurance of your love; The love which you have promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. HYMN (TiS.572) O thou who camest from above
PRAYER OF CONFESSION DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Using some words of Scripture, the minister declares the forgiveness of God, ending with: And so, in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare to all who truly repent of their sin: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen. INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME OF THE DAY HYMN (Tis.235) We listen to the Word of God A man there lived in Galilee 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 Corinthians 9: 16 23 16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. 19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God s law but am under Christ s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for 2 the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. NRSV. GOSPEL READING St Mark 1: 29 39 Rembrandt, Heilung der Schwiegermutter des Petrus (Healing Peter s Mother-in-law), sketched between 1650-1660 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, Everyone is searching for you. 38 Jesus answered, Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the mes-
sage there also; for that is what I came out to do. 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. 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 Just who IS this Jesus? We respond to the Word of God OFFERTORY HYMN Tune: Regent Square, TiS.142 The people remain seated until the final verse. 1 We are called to tell the story, passing words of life along, then to blend your voice with others as you sing the sacred song. Christ be known in all our singing, filling all with songs of love. 2 We are called to teach the rhythm of the dance that never ends, then to move within the circle, hand in hand with strangers, friends. Christ be known in all our dancing, touching all with hands of love. 3 We are called to set the table, blessing bread as Jesus blest, then to come with thirst and hunger, needing care like all the rest. Christ be known in all our sharing, feeding all with signs of love. 4 May the One whose love is broader than the measure of all space give us words to sing the story, move among us in this place. Christ be known in all our living, filling all with gifts of love. Ruth Carolyn Duck 1947 DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION THE LORD S PRAYER The People of God are sent out HYMN (TiS.607) DISMISSAL AND BLESSING Make me a channel of your peace THREE-FOLD AMEN. Then ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK TODAY S SERVICES 4th February, 2018 10:00am & 6:00pm MUSICIAN TODAY READER THIS MORNING The Revd Tom Pardy and the Revd Ian Tucker (am) Lorraine Jones (pm) TBA Dorothy Robinson LECTIONARY NEXT SUNDAY 11th February, Transfiguration, Year B OT Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1 12 Psalm: Psalm 50: 1 6 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4: 3 6 Gospel: St Mark 9: 2 9 3 SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 11th February, 2018 10:00am The Revd Geoff Flynn and the Revd Bronwyn Murphy (Covenant and Commissioning) 6:00pm The Revd Geoff Flynn (Holy Communion) MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY READER NEXT SUNDAY NOTICES NEXT SUNDAY (am & pm) Marjorie Shepheard Albert Clottey Elizabeth Roberts Karen Zaini s request for food donations this week is for eggs, cheese and tuna. Put your donation into the container in the church porch or, when it is open, drop them in to the Church office.
A Word from the Minister 4th February, 2018 The School for Creative Living recommenced last Monday and it was wonderful to welcome Pauline Milton back as convener after a long leave of absence. Last Wednesday I met with Army Chaplain Peter Willis from the Joint Health Command in the Australian Defence Force. Together we visited the South Coast Private Hospital where I introduced him to the senior leadership team and orientated him to the nature of the ministry I have pioneered here in Wollongong. With the growing interest in the field of moral injury, there may be an opportunity for similar ministries to be established in other mental health facilities across the country. The Wollongong Homeless Hub has received money to provide a mobile outreach service which seeks to assist people at risk of homelessness or other tenancy matters in a timely manner prior to the raising of eviction orders. I have arranged for a trial of this mobile service to take place on the 28th February. Following on the model of the Orange Sky Laundry van, the Hub will park its van in the single carpark adjacent to the Wesley Community Centre from 10:00am to 1:00pm. This week I am meeting with the Church Council, the Lifeline Australia Governance Committee and the Ministers and Pastors of the Northern Zone of our Presbytery. I will also be attending the Illawarra Connections monthly dinner and the Annual Rotary Peace Oration. Next Sunday we are commissioning the members of the Church Council at our annual Covenant Service. This is an important service in the life of our congregation and I look forward to welcoming the Revd Bronwyn Murphy, Synod Associate General Secretary, as our guest preacher. On a personal note, Sharon was discharged from hospital last Thursday and we are both thankful for the skill of the medical staff and the prayerful support of the congregation. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK Monday, 5th February 8:45 & 10:00am School for Creative Living classes. 7:00pm Church Council first meeting for the year. Wednesday, 7th January 9:30 for 10:00am Wesley Adult Fellowship first meeting for the year. The morning starts with a cuppa and chat before settling into the formal meeting. All are welcome 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. 5:30pm Rotary annual Oration for Peace in Edmund Rice College. Saturday, 10th February 11:30am The first Baptismal Information Session for the year. The next will be on Monday, 12th Feb., at 7:00pm. COVENANT AND COMMISSIONING Apologies if you were expecting a celebration of Holy Communion today. That has been shifted to next Sunday, 11th February, 2018. The morning service will include the annual renewal of our Covenant with God and the Commissioning of our Elders and Church Councillors. The guest preacher will be the Revd Bronwyn Murphy, newly appointed as Synod Associate General Secretary. John Wesley initiated the Covenent Service in 1755 and Methodists (and now Uniting folk) have been renewing their covenant with God using this rite ever since. This is an important part of our constant efforts to accept the discipline of being disciples of Jesus Christ. 4
Offerings for 28th Jan., 2018 Morning cash... $ 524.80 Morning envelopes... $ 390.00 Received by EFT (morning)... $ 80.00 Total for morning... $ 994.80 Evening cash... $ 220.00 Total colletions for the day... $ 1214.80 Morning Tea... $ 46.85 Baptism donations... $ 155.00 Donations Box... $ 87.00 Total income for the day... $ 1503.65 The Induction of the Revd Andrew Watts as Chaplain to Mayflower, Gerringong, will be held at 2:15pm on Thursday, 15th March. For catering purposes, let them know at scann@uniting.org if you plan to attend. Preacher: the Revd Rick Morrell. Presbytery Commencement Service This is to be held in Wollongong Wesley Church on Saturday week, 17th February, at 2:00pm. Naturally we hope our new fans will mean a cooler occasion than last year but, whatever the weather, it will be a celebration of the Uniting Church life and witness in this Presbytery. 5 Copyright Seminar A seminar has been arranged for all whose work in the church involves dealing with copyright issues. It will be led by a representative of CCLI and will be held in the Dapto Uniting Church on Saturday, 10th March, 2018, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Why are we telling you so early? To know whether there will be sufficient numbers to warrant holding the seminar, it is necessary to register by Saturday, 10th February with the coordinator, Bruce Fairhall at bruce@fairhall.id.au or on telephone voicemail at 4261 2424. This seminar is intended for ministers, musicians, those who use photocopiers for church work, those who prepare PowerPoint presentations and anyone who produces (or reproduces) any printed material for church work. More details are available from the Revd Geoff Flynn, the Revd Tom Pardy or the Church Office.
The light turned amber, just as he approached. He did the right thing and stopped at the white line, even though he could have beaten the red light had he been quick enough. The tailgating woman behind him was furious, blasting her horn and screaming abuse in her frustration. She had been forced to stop. Still in mid-rant, she looked up at a tap on her side window, right into the face of a very serious-looking police officer. She was ordered out of her car and told to place her hands on the top of her car. She was then handcuffed, taken to the Police Station, searched, fingerprinted and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours she was released from the cell and taken back to the booking desk. The arresting officer was waiting with her personal possessions. I m sorry for the way you have been treated, he said, but I was right behind you when we stopped at the lights. I saw you blowing your THE AMBER LIGHT 6 horn, screaming abuse at the man in front of you, cursing and waving your arms about. Then I noticed the What Would Jesus Do? sticker in your back window and the Choose Life sticker on your side window and the chrome-plated IXTHUS fish attached to your boot. So naturally, I assumed the car must have been stolen! contributed by Dorothy Robinson Moral: It s fine to advertise your faith; but remember the world has strong feelings about deceptive advertising!