Sunday, 22nd October, 2017 10:00am Ordinary Sunday 29 (Year A) Jesus said to them, Give to the emperor the things that are his, and to God the things that are God s. St Matthew 22: 21. 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 Left side (turning to face those on the right): We re glad you are here. Right side (facing those on the left): And we re glad you are here. We want to celebrate that God is with us. Right side: So do we! We want to live God s word in all we do. 1 So do we! And we want to share it with others. Right side: So do we! And we want to follow Jesus. So do we! And we want to serve the true and living God. Right side: So do we! We re glad to be here, And so are we. Leader: Let s worship God together. 2005, Seasons of the Spirit. HYMN (TiS.132) Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we have taken your world and possessed it, turning beauty into profit, community into competition, resources into power, intelligence into economy. Forgive us, God. This is your world. You have entrusted it to us. Help us make it what it should be. We have taken words and said too much or too little, turning Good News into propaganda, cries for justice into whispers, stories of the poor into romance, policies of dictators into soap operas. Forgive us, God. This is your world. You have entrusted it to us. Help us make it what it should be. We have taken friends and family and abused their living, turning relationships into contracts, friendships into bargaining, loving into lust, giving into unspoken negotiation. Forgive us, God. This is your world. You have entrusted it to us. Help us make it what it should be. 2005, Seasons of the Spirit. DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS In the name of Christ, your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God. We listen to the Word of God INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME OF THE DAY HYMN Scripture in Song 81 Rejoice in the Lord always Rejoice in the Lord always Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! attrib. to Evelyn Fern Tarner 1912 The children (aged 4 11) now go with their leaders to discuss the Bible readings for today. 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 Thessalonians 1: 1 10 1 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remem bering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 4 For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that God has chosen you, 5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from
you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9 For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. NRSV. SECOND READING St Matthew 22: 15 22 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 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. 19 Show me the coin used for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, Whose head is this, and whose title? We respond to the Word of God 21 They answered, The emperor s. Then he said to them, Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor s, and to God the things that are God s. 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. 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 Know that God loves you and has chosen you NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH OFFERTORY HYMN (TiS.650) Brother, sister, let me serve you The people remain seated until the final verse. OFFERTORY PRAYER PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION This prayer includes the following versicle and response: Holy Friend, bless all who attempt to bring aid and peace; And by your Holy Spirit, comfort your people. Prayer from www.bruceprewer.com. THE LORD S PRAYER The People of God are sent out FINAL HYMN (TiS.470) DISMISSAL & BLESSING THREE-FOLD AMEN. Rejoice in God s saints 3 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.
A Word from the Minister 22nd October, 2017 Last Sunday marked the 10th Anniversary of Karen Zaini s employment as the co-ordinator of our Wesley Community Centre. I wish publically to acknowledge her sustained compassion and advocacy for members of our community who are in need of a helping hand. Over the last decade Karen has nurtured volunteers, supervised social work trainees, offered a listening ear and made numerous referrals to other community services. Thank you Karen. I met with the Property Committee last Monday as they worked through a letter from the Church Council which outlines the new financial accounting procedures designed to consolidate what was previously two sets of accounts into one set of accounts. The Property Committee has asked if I could canvas the congregation to identify volunteers who would be available to be trained to open and close our halls in the evening as is necessary from time to time. I trust you were able to bag a bargain at our Bargain Barn Sale last Thursday and Friday. Thanks to a first class sales pitch, Sharon and I were able to pick up a very nice Noritaki dinner setting for six. Every dollar raised helps us to bear witness to a unity in faith and life in Christ. So thank you to everyone who helped during the week. The Heart, Soul and Fitness Group at Dapto Uniting Church were most interested to hear some stories of the ministry we are involved with at the Wesley Community Centre. They sent me home last Monday with a boot load of groceries and promises of further donations. I also wish to thank the residents of Uniting Elanora in Shellharbour for the generous donations they collected for our Centre as part of their participation in Anti-Poverty week. This week I am meeting with the management committee of the Wesley Community Centre on Wednesday and chairing the meeting of Illawarra People for Peace (IP4P) at the Nan Tien Temple on Thursday. The meeting is from 6:30 to 8:00pm and visitors and new members are most welcome to come along and hear what peace means in the Humanistic Buddhist tradition as well as from a number of local community organisations doing peace work with newly settled refugee families in the Illawarra. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK TODAY S SERVICES 22nd October, 2017 10:00am & 6:00pm The Revd Geoff Flynn MUSICIANS TODAY BIBLE READER THIS MORNING (am) Ruth Procter (pm) students Someone This week Karen Zaini (coordinator of our meals program) has asked for donations of powdered milk, sugar, cheese and devon. Put your donations in the container in the church porch or, better still, drop it in to the Church Office during office hours. SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 29th October, 2017 10:00am The Revd Geoff Flynn 6:00pm The Revd Phil Newton MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY READER NEXT SUNDAY MORNING LECTIONARY NEXT SUNDAY 290th October, Ordinary Sunday 30 (am) David Harman and Phil Newton (pm) students Fah Harman OT Reading: Deuteronomy 34: 1 12 Psalm: Psalm 90: 1 6, 13 17 Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2: 1 8 Gospel: St Matthew 22: 34 46 4
Offerings for 15th October, 2017 Morning cash... $ 498.25 Morning envelopes... $ 455.00 Received by EFT (morning)... $ 70.00 Total morning collections... $ 1023.25 Evening cash... $ 454.65 Received by EFT (evening)... $ 100.00 Total evening collections... $ 554.65 Total Collections for Day... $ 1577.90 Morning Tea... $ 42.30 What used to be box offerings... $ 50.00 Total income for the day... $ 1670.20 EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK Monday, 23rd October 8:45am School for Creative Living Thai Chi class (note: classes still full). 10:00am Other SCL classes. Tuesday, 24th October United Nations Day. It marks the anniversary of when the UN Charter came into force in 1945. Wednesday, 25th October 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. Thursday, 26th October 6:30pm Illawarra People for Peace (IP4P) meeting at the Nan Tien Temple. Saturday, 28th October St Simon and St Jude day. Undoubtedly the least known of all the Twelve Disciples! Jude is supposed to be the saint of loss causes. Simon is the Zealot. Congregational AGM and election of Elders and Church Councillors Nomination forms for the election of Elders and Church Councillors are still available at the back of the church. Forms must be in to the Church office no later than 1:00pm on Wednesday, 1st November. The following people are NOT facing election or re-election to Church Council at this year s AGM: Albert Clottey (elder until 2021), Rose Flood (elder until 2018), Alison Grant (elder until 2019), Neil Grant (church councillor until 2019), Ully Silaen (elder until 2018) and Kini Smeaton (elder until 2018). All other confirmed members and members-in-association of our congregation are eligible to be nominated. Elders duties include serving at Holy Communion, washing up the vessels after communion, participating in Baptism Information Sessions and Baptism services and taking pastoral care 5 For the morning service on 17th December, the Wesley Occasional Choir (WOC) has an opportunity to sing a couple of songs/carols. If you want to join this illustrious group, speak to Pamela Mildenhall or Geoff Flynn. The plan is to hold practices on four Sundays at 9:15am for half an hour dates dependent on when folk are available. The group might also sing at Carols in the Mall at 6:00pm the following Wednesday (20th) more details when they come to hand. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Annual Christmas Luncheon Don t forget that the annual Christmas Lunch (organised by the Friendship Group) will be held after the morning service on Sunday, 12th November at the Passionate Palate restaurant at Kanahooka. See Ron Samways or Ruth Moore to book your place now and get in quick because this is always very popular (as well as tasty). of people on their elder s list. Church councillors duties include participating in the decision-making process, the implementation of church policies and serving on Church Council committees such as the finance committee. And, of course, both elders and church councillors sre expected to attend and participate in meetings. Secretaries, Presidents (and perhaps Treasurers) of organisations are reminded of the need to provide a written annual report outlining their organisation s main activities and achievements during the last year. Photos may be included but the report should not be much more than about an A4 page. If appropriate, a financial report can also be added. Last year there was a very positive response to the Annual Reports booklet but it does depend on the contents being provided by you! If in doubt about anything to do with this, speak to Tom Pardy.
Browse around Albion Park s 2016 FLORAL SPLENDOUR Celebrating 27 years in the ALBION PARK UNITING CHURCH corner Terry and Russell Streets See Floral Arrangements representing Bible & hymn verses Saturday, 11th November 10am 4pm Sunday, 12th November noon 4pm Saturday stalls for plants, craft, cakes, jams, pickles etc. Admission $8 (includes refreshments) SPIRITUALITY IN THE PUB The next session of SIP will be on Tuesday. 31st October, 2017, from 7:30 to 9:00pm in the Woonona Bulli RSL Club at 455 459 Princes Highway, Woonona. The speaker will be the Revd Fr Ibrahim Sultan who is a priest of the Melkite Catholic Church and his topic will be The advantages and disadvantages of being a married priest. Fr Ibrahim is married (as allowed in the Melkite Catholic Church) and he and his wife have two daughters. He holds degrees from Lebanon (where he was born) and from the Catholic Institute of Sydney in Strathfield. He is well versed in Byzantine music and is an iconographer. For more details, contact Ann on 0427 235 955 or wollsip@gmail.com. ALL WELCOME How To Please Everyone by Wendell Ward A man and his grandson went on a journey, walking and leading a donkey. Soon they met a man who said, How foolish for you to be walking. One of you should be riding the donkey. So the man put his grandson on the animal. The next traveller they met frowned and said accusingly, How dreadful for a strong, young boy to be riding while an old man walks. With that, the boy climbed off the donkey and his grandfather climbed on. The next person down the road, however, said, I just can t believe that a grown man would ride and make a poor little boy walk. So the man pulled the boy back aboard and off they rode on the donkey together. That is, until they met the next fellow who screamed, I never saw anything so cruel in all my life. Two intelligent human beings riding on the poor little scrawny donkey. They dismounted, picked up the donkey and carried it down the road. Down the road a piece from there our trio met a couple of men travelling together. When the parties had passed, one of the men turned to the other and said, Did you ever see two fools carrying a donkey before? How to please everyone? Don t even try! Just try to please God. 6