Sunday, 9th July, 2017 10:00am Ordinary Sunday 14 (Year A) Jesus said, Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. St Matthew 11: 29. 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 God called forth Abraham and Sarah to the land of Canaan. God calls us to follow. God called Isaac and Rebekah to become a family. God calls us the family of Christ. God called the prophets to speak against injustice. God calls us to live out justice and mercy Jesus calls us to fish for people. Come, let us worship God, let us follow The Way; 1 And let us gather the people to Christ. http://rev-o-lution.org HYMN (TiS.242) Lord of the dance PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Rom. 7: 15 16) I do the very thing I hate. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Silent Prayer) I do not do the good I want. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Silent Prayer) The evil I do not want is what I do. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Silent Prayer) Who will rescue me from this body of death? Words for Worship, July, 1999 DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Therefore I declare to you with confidence: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
The Sacrament of Baptism PRESENTATION OF THE FAMILY The candidate for Baptism is introduced by the Elder for the family, Linda Knowles. The minister then asks the parents their wish for their child. SCRIPTURE THE MEANING OF BAPTISM THE CONFESSION OF FAITH The minister asks three questions of the parents. The people are then asked to stand to confess the faith into which the candidate is to be Baptised. THE APOSTLES CREED Do you believe in God? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? 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. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? 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, 1988. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The elder pours water into the Font and the minister offers prayer. THE BAPTISM OF JAYDON The minister addresses Jaydon and then Baptises him, pouring water onto his head three times, once at each name of the Trinity. 2 The people may respond: Amen. Jaydon is marked with the sign of the cross and preented to the people as a member of the one, holy catholic and apostolic church. THE AARONIC BLESSING As the elder introduces Jaydon to the people, the people sing this blessing upon him: RESPONSES The minister askes the parents to respond to God s goodness by making certain promises. After their reply, the minister asks the people: Friends in Christ, will you promise to maintain a life of worship and teaching, witness and service, so that Jaydon may grow to maturity in Christ? With God s help, we will live out our Baptism as a loving community in Christ, nurturing one another in faith, upholding one another in prayer and encouraging one another in service, until Christ comes. HYMN (TiS.491) Father welcomes all his children
We listen to 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 Romans 7: 15 25a 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23 but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! NRSV. GOSPEL READING St Matthew 11: 16 19, 25 30 16 [Jesus said,] To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon ; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. 25 At that time Jesus said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal the Father. 28 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 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 NRSV. How hard it is to rest We respond to the Word of God OFFERTORY HYMN (TiS.590) The people remain seated until the final verse. What a friend we have in Jesus PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD S PRAYER NOTICES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH The People of God are sent out FINAL HYMN (TiS.217) Love divine, all loves excelling A lighted candle and the Baptismal Certificate are presented. 3 BLESSING AND DISMISSAL 3-FOLD AMEN & ORGAN POSTLUDE.
A Word from the Minister 9th July, 2017 Last Tuesday I enjoyed some time with our children at their Fun Day. They enjoyed a mixture of craft, Bible study and games together in our hall, thanks to their leaders, Linda and Mick, Elizabeth and Mele. I have been helping with the orientation of our student minister, Trish Mann, and she accompanied me to Church Council, Children s Ministry and Adult Fellowship meetings. This Tuesday evening I will be meeting with the executive of the Illawarra People for Peace to plan for the next six months. Then on Friday I am participating in the Field Educators workshop at the United Theological College. Next Sunday, Trish Mann will be leading our prayers and the morning service and Doo-Ah (Debbie) Leeming will be preaching at our multi-cultural service in the evening. Doo-ah has recently concluded her field education placement at Keiraview and is now in placement at Corrimal Region Uniting Church. This will be a good opportunity to catch up with and pray for Doo-Ah as she progresses toward ordination. Grace and peace, The Reverend Geoffrey Flynn, Wesley Uniting Church, Wollongong. EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK Monday, 10th July School for Creative Living is in recess for the duration of the school holidays. Classes will 7:00pm resume on Monday, 17th July. The second of the two Baptism Information Sessions for July.. Tuesday, 11th July Noon Friendship Group Luncheon at Forest Grove. Wednesday, 5th July 10:00am Elders Meeting for July. It is at these monthly meetings that the elders, on behalf of the Church Council, considers all applications for Baptism. 1:00pm Midweek Holy Communion and prayer in the church. Friday, 14th July Bastille Day France s National Day, commemorating the occasion during the French Revolution in 1789 when the citizens of Paris stormed the prison known as the Bastille in an act of defiance against the monarchy. TODAY S SERVICES 9th July, 2017 10:00am 6:00pm MUSICIANS TODAY BIBLE READER THIS MORNING (including Baptism) (am) Peter Nickolas (pm) Marjorie Shepheard SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY 16th July, 2017 10:00am and student, Trish Mann 6:00pm and student Doo-ah Leeming (Multicultural Service) MUSICIANS NEXT SUNDAY (am) Scott Jackson (pm) Lorraine Jones READER NEXT SUNDAY MORNING Albert Clottey LECTIONARY NEXT SUNDAY Ordinary Sunday 15 First Reading: Genesis 25: 19 34 Psalm: Psalm 119: 105 112 Epistle: Romans 8: 1 11 Gospel: St Matthew 13: 1 9, 18 23 4
Baptisms Today There are three Baptisms today. During the 10:00am service we celebrate the Baptism of: Jaydon Leo Klower, the twenty-one-month old son of Kelly and Darren Klower. Linda Knowles is the elder for this family. Then, at 11:30am, we celebrate the Baptism of: Darcy Sean Peter Carey, the seven-months old son of Alicia and Sean Carey. Lynette and Richard Walsh are sponsors for Darcy and Kini Smeaton is the elder for this family. And, at noon, we celebrate the Baptism of: Abbey May Brough, the ten-months old daughter of Sarah Timbs and Kane Brough. Bronwen Timbs, Nicole Talbot, Nick Edwards and Matt Douet are sponsors for Darcy and Linda Knowles is the elder for this family. 5 Offerings for 2nd July, 2017 Morning cash... $ 615.90 Morning envelopes... $ 200.00 Received by EFT (morning)... $ 231.00 Total morning collections... $ 1046.90 Evening cash... $ 400.00 Total Collections for Day... $ 1446.90 Morning Tea... $ 53.10 Box donations... $ 68.80 Total income for the day... $ 1568.80 The particular request this week from Karen Zaini, Co-ordinator of our Meals program, is for canned foods though I imagine food in jars and bottles wouldn t go astray. Drop them into the basket in the church porch or, if it is easier for you, drop them into the Church Office during office hours, Monday to Friday.
Annual Shoebox Musical Celebration Come along and enjoy an afternoon of community singing, musical items by Wollongong Gospel Choir and a great time of fellowship. Hear two of our volunteers, Barrie and Effie, share their experiences in Fiji while distributing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to many excited children. Sunday 23rd July, 2017 2:00pm Albion Park Uniting Church corner Terry & Russell Streets $10 donation includes afternoon tea Selection of clothing and gifts for sale 6 All proceeds to Operation Christmas Child Enquiries: Lyn Brown 4256 1487