Daniel Broadstock welcomed us to worship on 25th February. As we continued our Lenten journey to Holy Week, Peter Blair reflected on Christ’s countercultural call to carry our cross with him. During worship we offered a blessing for the members of the Student Household program.
- Watch the service again on Youtube
- Cath and Rohan offered the Student House Blessing during which each of the students shared their current field of study and a significant turning point in their lives
- Watch Peter’s reflection
- Read the Order of Service
Prayers of Adoration & Confession
Watch or 20:23
Father God, Mothering God,
We turn toward you as the source of all that is good.
We turn to you as the source of life, the source of creation, the source of being,
the source of truth, the source of perfect, reconciling,
redeeming, healing, and transforming love.
We praise you as you lead us through all the seasons of life.
We praise you for sudden, summer rain, and for early morning frost.
We praise you for hot sun sinking in through dappled shade.
We thankyou for water; for quiet rivers and the ceaseless hushing movements of the oceans.
We praise you in youth, in maturity and in old age.
We praise you in the thrill of discovery and the accumulation of hard-won wisdom.
Walk with us, Jesus of the desert, as we walk with you through this Lenten journey,
and through the journey of all our lives. Help us to seek first the kingdom of God.
Help us to be bold when we should be bold, and quiet when we should be quiet.
Let us speak when we should speak and listen when we should listen.
Journey with us in new love and old love, new pain and old pain.
Make us one in peace. Help us to lift our cross when it is heavy.
Help us to turn away from all that diminishes life, all that humiliates,
all that hoards up, all that is hard and unyielding, all that is prideful and scornful,
all that is selfish and all that is untrue.
We confess that sometimes these things are hard to turn from.
We confess that sometimes we do not want to turn from them.
Come Holy Spirit, bringer of new life.
Amen.
Word of Grace
Friends, hear the Good News: God walks with us through every step of the journey.
However we feel that we fall short, and however we miss the mark,
in Christ, through Christ and because of Christ, our sin is forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
Daniel Broadstock, offered for worship 25/02/2o24, Lent 2B
Prayers of the people
Watch or 1:05:45
Reading of UCA Gaza statement, first shared on 14/02/2024
Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has expressed deep concern for the unfolding situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and protection of innocent civilians.
““We’re watching the unfolding situation in Gaza closely and hold grave concerns for all those who are sheltering in Rafah.”
Leaders across the globe have voiced concerns about plans for a ground invasion of the city of Rafah where more than a million Palestinians have fled since October.
Rev Hollis said, “We’re watching the unfolding situation in Gaza closely and hold grave concerns for all those who are sheltering in Rafah. We reiterate our call an immediate and sustainable ceasefire and urge all parties to ensure the protection of innocent lives.”
“Our hearts ache and cry out for peace to prevail.”
Since the 7 October attack by Hamas militants and retaliation from the Israel Government, the Uniting Church has joined the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in demands for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the opening of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of vital assistance.
Today, Uniting Church members have joined the Ceasefire Pilgrimage in Melbourne (pictured above), including Advocate for the Working for Justice Circle Rev Alex Sangster. During Lent, Christian groups from around the globe are walking the length of Gaza (about 40km) to raise funds for humanitarian relief and support for refugees. They are calling for an enduring and sustained ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance, release of all hostages on both sides and an end of occupation.
Find out about other walks taking place across the country and how you can take part.
offered for worship by Hugh Brown, 25/02/2024, Lent 2B
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