Koonung Heights Uniting Church
Service of Worship at Home
21st January – 10am or whenever possible
You may like to light a candle during your time of worship.
Feel free to text the Peace to other members of the congregation.
Today’s service is led by Ray Michelle – Koonung Heights Church Council Chair
Worship Preparation:
Intriot: “Halle, halle, hallelujah!” (TiS 720 – words below)
Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah! Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Acknowledgement of Country:
As we meet to worship today,
I acknowledge the Wurundjeri WoiWurrung People of the Kulin nation,
the first inhabitants and custodians of this place
from time beyond remembering.
I pay my respects to their elders,
past and present
and all future generations.
I also remember and pay my respects
to those who have faithfully worshipped,
and shared their gifts and lives with us
at Koonung Heights.
I pray the God of love will continue to speak to us all.
Call to Worship:
Blessing
and Woe.
Found
and Lost.
Near
and Far.
Filled
and Empty.
All of us have a place here and we gather in it now.
A place where all we are is found in God
who redeems,
renews
and calls us back into life.
Let us worship.
We Sing: “Guide me oh my great redeemer” (Tis 569 – words below)
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand:
bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain
whence the living waters flow:
let the fiery, cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan
bid my anxious fears subside:
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
Prayer of Adoration and Confession:
When we find ourselves here with all of life
sometimes with the width of greyness,
it can feel heavy.
May we find the blessing that comes
in the colours of worship
and the place we meet you together with others:
that rich community that brings light and life,
shades of oranges and yellows, depth of blue and green,
vibrancy of reds and purples.
The colours of blessing found here among each other and in such a place,
a moment, an encounter, we bless you, O God.
May we give you our praise as you gather us in forgiveness,
a place of blessing finding life again
of letting go of the hurt and picking up our life.
Loving God,
in the level place of worship where we are all one in you, bless us with love
and redeem our woes that we might live in
far from here in the world.
Your people of blessing renewed and redeemed
and called again into life.
So be it.
Amen.
Words of Assurance
Blessing and woe,
two sides of the same coin?
Warning and affirmation,
necessary for wisdom.
Carrot and stick, too often we need both.
As power begets authority,
in a world in which might is right,
the rich make the rules, leaders protect their own,
bullies are promoted,
may we remember.
As the powerless flounder,
in a world in which rights are trounced,
the poor pay the costs, the sick can find no bed,
workers are ridiculed.
Lead us,
guide us,
bless us,
curse us,
remind us,
that we are your people.
Thanks be to God.
Passing the Peace:
The peace of Christ has been given to us,
not as a gift of the world which will pass away,
but as a gift from heaven which is eternal.
The peace of Christ be with you
and also with you.
Community Notices
Time for All:
Bible Reading: Psalm 1: 1-6
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Bible Reading: Luke 6: 20-26
20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. 25 Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Reflection:
Okay so, if I said Who’s heard about the Sermon on the Mount, I’m assuming there would be some hands go up indication you know what I was talking about. But if I asked you about the Sermon on the Plain who would say they can recall that one?
Well, I am part of that group too and when I read the lectionary to find the Luke reading, I was quite perplexed as to which rock I have lived under for so many years.
Both Sermons are providing Beatitudes. Beatitudes you may know and I have given them to you on a handout as you came into today. The literal meaning of the noun beatitude refers to a state of great joy. Being blessed, or at least feeling blessed, is often linked to beatitude.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his followers the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer spoken by Jesus to his disciples, starting with the prayer words and then told them several parables. The sermon also contained the Beatitudes and Jesus’ teachings about God’s laws, which he expected his followers to uphold.
Why is it called Sermon on the Mount? Jesus Christ’s words recorded in Matthew’s chapters 5, 6 and 7 are often called the Sermon on the Mount. The reason for this designation is that Jesus “went up on a mountain” (Matthew 5:1) to deliver this message. Apparently, Jesus did this to make it easier for the audience to hear what he was going to say.
So, how about the reading today, the Sermon on the Plain. Maybe good for Australians to get, however the difference is Mathew has eight positive statements/ beatitudes, verses Lukes’ four promises then four things to look out for.
I do wonder why this account is less talked about, preached, or recalled. The fact that we are told “you will not” as opposed to the nice, easy to accept, “you are blessed” may have something to do with this.
Matthew was writing and teaching to the Jew’s that had become Christians so, in effect, he was speaking to the reasonably well off and favoured people. Luke has a far more compassionate side to him and has spent much of his time with the poor, oppressed, widows and had a real compassion, as I said, for women.
Therefore, it raises some questions.
Question: What issues of social justice does Jesus address to the crowds in Luke’s Gospel? What are the “blessings”. Jesus promises to those who have suffered in this life?
Answer:
1. He promises the poor that they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. He promises the hungry that they will be filled.
3. He promises the sorrowful that they will become joyful.
4. He promises those who are persecuted for following him that they will be rewarded in heaven just as the prophets of God will be rewarded.
Question: What will be the ultimate consequence of not following Jesus’ teaching?
Answer: He pronounces curses on the rich who allow poverty to increase without using the blessings of their material wealth to comfort the poor and suffering; the rich who do not share their wealth will only receive a temporal blessing but will remain spiritually impoverished, they will have no share in the eternal blessings promised in the heavenly kingdom:
1. They will have no “wealth” in eternity.
2. They may be full now but they will be hungry for eternity.
3. They may experience joy now but they will suffer later in the life beyond this earthly existence.
4. They are compared to those who persecuted God’s holy prophets.
Reflecting on this, I get what great words they are, and the justice and fairness all seems so perfect and right. Almost too perfect to the point of guilt or maybe that’s my defensive side coming out. Yet, if I am someone trying to feed my family with the increasing cost of living, someone who has mental health issues, those living in a domestic violence situation or someone struggling to accept who they are and then be accepted as such, are either of these or any of the beatitudes providing you comfort or relief? Some days they may, but when it is one of the black days words are not enough.
As a chaplain each day I have list of patients and family referred for me to visit. As I go about it, I provide words of comfort, prayer, communion and give as much hope as possible to people who are often at the end of their journey or have suffered medical setbacks where their lives will never be the same again.
While this is such a privilege to be allowed into people’s space at that time, there is time you can feel quite helpless and for many it can be faith testing. A few months ago, I was ministering to a Pentecostal minister who had preached “Faith Healing” for years. She has seen many miracles of faith. However, two months earlier her young daughter in law died from cancer and now she was dealing with a permanent injury too. She was really being faith tested and yet her comfort was that others were reminding her to pray and read the bible more to get the right outcome. Any unsuccessful outcome would be due to her lack of prayerful effort. I have to admit it is not my place to change patients’ view, but I did suggest her and God might like a 24-hour break from each other to regroup.
The Sermon on the Plain I suggest says, don’t just sit there and talk about things, offering prayer because we can and look good for doing it, get off our backsides and do what we can with the gifts, skills and place we find ourselves in to make a real difference for those that really need it.
We all know we have more than we will ever need, but to use it remains a challenge. It’s not just money, it’s our time and talents. Not to single anyone out but, the amazing work by people in this church for Boroondara community outreach each week is an example. Adding to this, the food that is bought each week, from the offertory that allows for the council to donate, allows me to say everyone here in this congregation is involved and for some recipients, sorrowfulness becomes joy.
It is always worthwhile to review how we can assist from our current circumstances. It can be a lot to ask, especially as we get older and frailer to do what we have done when we were younger. We should not feel guilty and recognise it’s also important to receive.
A new year allows for you to review what you do, have always done, and what you may want to start, stop, or continue. We are also not called to be martyrs either, to make a sacrifice that over impacts ourselves or family. That’s not the request for eternal blessings promised in the heavenly kingdom.
Let me summarise the Sermon on the Plain again.
1. Jesus promises the poor that they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. He promises the hungry that they will be filled.
3. He promises the sorrowful that they will become joyful.
4. He promises those who are persecuted for following Him that they will be rewarded in heaven just as the prophets of God will be rewarded.
Jesus pronounces curses on the rich who allow poverty to increase without using the blessings of their material wealth to comfort the poor and suffering; the rich who do not share their wealth will only receive a temporal blessing but will remain spiritually impoverished, they will have no share in the eternal blessings promised in the heavenly kingdom.
1. They will have no “wealth” in eternity.
2. They may be full now but they will be hungry for eternity.
3. They may experience joy now but they will suffer later in the life beyond this earthly existence.
4. They are compared to those who persecuted God’s holy prophets.
May each of us always review where our energies in time, talent and wealth are used in a way that you and God find comfort in.
Amen
We Sing: Lord I Lift Your Name on High (Words below)
Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life
I’m so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I love to sing Your praises
I’m so glad You’re in my life
I’m so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Prayer of Dedication:
Wise God,
what you offer us in Christ is worth far more than money,
and we have warnings a-plenty that money is more likely to hinder
than to help us in our search for what really matters.
Today we think of the hospitality these gifts will offer
always to being surprised
by your wisdom and your grace.
Amen.
Prayers for others (Prepared by Margaret Lord):
Loving God,
As a congregation of Jesus’ disciples, gathered in this place and online, we join in prayer for others.
In our Gospel reading today we have heard of Jesus’ upside down view of the world, as he upended the accepted hierarchys of the everyday world, in his vision for the kingdom here on earth. We have heard these teachings many times, but we find them hard to internalise.
Living into the blessings and challenges of Jesus’s priorities requires great strength and courage. We pray for that strength for each of us individually, and together as a community, as we pray for the world.
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”.
Remember the poor of our world, for whom any sense of the kingdom of God seems distant and unattainable. We think of all those whose material worlds are currently shattered by war, famine, and natural disasters of all sorts.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”.
Remember the starving, where drought or civil upheaval has led to the failure or destruction of crops and where war and politics prevent effective distribution of resources.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh”.
Remember those who are in mourning, who have lost someone or something dear to them –
whether it is loss in the normal course of events, or through accident, or in the unimaginable horrors and mass destruction of war. We pray for their comfort.
“Blessed are you when people hate, exclude and revile you, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day…for surely your reward is great in heaven…”.
Remember those who at great personal cost, stand up for truth and justice.
“ Woe to you who are rich…full… happy…well regarded…”.
We pray that we are not seduced by greed, love of comfort and enjoyment of the esteem of others, but that we may always be generous and active in working for good in the world.
We each have things that are heavy on our hearts today, they may be small and personal, or large and societal. As we sit within God’s love, in a moment of quietness , let us each remember our particular concerns.
Let us now join in the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Amen
We Sing: Thy Word (Words below)
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid
Think I’ve lost my way
Still you’re there right beside me
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path
Blessing:
The great unwrapping
of God’s desire,
Jesus’ beatitudes,
a world turned on its head,
and we are invited
to bear witness
through our lives,
our words,
our actions.
Go, and be a blessing
as you are blessed.
We Sing: May Light Come Into Your Eyes (Tis 780 – words below)
May light come into your eyes,
May hope spring up in your heart,
May peace guide all of your mind,
And keep you in God;
And keep you in God.
Thanks to all those who have assisted in preparation for this liturgy with encouragement, prayers and conversation. I have also utilised the following resources: Spill the Beans (Issue 48)