Koonung Heights Uniting Church
Service of Worship at Home
Lent 3 – 3 March 2024 – 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.
During the service we will share Communion so you might like to have the elements ready.
Introit: “Sing Amen” (TiS 704)
Sing Amen: Amen, we praise your name, O Lord.
Sing Amen: Amen, we praise your name, O Lord.
Sing Amen: Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, we praise your name, O Lord.
Candle Lighting:
As we gather to worship we light the Christ candle
remembering the One who asked “Who do you say that I am?”
God sent his light to the world in Jesus Christ,
the light that shines in the darkness,
the light that has never been overcome.
Acknowledgement of Country:
As we gather,
I acknowledge the traditional custodians
of these unceded lands and waters,
the Wurundjeri WoiWurrung People of the Kulin nation.
I pay my respects to their elders, past and present,
and to all future generations and leaders.
As First and Second Peoples walking together,
may we commit ourselves to be people of the covenant,
listening, truth telling and seeking justice for all.
Call to Worship:
If you ask the sky who God is,
the sky will tell you of God’s reach.
If you ask the day who God is,
the sun will tell you of God’s warmth.
If you ask the night who God is,
the moon will tell you of God’s comfort.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God”.
Are you listening?
We are listening! We will sing of God’s glory.
Let us worship Holy God.
We Sing: “Let all creation dance” – (TiS 187)
Let all creation dance in energies sublime,
as order turns with chance, unfolding space and time,
for nature’s art in glory grows, and newly shows God’s mind and heart.
God’s breath each force unfurls, igniting from a spark
expanding starry swirls, with whirlpools dense and dark.
Though moon and sun seem mindless things, each orbit sings: ‘Your will be done.’
Our own amazing earth, with sunlight, cloud and storms
and life’s abundant growth in lovely shapes and forms,
is made for praise, a fragile whole, and from its soul heaven’s music plays.
Lift heart and soul and voice: in Christ all praises meet
and nature shall rejoice as all is made complete.
In hope be strong, all life befriend and kindly tend creation’s song.
Call to Prayer:
Prayer is about talking and listening … it is a two-way conversation where we are invited to share with God what is going on for us. We can ask questions, be honest about our feelings and thank God too.
In our scripture for today, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Messiah.”
Have you ever wondered if his voice faltered when he answered? Did he respond loudly and with confidence, or with a tentative whisper? We’ll never know. The text doesn’t provide those details. But we can trust that, no matter how we speak to God, when we speak, God is listening.
So friends, let us join in prayer together. There will be space for silence. Whether you sit comfortably or uncomfortably in silence, know that the Spirit holds you. There will also be space for words. Whether you whisper these words or speak them with conviction, may you trust that our gracious and merciful God is listening with love.
Let us pray.
Prayer of Adoration and Confession:
God of creation,
when we gaze upon blue skies,
or see rain or clouds of amazing shape and colour;
we witness your gifts to us.
When we ponder the night skies, the glory of the milky way,
the awesome motion of planets, comets and shooting stars
we witness your creative delight
in making our world and declaring it good.
We have seen your dancing creation
build up massive energy to strike us in powerful storms
and we have watched as power blackouts enable the Milky Way to shine.
In this time of silence we bring our thanks and praise
for the witness of creation to you.
Holy God,
Some days, we are quick to declare your goodness.
Like Peter, we see you in our midst and we are confident in our faith.
Other days, we are distracted and uncertain, desperate for answers.
Forgive us for losing sight of you.
Some days we are quick to trust your blessings –
trusting that we are called, that we can make a difference.
Other days, our praise falls silent and doubt creeps in.
Forgive us for losing sight of ourselves.
We know that fear and doubt are part of the journey of faith.
But for the days when we are far from you and far from ourselves,
we ask for your tender grace.
Pull us closer toward you.
Remind us of the mountaintop moments of our faith.
Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Friends,
Whether you speak to God
in a whisper or with clear conviction,
with questions or with answers,
with hope in your heart or with doubt in your throat –
God will always listen with love and mercy.
So rest in this good news:
regardless of how loudly you live your faith – you belong to God.
You are loved. You are claimed. You are forgiven.
Speak that good news with confidence.
Amen.
A Time for All:
I wonder if you have ever watched the show ‘Who do you think you are?’. For those who may not have seen it, the series journeys with well-known individuals as they try to answer some questions in regards to their own family history. For each person there are bits missing in their family narrative, and researchers lead them on particular paths to discovery.
At times what is found out fits the family narrative, filling in a missing piece of the puzzle, but at other times what is uncovered is a complete surprise. What I have always found fascinating about this show is the way that, as the stories unfold, many of the individuals come to understand why something matters deeply to them, why they are drawn to a particular place, or how the experiences of the past generations have shaped who they are today.
Knowing who we are is important to us, and it also matters how others see us too. We want to know what others think of us and, depending on their assessment, we might feel encouraged or pleasantly surprised. We could also feel frustrated or angry if we don’t think their assessment is right.
In the gospel reading today, Jesus asks that question of his disciples though I am pretty sure that Jesus knows who he is. The disciples give quite a few responses to the question ‘Who do people say that I am?’, but then Jesus makes it personal asking ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Peter’s response earns him a gold star … it seems that he has got it right. Peter’s response also gets him a new name, and something more of God’s plan for him is revealed.
If Jesus asked you that same question today, I wonder how you might answer. What I don’t’ wonder about, is that if you asked Jesus that question, for I know that he calls you beloved.
Let us pray,
Dear God,
Thank you for making me exactly as I am.
Remind me of the ways you made me special,
and help me to see the best in others.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen.
We Sing: “Jesus loves me” – (TiS 229)
Jesus loves me, this I know,
and the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
in his love we shall be strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, ‘Let them come to me.’
Yes, Jesus loves me …
Jesus loves me still today,
walking with me on my way,
wanting as a friend to give
light and love to all who live.
Yes, Jesus loves me …
Bible Reading: Psalm 19
– God’s Glory in Creation and the Law
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom
from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens
and its circuit to the end of them,
and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect one’s own errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
We Sing: “The heavens shall declare” – (TiS 746)
The heavens shall declare the glory of his name,
all creation bow at the coming of the King;
every eye shall see, every heart will know,
every knee shall bow, every tongue confess:
holy, holy, holy is the Lord; see the coming of the King; holy is the Lord.
Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
– Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Reflection:
I have stayed quiet before.
I have held my tongue while passing mountains.
I have slipped my hands deep into pockets,
despite the music that invites me to dance.
I have glimpsed a new moon and a new love
and have acted as if it was something other than a complete, God-given miracle.
But not today.
Not today.
Today I will dance.
Today I will tap my toes all the way to heaven’s gates.
Today I will point out every shade of gold and periwinkle that we pass.
Today I will talk about my faith like we talk about the weather –
early and unprompted, comfortable and unashamed.
Today I will tell you that God did such a good job with freckles, willow trees,
and your entire being.
And I will not be embarrassed by my own conviction.
I will not swallow my praise.
I have stayed quiet before,
but not today.
Today I will sing.
This poem captures the feeling of a mountaintop experience … the joy that happens when you have suddenly got it, when it all makes sense and you can’t help but rejoice in that. Rather than quietly going through the motions you want to shout aloud for everyone to hear. It’s a moment that you are never going to forget. It’s a moment you should hold on to because you know it won’t always be like this.
When we join Jesus and the disciples today, they have just arrived in Caesarea Philippi, north of Galilee, a district in Herod Philip’s territory. Speculations about Jesus’ identity are spreading throughout a land that is under Roman rule, and it is in this context that Jesus turns to the disciples and asks them, “Who do you say that I am?” We are then witness to Peter’s mountaintop faith moment when he boldly proclaims who Jesus is. He speaks with conviction. He claims his faith and things happen because of it.
As we see this story unfold, we find Peter at a crucial juncture in his relationship with Jesus. He has been found, rescued when sinking, and has now experienced a profound revelation. It is as though these moments have led him to declare who Jesus truly is and the purpose behind his coming.
Have you ever wondered who is Jesus? This same question that Jesus asked the disciples is really the question that we are all trying to answer. We need the answer for ourselves, for others and for the world, for if we don’t know the answer then how are we supposed to share it? I knew who Jesus was when I was five. I had learned the story of Zacchaeus – the short tax collector who had climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus had seen Zacchaeus over the large crowd, had called to him and they went on to share a meal together. From this story I concluded that Jesus was tall. From my five-year-old perspective this is what I knew of Jesus, and being tall was enough for Jesus to be the hero of the story. But of course, as I grew, the answer wasn’t that simple.
The disciples are grappling with this same question and as Jesus is the one asking this raises the stakes for the disciples. I don’t think Jesus was really interested in his own polling numbers, but he does want to know that his disciples are thinking. After all, they are the ones who will be left behind to talk about him once he has gone.
By the time I got to high-school I knew that there was more to Jesus than being tall. Jesus was a counsellor, the holy one, the prince of peace, the son of God. I didn’t really think much about what that all meant, but I knew that believing it was important, and so I did believe. This was the essence of who Jesus was summed up in a neat little formula. For me the question kept getting more complicated as the years went by … who is this Jesus?
The disciples had a bit of trouble answering Jesus too, and the fact that he is asking the question makes them want to get the answer right. Some say Jesus is a bit of a celebrity (John the Baptist), others think that he’s more of a special character like a prophet (Elijah or Jeremiah). There is definitely something special about this Jesus’ character and people want know who he is so they try to explain it in the best way they can. The disciples do their best but can’t seem to adequately explain who Jesus is, and Jesus knows he hasn’t heard the answer he needs to here.
The apostles creed is an example of the early church trying to articulate what they believe about Jesus; and in fact the bulk of the creed relates to Jesus, naming things that were important culturally at the time. One example is that Jesus is named as being “born of a virgin” … important figures were always born miraculously so to make a claim about Jesus it was necessary to include this line. It’s like the disciples answers, hinting at something but not being able to articulate it fully.
I think Jesus rephrases the question for the disciples because he wants to know who they think he is. It is the same thing Jesus wants to know from us. ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’ is the best declaration that Peter can come up with in this moment of clarity when he professes his devotion to God and acknowledges who God is in his life. Jesus builds the church on the rock of Peter’s faith. As he hears Peter’s response we might imagine him encouraging Peter in this moment. Jesus affirms who he believes Peter to be, just as Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ. Names and affirmations shape our identity and self-worth … so when things get ‘rocky’ for Peter, he will lean on this memory for solid grounding, and to remember his calling.
So … who is Jesus. Like our faith, our declarations are dynamic. They change as we grow and mature and life takes us on our own spiritual journeys. For me now, Jesus is more than tall, or a neat formula. I think the best that I can articulate is that Jesus is God with skin on … the One who took on human form and who knows what it is like for us. We might not ever be able to explain it all … but Jesus is the one who offers us a life-changing relationship with God.
Each one of us has a spiritual journey that shapes our understanding of God and invites us to draw closer to God. My prayer is that we, too, can echo Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah, the Son of the living God. May our journeys be marked by the continuous growth that invites us to places where we can affirm our faith, as God continues to see the best version of ourselves and plants seeds to remind us of that.
Amen.
Prayer for Others (prepared by Rhonwen Pierce)
Let us pray …
Lord God,
You gave us scientists who have shown us that this little blue marble we live on has been through many changes and you have watched each one until you found humans who worship you. You created us in your image but we have tried to be you and not hear your love for nature and each other. We now need to hear what you would have us do to stop yet another change to this planet occurring. We pray that you keep leading the scientists to greater understanding and that politicians heed their advice.
We pray for those suffering huge losses through the fires that are occurring. We pray for the fire fighters and police who have to control looting – it is so wrong that these things happen. At the same time we give thanks for those in these communities who have pulled together to support each other. We pray that in the future we may use the small controlled fire management that our indigenous people know and encourage.
As we follow the footsteps of Jesus as he heads for Jerusalem may we also hear all he has to say to encourage us to be his followers. We pray that we continue to find ways to reach our local community and that the things that are happening are supported. We give thanks for all who volunteer time and energy to run these programs. We pray for those named on the prayer tree and the people who put those requests there. Pour Your blessings upon them.
Let us pray for Rev Heather as she finds her feet in her new role in Presbytery. We pray too for the work done by Presbytery that it continues to strengthen the churches involved. We remember the frail, home bound and unwell in our fellowship here and we name them and those we hold dear in a time of silence.
(Time of silence)
May all those so named feel Your presence with them.
Let these thoughts and words be acceptable in your sight O Lord we pray.
Amen
Affirmation of Faith:
Jesus asked the disciples, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?”
What do you say?
Jesus is a hand reaching out in the storm,
the voice of truth spoken over us,
and love without walls.
Jesus is justice for the weary,
healing for the hurt,
and welcome for the stranger.
Jesus is teacher, Messiah, and friend –
with me on the mountain
and beside me in the valley.
Jesus is a star in the night,
and the love that knows my name.
Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?”
Like Peter, we say,
“Jesus, you are the Messiah,
son of the Living God.”
Communion:
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you and also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God you have been with us since the beginning.
You have never left us or forsaken us.
You continually encourage and confirm us, holding us up to what we can be.
Even when we get it wrong, you invite us to new mountaintop moments
which affirm that we are your beloved.
Your patient grace is always with us, and your love and mercy know no bounds.
You became the Christ,
and set an example in Word and deed of a vision of who we can and could be
and how things can and could be.
You proclaimed the Kingdom of God and shared it with us.
In the greatest act of compassion and grace,
you accepted our brokenness and let it break your body to death,
but not your love.
You died and took with you the way of death, but death did not win.
You rose in hope and healing to carry us into the future,
and when the time came you gifted us with your Spirit to go with us.
For all this we thank you, joining our voices to the song of the Church on earth
and in heaven, singing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of love and light,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
On the night of Jesus betrayal and arrest, as he shared a meal with his friends,
Jesus took bread; gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his followers, saying:
“Share this bread among you; this is my body which will be broken for justice.
Do this to remember me.”
When supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying:
“Share this wine among you; this is my blood which will be shed for liberation.
Do this to remember me.”
Invocation
Creating, Redeeming, Sustaining God,
let your Spirit come upon your people gathered here and in their homes.
Spirit of compassion, bless us and this bread and wine.
May this meal be food and drink for our journey –
renewing, sustaining and making us whole.
When we eat and drink may we experience again the presence of the risen Jesus
in our midst.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name;
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and 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 forever.
Amen.
Distribution
The bread we take is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The wine we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
The bread of life – the cup of hope.
May this meal nourish and refresh you, strengthen and renew you,
may it remind you that you are loved. Amen.
(Eat and drink)
Prayer
God of love, we give you thanks for satisfying us with this meal.
Send us from here to reveal your love in the world.
Inspire us to use our words to point others to the Word.
Inspire in us the resolve and the courage, the compassion and passion
to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you.
Amen.
We Sing: “Lord of the dance” – (TiS 242)
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun;
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance then, wherever you may be:
I am the Lord of the dance, said he:
and I’ll lead you all where ever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance
and they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
for James and John,
they came with me and the dance went on.
Dance, then …
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame:
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and the stripped and they hung me high,
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Dance, then …
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
but I am the dance and I still go on:
Dance, then …
They cut me down and I leap up high,
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you as you live in me:
I am the Lord of the dance, said he:
Dance, then …
Blessing:
Beloved wanderer,
as you leave this place,
may you carry your curious heart on your sleeve.
May you look for God in every face.
May you find the courage to get out of the boat,
and to speak your faith.
You are called. You are blessed.
You always belong to God
so go in peace, trusting in that good news.
Amen.
Thanks to all those who have assisted in preparation for this liturgy with encouragement, prayers and conversation. I have also utilised the following resources: Sanctified Art (A Wandering Heart), A Sermon for every Sunday, and Fig Tree Worship.