Koonung Heights Uniting Church
Service of Worship at Home
Lent 4 – 10 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.
Introit: “Jubilate Servite” (TiS 731)
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra. Servite Domino in laetitia.
Alleluia, alleluia, in laetitia; alleluia, alleluia, in laetitia!
(Translation: Rejoice in God, all the earth, serve the Lord with gladness.)
Candle Lighting:
As we gather to worship we light the Christ candle.
In Christ, the light of the world,
we find hope and comfort for our hearts and minds.
Acknowledgement of Country:
For this Land on which we gather,
we give thanks!
For the First Peoples of this place,
the Wurundjeri WoiWurrung People of the Kulin nations,
we give thanks!
I honour the custodians of sacred stories,
of dreamings and connections with deep earth and oceans.
May we work together
for the restoration of the Land and Sea and Her Peoples.
Call to Worship:
On our worst days,
God is good.
On our best days,
God is good.
When life is consistent,
God is good.
And when life turns on its head,
God is good.
Day and night, Monday through Sunday,
God is good. God is here. God is love.
Hold tight to that good news. Let us worship God!
Opening Prayer:
Loving God,
As we gather here today,
remind us that you have shared with us your most precious gift,
the gift of Jesus Christ, the One who slipped into skin to be with us.
Help us to model our lives after his messages of compassion and service
to you and to all your world.
In Jesus’ name we bring this prayer.
Amen.
We Sing: “The Lord’s Goodness” – (TiS 183)
Sing of the Lord’s goodness,
Father of all wisdom,
come to God and bless the name.
Mercy he has shown us,
God’s love is for ever,
faithful to the end of days.
Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness,
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise God with your music,
worship God and bless the name.
Courage in our darkness,
comfort in our sorrow,
Spirit of our God most high;
solace for the weary, pardon for the sinner,
splendour of the living God.
Come then, all you nations …
Praise God with your singing,
praising with the trumpet,
praise God with the lute and harp,
praise God with the cymbals,
praising with your dancing,
praise God till the end of days.
Come then, all you nations …
Call to Prayer:
There’s a moment in our scripture today when Jesus turns to Peter,
named “the rock” of the church, and says, “Get behind me, Satan!”
I don’t know about you all, but that’s a pretty bad day for Peter.
It’s a pretty bad day when Jesus calls you Satan!
Fortunately, this absurd moment comforts me with the knowledge
that even Peter got it wrong.
Peter, who was given the keys to Heaven.
Peter, Jesus’ right-hand man, made mistakes just like me.
And still, Jesus chose him.
Knowing that, let us speak honestly with God.
For even on our worst days, we belong to God, and that will never change.
Let us join in prayer together. Let us pray.
Prayer of Confession:
I invite you to say these words with me.
Holy God,
We often find ourselves moving through a world that does not make sense.
Like Peter, we want to yell out, “This should not happen!”
We want to control scenarios beyond our reach.
We want to hold your world in our hands.
Forgive us for the moments when we lead with declarations instead of curiosity.
Forgive us for arguing when we could listen.
Forgive us for fixating on one truth, when we could open ourselves up to many.
Soften our hard edges and teach us how to listen.
With hope in our hearts we pray,
Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Friends, no matter how many times you have dug your heels in,
no matter how many fights you have wanted to pick with God,
no matter how many times you have disagreed,
raged, or clung to what you know instead of embracing holy change –
we worship a God of grace.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love, not even a stubborn attitude or a tense heart.
So hear and believe the good news of the gospel:
God’s love for us will always be deeper than we can imagine.
We are seen. We are loved. And we are forgiven.
Now follow Peter, and go be the Church in the world.
Amen.
The Peace:
Around us, our brothers and sisters are gathered:
from the east, from the west,
from the north and from the south.
Let us share the steadfast love of God,
and the joy of community
with one another.
The peace of God be with you …
and also with you.
We Sing: “Peace” – (TiS 466)
Peace with the Father, peace with Christ the Son,
peace with the Spirit, keep us ever one.
Love of the Father, love of Christ the Son,
love of the Spirit, make all Christians one.
Send forth your Spirit, O God, from above
on us, your children, one with Christ in love.
A Time for All:
The leadership of women and the equality of us all, made in the image of God, is in the DNA of the Uniting Church. The Holy Spirit knows no limits of gender in gracing people with gifts and we thank and praise God for the ministry, leadership, service and inspiration of all.
In honour of International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March), I’d like to share briefly from three women across three generations about their journey in the Uniting Church and what enlivens their faith. This comes from a much larger article in the Uniting Church National Weekly Update, but I will just focus on a couple of questions … What’s your Uniting Church story?, and What’s one thing you love telling people about the Uniting Church?
The responses come from Emelia Haskey (Youth Worker at Brougham Place Uniting Church, North Adelaide), Alison Xamon (Chair of the Presbytery of Western Australia) and Ann Sutton (Lay Preacher and Elder at Wesley Uniting Church in Canberra for over forty years).
In response to the question ‘What’s your Uniting Church story?’ …
Emelia says, ‘I was raised Catholic and always had a belief in God, but fell out of faith in my teenage years. It wasn’t until my final year of university that I felt like I was missing something, which led to me re-reading a Bible I had gotten in high school. Reading the beatitudes inspired me to start attending church again, and I chose to go to a Uniting Church because I resonated with its progressiveness. I started attending Brougham Place Uniting Church in January of 2022 and never looked back!’
Alison shares, ‘I grew up in the Church, the child of a Uniting Church Minister. Tragically when I was 11 years old my father succumbed to depression and took his life, leading to a difficult and troubled period as a teenager and young person, attending congregations and trying to find peace with God but struggling.
The birth of my daughter as a young woman changed my life and brought me back to attending Church again, and it was through reattending that I began to experience that connection with God again, and the realisation that my social justice and environmental activism was so grounded in my upbringing and faith that it enabled me to come full circle and come back to God and the Church. I realised that although I had been lost that God had always been there.’
Ann says, ‘As a child I was taken to church by my mother. I started teaching Sunday School at a very early age and played the pedal organ for church services in my local district. I went to an all-girls’ school where my teachers, all very intelligent women, expected me to achieve at the highest level. Being a woman was never considered a deterrent. Later I studied science at university although few women at this time did so. Teaching was seen as a suitable occupation for a woman so I became a science teacher.’
In regards to what they love telling people about the Uniting Church …
Emelia loves the diversity of the Uniting Church, but also hopes ‘that we become better at celebrating our diversity rather than just affirming it, and empower more young people to become church leaders both in individual churches and governance spaces.’
Alison shares ‘we are a Church of hope and justice and we seek to be a people of radical inclusion just as Jesus himself was. To love and offer grace to those who are otherwise marginalised, despised or othered is surely one of the most Christian acts we can undertake. I am truly inspired by the Basis of Union and genuinely believe it is an important touchstone for how we practice our faith as a denomination.’
Ann says ‘the Uniting Church has allowed me to use my gifts, and I appreciate the open acceptance it offers to all people. Jesus assured us that God’s love, care and forgiveness is available to all who seek it and an understanding of the love and needs of all men and women, all different and all made in the likeness of God, flows through the teachings of the Uniting Church.’
These are just some stories. There are many more. Maybe take the time this week to say thanks to one of the women who has inspired and encouraged you.
Bible Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
– Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
17 Some were sick through their sinful ways
and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
20 he sent out his word and healed them
and delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices
and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
Bible Reading: Matthew 16:21-23
– Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Reflection:
There was an officer in the navy who had always dreamed of commanding a battleship. He finally achieved that dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet. One stormy night, as the ship ploughed through the seas, the captain was on duty on the bridge when off to the port-side he spotted a strange light rapidly closing the distance with his own vessel. Immediately he ordered the signalman to flash the message to the unidentified craft, ‘Alter your course ten degrees to the south.’ Only a moment had passed before the reply came: ‘Alter your course ten degrees to the north.’ Determined that his ship would take a backseat to no other, the captain snapped out the order to be sent: ‘Alter course ten degrees – I am the CAPTAIN!’ The response beamed back, ‘Alter your course ten degrees – I am Seaman Third Class Jones.’ By this time the captain was infuriated, he grabbed the signal light and with his own hands fired off a message: ‘Alter course, I am a battleship!’ The reply came back: ‘Alter your course. I am a lighthouse!’
Just like the captain of the battleship, sometimes we get it wrong. It seems that no matter how big or important any of us think we are, and no matter how right we think our plans are, sometimes we simply don’t see the full picture. This is part of what we are witnessing as we hear the interaction between Peter and Jesus in the three short verses from the gospel of Matthew. To be honest, this is one of those texts that are hard to preach on because we are confronted by Jesus (the One we like to think of as patient, loving and kind) lashing out at Peter. Peter is having a really bad day! To go from Jesus praising Peter as the rock of the church, this sudden declaration ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ certainly feels like whiplash. Peter must have wondered what hit him.
Following directly after Jesus’ declaration than on the rock of Peter’s faith the church will be built, Jesus begins to speak about his own death. As he speaks, he deconstructs the disciples’ messianic expectations. Rather than the glory they were expecting, Jesus tells them that death – not glory – will be shadowing them all the way to Jerusalem where there will be a final confrontation. What lies ahead is not a throne, but a cross. There won’t be an army ready to make Jesus their king, rather there will be a mocking mob who call for his execution. All of this is too much for Peter, and in his first act as leader-in-waiting for the Jesus movement, he says NO to Jesus.
Peter has only just had a mountaintop experience of unwavering faith where he has declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Yet, he immediately faces a reality that challenges his understanding of Jesus and faith itself. As Jesus reveals the difficult path ahead – suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, this seems incongruent with Peter’s vision of a triumphant Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom. Peter instinctively seeks to avoid the hardship, grief, and struggle that are to come. It is this that leads to the rebuke from Jesus: ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ It’s a sharp reminder that sometimes our well-intentioned desires to protect and preserve can become stumbling blocks to fulfilling our calling. I think Peter was well-intentioned and did want the best, but it was the best as he saw it and sometimes our vision is clouded.
I can certainly see a bit of myself in Peter. While I don’t mind a challenge, when things unravel and my beliefs are tested it is sometimes easier to cling to the things that I know. Peter’s protest at Jesus’s words comes because Jesus is turning things on their head. Peter thinks he knows how things should go and he doesn’t want to have to deal with the pain of what is to come, so he resists. But Jesus is fixed upon the pathway he has to walk and so he calls Peter out. For everyone there are times when our faith is tested and we have to face difficult and inconvenient truths. We may want to take the easier path, we may want to cling to easy or simplistic answers, but instead, if we lean into complexity, we may be surprised to find that we can move to a place of greater strength, understanding and expanded perspective.
It seems to me that this interaction between Jesus and Peter also shows something of the intimacy and trust that they shared. Jesus rebukes Peter because he loves him deeply; and because he has high expectations for him. After all, Peter is the ‘rock’ of the church.
Jesus’ words are a challenge to Peter to grow into who he is called to be. I wonder too, if it is Jesus’ grief that we witness as he declares ‘get behind me’. Is that moment a reminder to Jesus that in the end, the path he walks is for him alone.
So what might we take from these few verses that is relevant for us today? Firstly, Peter’s faith journey reminds us that faith doesn’t always shield us from hardship. Like Peter, we may have to face inconvenient truths and drop our preconceived notions of how things should be, but this can broaden our understanding, helping us to see things we hadn’t noticed before.
Jesus’ response to Peter also reminds us of the importance of our commitment to God’s mission, even when it’s difficult. We are called to put God first and live into the calling that God has on each of our lives. Faith can transform us and help us do this. Jesus invites Peter to think differently and change his perspective. This invitation comes to us too.
Finally, Jesus’ response to Peter reminds us of how important we are to Jesus. It would have been easy for Jesus to just ignore Peter’s remark, or dismiss Peter altogether, but Jesus doesn’t do that either. Jesus’ care for Peter means that he calls out what’s wrong, but still believes that Peter can live into who he is called to be – the rock on which the church will be built.
This is how it is for the One who always gives second chances. This is why the psalmist can say, ‘give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.’ Let us not be afraid, but continue to set our hearts and minds upon God’s grace, trusting that we are always guided by the unwavering love of our Creator.
Amen.
We Sing: “Do not be afraid” – (TiS 16)
Do not be afraid, I am with you;
I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
Do not be afraid …
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Do not be afraid …
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
Hope in God, hold firm and take heart, hope in the Lord.
Do not be afraid …
Prayer for Others (prepared by Peta Lowe)
8 March is International Women’s Day.
Many women need our prayers; I plan to mention some of them.
When you hear the words: “Loving God, hear us”, you are invited to respond: “Hear our prayer”.
Loving God, we thank you for creating people in all their diversity.
Today, we thank you for women.
We pray for women in positions of leadership, whether representing their constituents in the various levels of government, or holding positions of responsibility in business, workplaces, unions or communities.
We pray for women in science, and those making inroads to male-dominated fields.
We pray for all households headed by women.
We pray for women raising and leading their families in refugee camps, war zones, in the aftermath of disasters, and in other extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
We pray for communities waiting for development organisations to reach them with a safe, clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene education.
We pray for what this will mean for women and girls, and their families.
Less exposure to water-borne diseases will bring improved health and quality of life.
More opportunities to grow food will lead to better nutrition and the chance to earn an income.
No longer needing to spend hours fetching water, often under dangerous conditions, women and girls will have more time for productive work and for education, and their safety and dignity will be increased.
Lord, we pray for this important water work to happen, bless those involved we pray.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
We pray for all mothers, especially those living in developing countries.
We pray for the important work of improving medical facilities, so that mothers can give birth in safe conditions, and birth injuries can be surgically treated, or avoided.
We pray for doctors and nurses working in hospital wards without water for hand washing, and without adequate medical equipment.
We pray for mothers who are unable to provide nutritious food for their children, and those who do not have access to medical care.
For mothers and children who suffer malnutrition and preventable diseases and disabilities.
Lord, you know the enormous need; please send help.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
We pray for mothers and grandmothers here in Australia, contending with parenting challenges, financial hardship, insecurity, serious illness or disability.
We pray for women facing homelessness.
May all these women receive the help they need, and find hope and peace.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
We pray for all women who suffer domestic violence, or gender-based violence within their communities.
We pray for women and girls who have been raised to accept this situation, and we pray for the men and boys who have been taught that this is acceptable. We pray for life-changing programs to foster enlightened attitudes and teach a better way, such as the work being done by Uniting World in the Pacific. Lord, bless the work of all who assist those suffering domestic violence, and those working to prevent it.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for women who are working hard for low wages. We pray for the groups who are fighting for fair pay and better working conditions.
We pray for women who experience gender discrimination and harassment in their workplaces, and for those working to stop this happening.
We pray for those women whose employment opportunities are limited by social structures and cultural attitudes.
We pray for women who are being assisted to start small businesses within their communities; may they prosper, and encourage other women.
We pray for increased educational opportunities for girls across the world.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for women who hold leadership positions within the church. In particular we pray for Rev. Heather and her family, and for Rev. Sharon Hollis, the President of Assembly, and her family.
We pray for all women leaders in faith communities, and for those women who are still denied such opportunities.
We pray for all women of faith, that their faith will free them and empower them to do your will and glorify you.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we thank you for the women in our lives who have loved us, nurtured us, helped us, taught us, encouraged us, challenged us, inspired us, supported us and provided role models for us.
We pray for women and men to live with mutual respect, and help one another to flourish, in the abundant life that you intended for all of us.
Loving God, hear us. Hear our prayer.
And now, we join in the prayer that Jesus taught:
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.
We Sing: “Power of your love” – (TiS 685)
Lord, I come to you; let my heart be changed, renewed,
flowing from the grace that I found in you.
And, Lord, I’ve come to know the weaknesses I see in me
will be stripped away by the power of your love.
Hold me close, let your love surround me;
bring me near, draw me to your side:
and as I wait I’ll rise up like the eagle,
and I will soar with you: your Spirit leads me on in the power of your love.
Lord, unveil my eyes, let me see you face to face,
the knowledge of your love as you live in me.
Lord, renew my mind as your will unfolds in my life,
in living every day in the power of your love.
Hold me close …
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), Ministry Matters, www.workingpreacher.org and Fig Tree Worship.