Call to Worship

Come, you who hunger to taste the bread of life! 
Come, you who thirst for living water!
Come, you who hunger for justice and peace, 
and you who thirst for God’s kin-dom
to drop like rain upon the world:
come, let us journey together as a community of faith, 
come, let us worship God.

Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20

Psalm 119:33-40

God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
    I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
    and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
    invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
    promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
    but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
    preserve my life through your righteous ways!

Message Translation

Song:

Readings:

Exodus 12:1-14
Romans 13:8-14

Song: When I Needed A Neighbour

Reflection

https://vimeo.com/454373090

Prayers of Adoration and Confession

God of all creation,
God of the universe,
of the stars in the sky,
of the grains of sand on the beach,we marvel at the wonder of all you have created and we marvel at our place in all of that.

You, Lord of all, care for us.
Lord, we confess that too often
we do not pause to realise your majesty.
We move through life with a sense of entitlement yet we are nothing without you.
you created all
and gift your creation to our safe keeping.

Forgive us, Lord,
when we so readily squander your gifts, when we mess up what you made perfect, when we despise what you call good.

Forgive us and call us back,
time and again, to gratitude and praise
for all that you are and all you created us to be and, as we recognise how blessed we are,
may we share that blessing with others
in honour of you, Lord of all.

Amen.

Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20

Song:

Prayer for Others

Our loving God 

So much of our concerns these days surround the Coronavirus.  It seems to pervade our lives and rightly so as these generations have never experienced this before. And so we continue in prayer as we have all year to ask that you walk with us and may we know that you are here by our side. 

You have never promised us lives without trial and we ask today that we are aware and thankful that we know you as a God of the hard times,  the God of the journey to a better place. 

Of course our prayers are with those who suffer from this virus and all those both directly and indirectly who help us through this vale of tears. 

Be with those who make vital decisions about our wellbeing.  Be with them in the dark sleepless nights, in times of public scrutiny and times where we look to them for guidance and condolence.

As this virus dominates our thoughts let us not forget that life goes on.  Some are hungry,  some are homeless,  some are victims of violence,  others have health issues other than the coronavirus.

It has been and will continue to be a year of trial but as you have so often promised you will be there with us.  May we nurture the faith that affirms that.

Amen.

Chris Dodd

Sending:

May your week be one of blessing,
when your hearts are full,
your mind at rest,
your soul stirred to action.

May you find God the Father guiding you,
Jesus the Son walking with you,
and the Holy Spirit inspiring your days.

Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20

This week’s Exodus reading is the story of Moses and the Burning Bush from Exodus 3:1-15. As we’re still telling the story of Moses this week’s material includes a lot of the videos and material from last week.

If you only had time to share a part of his story then this week you get a bit more time and space to delve into the story and person of Moses.

This week would be a great time to talk about holy ground, what makes a place holy or vocation, what are you called to, how does God call people?

*Be aware that if you’re sharing this story with young kids three are some parts of the story that may be difficult for them to hear. Stories of kings wanting children killed and mothers who abandon their child are complex stories, but they’re stories we’re familiar with in fairytales and other stories… so be prepared for hard chats.

Set your space for worship

Invite your family to create a sacred space in your home this week, whatever that might look like for them. 

Add a candle and light it, I like saying something like “There once lived a someone who said such amazing things and did so many wonderful things that people followed him. One day they asked him who he was and he answered “I am the Light of the world”

Invite your household to share something they’re grateful for this week and give thanks for it.

Bible Readings

This week’s scripture readings are:

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

All-Age Prayer

Use this prayer every morning as a way to start the day with your household. Say it together this week, each time with bare feet, as you do we hope the place where you live will begin to feel like holy ground.

God of all ages,
all places,
all times.

We praise you,
we come, bare foot on this holy ground,
as we feel the ground underfoot,
we become more aware of you, your presence with us.

God of the Holy Places, may this place,
where we live, also be a holy place:
a placed blessed by your presence with us,
in us,
for us,
above and below us,
protecting and guiding us in all we do,
this day and always.

Amen.

Source: Spill The Beans – Narrative Lectionary – Issue 16

Sing

Spend some time in song together, here are a couple great songs for you to try at home

https://vimeo.com/422037417

For Prayer

Pray for the world around you by talking with each other about the things that are on your heart, who do you want to send love to today? Where do you want to see God’s peace this week?

Perhaps you might like to draw your prayers together, and place them on your fridge this week.

Maybe you can agree to say a short 1 line prayer of thanks every time you open the fridge this week.

Another opportunity for prayer is to write a grace for your meals this week, say it together every time you eat together (or sing it if you’re musical). If you feel comfortable email us your grace and we can share it with others.

If you need help try this: “God we pray your peace fill the world, your love fill our hearts”

Holy Moly – Exodus

*temporary password: GUNGUCFF2020

This story goes beyond last weeks story and explores the story of Exodus, beginning with he burning bush.

https://vimeo.com/452523332

Re:Form – The Story of Moses

*temporary password: GUNGUCFF2020

https://vimeo.com/449694892

Saddleback Kids -The Story of Moses (Playlist)

Saddleback’s videos are great introductions to characters, this series introduces us to the story of Moses. You can find the entire playlist of Moses stories here.

The Prince of Egypt

Perhaps this week you might want to cook some popcorn and sit together to watch the Dreamworks film Prince of Egypt.

For Conversation – Exploring the story:

I really like the questions posed by Godly play, they’re simple and invite the household into a conversation, read through 

• I wonder what part of the story you liked best?
• I wonder what part of the story was the most important?
• I wonder what part was about you or what part you were in?

For Conversation – Exploring the reflection:

https://vimeo.com/452462748

• Do you have any special places where you feel close to God? Where are they, what makes these places special?
• How do you see God at work in the world?
• How can be more open to noticing God around you?
• What do you think God would like you to do?
• What do you think God is calling your family/household to do? How do you think you can live that out?

Activity – Sacred Space

• Build a model of a place that you feel close to God, use lego or anything else you can find in the house.
• What makes a place holy? What makes this place special?
• How can you pay attention to God this week?
• How might you listen for God this week?