Home Brewed Families

Resources for families exploring faith at home curated by us for you.

Order of Service

Here is a order of service for people worshipping at home curated by Ron Reeson

This Week’s Readings

Psalm 8
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Matthew 28:16-20
2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Prayer / Liturgy

Creation Reflection – Source – Spill The Beans UK

A Prayer of praise and confession by Rev Ron Reeson

A Prayer of intercession by Ian Bartholomew

Singing The Scripture

Here is a playlist of songs that you can listen to this week that explore themes in this week’s scripture readings.

Sermon

Margaret Reeson leads us in this weeks visual reflection, “A Promise And A Blessing“

Go Deeper:

The Australian Podcast By The Well has two recent episodes exploring mission (episode 129) and the Trinity (episode 130) they are both worth watching.

Reconciliation / Black Lives Matter

Last week was National Reconciliation Week, and this week many people gather in protest. Perhaps you might use this week to hear a few stories that you’re not familiar with.

• Brooke Prentis was interviewed recently by the Bible For Normal People podcast. Brooke is an Aboriginal Christian Leader and the CEO of Common Grace. This is a great interview.
• Talking about Reconciliation Week with Denise Champion
• Aboriginal Deaths In Custody
• Sober Reflections during National Reconciliation Week by Garry Deverell

Prepared for people in Gungahlin Uniting Church, ACT by Ron Reeson

Today is Trinity Sunday.

With the coming of the Holy Spirit we now know the fullness of God.

God the Father – beyond us
God the Son – beside us
God the Holy Spirit – within us

Call to Worship

Come. Sit quietly.
Light your candle.
Prepare your heart and mind to sit in God’s presence.

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy – TiS132

Sing, or hum it again, if you know the tune.
Ponder God’s greatness.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty,
early in the morning to you our praise shall be;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide you,
though the sinful human eye your glory may not see,
you alone are holy, there is none beside you
perfect in power, in love and purity.

A prayer of praise

Ron Reeson

arising from other words in Psalm 8

https://vimeo.com/425935587

Our Lord and Ruler
Your name is wonderful everywhere on earth
You let your glory be seen in the heavens above
And in the praises from children and tiny infants

Our Lord and Ruler
Your name is wonderful everywhere on earth

Ponder these words for a short time

A prayer of confession

Ron Reeson

arising from other words in Psalm 8

All who turn against you are left speechless.
O God, we turn against You so often.
We neglect and deny You.
We have no excuse.
We are speechless Please forgive us

“Why do you care about us humans?
Yes, why Lord? It is incredible! Beyond our believing.
Our lives, our way of living, is nothing like you hoped for in your creatures.
We have turned everyone to our own way. Please forgive us.

You have crowned us with glory and honour.
In all creation You give us a prestigious place,
making us special , unique, wonderful.
You award each of us as “Citizen of the planet”, every year.
But we spurn that honour, and abuse that recognition.
O Creator God, please forgive us.

You let us rule everything your hands have made.
O God, You have given us tremendous power and responsibility.
But we have despoiled your creation and damaged it almost beyond repair.
We have been selfish, and careless in our use of earth’s resources,
plundering for our own satisfaction and comfort.
O God, please forgive us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible Reading Matthew 28:16-20 (CEV)

Jesus’ eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted.

Jesus came to them and said:

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

You are listening to Jesus speak these words.
Read them again.
To whom are you being sent during this time?
How?
When?

https://vimeo.com/425927017

Song: Father in heaven – TiS 465

D T Niles

Sing, or hum it again, if you know the tune.

Father in heaven,
grant to your children
mercy and blessing,
songs never ceasing,
love to unite us,
grace to redeem us –
Father in heaven,
Father our God.

Jesus, Redeemer,
may we remember
your gracious passion,
your resurrection.
Worship we bring you,
praise we shall sing you –
Jesus, Redeemer,
Jesus our Lord.

Spirit descending
whose is the blessing,
strength for the weary,
help for the needy.
Make us your temple,
born a new people –
Spirit descending,
Spirit adored.

Prayers for others

Ian Bartholomew

God of love,

We are grateful for Your eternal comfort and encouragement: in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; in the words of the Bible; in the support of loved ones and kind gestures from strangers. We live in volatile and uncertain days and it can be difficult to know what to pray for most earnestly. Thank you that you always hear our prayers.

Lord God, we are mindful of those who are unwell, walking through the darkest of valleys or struggling with other concerns. Just as Christ did during his earthly ministry, we ask that You would minister to their needs. We think of those that have died or are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Heal the grief, discomfort and panic and grant clear hearts and minds to address the humanitarian, economic and governance challenges of this disease. We also pray for those that are working to develop medical responses such as a vaccine, diagnosis techniques and therapeutic treatment options. Grant wisdom, patience and endurance to all health and scientific professionals.

Comforting Shepherd, we pray for communities who do not share in the abundance we often take for granted here in Canberra, even during these relatively challenging times. We think of displaced people and refugees who yearn for a life free of persecution.

We reflect on the struggles of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia who continue to suffer as a consequence of prejudice and ignorance.

We contemplate the many people in this city, who have no food, no home, no family and feel they have no love. Help us to find the balance between grappling with disadvantage and aspiring for hope with these groups of people, and give us hearts that reflect Your heart for each one of Your sheep.

Loving Father, we give thanks for Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre. We are grateful for all who find their spiritual home with us. By Your Holy Spirit, uphold and strengthen all who serve You, including Darren, Holly, Theo and Isabelle, our Church Council, all who contribute to worship, everyone who provides administrative support and all whose efforts may only be truly known to You.

Wonderful Lord, we bring these public prayers to You, together with all those unspoken in our hearts,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen

Song – Praise God from whom all blessings flow – TiS768

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
praise God, all creatures here below,
praise God above, you heavenly host,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Blessing

I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will bless you and be kind to you!
May God bless you with his love,
and may the Holy Spirit join all your hearts together.