Gungahlin Uniting Church

108 The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin, ACT 2912

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Home Brewed Worship – September 6, 2020

September 4, 2020 by Darren Wright

Lead Me Down The Road I Love, a song that invites us to sing the words from Psalm 119

This week’s Exodus reading is the story of the first Passover. As we’re still telling the story of Moses this week’s material includes a few of the videos and material from last week.

For those of you who want to make a space to worship on Sunday we’ve put together an order of service that you can use to reflect in music, read the scripture and pray in worship,

For those of you who feel that you only have cracks and crevices in your week available to intentionally spend time with God we’ve created this material as a kind of playlist for you to use through your week to dive in and out of when you can make space in your work, home, car or whenever you find yourself open to spend time with God.

Perhaps you might choose one prayer to pray daily, or commit to listening to two songs each day, or reading one of the bible verses every two days?

Aid to worship at home:

Order of Service – September 6, 2020

Aid to worship for people worshipping with young people

This resource has a number of videos and idea to help people explore the story from Exodus and pray together as a household. 

Worship at Home with Youth/Children – September 6, 2020

Worship Online

Join us on Zoom for community worship online this week, message us for the link.

Worship in Person

If you’d like to attend this week in person you can find more information on the service and rsvp here: https://www.gungahlinuniting.org/?tribe_events=worship-on-site-on-zoom-2 

For the months of September and October we will be meeting at the church for worship on the first and third Sundays of the month.  Every week we’ll send out an invitation and a link to RSVP for seats, at the moment we can only fit 55 people in the auditorium and so we need to use the website to keep our numbers below 55.

Readings:

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

Psalm 119:33-40

Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45c

We shout your name and give you thanks, LORD;
……..we will tell everyone what you have done for us.
We sing your praises in your presence,
……..and publicise your wonderful achievements.

We put your name up in lights, your name alone;
……..our hearts burst with joy when we approach you.
It is you we want most of all, you and your strength;
……..we try to keep near to you all the time.

Like all the descendants of Abraham and Jacob,
……..and all your chosen children,
we remember all the astonishing things you have done
……..and the breath-taking wisdom of your decisions.

Your people turned up in Egypt;
……..yes, Jacob migrated to Africa.
You let them breed there like rabbits, LORD,
……..and they grew stronger than the native population.
The Egyptians grew fearful and bitter
……..and plotted to force your people into slavery.

You sent your trusty worker, Moses,
……..and his chosen right hand man, Aaron.

You are the greatest, LORD!

©2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Singing The Scripture

This week’s playlist invites you to enter into worship whenever you listen to the music.

More Music

The music from the Prince of Egypt musical might be interesting to listen to this week. It’s available on both Spotify and Apple Music as well as youtube here

Reflection – September 6, 2020

https://vimeo.com/454373090

This Week at home

Every day make sure you eat one meal together at a table.
When you do ask each other these questions.

  • What are you grateful for today?
  • How do you want to give thanks to God today?
  • How can we remember all that God has given us today?
    • Can you journal?
    • Can you draw or paint?
    • Can you mould with play dough or clay?
    • Can you sing?

This week, as you eat remember/share stories from your own life of times that you have felt God working in your life / in your world.

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

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

All-Age Prayer

This would be a great prayer to say at the end of each day as you gather for a meal together

God, you are a mystery to us.
You show yourself in the bible.
You speak to us through history,
and creation, and each other.
You speak to us in bread and wine.

Lord, we are glad to have an earth
that produces food of
every shape and colour,
from potatoes and rice
to cucumber and broccoli
from pasta and pizza
to curry and kebabs.

We are glad to be able
to enjoy such a variety
of meals each day.

Forgive us when
we forget to say thank you
for the wonderful selection
of food we enjoy each day.

Forgive us when
We are fussy or greedy,
wasting food when we
know there are so many
who do not have what we do.

May we make our mealtimes
news times and catch-up times
special times with family and friends.

May we remember that every meal is special,
that each one is a gift from you.
And may we be reminded
that we are blessed with so much
when many have little or nothing.

Help us to enjoy our meals
and to find ways to
help others enjoy them to.

So be it.
Amen

Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20

Go Deeper:

  • The Working Preacher Podcast – 14th Sunday after Pentecost 
  • By The Well – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
  • Commentary on Exodus 12
  • “Plagued by the Plagues” by Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus
  • Parshat Va’eira: The Ancient Plagues of Egypt (Video)

Pete Ruins Exodus

The Bible For Normal People podcast ran a series on Exodus, if you’d like to dive into the story and theme of Exodus then this is a series for you.

  • Pete Ruins Exodus 1
  • Pete Ruins Exodus 2
  • Pete Ruins Exodus 3
  • Pete Ruins Exodus 4
  • Pete Ruins Exodus 5
  • Pete Ruins Exodus 6

The Bible Project Does Exodus

The Bible Project have put together a couple great introductions and breakdowns of the Book of Exodus. You can check them out there.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Brewed Worship, September 6, 2020

Worshiping with families – September 6, 2020

September 4, 2020 by Darren Wright

This week’s reflection continues our journey through Exodus, it’s the story of the first Passover. Be aware that this is not a great story for children, so perhaps, rather than reading it together this week you might concentrate on finding space to reflect on how God has worked in your life (or lives). You could also spend time reflecting on the important meals or celebrations in your household and why they’re important/special.

What follows are some songs, readings, stories and ideas for you to use in your home as you explore your faith with your household this week.

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

Readings: 

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

Sing!

Here are a few songs that would be fun to sing together this week.

I Will Sing Of Your Love, Love, Love is a beautiful and repetitive song written and sing by Christopher Grundy.
https://vimeo.com/422037417
This song by Cathy Pino has become a favourite in our household

All-Age Prayer

This would be a great prayer to say at the end of each day as you gather for a meal together

God, you are a mystery to us.
You show yourself in the bible.
You speak to us through history,
and creation, and each other.
You speak to us in bread and wine.

Lord, we are glad to have an earth
that produces food of
every shape and colour,
from potatoes and rice
to cucumber and broccoli
from pasta and pizza
to curry and kebabs.

We are glad to be able
to enjoy such a variety
of meals each day.

Forgive us when
we forget to say thank you
for the wonderful selection
of food we enjoy each day.

Forgive us when
We are fussy or greedy,
wasting food when we
know there are so many
who do not have what we do.

May we make our mealtimes
news times and catch-up times
special times with family and friends.

May we remember that every meal is special,
that each one is a gift from you.
And may we be reminded
that we are blessed with so much
when many have little or nothing.

Help us to enjoy our meals
and to find ways to
help others enjoy them to.

So be it.
Amen

Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20

Reflection

https://vimeo.com/454373090

Story – Let’s Eat by Anna Zamorano

This is one of my favourite stories of families and meals. Read this story together and reflect on how you might make eating together special, or what meals are special in your household.

This Week at home

Every day make sure you eat one meal together at a table.
When you do ask each other these questions.

  • What are you grateful for today?
  • How do you want to give thanks to God today?
  • How can we remember all that God has given us today?
    • Can you journal?
    • Can you draw or paint?
    • Can you mould with play dough or clay?
    • Can you sing?

Go Deeper

This week, as you eat together share stories from your own life of times that you have felt God working in your life / in your world.

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, September 2020

Celebration Cards

Another activity exploring celebrations and festivals inspired by Spill The Beans Issue 20

Gather together (or design some of your own together) a variety of cards celebrating different occasions (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter) and lay them out.

Choose one card each and then talk together about the cards, as you do think of each occasion and what is often done to celebrate or remember that special day. What is your favourite celebration and why?

Do you have any favourite meals on any of these celebrations? What is it and why is it a special meal? How does the meal help you celebrate the occasion?

Perhaps this week you might be able to prepare a couple of your family’s favourite meals together.

Use as a way into the story of the Passover.

This is a great playlist that follows the story of Moses. Perhaps you’d like to revisit the story of Moses this week.

Memory Meals

If you’re anything like me there’ll be certain foods or meals that bring back memories of camps, of friends, of family, of rites of passage, of experiences that might have been forgotten.

Talk with each other about meals that trigger memories for you, perhaps fish and chips remind you of family holidays by the beach, the smell of curry that reminds you of a winter meal with friends…

What meals trigger your memory? Why not make one of them together this week and remember?

As you do imagine how celebrations like the passover, or communion or other meals might inspire people to remember God’s work in their life.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Brewed Family, September 6, 2020

Order of Service – September 6

September 4, 2020 by Darren Wright

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:

Flourishing by Sandra McCracken  

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:

Give Us Love (Feat. Freddy Washington & Will Reagan)

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

Filed Under: Blog, September 6, 2020

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About GUC

We are a community on a journey, we’ve grown from a small faith community planted in Ngunnawal in the early years of Gungahlin’s development to a thriving inclusive, intergenerational & multicultural community. As Gungahlin has grown we have seen a lot of change.

We are an open and inclusive community, everyone is welcome to use their gifts in worship, prayer, leadership, hospitality and teaching.

Find out more…

Worship With Us

Every Sunday, 9:30am
Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre
108 The Valley Avenue
Gungahlin, ACT, 2913

Worship is for all ages, (0 to 93!) and seeks to be meaningful in different ways for us all.

In Jesus Christ we see how he drew near to each and all and so we hope our worship expresses this nearness too.

Find out more…

Finding us

We worship at the Gungahlin Uniting Church & Community Centre.
Find us on Google Maps here

Car
Free parking is available in our on-site car park.

Light Rail
We are less than a 5 minute walk from the Gungahlin Place Light Rail Station.

Bus
The ACT has a number of bus options for people travelling around, or to Gungahlin. Timetables available here.

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