Readings:

Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

This week’s Gospel reading includes 6, yes 6 parables, that’s a lot of parables! Each parable invites us to imagine the Kingdom of God, not through images of might, power or violence but through images of seed, yeast, pearl, hidden treasure and fishing nets.

It’s not a great selection of scripture if you don’t like stories.

In a way our lives are parables, each of us living out ordinary stories that imagine the Kingdom of God, our worship is also a parable of a lived out story of the Kingdom of God and, as we celebrate communion together we act out yet another parable where we’re invited to imagine the Kingdom of God as a meal of bread and wine with friends, strangers, enemies, neighbours and kin.

This week I invite you to start a Kingdom of God diary, use words or images to record the moments when you become aware of the Kingdom of God in your life. Perhaps you could use your camera to catalogue where you saw the kingdom break through this week.

Start each day with a prayer that you will be attentive to the moments where you are invited to witness the Kingdom of God this week, in yourself, in your home, in your neighbourhood. Keep your eyes open, look in the ordinary everyday things, for that’s where Jesus asks us to look this week.

End each day by giving thanks to God for every moment you witnessed the Kingdom of God this day.

*If you think it’s too difficult to look for moments of the Kingdom of God then perhaps you might look for moments where you see God at work each day.

Singing the Scripture

This week’s playlist invites us to enter the scripture through songs that reflect on Psalm 105 and the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

This week we invite you to use these prayers in your daily life. Perhaps you’d like to carry one of these prayers with you throughout the week, finding a quiet space every day to pray the prayer.

Perhaps you’d like to use the All Age Prayer as you start each day, or carry the confession to pray at the end of every day.

All Age Prayer

Source: Spill The Beans

Lord the cycle of nature works well.

Thank you!
From the plants and trees come seeds.

They fall into the ground
or are carried by insects and birds
and are dropped into waiting earth.
The soil contains food; the skies give water.
Seeds grow, and grow and grow. New life is born.
Food for animals and people,
colour for creation.

A cycle of life in nature that works well.

Thank you!
From the smallest seed comes a large tree.
Earth is full of the possibility of hope.

Our Life too is like that, God.
Thank you.

Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Source: Spill The Beans

Again, again, again Lord.
You just don’t stop!
You are always trying to reveal yourself,
teaching us of your Kingdom,
calling us to participate.

Parables, conversations, shared journeys, fellowship round a table.
You spoke to people and opened up
the Kingdom of God.
Its values shining through like sunlight;
its vastness as deep as the oceans;
its power to give life
and grow whatever it touches
equal to only the work of the Spirit.

How precious is the Kingdom? Nothing can compare
in the value it brings to human life;
a gift of your Love for all people.
Again, again, again Lord.
You just don’t stop!
You are always trying to reveal yourself,
teaching us of your Kingdom,
calling us to participate.

But do we really see?
Do we stop to listen, to watch, to absorb what you reveal?
We are sometimes slow to adopt
the values of the Kingdom.
We think bigger is better,
thinking that nothing of value comes in or from what the world deems
of small consequence.

We go for the quick fix, the instant hit,
not recognising that like the work
of making bread,
effort is needed to bring the constituent parts of life together
in a way that satisfies the hunger
not just of some, but of all.

We succumb to the temptation
of acquiring more and more possessions;
especially those we deem trendy
and that others too would desire.
We miss what is truly precious
in the hunt for what we think is precious.

Lord forgive us.
In your mercy and love for us
do not stop working away at us. Persevere in making us understand.
Again, again and again
open our eyes to the true values of the Kingdom;
how precious it is.

Continue to reveal yourself, teach us, and call us to participate
in your work in the world.
This is our prayer;
in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Prayers for others

(Ron Reeson)

O God,
Sometimes our prayers feel as small as a mustard seed.
But we bring them to you in faith
that they will be added to thousands, even thousands and thousands
of other mustard seed prayers from the church worldwide.

We pray, as we have done so often in recent days,
for those suffering and those in fear,
for overworked paramedics, doctors, nurses and medical aids,
for those struggling to survive
who do not have work, or not enough work,
and for the quick arrival of an effective vaccine.

We pray for those in countries
where the pandemic is not being managed wisely
where many are dying
and for all those who are not believing in, or following, medical guidance.
Protect us all, dear God.

We pray for relations between the superpowers
and for smaller countries directly or indirectly impacted by them.

We pray also for the Queen, the Governor General and all our political leaders.
May they serve humbly,
using their power and authority with fairness and regard for all,
remembering that we are all equal and belong to each other.

We pray for our country,
for those struggling in the middle of a messy court case
for those who have been abused physically or financially,
for children at school,
neighbours in our street or apartment building
and for those who struggle in the cold.

We pray finally for our own congregation, its health and well-being,
and for those managing a safe return to gathered worship and community.
Give them good wisdom, insight and a sense of care for all.

In the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen

Prayer of Adoration

Source: Spill The Beans

Living, breathing, creating God,
your work in the world never stops:
growing,
kneading,
revealing,
sourcing,
sorting.
In every aspect of life Your Spirit works
as the energy that generates the potential
and activity of your Kingdom.

We become before you,
ready to praise you
and ready to open our eyes,
our hearts and minds
to the values of the Kingdom.
Lift the veil this day
that you might reveal to us
the kaleidoscope of divine colour
that reveals the full variety
and brilliance of the activity
and work of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom is real,
it is here and it is waiting to welcome all
for it is inclusive in its depth,
it is for the whole of humanity.
Amen.

Reflection

Story

Listening to Stories

Find a favourite story and read it, if it’s a picture book spend some time looking at the artwork. What do you like about the story the most? What grabbed your attention? Did the story make you feel happy, sad, scared?

If you’re reading this story with others note how different parts of the story grab your imagination and how each of you might be attracted to different parts of the story.

Read the gospel reading and talk about what parable, what image attracts each of you and why.

Go Deeper

Readings:

Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Prayers for Others

(Chris Dodd) 12 July 2020

Our loving and gracious God,

Your psalms remind us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death you will be there with us.
During this trying year we feel that we have entered the deepest of valleys. We are discouraged. We are afraid. We struggle to find hope. We are burdened and laid low.

It is not unreasonable to feel these things as the trials we face are overbearing and relentless and it is hard
not to be dragged down by our afflictions. And so we don’t apologize for our despair and we don’t see it as in any way demonstrating lack of faith in you. We simply acknowledge as Job and David and Daniel and Jonah and even Jesus did, that you walk with us in the dark times just as you walk with us in times of joy and celebration.

So this day, from this dark place we reach out to you for strength when we feel burdened, hope where there
is fear, comfort where there is despair and faith where there is doubt.

We thank you for those whose work help us to carry on – for the medical staff, cleaners, garbage collectors, shop workers who supply us with the essentials of life, transport workers, taxi drivers and all those who help us move around. We praise our ministers and church folk who in times where we cannot meet together carve out spaces for us to worship you and find strength from each other.

We thank you for the difficult decisions made at many levels of government in our land that has lessened the impact of this virus and we thank you for the scientists whose wisdom has guided us.

We know we have not yet travelled through this dark valley. We know there are many days and many kilometres to go. We know we will be tempted to take shortcuts or to simply say we’ve had enough and we are done with it. We know such a course will be fatal and so we pray that we will have the courage and faith to stay the course.

We look to you.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”

O loving God may we look to you for strength. May we trust in your promises. Walk with us this week and may we always seek to walk with you.

Amen.

Singing the Scripture

This week’s Singing The Scripture is an eclectic selection of songs that we hope will help you forma. soundtrack to your week, in it you might find a song that you play in the morning, another at midday and another in the evening as the day closes, or perhaps you’ll like to listen to the songs as you travel to or from work.

Worship Material – July 12

This week’s Home Brewed Resources invites you to explore two of my favourite stories in the bible, the birth of Esau and Jacob and the Parable of the Sower. Both options include resources, conversation starters and music that would be great for individuals, families, couples or households to use as you create a sacred space in your life this week.

If you feel drawn to the Gospel reading this week, the Parable of the Sower you will find music, story, reflection, prayer exploring the reading here.

If you feel drawn to the Genesis reading, the story of the birth of the twins you will find music, story, reflection, prayer exploring the reading here.

I pray that this week’s material provides you all with opportunities to connect with God’s story this week

Shalom,

Darren Wright

Call to Worship

Sowing seeds,
scattering them around,
have we prepared the land?
Will our seeds land on fertile ground?
Will their roots take hold?
Will the new growth be strong?
And will the harvest be bountiful?
How do we take our mustard seed faith and grow it?
Come gather,
gather and be fed and nourished.
Come gather
gather and raise your voices in praise.
Come gather,
gather and worship our God,
the nourishment of our lives.

Readings:

Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

A parable retold – Matthew 13:1–9

By Rev Sarah Agnew, Wesley UCA, Canberra

Listen.
Life scatters seeds indiscriminately.
Seeds of hope, of peace, of kindness;
seeds of joy, of love, of wisdom.
Falling on stone, birds may steal the seeds.
Falling on rocky ground, the seeds grow fast, but
do not live long without depth for resilience
when the wind howls, and the sun scorches.
Falling among thorns, the seeds are choked,
no air to breathe, no room to move.
Falling on healthy soil, the seeds of hope,
of peace, of kindness, seeds
of joy, of love, of wisdom push their roots
down deep, stretch their leaves high and wide,
grow strong, fruitful, spreading hope, peace
kindness, joy, love, wisdom, letting seeds
fall for more to grow in time.
Listen.
Which soil are you, for the falling seeds?
Listen. Listen and hear.
Amen.

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

God of growth,
you bring nourishment
to our land and to our lives.
You plant seeds of love in our hearts
to grow and to blossom
so we can welcome and serve your world in your name.
Christ our cultivator,
we ask that you break up the guilt that stifles our growth.
We pray that you will uproot our wrongdoings
to allow us and this world to grow into something beautiful.
For our shortcomings,
spoken and unspoken,
in action and by not acting at all,
forgive us.
Pause
Sowing Spirit,
may you create in us
a people of peace,
a collective of compassion and a household of hope for all.

Amen.

Story – The Sower

Source: The Growing In gods Love Storybible published by FlyAwayBooks

The Parable of the sower (in LEGO)

Song: The Sower’s Song

Reflection – The Sower

Song: The Seed Song

Jesus, Storyteller, a Conversation Starter

Source: Spill the Beans Issue 17

Jesus lived for most of his life in a small town and he knewall about the crops that the farmers grew in the fields. Lots of the stories Jesus told were about farming and farmers, about seeds and corn, about hungry birds and weeds and flowers. And Jesus knew about cities too, about busy streets and crowds of people. Jesus told stories about homes and families, about cooking and cleaning, about brothers and sisters, about weddings and parties. Jesus noticed what was going on all around him; he asked questions and he told stories.

How many of Jesus stories can you remember?

Here are some clues:

A story that mentions hungry birds. (Mark 4)
A story about cooking. (Matthew 13)
A story that mentions robbers and a donkey. (Luke 10)
A story that mentions oil. (Matthew 25)
A story about 400 legs of lamb. (Luke 14)
A story that mentions six brothers and a few dogs. (Matthew 25)
A story that mentions goats. (Matthew 25) A story about builders. (Matthew 7)
A story about being woken up in the middle of the night. (Luke 11)
A story that mentions pigs. (Luke 15)

What’s your favourite story that Jesus told and why?

Sending

Source: Spill the Beans Issue 17

Lord, send us out into our community to scatter the seed of your word,
to sow the seeds of your love,
to tend the shoots that we see growing and taking root.
Give us courage and patience
to nourish others
as you have nourished us today.

Take Home Ideas For The Week

Source: Spill the Beans Issue 17

Where can we sow seeds in our community this week?

Take time to think about the opportunities we each have to sow seeds of trust, friendship and support with those around us.

Are there examples of the seeds for new things sprouting around you that might need nurture and support to continue to grow?

Call to Worship

Source: Spill the Beans, Issue 24

May our eyes and our ears be wide open this day,
may we see with clarity,
may we hear loud and clear,
may we be challenged,
inspired and awe-struck
as we worship God today
and all our days.

Amen

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Source: Spill the Beans, Issue 24

Parent God,
we gather here delighted to be your children,
sons and daughters loved and welcomed home.

Families can be wonderful, supportive, friendly
but sometimes they can be horrid,
filled with jealousy and dishonesty.

Happy families or unhappy families,
you love them all,
you support them all and guide them all.

Relationships are meant to be open,
to flow in both giving and receiving directions.
Jesus tried to show us this in his lifetime.

Bible characters reveal the reality of family living,
the ups and downs, good and not so good times.

Jesus reveals a way of service, of giving,
of allowing the flow to empty him completely.
Lord, we are frail and fickle and struggle to be like Jesus.

We are sorry for all the times we let you down,
for the times we let ourselves down or others down.

Forgive us, help us be humble and honest
and make amends, make things right.
Help us reconcile with our brothers and sisters.

Amen.

Readings:

Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Story: How The Twins Were Born

Source: The Growing In gods Love Storybible published by FlyAwayBooks

Story: The Brothers Quibble by Aaron Blabey

This is a great story about sibling rivalry and love by an Australian author and illustrator. The story of Jacob and Esau can be seen as a story of sibling rivalry, how you you deal with conflict at home?

The Questioner And God

Source: Spill the Beans, Issue 24

THE QUESTIONER:
Hey God, are you having a laugh?
This whole story of Jacob does not seem credible!
You seem to be rewarding deceit and cheating,
you seem to trash the law and family tradition
that elsewhere seems so important to you?

As for Rebekah, the wife and mother,
turning against her husband and oldest son?
Really!

Or perhaps you were you trying to punish someone?
Perhaps getting at Esau for selling his birth right
for a bowl of stew or sorting Isaac out
for some of his past mistakes?

Why do you show such favouritism to Jacob?
Why let his mother manipulate the family?
Why, oh why is all this okay?
Or is this all your doing God?
Is it really just part of your plan,
to have Jacob discover you?

Is this the only way you could have included him
and drawn him into your plans?
Surely, there could have been another way, God?
You could have used other means that seem more God like,
that seem more honest, trustworthy!

I am sorry to question your ways God!
You who call us to truthfulness
and to stand up for justice.
You who call us to love one another and to care for our enemies.
You who challenge us to walk in your footsteps
and to perform mighty deeds and wonders in your name.

Then you throw in a stunt like this,
that seems to suggest dishonesty is okay,
if it suits your ways and purposes?

Lord, do not strike me down dead for such questions,
I am confused, perplexed, befuddled by what I read,
to cheat a man out of his birth right,
to force a young somewhat naïve Jacob
to carry out his mother’s will,
to deceive a blind man with such cheap parlour tricks?
Really God, is that what this is?

And then when the deed is done,
you give Jacob a glimpse of heaven!
You open for him a gateway to Kingdom life.
You place a ladder,
that leads from earth to heaven and back again.
We see your holy angels going backwards and forwards,
from heaven to earth,
delivering your messages,
and bringing little bits of heaven to earth.

Yet much more than this,
you bestow a blessing on Jacob.
You make promises to make a great nation of Israel.
Promises that Jacob will be fruitful
and have many sons and daughters,
as many as the dust of the earth!
That he will become a father to the Nation,
and that you will be with him wherever you go?

GOD:
GRACE, MY SON, IT IS ALL ABOUT GRACE.
THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO EARN SUCH BLESSING.
REMEMBER, ESAU HAD ALREADY OFFERED HIS BIRTH RIGHT
TO HIS BROTHER, JACOB, FOR A BOWL OF STEW.
THE DEED WAS NOT REALLY MINE.

YOU CAN BE A CRIMINAL NAILED TO A CROSS
AND YOU WILL STILL DISCOVER
MY GRACE AND MERCY IS FOR YOU.
YOU CAN BE THE GREATEST HUMAN BEING ON EARTH,
AND BE LAUDED AND APPLAUDED BY MANY,
YET STILL FALL SHORT OF THE MARK.
WHEN IT COMES TO MY HAND
TOUCHING YOU, BLESSING YOU, MARKING YOU OUT,
AS MY CHOSEN AND LOVED AND HONOURED
I SPEAK AND ACT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I TOUCH ALL MY PEOPLE,
EVEN DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES LIKE THIS ONE.
THEREIN LIES HOPE FOR ALL OF YOU.

Reflection – Rebekah And The Twins

A Conversation on Conflict

Have a conversation this week about how your household deals with conflict.

What happens when you disagree?

How could you work things out better?

Make some decisions on how you’d like to work through conflict in your house, write your decisions down, make a promise to work hard to live them out.

A prayer for the meal table this week.

Source: Spill the Beans, Issue 24

This would be a good prayer to pray every night this week, if you’re exploring this story with children perhaps this’d be a good prayer to pray as you discuss how you deal with conflict in your house/family.

Wise one,
why do people argue and fight,
why can’t we find a way to live together that is peaceful and loving?
Parent of us all,
we are all related, brothers and sisters, and yet we continue to disagree
and fall out with each other.
God of Jacob,
you revealed yourself in a dream, you showed Jacob that you
are as much his God as you are Abraham and Isaac’s,
as much as you are our God.
We love being your children,
we are sorry that we sometimes fight with our families,
forgive us and help us
get along more peacefully.
Help us learn from those
who have gone before us
and try not to copy their mistakes. May we love and care for each other as Jesus taught us.
Amen.