Welcome and Greeting
Today there is no recorded service as Paul and Robyn are having a 2 week break. However, we do we pray that you will experience God’s presence as you read through this service.
Opening prayer
God has made us, with all the saints from every generation, one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come, has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Thank You that You are here with us tonight and that You love the worship of Your people. Please help us to open our hearts to You now.
Peace to you from God our Father who hears our cry.
Peace from his Son Jesus Christ whose death brings healing.
Peace from the Holy Spirit who gives us life and strength.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you
Matthew 10: 1-23
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
1Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Devotion: Robyn
Ready to Go!
In our Matthew reading today we have the sending out of the 12 disciples. This group of disciples was very diverse; however none were from very wealthy or privileged backgrounds. In this reading the twelve are first called disciples (verse 1) and then apostles (verse2). Disciples, means followers who were being taught; and Apostles, those who are sent out. Jesus did not only call them and send them out, but he empowered them to do what He was calling them to do.
This is very early on in their time as disciples. They had seen some of Jesus’ miracles. In Matthew 4: 23 -25 we read of many healings which we presume the disciples would have seen. Jesus had spent much time teaching them as we can see from chapters 5-7 of Matthew. Then in chapters 8 and 9 we read of the healing of the leper and Peter’s mother in law; the calming of the storm; the healing of the two demon possessed men; the healing of the paralytic; the raising of Jairus’s daughter; the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and then the healing of the blind man and the mute. So, the disciples knew, first-hand that all these things Jesus was telling them to do in verses 1 and 8 were possible. For Jesus, anyway!
They also had to live very humbly, not relying on their own money and belongings, rather on the graciousness and hospitality of others, who were strangers.
How would you feel setting out on this mission trip? It would have been different if Jesus had gone with them, but he had already prepared them. Matthew does not tell us how this mission trip worked out, but there are some lessons we can take from it.
Even today, God will equip us for the ministry he is calling us to take part in. Sometimes it can be quite different from what we ourselves believe would be a good match for us. However, when God calls us to do something, He will equip us to do that thing. Remember from the last 2 week’s readings, assuring us that today we have the wisdom, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to help us in everything we are called to do.
Even if we feel too old, too tired or too inexperienced for this task, God can use us. I have also heard people say “I’ve worked in churches all my life and now it is time for someone ealse to do it”! That is never the case. God can always use you in a way in which you can cope. Matthew makes an important point in verse. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Some people will not listen to you or appreciate you, but there are plenty of other people who will appreciate you reaching out to them. Never feel a failure!
I wonder how you have gone in reaching out to other F5 and F10ers? This has been quite an isolating time and many of us really enjoy having the company of others. As we experience the continuing lifting of restrictions, let’s follow them wisely, but incorporate different types of contact with others from our church. Sending an encouraging note to someone is such a lovely way to stay in contact. I know from my experience and from the reactions of others from F5, that there can quite an excitement receiving personal letter in the mail. May Gd bless you all as you seek to do His will.
Prayer
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure:
until with thee I have one will
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.
(C) Edwin Hatch CCLI Lic No384593
Confession:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that your word says that as we draw near to you,
you will draw near to us, by the working of your Spirit in us,
We are sorry for doing those things that have displeased You
and we ask for Your forgiveness.
Please cleanse our hearts and hands and minds
Help us to walk in love and newness of life
so that we can be more like Jesus
and make him known to all we meet. Amen
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We thank you Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today, thanking You for our safety and comfort throughout this time of isolation. Thank you that we do have some freedoms now to spend time with some family and friends.
Please help each one of us to remember that You give the Holy Spririt to us to help us each day. Please help us to know what you want us to do what You want us to do, and to believe that you will give us the help and strength to do it. Thank You that the Holy Spirit is our advocate, our comforter and our help through the difficult times and the times when we need your strength,wisdom and power.
We pray today for all our health workers who are working through many difficult times to provide us with the care we need. Please protect them from the Corona virus. We pray for researchers and ask that a COVID vaccine will be developed soon.
We continue to pray for schoolteachers and children as they continue to settle back into their schools. Please give them all patience and understanding. We commit to You especially of our own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
We pray for our local council, for our state and territory governments, our national parliament. Please be with all those who make laws and help them to do so with good judgement. Please continue to give wisdom to our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and to all members of our governments.
We pray for people who are struggling because of loss of jobs and lack of income. We do ask that their needs will be met and that no one in Goulburn goes hungry or cold. Please show us if there is any way we can help to provide comfort for another person.
We ask that you give each one of us strength to go forward this week. We ask for healing for those who are unwell, and for comfort for those who are lonely. Please help each one of us to look to You for our strength, our peace and our comfort and make the most of this time of continued changing isolation. Please show us ways that we can encourage others. We pray that you will protect each of us from the Corona Virus.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
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
Blessing
Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, evermore Amen.
Prayer Points
• Thank God that we can join together for our services, even though far apart.
• Ask God to show you ways you can contact others from F5, F10 and beyond to encourage them along. Pray for wisdom to know who to ring, who to send a message or note to
• Pray for nurses, doctors and hospital staff as they learn to work differently and wisely
• Pray for those who are going through difficult times with sickness, depression, loneliness, loss of work, separation from family and friends.
• Pray that we will each have God’s strength and wisdom to be able to make each day worthwhile and to know how we can go forward as our isolation restrictions are eased.
• Pray for Scott Morrison and our governments as they make unprecedented decisions regarding all things connected to the Coronavirus. We especially ask for wisdom for them as they direct the opening up again of Austtalia.
• Pray for teachers and students as they settle back into school
Enquiries – Paul (0418 633 396) and Robyn (0414 254 154)
Website – www.f5refresh.org.au & Facebook
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Direct Debit – for F5 – is now available through the Anglican Development and Investment Fund http://www.aidf.com.au/www/home/ The details of the account are as follows:- Account Name: F5-Refresh Ministries; BSB: 702-389 Account Number: 05209657 |
