To all F5ers’
Because of the dire situation with fires and smoke, we have decided to cancel F5 tonight. We are most sorry and disappointed to have to do this. The service was to focus on prayer for all aspects of these present times in Australia. We trust that you will read and pray through this service.
Paul, Robyn and the F5Team
F5 Service Sheet, January 5, 2020
Welcome: Robyn
Letter from Bishop Mark Short : Paul
‘Dear friends in Christ,
“To you, O LORD, I cry. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flames have burned all the trees of the field. Even the wild animals cry to you because the watercourses are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.”Joel 1:19-20
The words of God’s prophet express the cries of our hearts. We grieve with and for those who have lost property and loved ones. We groan with and for creation as it waits for rescue. We long for quenching rain and relief.
Over the past week members of Parishes across our Diocese have worked selflessly to care for their neighbours. Our Anglicare disaster response teams have staffed evacuation centres alongside other volunteers. Church buildings have been opened to provide a space for reflection and a place of refuge. Please join with me in thanking God for every act of courage and kindness’.
Time of Prayer – from Bishop Mark Short
Lord of all days and years, and time and eternity, You made this land and have blessed us with its riches and beauty. You are a refuge to all who seek your shelter, our strong defence in trial and tribulation. Send rain we pray to extinguish flames and heal our land. Mercifully protect life and property. Give help and hope to our neighbours assailed by fire. Comfort and provide for those who grieve. Uphold those who suffer loss, Give peace and hope to those bewildered and broken-hearted.
We thank you for men and women of courage and selflessness.
We thank you for brave communities of care and support, We thank you for those who share your comfort and hope, We thank you for those at a distance giving and praying.
Lord, you sent your Son so that we would know your power to save, your presence with your people in this world of turmoil, and your promise to renew the whole creation. Please help us to humble ourselves and pray and seek Your face and to turn from our wicked ways and turn our hearts to you, that we may have faith for this day and hope for eternity.
We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Intercessions together with response
At this time of bushfire emergency in Australia we cry out to God calling on his mercy, saying, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed in the bushfires. When they are weighed down by grief and loss, uphold them in your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones in the fires and the families of fire fighters who have given their lives for others. Surround them with supportive family and communities to comfort them. Give them the assurance of your constant care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for emergency workers, volunteers, and chaplains who are giving their time and resources so freely, and who often feel overwhelmed and depleted of energy by the demands of these extreme circumstances. Grant them renewed strength and hope.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the work of Anglicare, Baptistcare and other caring agencies as they strive to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the fires. For our church, that we may respond effectively to the crisis giving generously and compassionately.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our bishop Mark, Archdeacon Carol and church leaders in fire ravaged areas. Give them wisdom and energy they need to respond with the love of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the leaders of our nation. Give them a desire to lead us in this time of crisis with integrity and compassion and to make available the resources necessary to respond effectively. Give them the desire to work to restore balance in our environment.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, the magnitude of this emergency overwhelms us. Remind us of the One we follow, who suffered and died for us and rose to bring us new life. Bring new life and hope in this dire situation. Bring rain, restore your creation and heal our land. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
from The Reverend Doug Newman, Rector of Bateman’s Bay Parish
Father, we pray that as a faith community we can exhibit the peace of Christ in these very challenging and anxiety causing times. That we can care for those whom God gives us the opportunity to serve with love, grace and patience. Give thanks for the love of God that we have experienced, continue to experience and have seen as we walk among the community in these days of challenge.
Song: O God Our Help in Ages Past
Verse 1.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Verse 2.
Beneath the shadow of your throne,
Your people lived secure.
Sufficient is your arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Verse 3.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth from darkness came,
From everlasting you are God,
To endless years the same.
Verse 4.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be our defense while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: William Croft, 1677-1727 CCLI Lic No 384593
Readings:
Joel 1:19-20
“To you, O LORD, I cry. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flames have burned all the trees of the field. Even the wild animals cry to you because the watercourses are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.”
Jeremiah 14: 22
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
2 Chronicles 7: 13-15
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
Song: Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty,
hold me with your pow’rful hand:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fiery, cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
(C) Williams CCL Lic No 384593
Reflection: Robyn
Bushfire Sunday Jan 5 2020 – A Very Short Reflection
- Our concern and fear. Many people are looking for someone or something to blame Scott Morrison; Climate change; Arsonists (The Australian reported that 56 people have been charged or cautioned with bush fire related offences since August); heavy fuel loads have built up in many parts of the country. Indigenous Australians had always practiced safe fire management
- Could God be sending a message to our nation through the disasters? We shouldn’t assume that certain people are under judgement, but that God is calling all of us to return to Him. Think about Noah and the flood. God called all to return to Him but few accepted. We have nothing to lose by accepting this and acting on it.
One man who turned to God has a marvellous story:
One miracle that has gained national attention took place in eastern Victoria. On New Year’s Eve, 4,000 people were evacuated from the township of Mallacoota to the beach and lakeside. David, a local bed-and-breakfast owner, told this story to ABC radio:
“I was praying. I was an atheist. I was praying to God, praying to Jesus, turn the wind. You wouldn’t believe it—but I’m going to tell you the honest-to-God truth. It pushed this thing back against itself.
“Literally we felt the wind come from off the beach, it shouldn’t have, but it did, but it went back at it. I don’t care if anyone else doesn’t recognise it. It was unbelievable… I believe [it was] God’s intervention, absolutely, through prayer…”
Read Ephesians 3: 14-19 and Psalm 91: 14-16 to remind yourself of God’s love for us.
Song: The Lord’s My Shepherd
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
he makes me lie in pastures green,
he leads me by the still, still waters,
his goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in you alone,
and I will trust in you alone,
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness,
and he anoints my head with oil;
and my cup – it overflows with joy,
I feast on his pure delights.
And I will trust in you alone,
and I will trust in you alone,
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
And though I walk the darkest path –
I will not fear the evil one,
for you are with me, and your rod and staff
are the comfort I need to know.
em>And I will trust in you alone,
and I will trust in you alone,
for your endless mercy follows me,
your goodness will lead me home.
© 1996 Thankyou Music CCLI 384593
Prayer of Confession (from Australian Prayer network)
Pause for reflection and to read quietly through the prayer
Prayer
Father, forgive us when we ignore you when you speak to us so clearly from your word. We are undeserving of your mercy but we plead that you will give us another chance. Your word says that if we humble ourselves and pray, seek your face and turn from our wicked ways that Your ears will be attentive to our cry and that you will forgive our sin and heal our land.
Father we again turn to you in humility asking that you will forgive our arrogance and sin in so many areas of our personal and national life. We confess that the sins of which you have reminded us of are rampant in our land so deeply that we do not even know how to repent. Please give us a spirit of repentance so that what we cannot do ourselves we will be able to do in Your strength.
How desperately we need the rain but how much more desperately do we need you. Help us to recognise that and take every step we can towards you so that our pain can be released and the rain on which our life depends will once again water our parched land. Amen
Intercessory congregational prayers
Suggested topics
- Families of those who have died in the fires
- People who have lost everything
- Firefighters, SES, ADF, others fighting fires
- Those supporting people in Evacuation centres; chaplains
- Congregations where churches have been burnt down
- People who have lost property
- The response of Australians; God’s intervention with rain
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
Song: Christ Be Our Light
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.
Chorus:
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light! Shine in your Church
Gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us
Make us your living voice.
Chorus
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.
Chorus
Longing for shelter people are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
Walls made of living stone.
Chorus
Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Chorus
(2000) Bernadette Farrell OCP Publications CCL No 384593
BUSHFIRE DONATIONS
By donating to Anglicare’s Bushfire and Emergency Relief Appeal you will be supporting those who have been evacuated, injured, lost property, livelihoods or even loved ones.
Monetary donations – will be used to provide extra support to existing services and to create pathways for long-term recovery. You can donate directly at https://www.anglicare.com.au/services/get-involved/appeals/bushfire-appeal-2020.
Food donations – will be used to help families with immediate needs. Taking away the burden of grocery costs helps families to focus finances and attention on recovery and rebuilding. This is especially important for Anglicare’s team of foster carers, some of whom have been forced to leave their homes while still providing care for already vulnerable and traumatised children.
Donations of non-perishable food and toiletries can be dropped off at the following Anglicare collection points:
- Anglicare office, 30 Scotts Crossing, Canberra
- Anglicare office, 6-12 Church St, Wagga Wagga
- Ashmont Community Resource Centre, 42 Tobruk St, Ashmont
- Anglicare office, 564 Olive St, Albury
