WELCOME AND NOTICES

GATHERING:
In a day when differing cultures and religious faiths are used as tools to separate peoples, and to inflame existing hostilities, God calls us to honour the sincere efforts of others to find a truth to live by.
In worship we hear the call of God to live the faith we know, and to draw wisdom and insight from our faith. In our age God also calls us to seek to understand the faith of others, for then faith itself can become a bond to hold us together.
Let us worship God.

HYMN: In This Familiar Place
In this familiar place
I know the mystery of your grace.
For the love that I receive, for the truth that I believe,
I praise and thank you for this here and now.

In halting song and word
the music of your voice is heard.

Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.

Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere.© Colin Gibson (AA)

OPENING PRAYER

READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-7
Song to the Holy Spirit – James K Baxter

ADDRESS: Rev Dr John England

HYMN: Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (Tune: Fulda WOV 137)

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife,
we hear your voice, O Son of man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
on shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed,
we catch the vision of your tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,
from woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,
your heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for you still
holds the freshness of your grace;
yet long these multitudes to view
the sweet compassion of your face. C/A

DISCUSSION and MORNING TEA

OFFERING
Loving God,our Creator, who gives us life and meaning,
wholeness and hope,
peace and joy,
we bring our gifts to you:the things we have, the time we spend,
the people we are.Use us to show your love and understanding
in the world,in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN:Christ Has Called Us to New Visions (Tune: Austria WOV 577)
Christ has called us to new visions
here to celebrate and praise,
here confess our old divisions,
here our peace petitions raise.
Come repentant, come forgiving,
come in joy and hope and prayer.
Christ, once crucified, now living,
bids us faith and love to share.

As we listen to each other,
as we speak in joy and pain,
we become as sister, brother,
reconciled, at one again.
Only thus in work and feeling
for our neighbour far or near
can we worship God revealing
gifts of grace among us here.

All creation struggles, yearning
for a time of true shalom.
Are we trying, are we learning
now to make the earth our home?
For the hungry and despairing,
for the poor of all the earth,
make us partners, burdens sharing,
bringing all a sense of worth.

Christ still calls us, young and ageing,
men and women, bound and free,
colours, talents, thoughts engaging,
joined in one community.
Christ remoulding, healing, leading,
sins forgiven! Life restored!
Let us live, God’s justice heeding,
strengthened by our risen Lord. © Jane Parker Huber (ASF)

THE BLESSING