Renewal through Trust – Caring brings Renewal
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY SERVICE 2021
Living a Powerful Life
Renewal through Trust – Caring brings Renewal
WORLD COMMUNITY DAY 2022
Prepared by the Western Australian Unit of ACW Inc.
WELCOME
THIS ORDER OF SERVICE was prepared by the Western Australian Unit of Australian Church Women, with the theme for the present term being 'Renewal through Trust'.
This service has the subtitle 'Caring brings Renewal'.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia as the traditional custodians of this land.
We respect past and present Elders and are thankful for their wisdom which has sustained their people since the beginning of time.
We will support emerging and future First Nations leaders and their people.
CALL TO WORSHIP
[Where 2 or more are gathered, you may like to read this as a responsive reading.]
PSALM 63:1–5 (CEV)
Leader:
You are my God. I worship you.
In my heart I long for you,
as I would long for a stream
in a scorching desert.
RESPONSE:
I have seen your power
and your glory
in the place of worship.
Leader:
Your love means more
than life to me,
and I praise you.
RESPONSE:
As long as I live,
I will pray to you.
I will sing joyful praises
and be filled with excitement
like a guest at a banquet.
HYMN
NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
(Together in Song 106i)
[Click image arrow to sing along with the video.
Ephesians 1:15–19a (NIV)
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Luke 10:25–37 (CEV)
An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”
Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”
The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbours as much as you love yourself.’ ”
Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”
But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, “Who are my neighbours?”
Jesus replied:
As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. Later a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.
A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine[b] and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.”
Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbour to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”
The expert in the Law of Moses answered, “The one who showed pity.”
Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Philippians 2:1–6 (NIV)
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND PETITION
Father God, we thank you for your boundless and unceasing love and care for your children and for all people of every tribe and nation.
We thank you for Christians of all ages and all countries who have lived out their faith in you by loving care and concern for others.
We thank you for all who have cared for us and helped us to grow in our love and understanding of who you are and how we can serve you.
Father God, we ask that you help us to be more like Jesus. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to listen to you and follow your leadings. May we reach out in love to others, to listen, to encourage and to care.
Lord, hear our prayer through Christ Jesus.
AMEN
HYMN
MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOUR
(Together in Song 609)
[Click image arrow to sing along with the video.
FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN DEDICATION
If you have not seen this, an excellent video introduction to the Fellowship of the Least Coin was produced by the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada in October 2018, and it is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tYomxrkqeg
LEADER: We thank God that Shanti Solomon was inspired to begin the Fellowship of the Least Coin prayer movement. The prayers and coins offered have brought God’s love and care into many lives, bringing hope and renewal of opportunity to make a better life.
Fellowship of the Least Coin Offerings
If you are unable to present your FLC offering at this time, please set it aside until you can meet with other FLC supporters or please email the ACW National Secretary Margaret Ker margaretker48@gmail.com
FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN PRAYER
O Loving Creator, we present ourselves in your divine presence to thank you for all the bountiful gifts of life. We are especially grateful for the Fellowship of the Least Coin, which binds us together in love and forgiveness around the globe. Free us from all doubts and prejudices, we pray. Inspire us to live in solidarity with humankind that we may know the joy of giving and receiving.
Dear God, accept this least coin ‘token of love’. Make us mindful of the miracles of these coins. Let us honour your creation with love, as shown through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ.
AMEN
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Father God, we bring before you the people of the world.
Voice 1
WE PRAY FOR AFRICA
For the struggle for access to safe drinking water and irrigation for their crops. For projects to alleviate poverty. For aid from wealthier countries for protection against COVID. For freedom from tribal conflicts. For the rapidly growing number of vibrant Christians living out their faith.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer.
Voice 2
WE PRAY FOR THE AMERICAS
For efforts to improve the lot of the oppressed and marginalized. For an ending to racial discrimination. For an end to the power of the gun. For respect and fairness and justice for all.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer.
Voice 1
WE PRAY FOR ASIA
For an end to trafficking of women. For our sisters in the countries of the Asian Church Women’s Conference. For peace in Myanmar. For our prayer partner sisters in Japan who faithfully pray for Australia. For peace in all of Asia.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer.
Voice 2
WE PRAY FOR EUROPE
For refugees from conflict. For the people of Ukraine and for all people supporting them. For wise decisions by leaders. For a growing faith in God.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer.
Voice 1
WE PRAY FOR THE PACIFIC
For action to combat climate change. For the translation of the Bible into the languages of Papua New Guinea. For New Zealand and our own country Australia.
ALL: Lord, hear and answer our prayers.
HYMN
IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST
(Together in Song 459ii)
[Click image arrow to sing along with the video.
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEwLle8Ue4Y]
The General Offering will be received during the singing of the following hymn.
GENERAL OFFERING
Today’s General Offering supports the work of the
Asian Church Women’s Conference (ACWC).
If you are unable to present your offering at this time, please set it aside until you can meet with members of ACW or please email the ACW National Secretary Margaret Ker to arrange the collection of your offering.
PRAYER
We thank you Lord for all your gifts. We bring our offering to you to be used to help and bless others in your name.
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 trial.
And deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory
are yours now and forever.
AMEN
A TIME OF REFLECTION
Today we consider three Old Testament women who were prepared to move out of their comfort zones to care.
Ruth and Naomi were widows. When Naomi returned to her own country, Ruth, out of respect and love, went with her, prepared to take on the ways and God of a strange land. Naomi was grateful for Ruth’s support and worked to find a way they could live well in her homeland, Israel. Boaz became Ruth’s husband. Both women had a new life.
In 2 Kings, chapter 5, we read of a young girl from Israel who had been taken captive to Aram and had become a servant to Naaman’s wife. Naaman was Commander of the Army of the King of Aram, but he was a leper. The servant girl was brave enough to suggest that if Naaman saw the prophet (Elisha) in Samaria he could be cured.
May these stories encourage us in our caring.
HYMN
THE KING OF LOVE MY SHEPHERD IS
(Together in Song 145)
[Click image arrow to sing along with the video.
Arrangment by Gonzalo L. Gonzalez Melody -
St. Columba (ancient Irish melody)
Lyrics by Henry Baker written in 1868
BLESSING
LEADER: May God bless you and keep you in his love.
May the Lord Jesus guide you, strengthen you and help you grow like him.
May the Holy Spirit work through you for the blessing of others.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
ALL: We go in the name of Jesus.
AMEN