U C News
Vol XXVI 10th August 2008 Year A Lectionary Readings: Genesis 37:1-28, Psalm 105, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 Liturgical Season Colour: Today: Green Next week: Green http://groups.msn.com/GrenfellUnitingChurch Phone: 6343 1224
Sentences: Psalm 119:105 to 112 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. 108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. 111 Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
Words of Assurance: Romans 10:8 & 9 “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Just a Thought: Matthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Saint Augustine, thinking on this passage, had words which ring so true for us in the Uniting Church.
Meanwhile, the boat carrying the disciples – that is, the church – is rocking and shaking amid the storms and temptation while the adverse wind rages on. That is to say, its enemy the devil strives to keep the wind from calming down. But greater is he who is persistent on our behalf, for amid the vicissitudes of our life he gives us confidence. …Therefore, stay inside the boat and call upon God. When all good advice fails and the rudder is useless and the spread of the sails presents more of a danger than an advantage… the only recourse left for the sailors is to cry out to God (Sermon 75.4, in Manlio Simonetti, ed., Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Matthew 14-28 [Downer's Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 2002] 11-12). <DIR> </DIR>
Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen. http://i.ucc.org/StretchYourMind/OpeningtheBible/WeeklySeeds
PRAYER POINTS Dear Heavenly Father, as we serve you this week, help us to find strength through Your Spirit to offer greater love to others. Help us to put the needs of those around us first, knowing full well that as we attend to their well being, You graciously care for ours Thank You Lord. AMEN PRAYER POINTS 1. Please continue to pray for all of our members who are unwell, frail and aged and those who are mourning a loved one. For Kath and Jennifer Smith, Hugh Moffitt and family, Roma Starr, Marion Moffitt, Joyce Simpson and Sadie Diprose. 2. For Rebecca Knight as she convalesces in Cowra before returning to Sydney Tuesday for further surgery. 3. For our combined service with the Presbyterian Church at the Presbyterian next Sunday. 4. For Amy and Adrian Butler as they await the birth of their baby. 5. For Brett Baker as he recovers from surgery. PRAISE POINTS 1. Give thanks for the rain. 2. For Joalee as she recovers at home. 3. For all church congregation members in Grenfell. Any prayer requests please phone Margaret Knight 63432120
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