Third Sunday After Pentecost
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
You are the God who works wonders and have declared your power among the peoples.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, you have built your people upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Pentecost 3, 29th June 2025
Welcome friends and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
James and John thought they would please Jesus by calling down fire on the Samaritans who refused to offer Him hospitality. No doubt the disciples had in mind the story of the prophet Elijah calling down fire on the emissaries of the king of Samaria. They still had not learned that Jesus came to rescue people, not annihilate them … aah … human misunderstanding. <PAUSE>
Today’s gospel is a difficult one. It’s confrontational and it doesn’t leave much, if any, room for compromise. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” We’re either looking toward the kingdom or we are not. We’re either responding to Jesus’ call to life or we’re not. We’re either open to the coming future or we’re not.
Jesus is calling US into question and that’s never easy, fun, or comfortable. He is calling into question the direction of our lives, the values we claim to hold, and how we are living and embodying those values. He is asking us to look at ourselves rather than “the Samaritan” on whom we’d like to call down fire from heaven.
By “Samaritan” I mean those who look, act, and believe differently from us; those who do not hold our particular religious, political, environmental, or social beliefs; those who are not from these parts; those to whom we are opposed and in conflict with, for whatever reasons. Those who write and post articles and comments that really upset us; those who make our blood run hot when we turn on the news; the people around us who simply don’t seem to want to change - the list goes on.
Today’s gospel won’t let us turn away from the people and situations that surround us. Jesus recognises and holds before us the tensions in which we live. On the one hand we say to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” On the other hand we say to him, “But hang on a moment … first …hmmm”. You probably know what that’s like. I know I do.
It’s easy and simple to follow Jesus, in principle. Love your neighbour as yourself, love your enemy, welcome the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give the thirsty something to drink, turn the other cheek, forgive not just seven times but seventy times seven.
These are values Jesus holds. That’s where Jesus is going. That’s the direction in which He has set his face and asks us to follow. That’s the road … and it sounds wonderful. I believe that, for most of us, it’s the road we too have chosen to travel …. in principle.
But it’s so much harder to follow Jesus “in life” than “in principle”. I suspect we are all in favour of love, hospitality, forgiveness, and non-violence until we meet the unloveable, the stranger who scares us, the unforgivable act, the one who throws the first punch. Then it’s a different story and that story usually begins with, “But hang on a moment … first….” Jesus, however, puts no qualifications, limitations, exceptions or excuses on where He is going, who is included, or what He is offering. He doesn’t seem to care who we are, where we are from, or what we have done or left undone. All that just don’t seem to matter to Jesus.
For Jesus there is no why, there are no conditions attached to His love, hospitality, forgiveness, or giving.
Jesus does not allow for a “but hang on a moment” in His life or in the lives of his followers.
That “hang on a moment …” is the way WE try and put conditions on the unconditional.
Yes, I will love the other but hang on a moment … let me go and see who the other is, whether she or he is deserving of love, whether I like him or her, whether he or she agrees with, and is agreeable to, me.
Yes, I will open my door to and welcome the stranger but but hang on a moment … let me go and see who’s knocking, how different he or she is from me, what she or he wants, what I am risking.
Yes, I will forgive another but but hang on a moment … let me go and see if she or he has acknowledged her or his wrongdoing, is sorry for what they did, and has promised to change.
Yes, I will give to and care for another but but hang on a moment … let me go and see why I should, what it will cost me, and what’s in it for me.
Yeah … hang on a moment … <PAUSE>
I wasn’t kidding when I said that this is a difficult gospel. I wish I could resolve this in some neat and simple way, as much for myself as for you, but I can’t.
It’s not about resolving the gospel. It’s about resolving ourselves, resolving our hearts … and that is not simple.
It’s a different way of “being” in this world, a way of relating to others, a direction for our lives. It’s choices we make every day. <PAUSE> It’s the road that follows Jesus and the road He calls us to follow.
I wonder what our lives and world would be like if we were to love, give, welcome, and forgive without that “hang on a moment …”
What if we were to lead with Christ-filled hearts and not “hang on a moment …”?
Follow Jesus - No Reserves, No Retreat, No Regret!
That my sisters and brothers is “The Cost and Nature of True Discipleship”.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu.
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Holy God, thank You for giving us Your Son to bring us into relationship with You.
Thank You for giving us the Scriptures so that we can know You better.
Thank You for giving us Your Spirit to guide us into the truth and to walk with us along the road of true discipleship showing us what we need to know about You and Your great love.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Faithful God, we give thanks for our faith communities and their people, and gladly acknowledge all the gifts You have given us through their lives and service; we ask You to open wide our hearts that we may welcome - without hesitation - the stranger and share our faith with others.
We pray too, for the leaders of our faith communities - support and strengthen them as they seek to lead, teach and guide.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, as we pray for our world and all its leaders. We pray for everyone in Government and Authority, Internationally, Nationally and Locally.
Grant them wisdom so that their judgements may always selflessly benefit those that they represent.
We pray for peace and reconciliation throughout the world and we especially raise before you the turmoil in The Holy Land, Ukraine, Russia, and Iran. Prince of Peace, bring healing to these troubled places, an end to war and violence and a respect for human dignity.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, thank You for welcoming us into Your circle of love. May we share Your love with someone in our community today and every day. Thank you for those who include us in their circle and thank you for their friendship which brings so much joy to our lives.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we remember all who are in need of our prayers; all those who struggle with torments of body, mind or spirit.
We pray for those who have lapsed in their faith, those troubled with doubt and those who need Your Good News at this time.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, when someone we love dies help us to remember that Your Son is preparing a place for us to live with You. Thank You that it will be more than just a wonderful place. It is where we will live with You and know You forever.
We also raise before you those bereaved by the passing of loved ones - give them peace and hope for the future in their time of loss.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God, thank You for Your Word and its powerful influence in our lives. Help us to learn to put its truth into practice as we go out into the world to live the week ahead.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
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 for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
