Fifth 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):
I will sing to the Lord, for he has dealt with me richly.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, you have built your Church 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 5th after Pentecost, 28th June 2026
Welcome brothers and sisters 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>
A few years ago, I was running the marathon in the beautiful, historic, Italian city of Bologna and it was hot. I mean VERY hot. Towards the end of the run our little group decided to run the shady sections and walk those parts that were in the sun. About two kilometres from the finish we encountered a group of spectators who were handing out cups of cold water to the runners.
A young woman stepped forward, offered me a cup, waited until I had drunk the water and thence took the cup and disappeared back into the crowd. I had never seen her before and I have never seen here since. I will never forget her. In that moment of my personal struggle, she become the face of God’s love for me. <PAUSE>
Sometimes the greatest acts of faith are not dramatic miracles or grand achievements. Sometimes they are simple acts of welcome, hospitality, and kindness.
THAT is exactly what Jesus speaks about in today’s Gospel, Matthew 10:40-42.
The disciples are about to be sent out on mission. They will travel from village to village carrying the good news of the Kingdom. Some people will reject them. Others will welcome them. Jesus says,
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
In other words, how we receive God’s people is how we receive God himself.
This truth reminds us that Christ identifies himself with his followers. Then and now, WE, the disciples, are not merely messengers carrying a message. WE carry the presence of Christ with US.
So, when people welcome us, they welcome Jesus.
Throughout history, believers have understood that Christ is present in His people. Every person created in God’s image carries a dignity that deserves honour and respect.
This means that EVERY encounter becomes sacred:
The visitor at your door.
The newcomer in town.
The neighbour who seems lonely.
The child seeking attention.
The elderly person who longs for conversation.
The stranger needing assistance.
Each one offers us an opportunity to welcome Christ.
Jesus continues by speaking about prophets and righteous people. He says that those who receive a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.
At first this sounds strange. What exactly is a prophet’s reward?
A prophet’s reward is participation in God’s work. When we support those who serve God, we become partners in that ministry.
Most Christians never preach a sermon, travel as missionaries, or write theological books. Yet through their encouragement, hospitality, prayers, and generosity, they share in the work of the Gospel.
Think of:
The countless faithful who quietly support ministries around the world.
The volunteers who prepare worship.
The people who visit the sick.
The folks who maintain buildings and gardens.
The families who offer meals and friendship.
The individuals who pray faithfully every day.
Their contributions may seem small, but in God’s kingdom they are significant. <PAUSE>
That is why Jesus concludes with, what is for me, an image of extraordinary simplicity:
“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones… will not lose their reward.”
A cup of cold water. Not a fortune. Not a great sacrifice. Not a heroic deed.
Just a simple act of kindness.
In the hot climate of first-century Palestine, or on the baking cobblestones of 21st century Bologna, a cup of cold water was refreshing and valuable. Yet it was something almost anyone could offer.
Jesus is teaching us that God notices the small things. <PAUSE>
Our culture often celebrates spectacular achievements. We admire famous leaders, successful entrepreneurs, talented athletes, World Cup soccer players, and influential public figures. We tend to think that significance belongs to those who do great things.
But Jesus measures greatness differently.
A kind word. A listening ear. A welcoming smile. A meal shared with someone in need. A visit to a person who is lonely. A prayer offered for another.
These acts will probably never appear in headlines, but they matter deeply to God. <PAUSE>
Many of us underestimate the influence we have on others.
We may not remember every sermon we have heard or every lesson we have been taught, but we often remember the people who showed us kindness.
Many people first encounter Christ not through an argument or a book, but through the compassion of a Christian.
They experience Christ in someone who cared. Someone who listened. Someone who welcomed them. Someone who gave them a “cup of cold water.”
Through ordinary acts of mercy, grace, care, concern, help - the extraordinary love of Christ is revealed. <PAUSE>
What if the Gospel invitation today is simply this: become a person of welcome.
Welcome others as Christ has welcomed you.
See Christ in those you meet.
Offer kindness without expecting anything in return.
Look for opportunities to give your own “cup of cold water”.
Because whenever we do, Jesus says we are serving him.
And whenever we welcome another person with Christ-like love, we are participating in the life of God himself.
So let us always remember that we have first been welcomed by God. We who were strangers have been invited into God’s family through Christ.
Having received such grace, let us go and extend that grace to others.
May our homes be places of welcome.
May our faith communities be places of welcome.
May our lives be places where others encounter Christ … and …
May we never underestimate the power of even the smallest act of love offered in Jesus’ name.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMEN>
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 sacrifice and goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Holy God, we raise our prayers to You in the power of the Holy Spirit which unites us with Christ Jesus trusting that You will hear our prayers and use them to accomplish Your will for the world and for our faith communities.
Longer silence for personal reflection.
Faithful God, we pray for all people who seek to follow Your way in their lives.
Let our faith communities speak Your word of truth with confidence and in unity so that those who are searching and listening will be able to see and hear clearly Your message of love and peace.
(Short Silence) Lord in your Mercy: Hear our prayer
Creator God, we pray for people and nations whose troubles drown out Your music of harmony and where the violent heat of anger seeks to destroy Your word of peace.
(Short Silence) Lord in your Mercy: Hear our prayer
Father God, we pray for the people around us in our neighbourhoods and our places of work. Give us sensitivity and insight into their needs and vulnerabilities so that we may learn truly to love our neighbours as ourselves.
(Short Silence) Lord in your Mercy: Hear our prayer
Gracious God, we pray for people we know who are ill, anxious or bereaved, and for those that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens. We pray that You will lead them, and us, in peace towards healing and wholeness of mind and spirit.
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, many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly for these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sister Jennifer (USA).
(Short Silence) Lord in your Mercy: Hear our prayer
Loving God, we offer ourselves to You in faith and confidence. Show us as we go out into the world how we can best prepare ourselves to be part of Your response to our prayers. Fill us with the Spirit of life which was in Christ Jesus, your Son and our Saviour.
(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.
