We care because God loves us

​Forgive us when we fail to take action and when we refuse to show
compassion when we see injustice, unfairness and suffering.

Call to Worship
We come together as family in the presence of our heavenly Father. We come
as brothers and sisters in Christ, accepting the responsibility that this places
upon us - to love one another as you have loved us and to care for others as
Jesus did. We come as your lights in this dark world and pray that through our
words and our lives others might be drawn into your family and accept you as
their Saviour and their Lord. Amen

​StF 242 A new commandment I give unto you

Prayer of Adoration and Confession
God of love and hope, it is true! You care deeply for each one of us, each
person on this planet is equally loved by you. With you there is always more
life, more hope, more love and more joy. You have given us so many good
things – the beauty of trees coming into blossom, of spring flowers, of summer
sunshine and showers, and the changing colour of the leaves in autumn as the
leaves fall and winter draws near. The sorrow of lives ending and death but the
joy and hope of new birth and change
Forgive us when we doubt you, when we are absorbed with ourselves and our
own problems and needs and we fail to see your work in the stillness, in the
rushed moments, in the darkest moments and in the everyday, little-noticed
plod of life. Forgive us when our behaviour or our idle chatter cases pain and
hurt to others.
Forgive us when we fail to take action and when we refuse to show
compassion when we see injustice, unfairness and suffering.
Forgive us that sometimes our own actions, selfishness, greed and lack of
understanding have been and still are contributing to the suffering of others by
causing pollution and climate change leading to flooding, drought and crop
failures for people already living in poverty in far flung parts of your world.
Let us learn how to serve you. Help us to change our ways, open our hearts
now to your love and fill us with trust, hope and a desire to take action and to
see freedom, justice, fairness and equality so that all your children have
sufficient for their needs. We ask all these things in Jesus’ name Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ may we always know that we are indeed, loved,
cared for and forgiven by God’s grace when we turn to him. Alleluia!​

OT Reading: Deuteronomy 34 v 1 – 12 New International Version  The Death of Moses34 
Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across
from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory
of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole
region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the l
and I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let
​you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”
5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the
valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty
years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in
the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So
the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 who did all those
signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 
12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of
all Israel

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22 v 34 – 46 New International Version The Greatest Commandment
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in
the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor
as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Whose Son Is the Messiah?41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you
think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
“The son of David,” they replied. 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls
​him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day
on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Hymn StF 61 Our God is a great big God

1Thessalonians 2 v 1-8 New International Version Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica 
You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and
been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in
the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are
we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. 
We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we
put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you
or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were
like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because
we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
​
Hymn StF 409 Let us build a house where love can dwell

Sermon
Gracious, Loving God, I pray today, remembering that I am made in your
image, just as all creation, and I recognise that you are calling me to be part
of the answers to the prayers I make. Today, give me the courage and
wisdom to reach out in faith, to reflect your image in my lives, wherever you
lead. In Jesus’ name, I bring these and all my prayers to you, O God, Amen.

The divisive and destructive conditions we witness today can leave us with
profound feelings of contradiction, especially in a world determined to settle
its differences or disputes with deadly weapons, or by hate. We are often left
with physical, mental, or emotional injury, refusal of opportunity for
conversation, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. We are comforted
nevertheless that God loves us, and cares for us, and is present as we meet the
challenges of life! We even ask ourselves: “why should I care?”
“I didn’t know that anybody cared!” (a worshipper’s reflection at end of my
Homily)
I am pleased, however, my sisters and brothers to say that despite the
troubling conditions out there and with us, I can declare that the unbelievably
transforming power of God’s love is with us! I will never leave you or forsake
you, says the Lord (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). But then it is his love that enables us
to love and brings us to pray. Pray is a vital lifeline!

Secondly, we respond with ACTION: “We Care, because God Loves”
1. Imago Dei: We bear image of God, an incredible fact to behold; but what
does it mean to ‘bear the image of God’? Firstly, we are encouraged not
to be preoccupied with all the things we should not do but focus rather
on doing all we can to demonstrate our love of God and our
commitment to God’s mission.
2. Approval: It is imperative we speak as people “approved by God” as in
the manner which the Thessalonian community heard from the great

Apostle. Though beaten and thrown into prison at Philippi, the apostle
was determined to share the good news with the people of
Thessalonica. He was on the mission of God. Sometimes petrifying,
scary, but we remain unrelenting. The great apostle was not afraid, he
had both authority and approval (Ref. encounter with other witnesses,
1996 Olympics, Atlanta).
3. Humility: Never seek selfishly to carry the mission of God or seeking
simply to please others, or for personal wealth or fame – the value of
mission could be lost - but carry the mission as people entrusted with
the Gospel to honour God. Use humility even when mistakes are made.
4. Integrity: We may be tempted to change our message or use flattery to
persuade and make our message more palatable. Rather, we use the
right motives because we care and are centred in God love. Why,
ultimately? Because we love you so much that we are delighted share
the Gospel with you!
5. Discipleship: What do we do with the things we call ‘ours’? Moreover,
how can we identify what, of all we experience in the world around us, is
being led and managed by God? This question is posed also by the
people of Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, it is the question of Christian
discipleship today. How can we recognise holiness within us and do
justice to it? There’s only one way: If we truly love God and our
neighbour, we will keep the commandments! Even when failure arrives,
we have an anchor! (Hebrews 6:19) Our work is then deemed righteous,
a positive way of looking at the law.
6. Peacefulness: To live a truly peace-filled life, our strength and authority
comes not from a token of ownership or mis assumed authority; but
rather from a recognition that we witness within the God-ordained
Universe.
7. Possessions: In these days how will you change things to live with God’s
approval? Jesus assures you about what to do with the things you have:
Your life, skills, strength, friendships, possessions, money! Consider how
your skills and compassion could be used. The question is: do we care
about God’s love?
God bless you!
Gracious, Loving God, I pray today, remembering that I am made in your
image, just as all creation, and I recognise that you are calling me to be part
of the answers to the prayers I make. Today, give me the courage and
wisdom to reach out in faith, to reflect your image in my lives, wherever you
lead. In Jesus’ name, I bring these and all my prayers to you, O God, Amen.​
​
Hymn StF 446 I will offer up my life in spirit and truth

Prayers of intercession
Loving God, You stand among us today and call us to be people of faith, to be
your servants and to care for others, yet often our heads and hearts are full of
questions.
We wonder if love can grow again in relationships where anger and bitterness
prevail, but you know the strength of love and the power of prayer.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
We wonder if peace can come in many countries in our world where there is
fighting, war and abuse or where hatred and racism know no boundaries. We
think especially of the people of Israel and Palestine at this uncertain time, and
the people of Ukraine and Russia
You know that peace is possible - help us to be faithful peacemakers.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
We wonder if refugees can ever be treated with welcome and respect in our
own country and if the hungry can be fed in countries that are experiencing
drought, war and poverty and where your children continue to perish.
You know that there is room and enough food for everyone in the world; help
us to be welcoming, generous and faithful.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
We wonder if governments throughout the world can lead their people with
justice and fairness. You specialize in impossibilities; you walked on water, you
can heal the nations, you forgive sins, you set people free from all that limits
them, you set each one of us free from our sin and shame by your death, your
glorious resurrection and the gift of your Holy Spirit.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
Today we pray for all people who are filled with uncertainty, who wonder
whether you exist and whether you are listening to our prayers, who wonder
what the Christian community and faith are about.
We pray for people who struggle with the meaning of life, who wonder
whether to end it all, who face feelings of hopelessness and despair
particularly those who have lost jobs, income and homes in this time of
inflation and financial crisis.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
Even when we ourselves are struggling, give us the wisdom to turn to you.
Jesus, when our faith is weak or in danger of deserting us, strengthen us and
give us hope. We ask for good news for people in our community and
throughout the world, people who are sick, or who are grieving the loss of
loved ones especially those known to us personally at this time.
Lord of hope – hear our prayer today.
Finally we pray for all people who need your help in practical ways - empower
us to be your hands and feet and to show your love by our action where it is
needed.
Give us faith, small as a mustard seed, so that we may move mountains, so
that we may bring change. May we share your hope, your love, your peace and
your justice with this needy world. We ask all these things in the name of you
dear son Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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.
 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen
​
 StF 662 Have you heard God’s voice?

Gracious, Loving God, I pray today, remembering that I am made in
your image, just as all creation, and I recognise that you are calling
me to be part of the answers to the prayers I make. Today, give me
the courage and wisdom to reach out in faith, to reflect your image
in my lives, wherever you lead. In Jesus’ name, I bring these and all
my prayers to you, O God, Amen.

Blessing
God of life, may the promise of the sunrise be echoed in our minds.
May the warmth of the midday sun flow through our hearts.
May the peace of the sunset touch our souls,
And when life seems dark, teach is to remember even then that you are with
us, and that we will again see your light.
In the name of Christ. Amen

Prayers of Adoration, Confession and Intercessions attributed to Tanya Cook 
Sermon Attributed to Reverend Arlington Trotman