29 Aug Online worship resources for Sunday 30 August
We are currently not worshipping as a gathered community due to the COVID–19 pandemic but we are still worshipping together in new ways. Below you will find an audio recording for worship at home that includes prayer, the bible readings and discussion for August 30. You can listen to this with others or on your own. You may like to light a candle as you begin, and have paper and pen nearby to make your own notes or art responses during this worship service.
If you would like to connect more deeply with the Richmond Uniting Church community in other ways as well as in audio worship, for example for Midday Prayers or Zoom ‘morning teas’ please email: richmond.uniting@bigpond.com to find out more.
What does ‘taking up your cross’ mean???
This week, as we explore Matthew 16.21-28, Rev Dr Sally Douglas invites us to reflect on what Jesus really means when he says ‘take up your cross’. Beyond the notion of ‘we all have our cross to bear’ we discover that here we are called into the radical non-retaliatory love of God.
Listen to this week’s service using the embedded player below. You can also copy this link into your podcast player of choice if you would like to receive updates as they are released: https://anchor.fm/s/c70d97c/podcast/rss
Music Suggestions for Worship:
Be Thou My Vision (8th Century Gaelic, translated by Mary Byrne)
(547 Together in Song)
This version sung by Audrey Assad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Optrm7lF16s
Have Mercy on Me by The Porter’s Gate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wMimZ_fU78
Wondering Questions
- How were you taught to understand the call to ‘take up your cross?’ How has this teaching impacted on you? Does this understanding need to change in light of the context of Jesus’ words, as Jesus is honest about the dangers of being a follower and calls us into non-violence?
- How do you sit with Romans 12.9-21 and Paul’s description of living in Jesus’ radical mercy? What strikes you? What is hardest for you to live into in this list right now? What comes most naturally? You may like to take your insights to prayer.
- As you put down images of God that are shaped by Empire, the God of the sword, how might you allow yourself to rest in the upside down love of the God’s Kingdom revealed in Jesus?
The name of God in sacred Jewish text, as we heard today, is YHWH, I AM WHO I AM. This can form a prayer word that can be utilised in meditation by gentle naming God as you breath in and breath out and rest in God’s being and presence.
For more information about Christian Meditation go to: https://wccmaustralia.org.au/about-meditation