Sunday 19 September 2021 | Season of Creation: Ecumenism

Theme: Ecumenism COLLECT God of the living earth You called us to be part of your beloved community, baptised into one family through the sacred waters of life called to care together for your world. Guide as we work to sustain our common home. Help us to find the path to living in peace and harmony with all your creatures united by the divine dance of the Trinity. Amen. Reading from Proverbs 31: 10-23 10 How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! 11 Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. 20 She is generous to the poor and needy. 25 She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. 26 She speaks with a gentle wisdom. 27 She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. 28 Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her. 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised. 31 Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone. Reading from James 3: 13-18 13 Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. 14 But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don't sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world; it is unspiritual and demonic. 16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. 18 And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace. THE GOSPEL according to Mark 9: 30-37 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Prayer for COVID Author of life, Saviour of the nations COVID is humbling, your grace is sufficient. The deaths, we mourn; For the recoveries, we give thanks; The compassionate care, we applaud; For the vaccines, we are grateful; For compliance, we plead; For the common good, we pray; In the healing name of Jesus. Amen © Rodney Whiteman – 29/04/2021. BENEDICTION Renewing Spirit, Creator God, look upon these faces gathered in Holy community together and send them anywhere you would have them go, so that they may embody the ministry of justice for your Creation through their actions. Walk with them so that they may face the winds of change and walk the good road. Enlighten them. Sustain them. May God our Creator be with you this day and always. May Christ Jesus, the Lord of the Church send you. May the Holy Spirit, empower you to witness to all of creation. Amen! COMMISSIONING Go in peace with courage, to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.