Sunday 4 September 2022 | God is not for the future.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Theme: If the land is suffering, and youth are excluded, what does it mean when we pray; ‘grant us the grace to trust in you with all our hearts’? “Strength of my heart, I need not fail, Not mind to fear but to obey, With such a Leader, who could quail? Thou art as Thou wert yesterday. Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee, Fulfil Thy purposes through me.” ― Amy Carmichael COLLECT Faithful God, you never forsake those who make their boast in the cross of Christ: grant us the grace not to rely on our own strength but to trust in you with all our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. READING Jeremiah 18: 1-11 The Lord said to me, 2 “Go down to the potter's house, where I will give you my message.” 3 So I went there and saw the potter working at his wheel. 4 Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else. 5 Then the Lord said to me, 6 “Don't I have the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like clay in the potter's hands. 7 If at any time I say that I am going to uproot, break down, or destroy any nation or kingdom, 8 but then that nation turns from its evil, I will not do what I said I would. 9 On the other hand, if I say that I am going to plant or build up any nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation disobeys me and does evil, I will not do what I said I would. 11 Now then, tell the people of Judah and of Jerusalem that I am making plans against them and getting ready to punish them. Tell them to stop living sinful lives—to change their ways and the things they are doing. READING Philemon 1-21 9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. 10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. 11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. 13 I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place. 14 However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree. GOSPEL according to Luke 14: 25-33 25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' PRAYER for Africa God, refresh Africa and all the world, Protect and grow our children. Convict with justice and truth, all our leaders And fill all hearts with your peace. For Jesus Christ sake. Amen. BENEDICTION And, now may you go from this place in peace, knowing we are all new creations in Christ. May you go from this place in joy, knowing we are free to serve the kingdom of God and not conformities of the world. May you go from this place in love, reminded that nothing you have done or will ever do will ever separate you from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Go out and serve God’s people with energy and imagination! Amen We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.