Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

10 August 2014

THIS MORNING'S SONG'S OF PRAISE:
101,Ps 105,(877), 455, 384, 473, 474.

FIRST BIBLE READING:

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
'Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt' (GNB)

Jacob continued to live in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived, and this is the story of Jacob's family.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, took care of the sheep and goats with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's concubines. He brought bad reports to his father about what his brothers were doing.
Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he had been born to him when he was old. He made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them, they hated their brother so much that they would not speak to him in a friendly manner.
One day when Joseph's brothers had gone to Shechem to take care of their father's flock, Jacob said to Joseph, "I want you to go to Shechem, where your brothers are taking care of the flock."
Joseph answered, "I am ready."
His father told him, "Go and see if your brothers are safe and if the flock is all right; then come back and tell me." So his father sent him on his way from Hebron Valley.
Joseph arrived at Shechem and was wandering around in the country when a man saw him and asked him, "What are you looking for?"
"I am looking for my brothers, who are taking care of their flock," he answered. "Can you tell me where they are?"
The man said, "They have already left. I heard them say that they were going to Dothan." So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted against him and decided to kill him. They said to one another, "Here comes that dreamer. Come on now, let's kill him and throw his body into one of the dry wells. We can say that a wild animal killed him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams."
Reuben heard them and tried to save Joseph. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Just throw him into this well in the wilderness, but don't hurt him." He said this, planning to save him from them and send him back to his father. When Joseph came up to his brothers, they ripped off his long robe with full sleeves. Then they took him and threw him into the well, which was dry.
While they were eating, they suddenly saw a group of Ishmaelites traveling from Gilead to Egypt. Their camels were loaded with spices and resins. Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up the murder? Let's sell him to these Ishmaelites.
Then we won't have to hurt him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed, and when some Midianite traders came by, the brothers pulled Joseph out of the well and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

SECOND BIBLE READING:

Romans 10: 5-17;
'The word of the Lord is near you'. (NIV)

Moses describes the righteousness that is by the law. He did this when he wrote, 'Those who do these things will live by them'. But the righteousness that is by faith will never ask, 'Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?'
Neither will they ask, 'Who will go down into the world of the dead to raise him to life?' What it says is this,
'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart', that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming. That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Everyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame'.
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?'
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

GOSPEL READING:

Matthew 14: 22-33;
'Jesus walks on the water'. (GNB)

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray.
When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by this time the boat was far out on the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.
Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost!' they said, and screamed with fear.
Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Courage!' he said. 'It is I. Don't be afraid!'
Then Peter spoke up. 'Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you'.
'Come!' answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. 'Save me, Lord!' he cried.
At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, 'What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?'
They both got into the boat, and the wind died down.
Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. 'Truly you are the Son of God!' they exclaimed.

NOTES ON THE GOSPEL READING:

MATTHEW 14: 22-33:
As the God of Israel showed his almighty power by dividing the Red Sea to save his people, so the man Jesus in this miracle shows his power as God over the elements of nature. No less today he looks for the implicit trust of his people as they are beset by the storms of life's events.
While our faith might often waver, yet his hand will raise us up. We therefore trustingly await his reassuring,
'Peace, be still!'

Bible readings for Sunday 17th August 2014:
Genesis 45:1-15, Rom.11: 1, 21, 29-32, Matt.15:10-20,21-28.

Announcements:
1. This week in the Lord's Service -10th -17th Aug:
This morning - Half-Yearly meeting - after worship.
Thursday - 10.30 am - Ladies Fellowship Group.
Friday - 7.30 pm - YPQ&A.
Wednesday - Studies continue on 'A Hearing Heart'- 11.00 am at the church and 7.30 pm at the home of Phil and Dorothea Worpel, 235 Scenic Road,
Highton. All most welcome to come along!
Saturday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am - 'Sing - along' time. 11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - 9.30 am - Public Divine service - (With Holy- Communion) and Sunday School.

2. LCA 'Ordination' Resources:
To assist members in sourcing information, the link for the "Ordination" resources on the LCA website is: http://owl.lca.org.au/?page_id=47
The link for the "Ordination, We're Listening," page: http://owl.lca.org.au/
The Dialogue resources are under the section headed "Engaging" on that same page.
The direct link is: http://owl.lca.org.au/?cat=6
3. LCA 'Heartland e news':
As a resource in keeping members connected with what's happening within the LCA, the LCA
Heartland e news is available by accessing web site: www.lca.org.au/enews For those without internet access, a copy of the latest e news has
been placed on the notice board near kitchen.
Coming up for your diary:
Tuesday 19th August - 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde.
Sunday 5th October - evening performance by musician, songwriter Robin Mann at St John's Yarra St, Geelong - More information to follow.
Tuesday 7th October - 7.30 pm - Deacons.
Friday 10th October - 9.30 am - Worship Team.
Tuesday 14th October - 7.00 pm - Church Council.