7 July 2013

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

7 July 2013

THIS MORNING'S SONG'S OF PRAISE:

313, 326, 191, 413,
292.

FIRST BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 66: 10-14 'Rejoice with Jerusalem'

'Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will feed and be satisfied at her
comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.'

For this is what the Lord says: 'I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will feed and be carried on her arm and
dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.'

When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

SECOND BIBLE READING:

Galatians 6: 7-16 'Do good to all'

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. You reap whatever you sow. The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who
sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we
do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be
circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

GOSPEL READING:

Luke 10: 1-11,16-20 'Jesus sends out the seventy'

The Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him
to every town and place where he himself was about to go. He said to them,

'There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in.

Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest. Go! I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

Don't take a purse or a beggar's bag or shoes; don't stop to greet anyone on the road.
Whenever you go into a house, first say,
"Peace be with this house". If a peace-loving person lives there, let your greeting of peace remain on him; if not,
take back your greeting of peace.

Stay in that same house, eating and drinking whatever they offer you, for a worker should be given his pay. Don't move around from one house to another. Whenever you go into
a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you, heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there,

"The kingdom of God has come near you".

'But whenever you go into a town and are not welcomed, go out in the streets and say, "Even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against
you.

But remember that the kingdom of God has come near you!"'...

Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me'.

The seventy-two came back in great joy. 'Lord', they said, 'even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!'
Jesus answered them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and
scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you.

But don't be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven'.

NOTES ON THE READINGS:

ISAIAH 66:10-14:

From the many
powerful motifs surrounding our reading in this last chapter of Isaiah, it can
be seen that the prophet is speaking also about the last times. God would
certainly bestow uncountable blessings through the prosperity of a restored and
rebuilt Jerusalem after the return from captivity. The prophet's words stretch
out far further than this, though. We can apply this picture of Jerusalem as a
doting mother also to God's care of us by the spiritual nurture he gives
through the New Testament church. However, the heavenly Jerusalem will bring
all of God's servants into the perfect security of intimate communion with him
forever.

GALATIANS 6:(1-6)7-16:

For those who are led by the Spirit, there can be no harsh and censorious judgment of a lapsed fellow Christian.

The law of Christ is the law of Christian love, which works from within with a compassionate concern for the sinner. Pride has no place in sharing such burdens - any Christian can
fall. Valid and loving concern also looks after the material wellbeing of full-time workers in the gospel.

Paul finally urges his readers to beware of falling into the hypocritical trap of thinking that an outward ritual act, such as circumcision, can have any saving effect alongside
of Christ's saving work. There is only one thing in which a Christian can take pride, and that is the gift that is bestowed from outside of us in what was
accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ.

LUKE 10:1-11,16-20:

There was urgency for preparation of the people in towns throughout Judea where Jesus purposed to go.

To help speed his own ministry, Jesus sent out the seventy/seventy-two disciples to announce that the kingdom was near.Their commission to heal was further evidence of the Messiah's coming. The rejection of the message which the Lord was so eager to spread was obviously a serious matter. However, the disciples were not to be discouraged.

Their joy upon returning was based on the evidence of success before their eyes. While the Lord also rejoiced, he voiced a deep truth. The disciples were not to be
impressed by the spectacular so much as the fact that they were secure under God's grace.

Bible readings for Sunday 14th July:

Deuteronomy 30: 9-14,

Colossians 1: 1-14,

Luke 10: 25-37

Announcements:

1. This week in the Lord's Service7th - 14th July:

Wednesday
(11.00 am) - Group study at 'Our Redeemer' -recommences 17th July.

For evening group study TBA

Thursday
- 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm - H.C. service with fellowship afternoon tea to follow.

Saturday
-11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice

Next Sunday -
9.30 am - Public Divine service with Holy Communion.

Next Sunday at the church from 5.00 pm - Slide presentation, hosted by Pastor Lester on the 2012 overseas travels. Light meal and supper
provided. All welcome!

2. 'Our Redeemer' web site:

Our website has been revamped and is now up and running. Members are encouraged to use this resource for viewing of announcements, sermons and upcoming events shown
in the 'calendar'.

3. 2013 Half-Yearly meeting:

As previously indicated, the congregational Half-Yearly meeting has been set down (following worship) for Sunday 28th July. A final
reminder that if any adult member wishes to raise items of 'New Business', these might be emailed - ourredeemer@ncable or given at the church office, together with a brief description by this Tuesday.

4. 2013 Christian Life Week Camps:

Another reminder ofthe Christian Life Week Camps being held for young people 13 -18 years, theme

"Me Me's"; at Tandara Camp, Hall's Gap; as follows:

Green: September 23rd - 27th, Yellow: September

30th - October 4th. Please see details in the camper's /parent's letters and registration forms available from the front foyer.

5. Lutheran Media Ministry:

The 'Face to Face' radio and TV guide for July has been placed on the notice board near kitchen.

Coming up for your diary:

Tuesday  16th July - 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde.

Tuesday 30th July - 7.30 pm -   Deacons.

Friday  2nd August - 9.30 am - Worship Team.

Tuesday 13th August - 7.00 pm -  Church Council.