Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

19 October 2014

THIS MORNING'S MUSIC OF PRAISE:
452, 174, 356, 377, 346.

FIRST BIBLE READING:

Exodus 33: 12-23
'The Lord shows his glory to Moses' (GNB)

Moses said to the Lord, 'It is true that you have told me to lead these people to that land, but you did not tell me whom you would send with me. You have said that you know me well and are pleased with me. Now if you are, tell me your plans, so that I may serve you and continue to please you. Remember also that you have chosen this nation to be your own'.
The Lord said, 'I will go with you, and I will give you victory'.
Moses replied, 'If you do not go with us, don't make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth'.
The Lord said to Moses, 'I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you'. Then Moses requested, 'Please, let me see the dazzling light of your presence'.
The Lord answered, 'I will make all my splendour pass before you and in your presence I will pronounce my sacred name. I am the Lord, and I show compassion and pity on those I choose.
I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive, but here is a place beside me where you can stand on a rock. When the dazzling light of my presence passes by, I will put you in an opening in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back but not my face'.

SECOND BIBLE READING:

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10
'Serving God in faith, hope, and love' (GNB)

From Paul, Silas, and Timothy - To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be yours.
We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers. For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.
Our brothers and sisters, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own.
For we brought the Good News to you, not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit, and with complete conviction of its truth.
You know how we lived when we were with you; it was for your own good. You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.
So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere.
There is nothing, then, that we need to say. All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God and to wait for his Son to come from heaven- his Son Jesus, whom he raised from death, and who rescues us from God's anger that is coming.

GOSPEL READING:

Matthew 22: 15-22
'The question about paying taxes' GNB)

The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod's party. 'Teacher', they said, 'we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God's will for humans, without worrying about what people think, because you pay no attention to human status. Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?'
Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, 'You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin for paying the tax!'
They brought him the coin, and he asked them, 'Whose face and name are these?'
'The Emperor's', they answered.
So Jesus said to them, 'Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God'. When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

NOTES ON THE READINGS:

EXODUS 33: 12-23:
At this stage of the wilderness journey to the promised land, the accompanying presence of God had been withdrawn because of the people's persistent stubborn resistance.
Here Moses requests on the basis of the favour God has shown him in the past that God would go up to the promised land with them. Otherwise entry and possession would be meaningless. God's favourable answer emboldens Moses further to ask for an appearance of God for his own reassurance and for the people that despite the seeming restriction of God's presence God's authentic activity was with them. God's reply, made in human terms ('my face', 'my back') expresses the truth that no human being could see his full glory and live. Instead, the Lord promises Moses a partial but sufficient revelation made possible by his loving and protecting grace.

1 THESSALONIANS 1: 1-10:
St Paul felt a tremendous kinship with congregations which had come to Christ through his ministry. We can feel his vibrant joy as he describes what he has been hearing of the Thessalonians' Christian profession. He talks of the power of the word of the gospel which he had proclaimed.
The Holy Spirit miraculously used it to effect a conviction in them which brought results. They not only embraced the gospel through this power by believing it, but continued with a life of faith, hope and love, of joy and steadfastness.
They translated their faith into real life and witness which sounded strongly throughout the region.

MATTHEW 22: 15-22:
This attempt to entrap Jesus with a barbed question was aimed at either discrediting him in the general community or creating a reason to report him to the Roman authorities. The poll tax coin bore Caesar's inscription and was a hated reminder to people of their subservience. Jesus' brilliant answer recognised the reality of the governmental right to impose outward control over the population. However, the whole person belongs to God and therefore believers owe their first obedience to him in everything in which he calls for it. Only in that framework could obedience be given to government.

Bible readings for Sunday 26th October 2014:
Deuteronomy 34: 1-12, 1Thess. 2: 1-8, Matthew 22: 34-46

This week in the Lord's Service - 19th - 26th October:
1. Tuesday - 12.30 pm - Kaffeestunde
Friday - 6.30 pm - YPQ &A
Saturday - 10.00 am - 11.00 am - 'Sing - along' time. 11.00 am to 12 noon - Choir practice.
Next Sunday - Reformation - 9.30 am - Public Divine service - (With Holy- Communion).

For those members intending to come to the Reformation worship service at Araluen, the offering envelopes will be returned to the home congregation.
2. Nominations/Elections 2015:
As previously indicated, the 'Ministry Opportunities 2015' form will be distributed at the conclusion of the worship service this morning and next Sunday.
Members of the congregation are invited to remain to complete this form and when completed, it would be appreciated if this could be left at the church office
before leaving. Pens will also be available.

Coming up for your diary:

Thursday 30th October 2.30 pm - Reformation mid - week worship service (with Holy Communion),
followed by fellowship afternoon tea. All welcome! 

Sunday 2nd November - 'Commemoration of All Saints' - (Non Holy-Communion). As occurred last year, members and visitors are invited if they wish, at
the conclusion of the worship service, to come forward to the front of the altar, to light a candle (as provided), in memory of a loved one. A fellowship
morning tea will follow for which members are asked to bring along a plate of food to share.
Sunday 9th November - Nominations Committee
Thursday 13th November - 10.30 am - Ladies Fellowship
Friday 21st November - 9.30 am - Worship Team
Sunday 23rd November - 2015 Elections meeting
Thursday 4th December - 2.30 pm - Mid-week worship service with Holy Communion, followed by afternoon tea. All welcome!

Additional Announcements:

1. Important - Young Adults In Transition - 2015:
Jemima Juers , LCA Vic. District Youth and Young Adult Ministry Facilitator and Professional Standard Assistant is seeking help in identifying youth and young adult
demographics in our congregation. - viz high school and university/other higher education youth so that contact may be made.
If parents of such young people within the congregation, with their consent are willing to make this known, would they kindly contact Wayne Schulz c/o of the church
office - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone to the church office 03 52 782443 ASAP, so that this might then be passed onto Jemima.
Some support information for families with youth in year 12 or year 12 age and transitioning is being made from Jemimah.

2. Lenten devotional booklets - 2015:

As mentioned preciously as was the case in 2012 and 2013, Pastor Tom of St Paul's, will be preparing a Lenten devotional booklet for 2015. We at 'Our Redeemer' have been
allocated 10 'slots' with selected Bible reading slips and as such are now inviting persons from our membership to contribute a short reflection on a theme that stands out for them
in the Bible reading. If any persons from the membership would like to be contributor, it would be appreciated if you would contact myself either by phone at the church office
03 52 782443, or in person, or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible, so that the remaining devotion slips may be allocated and contributors
allowed sufficient time to prepare their contribution. There are eight 'slots' remaining.

For those who are willing to take on this short reflection and concluding one sentence prayer, it is preferable that responses by electronically prepared, however,
written or typed hard versions will also be received. As is the case with most requests, there is a deadline and all completed reflections are asked to be returned to myself
before Monday 17th November 2014. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask.

3. 'Red Frogs Australia':
If any young people are interested in 'joining the crew' and helping out/supporting this worthwhile and important service for schoolies/leavers, please see notice board rear foyer
of church or pick up a flyer from front foyer. Further information may be obtained from the contacts indicated. An explanatory letter has also been placed on notice board near
church kitchen.

4. Lutheran Media:
The latest Lutheran Media brochure is available from member's church boxes to take home. Members are encouraged to pray for and support this important outreach ministry of
the church.