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There is a hearing loop available

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‘Celebrating and sharing the love of God’

PROPER 6A (second Sunday after Pentecost) 14th June 2020

Counters: Janny, Robyn Midweek Church Cleaning: Lois Flowers: SATURDAY HC 6pm, Hymns:

Arrival Team: Kay, Rich Ushers: Dean, Ruth Cleaners: Sharon, Noel

Reader: Rich Music: Erwin Audio/Visual:

SUNDAY HC 8:30am Organ HC, Hymns: Arrival Team: Ushers: Margaret, Rainer Cleaners:

Reader: Music: Yovela Audio/Visual: Yos

SUNDAY HC 10:20am Band HC, Songs: Arrival Team: Ushers: Monica, Rob Cleaners: Robyn,

Reader: Music: Jon Audio/Visual:

Welcome back to worship at St John’s. Thank you for your support in keeping each other safe by following the hygeine and physical distancing policies.

May God bless us all as we gather to worship him in these ‘new’ circumstances.

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK

M: Let us pray for dedication in following Jesus. [Silence for reflection] Jesus, our Saviour,

C: Thank you for giving up everything for us, and making us your people. Live within us, and teach us to follow you without counting the cost. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY

Exodus 19:2 – 8a A kingdom of priests, a holy nation

Psalm 100

Romans 5:1-8 Christ died for the ungodly

Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23) Jesus sends out the Twelve

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

M: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your compassion. Lead us to

work for you and proclaim your kingdom. C: Amen.

Welcome to Worship! We’re so glad you have chosen to be with us today. Please relax and enjoy the music before the service starts. Quiet your heart before God. Ask him to meet with you and teach you today. We invite you to fill in the welcome form from the pew information holder and place it in the offering bag with your offering. Please join

us for coffee or tea and a friendly chat between services.

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“Agnus Day cartoon appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org"

OFFERING PRAYER

C: Thank you, Lord, for calling us and giving us so many gifts, both physical and

spiritual. Help us to go out and serve you by showing your compassion and love

to others. Amen.

PSALM 100 (NLT)

I: Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! II: Worship the Lord with gladness. I: Come before him, singing with joy. II: Acknowledge that the Lord is God! I: He made us, and we are his. II: We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. I: Enter his gates with thanksgiving; II: go into his courts with praise. I: Give thanks to him and praise his name. II: For the Lord is good. I: His unfailing love continues forever, II: and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

PRAYER AFTER HOLY COMMUNION C: Jesus, our Saviour, in this sacrament, you have given yourself for us, and have

strengthened us as your people. Live within us, and teach us to follow you without counting the cost. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lutheran Church teaches that HOLY COMMUNION is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and drink to strengthen us in faith and service. This sacrament is for baptised Christians who repent of their sins, believe in Jesus as their only Saviour, and intend to live as God wants them to. If you have any questions please speak to an Elder or Pastor.

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WORD SEARCH – PROPER 6A

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICES During this time of transition, Pastors André & Peter will

be conducting worship services on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month. This service will be

repeating the weekend worship services & is for any person who would like to attend.

OFFERINGS If you have a cash offering it will be placed in the basket on

the usher’s desk as you come into church for the worship services. It’s

still not too late to give your offering via REG. A regular weekly payment

can be made (direct debit from your bank account) to the LLL. The form isn’t

needed if the money is coming out of your bank account. To download a direct

debit request form (for your employer) please go to:

https://www.lll.org.au/files/1279_direct_debit_request.pdf?v=633 When completing the form our

church account details are: A/C name: Perth St John’s Lutheran Church Inc REG A/C BSB:

704-942; Account: 100173128.

MEN’S STUDY & PRAYER Our Saturday Morning men’s Prayer and Study group has started again. All men are welcome

to join. We are currently reading Freideman Hebart’s One In The Gospel (reflecting on the

Lutheran Confession in ‘The Formula of Concord). Contact Pastor Peter for more information.

WEDNESDAY ‘ZOOM’ STUDY Every second Wednesday from 1-2pm you are welcome to join in an ‘on-line’ zoom study group

going through the Spirit Filled (Normal Christian Living) study book. This week (Jun 17) we

are looking at Chapter 2 – Meeting the Holy Spirit in Person. Contact Pastor Peter for more

information and for log-in details.

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OFFERING SUMMARY

The summary of offerings received for the year to end May 2020 is as follows:

Breakeven amount needed each month: $28,600

Budgeted offerings each month: $20,000

Offerings – received for month of May 2020: $17,860

Offerings – cumulative amount received for year to end May 2020: $93,021

Due to the offerings received to date, our expected (2020 budget) annual loss as

projected will be increased from -$46,358 by -$6,979 to -$53,337

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Proper 6, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost (A) – Matthew 9:35 - 10:8

Tips of Discipleship: Be On a Mission Focus Question: How do you partner with Jesus in his mission? word of life “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37 (NRSV)

Read Matthew 9:35-10:8 After Jesus is baptized, he spends time being tested and prepared in the wilderness. Once his ministry is launched, he proceeds to call his disciples and trains them about his mission. Jesus expands his mission outreach efforts by commissioning and sending his disciples.

1. What is important for Jesus to teach his disciples in their first year together?

In the Gospel of Matthew, by the end of chapter nine, Jesus is heavily engaged in teaching, proclaiming the good news, and curing illnesses. He has compassion for those he meets on his travels “because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36 NRSV)

2. What does it feel like to be harassed and helpless? 3. What does it mean to be a sheep without a shepherd?

Jesus sees great need and hunger in people as he travels throughout the cities, villages, and countryside. He compares it to a harvest time when the crop is ready and laborers are needed. If there are not enough laborers to maximize the moment, then the full benefit of the time is lost.

Jesus believes prayer is the first step. To pray is to acknowledge a need for assistance, particularly in dealing with people who have needs. The laborers of Christ still need a shepherd. Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37 NRSV) It is not just laborers who are needed, but those open to labor for Christ.

4. How might prayer assist in getting laborers? 5. Why might the Lord be concerned about the harvest?

God has blessed Jesus with laborers – his disciples. Thus, Jesus gathers his own disciples whom he has called, and gives them authority to heal. It is interesting to note the disciples listed in Matthew 10:2-4 are in pairs. Perhaps these are the missionary teams sent by Jesus.

6. What would it feel like to be a student of Jesus and commissioned to heal and cast out unclean spirits?

7. Is this our calling today? How so? 8. Describe how you imagine the life of the disciples during their first year with Jesus.

Jesus gives clear instructions to his disciples to not interact with the Gentiles. The time is not right to harvest that crop. Jesus places a priority on the Jews and requests his disciples to begin their work with them in very specific ways. He mandates, “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast our demons.” (Matthew 10:7-8 NRSV) Plus, do it without pay.

9. What is the most surprising aspect of the commissioning of the disciples?

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Word among us

Homer’s home congregation was struggling. No doubt about it. There was controversy over the color of the new women’s bathroom, the hymns sung at worship, and even about where to allow the children to drink their punch after worship. All aspects of church life seemed like such hard work. It appeared to Homer like his beloved congregation had lost its focus and mission.

1. What advice would you give Homer? 2. If a congregation loses its focus on mission, what can be done? 3. Describe a congregation centered on the mission of Jesus Christ.

Homer’s grandson lived out of state. He had fond memories of summers spent with his grandfather, so he pursued his first job after college graduation in Homer’s hometown. Proudly, Homer took his grandson to church, but he became embarrassed by all the bickering heard before and after worship. Over lunch, Homer shared his profound sadness about his congregation which had lost its way despite the profound needs of his community. He had a sense of urgency as he expressed concern over his church’s apathy. It was his grandson who suggested beginning with prayer. They committed to pray daily for a change of direction for Homer’s church.

4. How might prayer impact the situation? 5. How do you explain a congregation which loses its way? 6. How might some new members help change the direction of a congregation?

Jesus compared the opportunities of his day to harvest time. He was well aware of the urgency associated with the season of harvest. There was no time or reason to procrastinate. Jesus knew workers were needed to do specific tasks in a timely manner.

7. How is it “harvest time” for your community? 8. How does your congregation understand and implement the mission of Christ?

In order to expand his mission, Jesus - called his disciples and sent them out by twos. They were asked to do tasks beyond their human powers. Specifically, they were asked to cure, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and even cast out demons. They could do none of this without God’s Spirit empowering them to do so.

Jesus continues to call disciples to be sent out on his mission – to do those things beyond their human capabilities. There is such need as people search for meaning and healing in their lives. Today – no matter the season of the year – is harvest time.

9. What does it mean for you to partner with Jesus Christ in mission?

Prayer Christ, thank you for calling me to follow you and to serve as your disciple. Help me to grasp your mission and ways to partner with you. Amen Dig Deeper Romans 5:1-8 last word Each day, prayerfully ponder the opportunities to partner with Jesus in mission.

Daily Discipleship Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade

Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided above copyright notice is included. www.elca.org/evangelism/dailydiscipleship

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COVID-19 HOPE Spots!

HOPE Spot #17: 5 June 2020

Yesterday Jonathan had to help do a little video.

It’s for an online Chapel for a Lutheran School doing Walk My Way.*

He got a pair of his son’s smelliest thongs (think chook-yard / mud / teenager) …

… and shared how the refugee children you help go to school through ALWS often

arrive barefoot

… having walked for weeks through stones and scorpions and snakes

… (not to mention attacks by bandits and rebels and wild animals).

One of the first things you do for these refugee children is provide what they

call ‘slippers’ and you and I call ‘thongs’.

That led Jonathan to share with the students how Jesus washed the feet of

his disciples.

Those feet would have been filthy, sweaty, stinking, plastered with donkey poo …

Yet Jesus got down on his hands and knees and washed those feet.

Then called on us to do the same. “And if your Lord and teacher has washed your

feet,

you should do the same for each other.

I have set the example,

and you should do for each other

exactly what I have done for you.”

John 13:14, 15 (CEV)

What do you think about that?

While COVID-19 means we need to wash our hands clean, at the same time we need

to get our hands dirty! That’s what you do through ALWS…

The dirty work – ‘slippers’ for battered feet, food for hungry bellies, toilets for

protecting against disease.

The difficult work – caring for people with disability in communities that have never

before regarded such people as precious and important.

The dangerous work – in places like war-torn South Sudan where ALWS has secured

a new 9:1 Grant to help returning refugees ($18 per person).

Sometimes that dirty, difficult, dangerous work can leave you feeling worn-out and

weary.

That’s why today we take you to Nepal to meet a young mum keeping her

family safe because of the 10:1 COVID-19 help you give.

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HOPE Spot #17: continued.

Ambika will inspire you:

“I was hearing the radio message

for the frequent hand washing.

However there was no soaps in my house

due to the lockdown situation,

and no income source to me

to bring to my family.

I was so happy to see the 4 pieces of soap

for me in the relief package …

… I heard that the soaps

were managed by the Lutheran

which has been supporting for us

for our income generation.

I would like to thank to the Lutheran team

and local government

for this support to me.”

That’s YOU Ambika is thanking!

Not just for the soap … also the ‘radio message’ … also the ‘income generation’ … and

also what you see in the back right of the photo – a Lutheran Long Drop Loo!

When we look at Ambika washing her hands…

… we may think of Pilate when he washed his hands of Jesus, allowing him to be taken

away and murdered.

Right now, it seems we are living in a time of chaos and confusion, hate and hurt.

As the world’s eyes turn to the horrors happening in the United States, we thank God

that people like you continue to watch out for people in the world’s poorest

countries.

You have the vision to see the people still in great danger from COVID-19, still

threatened every day by poverty and injustice, still forced from their homes to flee as

refugees.

You DON’T wash your hands of people like Ambika …

… instead you get your hands dirty

… and ‘wash feet’ with your humble acts of service.

What a blessing is your kindness – thank you!

* You can watch Jonathan’s message for online chapel at the Lutheran School in the 6

minute video here

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THIS WEEK AND BEYOND

NEXT WEEK’S WORSHIP – Proper 7 21st June 2020

Bible Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Ps 69:7-10, 16-18; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39.

Roster volunteers for next week (21 June) will be advised by email during the week.

SUNDAYS 10:45am Grace Lutheran Chinese Worship in Hall

MON-FRI 11:30 – 1:30pm AA meet in T3

MONDAYS PASTOR ANDRÉ’S Sabbath (Day of rest with God)

TUESDAYS 7 - 8:30pm AA meet in T3

2nd & 4th WEDNESDAYS 11am Worship service in the Church

THURSDAYS PASTOR PETER’S Sabbath (Day of rest with God)

THURSDAYS 10 – 1pm ART CLASS in the Teaching Rooms

Tuesday 16 June 6.30pm WinGS

Saturday 20 June 8.30am Men’s bible study group

Saturday 20 June 6pm Adult confirmation of Melvyn Sutanto

Sat 20 June 2pm German worship service

Tues 23 June DCC Meet

Fri 26 June 5.30pm Confirmation class in Hall

Fri 26 June 8pm Youth

DUTY 6pm Sat HC 8:30am Organ HC

10:20am Band HC

11am Wed HC

Arrival Team

Ushers

Cleaners

Reader

Music

Audio/Visual

Church Cleaning

(midweek)

Flowers

Counters

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CONGREGATION MINISTRY CONTACTS PO Box 8199, Perth BC WA 6849 Email: stjohns@stjohnsperth.org.au PH: 9227 8072

www.stjohnsperth.org.au

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am – 4pm. *EMERGENCY MATTERS PLEASE CALL THE PASTORS’ MOBILES*

Pastor André Meyer

Pastor Peter Hage

SUNDAY AT ST JOHN’S

SAFE PLACE

St John’s is a SAFE PLACE approved congregation. If you wish to report a matter of harassment or

abuse related to the ministry of this congregation then please phone the SAFE PLACE COORDINATOR.

It is never too late to report abuse or harassment.

Our church uses the SafePlace Safety Management System as an expression of our concern for the

safety of all people in our care.

Our Safe Place Coordinators are: Ruth Brisbane & Sharon Reid

Chair: Armin Bartels Elders: Mark Altus, Steve Lamont, Vice-Chair: Michelle Sellner Sharon Reid, Yos Tamba. Secretary: Kathy Wilson

Treasurer: John Spicer

Property: Dean Solmundson

Council Members: Sean Hotinski,

Negasa Hunduma, Solomon Megharaj,

Eloise Muller, Noel Reid.

Care Ministry: Rebecca Lamont Children’s Church: Heidi Spicer, Jodie Belke Fellowship: ? Small Groups: Pastors Worship: Sharon Reid Youth: Zach Offszanka

FAMILY ROOM is available when children become restless in church - entry is at the rear of the church. The sermon & service can be heard from inside the room. CHILDREN'S CHURCH: Held during the Sunday 8:30am service (in the school term) in the Teaching rooms, from 8:45am. All are welcome. LITTLE LAMBS: For 0-3 year olds. Held in the Lounge during the sermon in the 8.30 service (during school term). A parent must stay with their child. MORNING TEA/COFFEE is available between services. ST JOHN’S CAR PARK: Parking is free Sunday mornings until 12:30pm. At all other times parking fees apply. A parking pass must be displayed on the dashboard on weekdays. The pass is available from the office. Please note that parking is available across the road at CIT car park on Sundays for services, as well as on the side of the road.