The Uniting Church in Australia

180 Palmerston Street Carlton

Office: 9347 7077 facebook.com/CarltonChurchOfAllNations Pastoral needs: Rev Pam Kerr 0415 660 821 youtube carlton-uca

www.carlton-uca.org

This congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia seeks to be a just, open, hospitable learning community, vibrant in worship,

building relationships with those around us to discover how God transforms lives.

The Church of All Nations, believing in God’s love for all people, seeks:

• to witness to the Christian hope in God’s transforming power;

• to offer worship that is participatory, relevant and welcoming;

• to serve all its neighbours with justice, openness and compassion;

so that it may be a church for all of Carlton. You are most welcome!

Sunday 26 April 2020: Easter 3

Luke 24:13-35

Sun 26 Apr: Worship-in-your-home liturgy for Church of All Nations is included in this bulletin, prepared this week by Rev David Howie (UCA Chaplain with the Royal Children’s Hospital & member of CAN congregation).

Children’s activities related to the theme are in an attachment to this email

And some may choose to follow live- streamed worship from other UCA churches:

10.00 am † St Michael’s UCA, Collins Street Melbourne live streamed: https://stmichaels.org.au/ : Reflection Rev Dr Margaret Mayman Order of Service: https://stmichaels.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/26-April- 2020_3rd-Sunday-of-Easter-Order-of-Service.pdf 10.00 am † Glen Waverley UCA live streamed: https://gwuc.org.au/live/ : Reflection Rev Neil Peters 9.30 am † Brunswick UCA live streamed: https://brunswick.unitingchurch.org.au/ : Reflection Rev Ian Ferguson 9.30 am † Wesley UCA Lonsdale St Melbourne: Order of Service: https://wesleychurchmelbourne.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/26th-Apr-2020.pdf

Wed 29 April: 7.30 am Early Holy Communion Service in own homes by Zoom; Rev Pam Kerr will preside. This is the invitation link to join in: https://zoom.us/j/824228330?pwd=OWZvQXFEWW5KaUtLdVExVnlUY3R4UT09 Meeting ID: 824 228 330 Password: 528885

EMERGENCY RELIEF THROUGH CAN COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Over the last 4 weeks, demand for emergency relief services has more than doubled, with over 80 clients (many with large families) seeking food, phar-macy & bill relief each week. Almost all tell us they have just become unem-ployed; also international students & people on bridging visas suddenly with-out any income, having to make choices between food & rent.

Cash (not food donations) is urgently needed for basic necessities:

Church of All Nations website: http://carlton-uca.org/news/ Donation Link: http://carlton-uca.org/news/

Donations by bank transfer: BSB: 083-004 Acct: 51 529 0801

Please send details of donations to maddie.harrop@cancarlton.com.au for tax deductible receipt (& for our gratitude!).

WITH LOVE TO THE WORLD

The next edition of this little daily Bible study booklet has arrived. This

will cover the Pentecost season, commencing in early May. So those who

need a copy, please let Jill Tabart know [tabart.ken.jill@iinet.net.au;

0418 562 181] so it can be posted or delivered to you this coming week.

There’s usually a few spare copies, so if you’re interested in starting to

use this very helpful resource with your daily Bible reading, please let Jill

know. The cost is $5, and it’s produced 4 times each year.

CROSSLIGHT

The April-May edition of Crosslight is awaiting distribution. We get free

copies for all members of the Congregation of this bi-monthly magazine

of the Synod of Vic-Tas. Within it you’ll find stories of life in Uniting

Churches across Victoria & Tasmania - and this edition covers in detail

the inspiring story of the work of chaplains in the fire disaster in

Gippsland earlier this year. Contact Jill Tabart if you’d like your copy

posted or delivered

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY

Born out of a successful shared Lenten Bible study this year (Zoom video

conference), Rev Dr Craig Thompson from Mark the Evangelist UCA

in North Melbourne is once again inviting CAN members to join with

others from a network of churches in a 5 week series. It’s anticipated

there will be 2 groups, either Wed at 7.45pm or Fri at 1.30pm.

This will be an overview of the Old Testament, utilising some excellent

online materials from Christine Hayes at Yale University - an introduction

to the OT as a whole, as well as an introduction to critical historical work

done on the OT over the last two centuries.

If you’re interested in joining one of the groups, contact Craig:

craig@christologia.net

Sunday 2 May [white]

Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10

Reflection: Rev Ron Townsend

PRAYER CYCLE & CONCERNS

- Church Council & its Committees: Elders, Community Support, Finance & Property, Safe Church - Koonung Secondary College staff & students [Henry Jackson] - those with family in countries where coronavirus is rampant: India, UK, Rwanda, Indonesia, Italy

Congregation prayer cycle: - Emily Evans - Jean & John Evans - Kate Evans + Mark Shedlock, Georgina (2 this wk) - Chas & Ana Fisher, Basti & Cele - Leigh & Geoffrey Fisher

ECUMENICAL PRAYER CYCLE: World Council of Churches

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Kazakh-

stan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

National Council of Churches in Aust Uniting Church in Australia

Council of Churches Western Aust

BIBLE READINGS

Sunday 26 April [white]

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 1 Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35

Reflection: Rev David Howie

Perhaps to Ponder

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do

are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ian Fry: Thursday 30 April

GIVING TO SUPPORT CAN’s MINISTRY & MISSION

To continue giving is easy: just transfer from your bank or financial entity to: BSB: 083-004; Account No: 515 290 801; Name: Church of All Nations

For a receipt: email treasurer@cancarlton.com.au amount & name. [gifts to work of the Congregation are not tax deductible]

Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation,

traditional custodians of the land under God. We commit ourselves to working for reconciliation in this land.

Sunday 26 April 2020 Church of All Nations: Worship in your Home (7)

Rev David Howie

WE SING TIS 376: 1. I know that my Redeemer lives – what joy the blessed assurance gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; he lives, my everlasting Head.

2. He lives, to bless me with his love: he lives, to plead for me above; he lives my hungry soul to feed; he lives to help in time of need.

WE PRAY: Based on a prayer by Ron Gordon: “Dad and Daughter” 2012

Eternal God, our Father, we praise you and thank you for the gift of your Son, crucified & raised by your loving power, who is with us to the end of time.

Lord Jesus, you bring us from darkness into light, from isolation into your presence, from despair to living hope, from gloom to joy.

Through the Spirit you come alongside us, you give us an understanding of the Scriptures & our hearts warm to you.

And when you break bread with us we know you as the Bread of Life.

Lord Jesus, you journey with us in true fellowship, present to us in every time of temptation, doubt and need. When we are fearful of what is happening, you come to us with comfort & reassurance. May we know your love & grace in our hearts as we praise & serve you. We ask in your name. Amen

INTRODUCTION TO BIBLE READING: The story is from Luke’s Gospel: 2 disciples meet a ‘stranger’ on the Road to

Emmaus. We invite you to think of people who’ve been companions on the road of your faith journey.

3. He lives & grants me daily breath; he lives & I shall conquer death: he lives, my mansion to prepare; he lives, to lead me safely there.

4. He lives, all glory to his name; he lives my Saviour still the same; what joy the blest assurance gives I know that my Redeemer lives! Samuel Medley 1738-99

Who have been companions on the road of faith for you?

Each footprint represents a person who’s walked with you in a way that has particularly helped you. Copy as many footprints as you need; write one name on each footprint for a person who’s been a helpful companion on your faith journey. You could place them around your house on the floor…

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD:

Luke 24:13-35

The Walk to Emmaus 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, talking about all these things that had happened. While they were discussing, Jesus himself came near & went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, ‘What are you discussing while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. One of them, Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ Jesus asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘About Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed & word before God & all the people; how our chief priests & leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, & crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and be-sides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.

Moreover, some women of our group astounded us! They were at the tomb early this morning; they did not find his body there, so they came back & told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive! Some of those who were with us went to the tomb & found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘O how foolish you are, how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have de-clared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things & then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses & all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

28 As they came near the village of Emmaus, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening - the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed & broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened & they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up & returned to Jerusalem; they found the eleven & their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed - he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, & how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

WE REFLECT ON THE WORD: “It’s not fair!... I can’t cope… Why is this happening…? Where is God in this suffering? …”

This could easily be the kind of thing the 2 disciples were saying to each other when joined by a stranger on the road to Emmaus on that first Easter evening. This could easily be the kind of thing said by many people across the world coping with the dread-ful health, economic & restrictive social implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic. “It’s not fair!... I can’t cope… Why is this happening…? Where is God in this suffering? …”

In fact, these words have been spoken by parents of sick or injured children at the Royal Children’s Hospital, trying to make sense of what’s happening for their child & family …

First the ‘Bad News’: Jesus suffered, and sometimes we do too!

The disciples are in shock, confusion & grief, as the world they knew had turned upside down. They had witnessed Jesus’ betrayal & trial; they had seen him sentenced to death, crucified on the cross; they believed all their hopes & dreams for themselves & Israel had died with Jesus. To add to the confusion, some women had told of finding the tomb empty, & said Jesus was alive! As they trudged back to Emmaus that night no doubt they complained that things had not turned out the way they’d expected. It is at this point they’re joined by a ‘stranger’ on the road, to whom they share their sadness & confusion about what had happened to the Christ.

Jesus, unrecognised, chides the disciples for their lack of faith & their lack of understand-ing of the Scriptures. He affirms the Messiah’s need to enter glory by way of suffering. The path to resurrection, to new life, is through the Cross. Then Jesus opens the Scriptures up to them & at the end of the evening, when they finally recognise him they recall: “… didn’t our hearts burn on the road, when he opened up the Scriptures for us….”

For Jesus, entrance into glory was through suffering. In our own lives we experience struggle & pain; things don’t always turn out the way we expect.

A significant book for me is by Jewish Rabbi, Harold Kushner: When bad things happen to good people; an attempt to make sense of the premature death of his son from a genetic illness. The key is in the title: not ‘Why do bad things happen…’ but: ‘When bad things happen to good people’. Many of us at different times believe that because we are ‘good’, because we obey the rules & do the right thing, then our lives will be calm & easy. Then if something terrible happens we ask: ‘Why Me?!’ Others know that even if we live truly loving & good lives, it doesn’t protect us from bad things. Our ‘goodness’ or ‘badness’ does not affect what happens to us. Jesus put it this way: “…(God) makes the sun to rise on the evil & on the good; sends rain on the just & the unjust…”(Mt.5:45) … … ...

As disciples of Jesus we also take up our Cross, perhaps knowing pain & suffering; yet finding new life through following our Crucified and Risen Lord.

Now the Good News: The Risen Jesus is present with us!

Jesus, the ‘stranger’, has been walking with the 2 disciples on their journey to Emmaus. He has heard their worries & concerns; he’s offered them reassurance as he expands their understanding of their Faith tradition. Still they do not recognize him. Perhaps as we reflect on our own lives, we might now recognize Jesus in the occasional stranger, acquaintance or colleague, who have encouraged us in our journey.

The tipping point comes at the evening meal. It’s after the disciples implore their com-panion to stay the night, & they gather around the meal table that the penny finally drops. As Jesus takes, blesses, breaks and gives them the bread, they finally recognize that it is the risen Lord Jesus!

The Church has often seen this scene as an allusion to Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist (the Last Supper). This is true; but the story implies a broader understanding of hospitali-ty, welcome and acceptance which assures Jesus’ presence. The Risen Jesus is present not only at the more formal Holy Communion service, but anywhere that strangers are welcomed, people are accepted for who they are, and love and forgiveness is shared.

Last Sunday I saw the ABC program, Compass: ‘A Place to call Home’. I thoroughly rec-ommend you watch it on iView: Series 34 Episode on April 19th. The description of the program reads: “A group of people with mental health challenges have their photo-graphic portraits displayed publicly at the Emmaus Community in Perth. Founder Al Archer (an L.A. musician) reveals his motivation for starting the centre.”

The program charts the conversion of Al Archer, and his subsequent vision to establish a community for people suffering from mental health issues. We are introduced to a number of the residents as they are privately shown their photos; and we are gently shown the way the community is a place of acceptance & grace. The culmination comes when the community with family & friends gather around a celebratory meal for the unveiling of the photos.

In settings such as the Emmaus Community in Perth ... in the community gathered around CAN Community Support agency who care for & support each other ... in the multitude of contexts where people offer each other forgiveness, love and acceptance ... in our own individual lives & as a community of faith ...

… the Risen Christ is present.. Thanks be to God!

WE PRAY: [Light a candle (real or imaginary) for each prayer you bring to God]

May this Candle I light be more than itself! May it be for:

... the touch of a loved one … the smile of a child … the cleansing of fresh rain … a garden of flowers … a meal shared … a pet to pat … a cup of cool water … a seed bursting in hope … a moment shared between friends.

May this candle be for: … healing for sickness … closeness in the midst of loneliness … comfort in times of stress

May it be a light shining in the darkness: … a hope … a prayer … a blessing

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power & the glory are yours, now & forever. Amen

WE SING TIS 602 1. O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee: I give the back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths the flow may richer, fuller be.

2. O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.

BLESSING Go in peace; share the good news of life as you walk the resurrection road;

may you know the company of the Christ along the way. In all your joys & sorrows, at all times & places, may resurrection light

shine on the road ahead, surround you with grace, & uphold you with peace & purpose in your life. Amen

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee: I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee: I lay in dust life’s glory dead, & from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be. George Matheson 1842-1906