Lighting the Candle
We light a candle with gratitude for the faithful lives that have come before us as followers of Jesus.
You know that we love you, Lord.
We light a candle with appreciation for the many ways that light and love nurture our journey on the way.
You know that we love you, Lord.
We light a candle with hope and trust in the unfolding flow of the Spirit at work in us, through us and sometimes despite us.
You know that we love you, Lord!
Saint Peter’s Ellerslie – A History in six parts
A chance to connect with story
We’ve heard how this community of faith has changed, grown, evolved and moved. What’s your part in this story? How did you get to be here?
Renewing the covenant
from ‘Be our Freedom, Lord’, by Terry C Falla
God our creator, as you call us together to be your people, we will live by the values and in the hope of your kingdom:
We will value each other and seek to be an inclusive community in which every member is given full justice, dignity and love.
As you call us to follow Jesus, we will model our lives on his leadership and teaching:
In response to your call, we will serve each other and the world as an expression of our obedience.
As your Spirit is given to us, we will seek to discern and act upon your guidance:
We will seek to be sensitive to the promptings of your Spirit in all aspects of our existence and affirm the appearance of the Spirit’s gifts in each other’s lives.
As you have given each of us a part to play in this congregation, we will respect the different expressions and understandings of faith among us:
And together, through these expressions and understandings, we will seek to discover your purposes and directions for our corporate life.
Thus we commit ourselves to deepen our knowledge of you and our love of you:
We will do this in solidarity with one another, through our communal worship, through disciplined spiritual journey, through faithful action in the world, and honest fellowship with each other.
We commit ourselves to this local congregation, for we believe that it is with and through each other that you have called us in love to serve.
We commit ourselves to act upon our discoveries in the faith, for we believe that we are partners with you in bringing the good news to the whole of humanity.
Scripture Reading
The feast day of Saint Peter (and Paul) is June 29th, and there are particular readings assigned for that day. Here is the gospel reading, from John’s account:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.”
(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15-19
Threads of reflection
Peter’s story includes many instances of being drawn into the stretch zone of learning, as well as some experiences of the panic zone. When we are on a learning journey, all of our experiences need to be treated with respect and we need time in a safe place (the comfort zone) to reflect on what happened, to sift through for wisdom and for insight so that we can figure out how to integrate what we have discovered. This is how lasting change and transformational growth happens.
In Peter’s conversation with Jesus, I can see how the comfort zone of the lake, fishing and a simple meal create a safe holding space so that Peter can work through the experience of his three time denial of knowing Jesus. The repeated question evokes the memory, and also allows healing, brings forth courage and commitment at a much deeper level.
Then, Peter is charged to love, nurture, feed and care for God’s people, old and young. Learning flows to leading – but this leading is from a place of brokenness and a place of healing. This is leading from humility and with a tender heart.
How would you like to see our community of faith?
How is our community of faith supporting and guiding you in your learning journey? What might we do, or how might we organise ourselves to support you better? How might learning flow into leading for you? What could that look like in the community?
What might we pray for our church and our community?
Prayers of the people
Blessing
You are God’s servants
Gifted with dreams and visions.
The grace of God flows in you
like a braided river, weaving all things together.
So then, love and serve God, each other and the world
In the strength of the Spirit.
May the deep peace of Christ be with you,
The strong arms of God sustain you
And the fire of the Holy Spirit
Warm your heart and give you joy
