Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Luke.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for 5th Sunday after Epiphany 2025
MAY the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
Simon is frustrated, tired, and weary. A long night of fishing was unfruitful. He’s caught absolutely nothing. In the morning, Jesus finds Simon washing his nets. He tells him to launch the boat and let down the nets. Oh great! A rabbi telling me, a professional fisherman, how to fish. Simon initially objects, but finally concedes.
Let’s look at what happens when God pursues a frustrated fisherman:
1. When God pursues the frustrated, He convinces them of His power.
God is able to do in seconds what Simon was not able to accomplish all night! The miraculous catch of fish produces in Simon a contrite spirit as he marvels at the power of Jesus. The catch is so amazing that the nets are breaking and the boats are sinking. In other words, the point is: this is an utterly unprecedented catch of fish in a location that seemed hopelessly unproductive the night before. <PAUSE> It was caught at the powerful and authoritative word of Jesus.
2. He reminds us of our human weakness and unworthiness.
How does Simon respond to the miraculous catch of fish? “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” Simon sinks to his knees in awe. “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” In other words: “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinner. If you only knew to whom you were speaking! My spirit is dull and my heart is weary. Depart from me!”
Thankfully, our frustrations and weaknesses do not disqualify us for service in the name of The Lord. The same power that prompts Simon to fall before Jesus’ in contrition and humble worship now lifts him into God’s service.
3. He commissions us to serve Him and participate fully in His ministry.
What does Jesus ask Simon to do? What is He asking us to do? <PAUSE> Catch people for Him.
In verse 10, “Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not fear, from now on you will be catching people.’” Fishing for people - gathering from among the nations a people for His name. Gathering those who are trusting in Christ alone for salvation.
Fishing and shepherding are two enduring metaphors and images of Christian ministry.
Catching, and caring for, people who will be empowered to catch others.
Look at Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 4. When God Pursues the frustrated He causes them to value Him above all else.
Simon and James and John respond with hearts overflowing with the value of knowing Jesus: “When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.”.
THIS is what it means to follow Jesus: he is more valuable to us than anything else.
I count everything as loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8).
<PAUSE>
Yes, and all of this comes from one person’s frustration followed by an encounter with Jesus.
Life isn’t easy. Things can be terribly frustrating. You will often hear people say things like, “Why is this taking so long?”, “Why is this happening to me?”, “Why can’t I solve this?”
The Lord doesn’t always bring our frustration to a speedy end. However, we are “works in progress”. The Lord hasn’t finished with us yet! So, if you have something in your life that you wish weren’t there that has caused you a measure of frustration, I can guarantee you this:
The Lord is pursuing you in order to show you four things: How great is his power, how great is your need of His pardon, how vital it is to adopt His purpose, and how vital it is to value him above all else.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. AMINE.
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Gracious God, thank you that You call some of us to be apostles, sent out to do Your work. We pray for all who respond and obey when they hear Your voice. We pray also for those who have a ministry in their daily lives of work, family life or community, who daily bear witness to the gospel in all that they say or do. AMEN.
<Longer pause for personal reflection>
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Holy God, whenever we fail to care for our brothers and sisters throughout the world, the way is opened to destruction, and hearts are hardened. We recognise our responsibility to encourage and uphold one another and to live together in peace and love. We also recognise our needs and our human weaknesses and come to You now with our prayers and petitions
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, thank you for our world and the places where we live. Help us all to be mindful that we are all created equal in Your sight and accept our deep regret that despite this there is still so much inequality to be found. Help us to remember that You want us to be good stewards of Your creation, living responsibly in the lands and seas of the earth. May all future growth be sustainable and may we ensure that its abundance is fairly shared for the good of all.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, Lord, help us to use our influence within our families and communities to bring peace, joy and fun into people’s lives, instead of stirring up strife. Help us be reliable and honest in what we do, and friendly to all who we meet in our daily lives.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, friend of those in need, your Son Jesus can free us from our burdens and heal our bodies and spirits. We pray for those still burdened, those seeking healing, those in need within our communities and across the world.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, when death separates us from those we love and we find it hard to live without them, lift from us all sadness and help us to remember that death has no power at all over the peace You give and that the love we shared with our departed loved ones goes beyond the grave.
Today we especially raise before you our sister Deb who was called home last week. Comfort all those left behind who mourn her passing and may she, along with all the faithful departed, now spend peaceful eternity gazing upon the face of The Risen Christ.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Everlasting God, in the weeks ahead help us to conduct our lives with dignity, always giving and expecting respect, always praying before taking action and following each action with prayerful thanksgiving.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
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 from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
