Sixth 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):
Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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 6th 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>
Today, I’d like to talk about “Happiness”. Happiness is different things to different people; that’s what happiness is.
What are some of the happiest moments in your life? When you think back, when were those times when you were enormously happy? Can you think of such moments? I can. So can you. I can remember those times of wonderful happiness.
Meeting our partners. The birth of a daughter or son or grand-child. A meal with friends. A sporting occasion. It’s very personal - what happiness is for us all.
Here is another question for you: What places make you the happiest? What are places that create an inner smile inside of you? For some of you, it is when you are out in the countryside hiking, walking, running (silly me!). For others, it has to do with water such as fishing, swimming or boating. For others, it can be the kitchen, the garden, your family room and so on.
A final question. What are those ingredients that help you to be a happy person? What are those things or qualities that enable you to be happier and not sadder? Food? Clothing? Good relationships? Roof over your head? Money in the bank? Good family? Good friends? Knowing that you are loved? All of these? Some of these?
I’ve asked these questions because the gospel lesson for today is the beginning of the “Sermon on the Plain” where Jesus says, “Blessed are the …” and in several modern Bible translations that has been ‘re-written’ as “Happy are the …”
What is Jesus teaching his disciples? What is Jesus teaching us at this point in time about His inner core of beliefs? Does he teach us about prayer? About reading scripture? About love and justice? No. Jesus begins with something much more basic and simple - - - His fundamental lessons are about a transformed life with God. <PAUSE>
The Beatitudes, are NOT just a list of blessings; they ARE a radical call to live in a way that reflects the values of God’s Kingdom. They challenge our worldly understanding of happiness, success, and power, and invite us into a life of humility, mercy, and peacemaking.
According to Luke, the fundamentals of life with God that Jesus reveals to us are built around four “blessings”, “four happinesses” (if you will) - to “the poor in spirit”, to “the hungry”, to “the weeping”, to “the reviled”.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." To be poor in spirit is to recognise our spiritual poverty before God. It is an acknowledgment that we cannot save ourselves, that we need God’s grace and mercy. In a world that values self-sufficiency and pride, Jesus calls us to humility. When we empty ourselves of pride and self-reliance, we make room for God to fill us with His presence and power. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who know their need for God. <PAUSE> “
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.” This speaks to a deep, insatiable desire for God’s righteousness - a longing to see justice, holiness, and goodness prevail. It is a hunger that cannot be satisfied by worldly success or material possessions. Jesus promises that those who seek God’s righteousness will be filled. This filling is not just a future hope; it is a present reality as we experience God’s presence and work in our lives. <PAUSE>
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” Weeping here is not just about grief over personal loss; it is a deep sorrow over sin, brokenness, and the suffering in the world. Jesus promises comfort to those who grieve, not by removing all pain, but by being present with us in our sorrow. God’s comfort is a foretaste of the ultimate healing and restoration that will come when His Kingdom is fully realised. As we weep, we are reminded that God is near to the brokenhearted. <PAUSE>
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.” Jesus warns us that living according to the values of the Kingdom will often bring opposition and persecution. Yet, He calls us to rejoice in the face of such trials, for our reward in heaven is great. Take persecution is a sign that we are living counter-culturally, standing for truth and righteousness in a world that often rejects God’s ways. <PAUSE>
So, when Jesus spoke to his newly called disciples, He first taught about the essentials, the fundamentals, the core of his teachings.
I have always believed that The Beatitudes are an invitation to live in a way that reflects the values of God’s Kingdom. They challenge us to embrace humility, righteousness and mercy, the presence of God with us, and accepting that some times we will face hardship.
Christ calls us to these things in a world that often values the opposite. As we live out the Beatitudes, we become a light to the world, pointing others to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Let us pray for the grace to live as Jesus taught, so that we may experience the true blessedness, the true happiness, that comes from living in alignment with God’s will.
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.
Holy God, help us to hold high the standard of Your teaching, even when it is hard to apply it to our modern way of life. May we strive to never lower Your standards, or to change what You teach, but to pray diligently for a realistic understanding of the happiness You want for us in every aspect of our lives. 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
Gracious God, we pray for Your blessing to be upon our communities and for Your presence to be seen vividly in what we do and say each day. We pray that Your joy and Your love will flow freely in and through us and that we might never be seen by those around us as falling short of the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, drive away despair from our politics, revive our dreams of justice and truth, and restore our passion for what is good and right. Establish Your just and gentle rule throughout the world especially where there is conflict; where peace seems so far away and so many have lost everything, realise our hopes for a peaceful future for all.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for our faith communities, that each of us might make use of our individual talents enabling each faith group to flourish as a witness to the "One Body" of Christ in order that your gospel may be effectively taken out into every part of the world.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we ask for Your healing touch on all who are ill or suffering. We especially pray for any we know who are experiencing emotional pain or are broken in spirit through personal or family problems.
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, give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that by casting their cares on You they may find the strength to face the days ahead.
May all the faithful departed, now spend peaceful eternity gazing upon the face of The Risen Christ as they rest in peace having risen in glory..
<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, send us out into the world, renewed by our worship and strengthened by our fellowship through “FaithaLight” so that we may be a testament to the Gospel of your son Jesus Christ being determined to bring healing and reconciliation to our wounded world.
(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.
