Fourth Sunday in Lent, 2025
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 whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and 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 Fourth Sunday in Lent 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>
The thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion that the much-loved parable that we all refer to as “The Prodigal Son” may, in fact, also be called “The Perfect Father”. <PAUSE>
So, close your eyes, think back - here are some words about our earthly fathers :
Mender of toys, leader of boys,
Changer of fuses, kisser of bruises,
Bless him, O Lord.
Mover of couches, soother of ouches,
Pounder of nails, teller of tales,
Reward him, O Lord.
Hanger of screens, counsellor of teens,
Fixer of bikes, chastiser of tykes,
Help him, O Lord.
Raker of leaves, cleaner of eaves,
Dryer of dishes, fulfiller of wishes,
Bless him, O Lord.
My own dad taught me so much - how to work hard, be honest, do everything you can the best you can, and to love your family.
You are most blessed if you had a caring, loving father to bless your life.
BUT …
The model for all fathers is our Father in heaven.
The gospel parable that we all know so well, and hear again today, has a focus on the great and gracious love of the Father.
It contains the very distilled essence of the good news that Jesus came to bring us.
Over the years, I have shared this parable with so many people, but never in the context of “The Perfect Father”. Since, for me, the hero of the story is the father, and so I thought this might be a good approach for this message. Let’s consider the gifts this father gives his kids that make him an amazing dad.
And maybe, JUST MAYBE, we can give these same gifts to those around us. First, the father in the parable gives:
Firstly, Freedom to make mistakes.
This is so important as it reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect to belong to God’s family in Christ. Well, just as well … look at me … my mistakes have been, and continue to be, many!
Secondly, Forgiveness with a another chance
Remember, forgiveness is never earned. It is an undeserved gift … Just as well … look at me … God forgave MY sin in Jesus name.
Thirdly, Favour.
He bestows unmerited, undeserved favour. The father deeply loves both his children, to the point that he takes the initiative to pursue each one, regardless of how it may affect his financial standing or his reputation. His children matter to him most … look around … see God’s children … and He loves each and every one.
So, today’s parable is often labeled, “The Prodigal Son.” The word “prodigal” means “reckless spend-thrift,” one who spends out of control.
However, Timothy Keller, the late American pastor, wrote a wonderful book entitled, “The Prodigal God.”
In that book, Keller points out that God The Father, recklessly lavishes his grace and forgiveness on us, more than we ever deserve. He says, “God’s reckless grace is our greatest hope.”
Freedom, forgiveness, favour - the great gifts from Our Father In Heaven to us. <PAUSE>
Freedom, forgiveness, favour - the great gifts to give to our children. <PAUSE>
Freedom, forgiveness, favour - the great gifts WE can give to anyone. Spouse, partner, friend, neighbour, relative, work colleague. ANYONE. <PAUSE>
In Christ, if we share the gifts we have received, then … to God be the glory.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMEN>
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, during Lent we come to you aware that we are not prepared for the awesome Easter message of Christ’s suffering and death and his glorious victory of resurrection. So help us as, we offer our intercessions and thanksgiving, to truly understand the tremendous gift of Easter.
Today on Mothering Sunday we give thanks for our faith communities and earthly families and the mothers who bore us.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Loving God, we come before You today aware of how You call us to be like Christ.
We remember that You made us in Your own image and that You gave to us mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, people to love, enjoy and work for and people to pray for and we are thankful.
As we think about our family, help us to remember our own sinfulness before You and how You forgive it and so make us, within our families and the wider world, to be messengers of Your reconciling love, grace, forgiveness and favour.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for those who are in need of a healing touch today; for children who are hungry ; for families threatened by war or insurrection; for the sister who is very ill; for the father who soon will be dwelling in your kingdom; for the prodigal who left home in haste leaving behind uncertain parents; for the mother who is living in a house of fear especially as the war s and violence continue in places around the world.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, we pray for ourselves, that we may have the courage to be witnesses to the power of sharing and to the values of global community. As we eat and drink, help us to pray for those who have laboured to bring the food to our table. Fill our hearts with compassion for our brothers and sisters around the world, so that we acknowledge our common humanity and dignity.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for all those who are unwell and for those who are of special concern to us at this time.
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
Everlasting God, we remember before you those who brought us into this world, raised and cherished us and made us what we are today especially those who we love but see no longer and we ask that you be close to all those who are grieving today over the loss of a loved one.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have 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 be worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Father God, our heart-felt prayer today, is but this, bless our family, and help us be a blessing to it. Touch all those who are mothers to us or to others. Anoint with your healing goodness our brothers and our sisters, smile upon our children and help them to grow.
(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.
