Luke 13:18-19. Parable of the Mustard Seed

Welcome

An opportunity to welcome people to the gathering

Responses & Gathering Prayer

Gather us in to the goodness of this place and time.
Gather us in to life.

Gather us in Lord to the warmth and way of your presence.
Gather us in to life.

Open to us the Spirit of new things, wonderful things, as only you can bring.
Gather us in to life.

Lord, open our ears and hearts to your word and presence, that planted once more, like a seed in the ground, we may be encouraged and given new life.

Open our lives and the life of our church community to your word and the way of your Kingdom.
Lord, open our spirits to your Spirit of new growth as your people in the world.

Amen.

Music for Reflection

Suggested Song: Bush Beatitudes
John Coleman © 2008 Revealing The Holy,

Passing the Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.

You are invited to turn to those around you and offer them a word of greeting and peace.

The Word around the Bush

Luke 13: 18-19.

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

The Message

From your Scattered Community Minister or another leader within your gathering.

Questions for conversation

• I wonder what you have heard and thought from the Word today?
• I wonder what you heard in the Word for our church?
• What one action can you or your church take in response to the Word today?

Silence in Two Ways

Spend some time in silence sitting still (suggested 5 minutes). Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert.

• You may like to say the prayer phrase “Mar-an-ath-a” (which means come Lord). Say this as four syllables. Do not try to think or imagine anything. If thoughts or distractions come simply return to saying the word.
• Or you may like “sitting with God” — a silent time in which we focus all our mind, heart and soul on the presence of God without trying to create it. Simply be still and open to God.

Prayers for Others

Eternal God,
where there is hope, you are there.
Where there is compassion and the desire for wholeness, you are there.
Where there is the struggle for peace, you are there.
Where the hungry are fed, and the poor empowered, you are there.
Where there is delight in the trees of the land, or the depths of the seas, you are there.
Wherever love is announced, you are there.

In you is such longing for your creation, and for humanity, and we thank you for that presence of you, in Spirit, in people, renewing, calling, and saving.

In that knowledge, and in our simple faith, we bring our prayers for your creation and for the people of this world.

•O Christ we open ourselves in prayer for:
[silence for personal prayer or invite others to open prayer in between each]

Your creation …
Silence

For others we have hear about throughout our world …
Silence

For other people we know and are close to …
Silence

For our church and our wider community …
Silence

For ourselves …
Silence

Closing Responses & Blessing

Jesus the sower of mustard seeds
send us into the world to reveal your kingdom in all its surprising ways.

Help us to be seeds of hope,
that from small things large trees grow,
birds find shelter and people are drawn to you.

Bless us and the people we meet along the way.

Father,
Son
and Holy Spirit.

Amen.