|
|
August 12th, 2018
“Anger to Love”
Sentence: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph 5:1-2
Collect: God who is the source of love, our teacher in love, love itself, transform each one of us that we might together be a healthy body living that love. May we live a courageous love where anger transforms the harm of injustice and oppression into justice and liberation. Amen.
Readings: 2 Sam 18:5-9,15,31-33
Psalm 130
John 6:35,41-51
**********************************************************************************
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK…
Today 12 Aug 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
Wednesday 15 Aug 10 00am Holy Communion
Thursday 16 Aug 11.15am Choir Practice
Friday 17 Aug 12 noon Midday Prayer & Meditation
Sunday 19 Aug 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
2.00pm Concert
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
REGULAR EVENTS
Tuesday 9.30am Rhythm and Dance
Wednesday 6.00pm Community Meals on the first Wednesday of the month
Thursday 9.30am Selwyn Care
11.15am Choir Practice
12.30pm Community prayer
Friday 8.30am-noon Op-shop - Always needs good clothes
9.30am-noon Cuppa and chat
12 noon Midday Prayer followed by Silent Prayer
3pm-4.30pm KFCC (Kids Friday Church Club)
1st Saturday each month - Devonshire Teas, Carboot sales and Op-Shop open from 8.30am
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday 9.30am Rhythm and Dance
Wednesday 6.00pm Community Meals on the first Wednesday of the month
Thursday 9.30am Selwyn Care
11.15am Choir Practice
12.30pm Community prayer
Friday 8.30am-noon Op-shop - Always needs good clothes
9.30am-noon Cuppa and chat
12 noon Midday Prayer followed by Silent Prayer
3pm-4.30pm KFCC (Kids Friday Church Club)
1st Saturday each month - Devonshire Teas, Carboot sales and Op-Shop open from 8.30am
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The practice of the gift of anger
Directions
When God created humankind, we were given bodies, minds, and emotions. Despite this, we tend to deem certain emotions acceptable while branding others unacceptable. Why is this so? How can we honour the gift of all our emotions? At this station, we will explore anger – how we can express it without burying it or feeding it, and how we can use it without harming others. Jesus himself became angry at times, and in Ephesians 4:25—5:2, the writer not only permits us to be angry but outlines how to channel that anger in a constructive fashion.
Begin by lighting a candle – an invitation to God to be present during this time of reflection. Quietly read over the Ephesians 4:25—5:2 passage, particularly focussing on verses 4:25–27 and 4:31–32.
As you contemplate the questions below, you may choose to respond by writing in your journal or prayerfully colouring in the sun and moon illustration.
Reflection questions:
Is there something I’m angry about that I’m not acknowledging?
Is there something I’m angry about that I can’t stop thinking about?
Am I reeling from a fresh wound?
Am I feeding an old resentment from an ancient wound?
Am I angry about the treatment of another person or group?
Is there a situation on the world stage I feel helpless about?
In her book, The Language of Emotions (Sounds True, 2010), Karla McLaren explains that the purpose of anger is to alert us that something needs to be protected or restored. Is there something you need to protect or restore on your own behalf or someone else’s?
Ask God to be with you as you permit yourself to experience this challenging emotion.
Read over the Bible passage again. What guidance does it offer on how to express your anger? Is God drawing your attention to a particular phrase?
The purpose of anger is to impel us to take action. What action is God calling you to take? Does one or more of the following call your attention: Release the pain; forgive; speak up; lend my voice to someone else; withdraw; take action?
Conclude this session by offering a prayer of thanks to God for being with you and guiding you in your life.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Directions
When God created humankind, we were given bodies, minds, and emotions. Despite this, we tend to deem certain emotions acceptable while branding others unacceptable. Why is this so? How can we honour the gift of all our emotions? At this station, we will explore anger – how we can express it without burying it or feeding it, and how we can use it without harming others. Jesus himself became angry at times, and in Ephesians 4:25—5:2, the writer not only permits us to be angry but outlines how to channel that anger in a constructive fashion.
Begin by lighting a candle – an invitation to God to be present during this time of reflection. Quietly read over the Ephesians 4:25—5:2 passage, particularly focussing on verses 4:25–27 and 4:31–32.
As you contemplate the questions below, you may choose to respond by writing in your journal or prayerfully colouring in the sun and moon illustration.
Reflection questions:
Is there something I’m angry about that I’m not acknowledging?
Is there something I’m angry about that I can’t stop thinking about?
Am I reeling from a fresh wound?
Am I feeding an old resentment from an ancient wound?
Am I angry about the treatment of another person or group?
Is there a situation on the world stage I feel helpless about?
In her book, The Language of Emotions (Sounds True, 2010), Karla McLaren explains that the purpose of anger is to alert us that something needs to be protected or restored. Is there something you need to protect or restore on your own behalf or someone else’s?
Ask God to be with you as you permit yourself to experience this challenging emotion.
Read over the Bible passage again. What guidance does it offer on how to express your anger? Is God drawing your attention to a particular phrase?
The purpose of anger is to impel us to take action. What action is God calling you to take? Does one or more of the following call your attention: Release the pain; forgive; speak up; lend my voice to someone else; withdraw; take action?
Conclude this session by offering a prayer of thanks to God for being with you and guiding you in your life.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIFIC PRAYERS THIS WEEK...
- Pray for our Rest Homes, Rhoda Read and Kingswood, all their staff and residents.
- Pray for the people in Indonesia after the earthquake which has killed many and left many more devastated. We pray especially for the people of Lombok, Denpasar and Bali where the worst damage seems to be.
- Pray for our hospitals and other health services as they struggle with the needs of patients and a lack of resources. We give thanks for the doctors, nurses and other health workers for the wonderful job they do.
- Pray for comfort and healing for all who are unwell.
- Pray for those who mourn a loved one