Sunday Worship 10th August 2025

2 Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek,
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the Cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

3 Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
 
4 Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
 
5 Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

 
Prayers of Approach, Confession and Grace
 
God of truth and justice, you call us to righteousness,
to faith that moves beyond words into action.
We come before you now, longing to be faithful.
 
Merciful God, too often, we have chosen what is easy over what is right.
We have clung to empty rituals but neglected justice,
we have hesitated when you called us forward,
we have let fear silence us instead of seeking your kingdom.
Forgive us, Lord. Renew our hearts,
that we may walk in your ways with courage and trust.
 
Gracious and loving God,
you do not turn away from us but invite us into transformation.
Shape us by your mercy, restore us by your grace,
and lead us in the way of Christ. Amen.
 
Prayer for Illumination
 
Speak to us now, O Lord.
Open our hearts to hear your word,
our minds to understand your calling, and our lives to reflect your love.
Where we hesitate, give us faith. Where we resist, give us courage.
Where we are blind to your ways, give us vision.
By your word, lead us in trust and truth. Amen.
 
Reading   Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 
 
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah… Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!  What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me.  New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation — I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
 
Hymn       Thou Whose Almighty Word
John Marriott (1780-1825) public domain
Performed by St John’s Episcopal Church, Colorado

Thou, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight;
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.
 
2 Thou, who didst come to bring
on thy redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind,
O now to all mankind
let there be light.
 
3 Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy Dove,
speed forth thy flight;
move on the water’s face,
bearing the gifts of grace,
and in earth’s darkest place
let there be light.
 
4 Holy and blessèd Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might;
boundless as ocean’s tide
rolling in fullest pride,
through the earth far and wide
let there be light.

 
Reading   Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
 
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible…By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.  By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’ All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
 
Reading   St Luke 12:32-40
 
Jesus said: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’
 
Sermon
 
I want to begin my sermon by sharing a story from South Korea where I was born and raised. From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese colonialisation. During those 35 years, Koreans were forbidden from speaking their own language, and even their names were forcibly changed into Japanese ones. Young men were taken to the battlefields, and many women were forced into sexual slavery as so-called “comfort women” for the Japanese military. It was a dark and painful time—a time when it was hard to imagine a just world or dream of peace.  But even in that darkness, the light of Christian faith never went out. Church leaders, lay people, and everyday believers held on to hope. They prayed. They stood with those who were hurting. And they clung to God’s promise of justice. Their faith didn’t give up—and it carried them through until that long-awaited day of liberation on 15^th of August, when Korea finally regained its freedom. But the joy of liberation didn’t last long. In 1950, war broke out. And since the armistice in 1953, the Korean Peninsula has remained technically at war, living in an uneasy ceasefire for more than 70 years. Even now, official peace has yet to come. Still, the church continues to pray. Week after week, year after year, we kneel and pray for peace in Korea. We still sing songs of reconciliation.
 
Because even when we don’t see the whole picture, we believe in the God who does. Even when peace seems impossible, we prepare for its arrival. That longing, that hope—that faithful waiting and preparation—is exactly what today’s Scripture readings invite us into.  Today, we will look at three different scriptures. First, Isaiah reminds us that true worship must be connected to justice and peace—it must be a faith that transforms how we live. Second, Hebrews offers us a vision of faith that endures even in the darkest times—a faith that trusts God’s promise even when the path ahead is unclear. And third, Luke calls us to be awake, to stay ready, to become candles in the night—people of prayer and action who bring hope to the world. So, let’s turn now to the three readings. Each one shines a different light on what it means to act justly, live with hope, and to stay ready for God’s peace.
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
 
Isaiah 1 is a message from God directed towards the people of Judah. In verse 1, we learn that this word came during the reign of four kings of Judah, placing it in the late 8th century BCE. It was a time when Jerusalem was flourishing economically. The religious institutions were active. Sacrifices were offered regularly, the temple was full of prayers and songs, and everything seemed vibrant and spiritual on the surface. But Isaiah saw something deeply wrong beneath all the noise and ritual. God speaks through the prophet and says, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah” (v.10). God compares the people of Judah to Sodom and Gomorrah—not just because of moral failure, but because of their injustice. These were cities that had turned their backs on the vulnerable, where the powerful abused their position, and where compassion had disappeared. And God is saying: “When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (v.15). Stretching out hands was a traditional posture of prayer. But God says, I’m not listening. Why? Because those hands were stained with injustice, violence, and the neglect of the weak. You can’t separate worship from how you live. And God refuses to accept worship that isn’t backed by a life of justice and mercy.
 
So, in verses 16 and 17, God says: “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.” What stands out here is the phrase: “Learn to do good” In other words, goodness isn’t something we’re born knowing how to do. It’s something we learn, practice, and grow into. And what kind of “good” is God looking for? Justice. We are invited to be people who live out justice—not just in the big moments, but in our everyday choices. But here is the thing: Living this kind of life isn’t easy. To walk the path of justice, to respond to God’s call, requires something deeper. It requires faith. That’s where our second passage, from the book of Hebrews, comes in. Hebrews reminds us of what it means to live by faith.

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
 
Hebrews 11 gives us a glimpse into the lives of those who lived by faith—not just as heroes of the past, but as real people who show us what it means to trust God in the middle of life’s uncertainties. We’re reminded of Abel, who offered his worship sincerely. Of Enoch, who walked with God and was taken before death. Of Noah, who built an ark when there was no rain in sight—simply because God told him to. But the writer of Hebrews spends the most time on Abraham. And Abraham’s faith is revealed through three key actions. First, he responded immediately when God called him to leave his home. He stepped away from a stable, familiar life into an uncertain future. He didn’t know where he was going, but he went anyway. Second, he wasn’t afraid to live as a stranger in a foreign land. With Sarah, he raised a family in an unfamiliar place, always trusting that God was with them. They held onto the words: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (v1) Third, Abraham and Sarah held on to God’s promise, even when it seemed impossible.
 
Sarah was far beyond childbearing age, but they trusted. She laughed at first—not because she didn’t believe, but because it was so hard to imagine. And still, faith grew even in that laughter. They waited. They hoped. They lived in trust. None of them saw the full picture. They wandered. They raised a son in old age. But they moved forward—because they believed that the One who promised was faithful. The scripture says: “They desire a better homeland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.” (v16)  That line always moves me. God is not ashamed of those who live with longing. God is proud of those who walk by faith, even when the path is unfinished. Even when the answers haven’t come, they keep going—trusting in the One who holds the future. This is the heart of biblical faith. Not just believing that God exists but living as if God’s promises matter more than our fears. Faith doesn’t remove the need for patience. But it also isn’t passive. It’s not about sitting and waiting for things to change. Faith leads us into active waiting. Faith prepares. Faith hopes. Faith moves. This kind of active, faithful waiting comes into clearer view in our third reading from Luke’s Gospel.
 
St Luke 12:32-40
 
Luke 12 makes it clear what we are called to seek. Right before today’s passage, Jesus says: “Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (v31) To seek God’s kingdom means to pray and act for God’s justice on earth now, not just to wish for heaven in the future. It’s the same invitation we heard in Isaiah: the kind of worship God desires is a life that practices justice. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God—and his righteousness. And Jesus makes it practical. In verse 33, he says: “Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out.” In other words, live a life of generosity. Share what you have with those who have less.  Here, we come across an intriguing phrase: “purses that do not wear out.” Jesus isn’t referring to a money pouch meant to keep wealth safe. This purse symbolises a life oriented toward values that do not decay—a life shaped by God’s justice and the vision of God’s kingdom. To store up treasure in heaven means to live now in a way that reflects God’s purposes—to walk in love, to act with compassion, and to seek justice on earth.
 
But to live this way—to give, to act, to stay open—we need to be awake. And that’s the heart of today’s message: Be awake. Be ready. This isn’t about guessing the future or living in fear. It’s about staying awake to the present—remaining alert to where God is already at work.
It’s about carrying the light of God’s peace into a world that so often chooses fear and division.  The kingdom of God isn’t something we passively wait for. It’s something we prepare for, something we participate in.
And at the heart of that kingdom is peace—not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, reconciliation, and love. To be a peacemaker is to live as if that kingdom is already here.
 To notice pain and move towards it.
To hear division and speak hope.
To resist fear and choose love. But too often, we hesitate—held back by fear, or fatigue, or the quiet temptation of comfort.
Still, Jesus calls us: stay awake. Be ready. Live with open hands and open hearts.

Conclusion
 
Together, these three scriptures don’t just offer theological insight—they offer a way of life.  Isaiah speaks a hard truth: worship means nothing if it doesn’t flow into justice. If our prayers never reach the margins, if our songs never move us towards compassion, we’ve missed the heart of God.  Hebrews reminds us that faith is not knowing but moving. Trusting. Living as if God’s promises are already true, even when the evidence is still unfolding.  And Luke calls us to stay awake. To live with anticipation. To prepare for a kingdom that is already among us, not by retreating from the world, but by stepping into it—carrying the light of peace into its darkest corners.  It is faith that brings worship and justice back together, that enables us to walk into the unknown trusting that God is already there,
that keeps the lamps burning even when the night feels long.  So may we live this faith—not perfectly, but courageously.
With open hearts, steady hands, and the light of peace that refuses to go out.
Because the kingdom of God is already breaking in—through us.
 
Hymn       Be Thou My Vision
                 Ancient Irish, public domain, sung by Golden Ears United Church
 

3. Be thou my battle shield, my sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
Raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.

4. Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5. Great God of Heaven, after victory won,
may I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Affirmation of Faith
 
We believe in God, who does not stand far off,
but walks with us in the struggle for peace.
Whose justice flows like a river, yet whose mercy never runs dry.
Who sees the brokenness of our world and still calls us to hope.
 
We believe in Jesus Christ, who crosses every boundary,
who tears down walls built by fear,
who lifts the lowly and challenges the strong,
who calls us to follow in the way of love.
 
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who stirs us when we grow weary,
who moves where we least expect,
who breathes life into our longing for a world made whole.
 
We believe that peace is not a distant dream,
but the work of faith, the call of God,
the task of all who dare to follow Christ.
And so, we will not give up. Amen.
 
Offertory
 
Faith calls us to respond—not just in words, but in the way we live, trust, and give. The gifts we offer today are given not out of fear or obligation, but out of trust in the work of the kingdom. These gifts are not for personal security, but for the flourishing of all. They sustain hope, invest in justice, and take part in healing the world. In this act of offering, we step forward in faith, knowing that transformation is already taking place.
 
O God, we offer these gifts as symbols of our faith and trust.
Bless what is given today—our money, our time, our very selves—
that all may be used to build a world shaped by love,
to bring peace where there is division, to bring justice where there is need.
May this offering be part of your work of renewal and grace. Amen.
 
Intercessions
 
God of justice, mercy, and peace, we bring our prayers before you.
 
We pray for the world,
for lands and lives broken by war, disaster, and greed.
In the face of destruction, give us courage to protect and restore.
 
Silence is kept
 
We pray for those caught in war and conflict —
for the people of Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar
and all places where violence destroys lives.
For leaders with the power to choose peace, give wisdom.
Strengthen all who work to heal and rebuild.
We pray for the healing of the nations.
 
Silence is kept
 
We pray especially for the Korean Peninsula, divided for generations.
For families separated,
for those who remember war and those who fear its return,
for those who long for peace but live in tension.
Break down walls, O God, and move hearts toward reconciliation.
Silence is kept
 
We pray for your Church,
that it may be a voice of justice, a refuge of healing, a sign of hope.
Strengthen those who serve in places of suffering,
and let your people be ready for the work of your kingdom.
 
Silence is kept
 
For all who carry burdens of grief and worry,
we pray for your comfort and peace.
In the silence we remember those who are known in our hearts.
 
Silence is kept
 
God of all things, heal what is broken,
restore what is lost and make us peacemakers in your world.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 
Hymn       We Are Marching in the Light of God (Siyahamba)
South African traditional, v. 1 Anders Nyberg (b. 1955), vv. 2, 3 Andrew Maries (b. 1949) © 1987, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland. OneLicence # A-734713 
Sung by members of the University Presbyterian Church, Austin
 

We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching in the light of God,
we are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, we are marching oh,
we are marching in the light of God,
we are marching, we are marching oh,
we are marching in the light of God.
 
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukha kwenkhos.
Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’,
siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’
nyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siya’ hamba, siyahamba oh,
hamba siyahamb’
ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.
Siya’ hamba, siyahamba oh,
hamba siyahamb’
ekukhanyen’ kwenkhos’.

We are singing in the light of God…