About the Author: George Stuart
We are all part of this wonderful Cosmos, always have been and always will be. This unknowable life-force-energy mystery, which I am comfortable calling ‘God’, has been, is, and always will be the active creative force in this changing, expanding and evolving wonderful Cosmos. And in ME!!!
For leaders of the church service
These Sundays are Seasons of Creation Sundays, so, each different aspect of creation is the focus of each Church Service. This Humanity Sunday gives the church a golden opportunity to celebrate the mysterious wonder and the beauty of humanity.
All my life, I have been taught by the church that I have been created ‘in the image of God’. This is one of the fundamental teachings about human beings that has been given to me by the church.
The following church service was conducted by George Stuart at Toronto New South Wales in Australia March 2021.
In the pursuit of ‘Truth-Telling’, I believe the church has some difficult ‘Truth-Telling’ to do about our past particularly regarding our sacred book, the Bible. Why the Bible? Because it comes to us from our somewhat distant church past. This ‘Truth-Telling’ is not absent but I believe it has to be far more obvious to the general public and also needs to be given more voice within the church to help our members confront the issues this ancient book raises. By this, I believe the church may gain again some credibility in our world today.
I need to address this important subject because prayer is such a significant part of public church services and also it can be a vital part of one's personal religious life. Some people engage in praying very frequently and regularly. Some people call it a time of meditation, a quiet time, time given to God, or something else. For many people, they feel it is an important way in which they can grow in their personal relationship with God. However many in the church have serious questions about prayer; how it works and if it does.
We wish you love, like soft and kindly blessings We savor from a fire’s gentle glow; Reminding us that life is good and friendly, That warmth and tenderness can always flow.
Prayers are a significant part of public church services. They can also form an important part of one's personal life. Some people engage in praying frequently and regularly. For some it is a formal, repetitive experience, performing the same ritual at the same time each day; for others it can be a long or short intimate time of spontaneous, deep reflection/sharing. For some it can involve significant searching for a way through the maze of life, while for others it may be the outpouring of grief, sorrow or thanksgiving. For many it is a time of self-reflection or contemplation of one’s particular situation.
Can we get inside this story, Try to think as lepers thought? Totally despised, rejected; Life for them was worse than naught.
The ‘Sacred’ has so many names By which we do adore The mys’try of the universe, The ever puzz’ling ‘More’.
Look at Jesus; hear the story; Probe the purpose of his life; See the struggle and the glory, All the conflict, all the strife.
Searching for the Christmas spirit – Is it heard when angels sing? Is it found in deeds of merit? Is it heard when church bells ring? Come and treasure Jesus’ memory; All the beauty it can bring.
How do we celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world? Is it not by trying to follow his teachings and example by loving, by being generous in our giving, by being aware of those who are lonely and trying to befriend them, by being inclusive of those who are different and by bringing hope to our troubled world? Celebration and challenge; that’s what Christmas is for me.
Miracles of human birthing – We but stand in silent awe. God in each and every earthling Gives to life its sacred core. Come and ponder all the mystery of new life that we adore
God is the love that feeds my soul; God is the love that makes me whole; God is the love that flows from me; God is the love that sets me free.
To live as fully as we can In every human way Is to fulfil our sacred right Each moment of each day.
When I pray I feel more deeply; Reaching out with thanks and praise; When I pray I think more deeply; Pondering life’s puzzling maze;
I look about, and when I do, I see the wond’rous sight Of the cycles of the cosmos, changing darkness into light; When I ponder on this miracle, I’m swamped with great delight; God’s resurrection way!
Love is the source of comfort and delight; Love shines in darkness, bringing us the light; When we despair and purpose seems at an end We long for love on which we can depend.
The life of Jesus shows a way Of living life in love each day. He lived with kindness, but was strong In striking out against all wrong.
From a very different culture, Flowing from some ancient place, Stories in our sacred scripture Authored by a diff’rent race.
The outside shed where Jesus lay Was home to goat and ox; It was a dirty place to be; Fit for the shepherds’ flocks;
In the mild mid-summer pleasant winds can blow; Balmy zephyrs soothe us; wafting to and fro; Christmas has its beauty; Mary’s pain is past; Lullaby her first born; parents’ joy at last.
