North Rocks Community Church

03/06/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂

Beloved God,
Holy One - Sacred Three
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀
Bringing us home to you,
𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵
and to ourselves
𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲.

Through the fire of Spirit continue to sanctify your church:
Burn away our fears
𝗨𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Dissolve our anxiety about survival
𝗠𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿
Free us from inertia
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲.

Make us, together, more like Jesus the Christ so that we may:
Share our food and wealth with the hungry and disadvantaged
𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀
Use our power for healing and truth telling
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.

And as messy communities of sinners and saints may we continue to:
Worship You, Holy One - Sacred Three, in spirit and truth
𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹
Delight in Your beauty
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲-𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴
Give love and receive love, give love and receive love, and give love and receive love
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆.

May it be so,
Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗗𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀
𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿: 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲, 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲

02/06/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬: 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

God of many Talanoas (stories) and witness,

As we celebrate 49 years of the Uniting Church, we give thanks for the communities that have shaped us. For congregations gathered in bustling cities and regionals towns, for elders who carried faith before us, and for new voices continuing to breathe fresh life into Your Church.

You created us in your image, to love one another just as much as you love us.

At Pentecost, Your Spirit moved among many languages, many peoples, many ways of hearing and understanding; all were drawn together by the good news of Christ.

Teach us to see diversity not as a barrier, but as a gift. Where fear or difference divides, make us people who choose welcome. Where others feel unseen or excluded, teach us to widen the circle with grace.

We pray for the whole Uniting Church. For every community seeking to live out Your love across cultures, generations, and places. May we continue becoming a Church where each person is honoured, where every voice matters, and where belonging is shaped not by sameness, but by the grace of Christ.

God, we thank you that we are united in You, that our diverse nature is created in your image and may you empower us to be people called to welcome all.

We pray in the mighty name of Jesus,

Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗙𝗮𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮) 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘂
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗦𝗪 & 𝗔𝗖𝗧

01/06/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟵: 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

Gracious God,

We thank you for the 49 years of the Uniting Church in Australia. We look back with gratitude for the pioneering spirit that united Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian traditions, trusting in your call to be a pilgrim people.

As we mark this anniversary in 2026, we remember the 1977 Statement to the Nation. We renew our pledge to uphold the dignity of every human being, to seek corrections of injustices, and to challenge greed and self-interest within our nation. In the Spirit of that inaugural promise, we commit again to standing with the poor, welcoming the stranger, and caring for your creation.

Lord, you call us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. Guide us to be a reconciling presence in a divided world, and to walk together as a First and Second Peoples in truth and healing. As we look toward our 50th year, empower us by your Holy Spirit to go forward in self-giving love, serving as a sign of the kingdom you are bringing to all humanity.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gives us life and hope,
Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

31/05/2026

https://youtu.be/f4X2iFViris

Preacher: Rev Dr Rod Benson

31/05/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴: 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲

God of life and light,
we come to this time of prayer with grateful hearts, knowing that the joy of Jesus, the Risen One dwells within us. (John 15:11)

In a world that often feels restless and uncertain may we find ourselves resting in you.

Forgive us when we place more trust in ourselves and our own faith rather than in your abiding presence and faithfulness.

Remind us again and again that that we are held in your love. Breathe on us Holy Spirit with your peace and faithful discernment.

May your peace steady our hearts, softens our words,
and strengthen our resolve to be agents of reconciliation in your world.

Where there is anxiety, let us carry calm;
where there is division, let us sow unity;
where there is despair, let us be bearers of light and hope.

Remind us … lead us … to rediscover what it means to be your disciples:
to follow with courage, to listen with humility,
to serve with generosity, to love and forgive abundantly.

Renew in us a passion that reflects the grace we have received through Jesus.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our teacher and guide, we pray.
Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗹
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

30/05/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟳: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆

Gracious God – Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit,
on this day you gather us as one Church,
across this wide land – many cultures and voices.

Your Word reminds us: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… For in the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body” (1 Corinthians 12).
And so, we come, listening, trusting that your Spirit is already at work among us.

Teach us to listen deeply:
to your Word that gives life,
to one another in all our diversity,
and to the wisdom of First Peoples,
with whom we walk in covenant.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you call us to be woven together in your love,
not erased in our differences but held together by your grace.
Where there is distance, draw us close.
Where there is misunderstanding, grow in us patience and humility.
Where there is hurt, lead us in truth, healing, and renewed trust.

Holy Spirit,
breathe upon your Church again.
Renew us for your mission.
Shape us as a people who listen before we speak,
who discern together,
and who follow where you lead.

We give thanks for the signs of your presence among us
in quiet faithfulness, in courageous leadership,
and in communities seeking to reflect your love across every boundary.

Make us one, O God,
one body, one people, sent in Christ’s name.
Amen.

Questions for Reflection
• Where is the Holy Spirit inviting us to listen more deeply?
• Whose voices might we need to hear more clearly in our life together?
• What does covenant look like in practice in our community?
• Where do I see Christ’s love already weaving us together?
• What might the Spirit be renewing or reshaping in us at this time?

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

28/05/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟱: 𝗔 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹

Loving God, Creator, Redeemer and Friend, who is never an act that isolates or separates us. You open us to love the people entrusted to us, but also to discover a way of looking kindly on those we find hard to love, those we do not see, those voices we do not hear.

Breath your Spirit, the Spirit of peace and love, upon us, so that little by little we can go forward.

Taizé chant – My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Trouble not your hearts. My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Be not afraid.

Renewing Spirit, the words of Christ are the way that leads to life, the way to ever greater loving. When we look at how you lived amongst us, we understand that love is far more than a good feeling. It is a gift of ourselves for people you entrust to us, which make your presence tangible.

We pause to remember the saints of the church.

Taizé chant – My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Trouble not your hearts. My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Be not afraid.

Holy Spirit guide us in Christs way. Remind us that in Christ we find the courage to listen, the right words, an ever-flowing spring that quenches our thirst and gives us hope.

By raising Jesus from the dead, you show us that nothing can separate us from your love. Where obstacles and resistance arise, may the Spirit persevere in seeking ways to reflect your mercy, your kindness and your grace.

Taizé chant – My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Trouble not your hearts. My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Be not afraid.

Communion of God, your presence remains a mystery to us. We know that you walk with us, but so often we do not see you. We know you speak to us and through us. We read your scriptures and we share in the bread and wine in memory of you.

And in the silence of our prayers, questions come from deep within us.

You knock at our door, passing gently into our lives. You are there deep within us. We long to live and understand your loving. Renew us with your Spirit.

Taizé chant – My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Trouble not your hearts. My peace O leave you, my peace I give you. Be not afraid.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘆
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱

27/05/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟰: 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵

God of covenant and transforming communities, for 49 years you have gathered your people across the width and breath of the church like woven mats rolled out to welcome all, across islands, cities, and generations.

Through calm rivers and rough seas, through change and new beginnings, your Holy Spirit has continued to move among us. Sometimes like the rushing wind at Pentecost and other times like waves upon the Moana but always calling us back into covenant with you and with one another.

As we celebrate the life of the Uniting Church, God teach us again and again how to listen.

Like the disciples gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2), may we recognise your Spirit speaking through many voices and Talanoa, held together by grace. Similarly, like 1Samuel 3:10 in the night, may we answer, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”.

God, we remember the Moana (ocean) and Fonua (land) that sustains life, but it groans under rising seas and wounded creation. Teach us to listen not only to one another, but also to the cry of the earth and may we do all that we can to protect it for generations still to come.

Remind us that covenant is a living promise. Like ancestors guiding the vaka by the stars, trusting that even in unfamiliar waters, you are present and leading still.

God, continue to shape us into your Church, that listens deeply as your covenant people, guided by the Holy Spirit.

In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗙𝗮𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮) 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘂
𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗖𝗧

26/05/2026

Today on National Sorry Day, we remember the Stolen Generations, children who were forcibly removed from their families. We continue to stand with survivors and their communities.

This year's theme, From Sorry to Action, set by the Healing Foundation, calls on governments to take urgent, tangible steps within survivors' lifetimes. We stand by that call.

Twelve years before the Australian Government apology in 2008, the Uniting Church Assembly affirmed a formal apology to the Stolen Generations , and acknowledged the Church's complicity in intergenerational harm and trauma. That history carries a responsibility, not just to remember, but to act.

National Reconciliation Week follows from tomorrow, 27 May to 3 June. May we walk this week, and every week, with honesty, humility, and commitment to justice. 🖤❤️💛






Image Credit: Healing Foundation

26/05/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯: 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁
𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀: Genesis 9:16 (The everlasting covenant) or Ephesians 2:14.

Jesus Christ, our Brother and Redeemer,

You are the cornerstone of our unity, the one who breaks down the walls of division. We bring before You today the Covenant between the UAICC and the Uniting Church in Australia—a sacred promise to walk together, to share power, and to seek truth.

We confess that fulfilling this covenant is hard work. It requires us to face painful histories and uncomfortable truths. Give us courage, Lord. Do not let us settle for a cheap reconciliation that bypasses justice. Where trust has been eroded, pour out Your healing balm.

We pray that the wider Church will honour this covenant not as a document on a shelf, but as a living, breathing relationship. Woven together in Your love across cultures and boundaries, may we become a true reflection of Your kingdom—where First Peoples are respected in our sovereign identity, and Second Peoples walk beside us in humility and truth. Renew our shared vow to be a destiny-bound people.

Amen.

𝗥𝗲𝘃 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗨𝗔𝗜𝗖𝗖
𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮