National Lutheran Schools Week 4 – 10 May 2009 Lutheran schools around Australia, sustained by God’s presence and love, join together to celebrate: inspiring hearts, hands and generosity of spirit living out the gospel call to justice making a difference through action and response

Call to Worship Students, staff, parents, friends, rejoice! As students, staff, parents, friends in Lutheran schools around Australia rejoice! We live sustained by God's presence and love. Thanks be to God. We are on a journey; as we work for justice and peace to build community here in our nation, and in other lands, God works with us. As we offer our gifts to all, God blesses us. Students, staff, parents, friends, rejoice! Sustained by God's presence and love we worship God.

Candle lighting This candle symbolises hope for the marginalised, the vulnerable, the dispossessed, the oppressed. May it rekindle our faith and remind us of Christ’s tender mercy and fierce compassion. Song Litany for the journey How beautiful are the feet of those... Who walk, unafraid to be challenged and to change Who have the courage to tread unknown paths

How beautiful are the lips of those... Who speak aloud the gospel of justice Who question deeply why poverty exists How beautiful are the feet of those... Who walk in compassionate love Who walk a partnership of justice, peace, love and friendship – creating the Kingdom here and now How beautiful are the lips of those... Who are the voice for those who have no voice Who give hope to the frightened and who celebrate the goodness in every human being

Hearing the word, thinking about the word Song Prayer (music plays softly in background) Come, Healing Spirit, Spirit of life Help your people everywhere to open their hearts and find ways to build a just and secure future for everyone. When the pressures of the situation bring despair, give us wisdom and courage to face those difficult tasks. Come to us and renew our strength and hope.

Sustain with your power those who in the midst of all difficulties are quietly building the culture of reconciliation, justice, and peace. They may not be many right now, but we remember that the work for God’s kingdom among us started with only a handful of faithful and committed people. Come to us and renew our strength and hope. Fill us with your Spirit. Give us strength for the work that lies before us and the knowledge of your presence in our lives and in your world. Give us the same kind of compassion as those through time have used to help change the world, so that we, too, can be instruments of justice and peace. May our walk of justice, mercy, and humility bring you praise and glory. Come to us and renew our strength and hope. Bless all families in Lutheran school communities in Australia and around the world. Bless the staff in our national and regional offices. Let them know the closeness of your presence and the depth of your love for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Symbolic Action and Sending The chain that surrounds us is a symbol for those who are bound by their circumstances: the vulnerable, the disenfranchised, the dispossessed, the marginalised. Chains imprison. As a sign of our response to their needs, we will break the chain as we go, each retaining a link which in turn symbolises our individual efforts to break the chain of oppression. May God who created you bless you with joy. May God who loves you fill you with compassion. May God who calls you by name be your source of courage and strength. May God who forgives you completely set you free from all that holds you bound. May God bless you and grant you, and our world, everlasting peace. Amen.