Pilgrim Uniting Church

An invitation can bring a surprising result. There was a Church who employed Edward, a retired pastor, to visit shut-ins. Two of his regulars were sisters in their 90s who live together. He arrived at their home one day to find that Meals on Wheels had delivered Mexican food, which neither sister liked.
"We hate to see food go to waste," said the elder sister.
"Won't you please eat it?" Edward, embarrassed, replied,
"I would feel terribly guilty eating the lunch brought to you by Meals
on Wheels. Why not give it to the cat?"
"Oh, we tried that," said the younger sister. "He didn't like it either."[1]

This morning I’ll explore the theme of Come and see...an invitation.

Two of Johns disciples begin to follow Jesus (1:35 We know that John had disciples)

Andrew Simon Peters brother goes to his brother and says, we have found the Messiah (another title) anointed one, Christ.

Within a short space of time Jesus changes his name as his middle name (presumably) becomes his first name Cephas (Peter) Rock in Aramaic and Petra in Greek.

On Tuesday January 8^th Anita and I and the girls headed to Torquay for a few days at the invitation of Matt Lancaster. None of us had seen the Scripture Union Beach Mission before, of which Matt was aware. So we had an invitation to come and see, see what it is like for yourselves. We were impressed. We felt very welcomed and included. We had a room (happened to be the toy room) as our room to sleep. Rachel and Melissa very quickly made friends with the female leaders and decided that they would sleep in the room with the big girls. Now we have seen for ourselves what the SU Beach Mission is like.

Boys tend to bully each other verbally and physically. Girls tended to bully socially by the exclusion of each other to parties or social events. The bullying could happen by not being invited to a particular event on purpose. But subtle lay talking about the event in front of the person.

As adults pain can be experienced as well when you’re not invited to a birthday party, or a wedding reception, a function of some manner which you held in importance.

On a more positive note when you ask another person, What do you think? A simple invitation which invites a person to share their thoughts or ideas.

During the week there was a news story which highlights the misunderstanding of what an invitation or unwelcomed meeting is like, just ask Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane (Slide 1). These two men left the ship sea shepherd also known as the Steve Irwin (Slide 2) in a dingy and boarded a Japanese whaling ship. They were armed with a note for the ships captain, asking him to cease whaling. Benjamin and Giles have been referred to as saints and others have called them pirates as they boarded a ship apparently without an invitation. Then there was (Slide 3) Corey Worthington who made a mass come and see invitation on my space and 500 youth turned up.

Over two years ago an invitation a call was issued to invite myself to embrace a role and area of ministry in the life of Pilgrim Uniting Church. This invitation and come and see has certainly changed my life. A new Church, a new denomination and some new experiences.

Do you remember this song, Come and see the real thing, come and see the real thing, come and see Come and see the real thing, come and see the real thing, come and see. Oo mama mama mama mama mama mama mow[2]

In 1969, Russell Morris released a song entitled ‘The Real Thing’ which became the largest selling single in Australia that year. Many other artists including Kyle Minogue have also released the song.

The writer of John years before Russell Morris put it in an original form with the words come and see. And John tries to put across to his readers that Jesus he is the Real Thing.

I can’t tell you what God is like! I can only say to you of what my experience of God has been and is.

What will your invitation be this year? Will it be to grow emotionally, spiritually? An invitation to be with and support others? Pastoral Care works on an invitation being accepted. (Slide 4) This is an invitation which is currently displayed on the advertising boards at the top of Westfield Drive:

[1] "All In a Day's Work" by Gerry Vander-Lyn (Readers Digest)

[2] Russell Morris, Real Thing, www.songlyrics.com

This message was preached by Rev Darryn Hickling at
Pilgrim Uniting Church, Doncaster
20 Westfield Drive Doncaster 3108.
Phone: 9889 1138 Mobile: 0403 265 342
darrynhickling@pilgrimuca.org.au
www.pilgrimuca.org.au

Enquiries about the Christian faith are always welcome.