Memorial Service I debated for some time what passage

							Memorial Service

Psalm 23                                                     I debated for some time what passage of Scripture
                                                             to read today but I chose the well known Psalm –
1 The Lord is my shepherd:
                                                             Psalm 23.
therefore can I lack nothing.
                                                             The fires were in the area I grew up and where I
2 He will make me lie down in green pastures:                served as an Archdeacon in the Diocese of
                                                             Melbourne. Being a farmer’s son and shearer I
and lead me beside still waters.                             was aware of not only the immense human loss
3 He will refresh my soul:
                                                             and tragedy but the loss of animal life, farms,
                                                             along with many other businesses, that have been
and guide me in right pathways for his name’s sake.          destroyed.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,   Also today we think of the people of Ingham and
I will fear no evil:                                         the Southern Gulf who have been or are still in
for you are with me,
                                                             flood – the third biggest wet ever for the Gulf area.
                                                             This very day is the first anniversary of the
your rod and your staff comfort me.                          Mackay floods. There were many who just didn’t
                                                             know what to do and once again, homes and
5 You spread a table before me in the face of those who      property was destroyed
trouble me:
                                                             Psalm 23 is perhaps the best known of the 150
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be
full.                                                        Psalms.

6 Surely your goodness and loving-kindness                   In Victoria and also in Ingham many people are so
                                                             lost and bereft. Many are so grief stricken and
will follow me all the days of my life:                      heart broken and don’t know where to turn next.
                                                             Others are in hospital some with massive burns.
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Some are exhausted just fighting the fires and         loving and caring way, they need to be supported
managing containment lines.                            and cared for – they need to lead to where they can
                                                       access the best help and care and the list goes on.
Many need shepherding. A shepherd’s role is not
uniform.                                               We give thanks to God for all who have responded
                                                       to these people in their need, the needs that are so
A shepherd cares for the safety and welfare of the     diverse, for their love and care.
sheep and is aware of their physical condition and
situation. The shepherd cared for the sheep with       We offer what we can do through our thoughts and
wounds. We give thanks to those who are pouring        prayers as well as through our donations. As
oil on the physical as well as the emotional           Christians we pray that the great shepherd of the
wounds.                                                sheep – Jesus Christ himself will hold all these
                                                       people in His arms. All those who have gone
A shepherd in the days of our Lord went out in         through over a week of flooding and through the
front and sheep followed behind because the sheep      worst natural disaster in our nation’s history and
knew the voice of their shepherd. We pray for all      we pray that the goodness and mercy of the Lord
who are providing leadership at this time whether      may follow these dear folk all the days of their life.
it is upfront or working as teams.

A shepherd finds water and pasture for the sheep.
In other words the shepherd is concerned with the
nurture and well being of the sheep. We pray for       The Right Reverend William (Bill) Ray
all who are seeking a place for people to rest their   Bishop of North Queensland
heads by night and explore their future options by
day.                                                   Sunday 14 February 2009
The shepherd protects the sheep.

So many people from Victoria at this time need
shepherding - not in a dominating way – but a