COCU Index

COCU Year A (with coding system as used on this website. Also available here)
World Council of Churches (WCC) ecumenical prayer cycle here

Year A 2023
COCU 13A 5th February Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Ord 5A; Epiphany 5A)
COCU 14A 12th February Sixth Sunday after Epiphany (Ord 6A; Epiphany 6A)
Valentine’s Day 14th February
COCU 17A 19th February Transfiguration Sunday (last Sunday before Lent)
21st February Shrove Tuesday
COCU 18A 22nd February Ash Wednesday
COCU 19A 26th February Lent 1
COCU 20A 5th March Lent 2
COCU 21A 12th March Lent 3
COCU22A 19th March Lent 4
COCU23A 26th March Lent 5
COCU24A 2nd April Palm/Passion Sunday

Holy Week 
COCU25A Monday 3rd April
COCU 26A Tuesday 4th April
COCU 27A Wednesday 5th April 
COCU 28A (Maundy Thursday) 6th April
COCU 29A (Good Friday) 7th April
COCU 30A (Easter Saturday) 8th April
COCU 31A (Easter Sunday) 9th April

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World Week for Peace Palestine Israel (15-22 Sept 2022)

 

The third week of September is the annual World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (WWPPI). It includes the International Day of Peace. This week is a time for people of faith to join together in worship and prayer in support of an end to the occupation of Palestine.

This year the World Council of Churches have set the theme as “Faith, Hope and Love in Action: Towards Justice in Israel Palestine.” They invite folk all over the world to engage in some way, whether through prayer, advocacy or showing solidarity for those in the Holy Land who are striving for a better future with no occupation. Resources are available to download and share during your church service, bible study or in general conversation. Did you know that Palestinian Christians live in thenorthern part of the West Bank, not just in the well-known cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Read about one such father and founder of the organisation ‘Salt of the Earth’, from the town of Burqin.

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COCU58C.25thSeptember2022

Readings
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15: In spite of his prophecies of the destruction of Judah, Jeremiah buys his cousin’s field and proclaims God’s word that people will again buy property in the land of Judah.
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16: God promises refuge, protection and long life to those who trust in God.
1 Timothy 6:6-19: Followers of Christ are encouraged to be content with what they have, not to strive after wealth, and to share generously with others.
Luke 16:19-31: Jesus tells a parable about a wealthy man who failed to share with the poor beggar outside of his gates, and who finds himself in torment after death, while Lazarus, the beggar, finds himself in comfort.

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COCU57C.18Sept2022

Readings
Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1Psalm 79:1-91 Timothy 2:1-8Luke 16:1-13

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September 11th

peace 9 11 sculpture

9/11 sculpture

The sculpture consists of an iron beam pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center held up by two stainless steel hands. The hands holding it up are constructed from 2,976 individually crafted stainless steel doves – each representing a victim of the attacks.

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COCU56C.11th September 2022

(see also anniversary of 9/11 – resources here)

Readings:
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

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Season of creation

2022 theme: Listen to the voice of creation
God’s creation moans ever louder and suffers more every day amidst the ongoing climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. Rev. Rachel Mash, Provincial Canon for the Environment in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, said: “We are recovering the sense of wonder at how the world was made, and we need to reclaim the theology of why it was made. We need to listen to creation so that we can move from a theology of plunder back to a theology of wonder.” She and the other leaders encouraged all Christians to embrace the ecumenical Season of Creation and recognize how as one global Christian family united for our common home, we can be a force for so much good. Continue reading

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COCU55C.4September2022

Readings:
Jeremiah 18:1-11;
Psalm 139:1-6,13-18;
Philemon 1-21;
Luke 14:25-33

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COCU54C.28August2022

Readings
Jeremiah 2:4-13: God speaks out against God’s people who have forgotten God’s salvation and turned to other gods – God’s people have abandoned God who is the fountain of living water and have dug cracked cisterns for themselves.
OR Sirach 10:12-18: In pride people have departed from God, and God has brought them low and put the humble and lowly in their place.
OR Proverbs 25:6-7: Don’t push for a place of greatness. Rather wait for an invitation than be humiliated.
Psalm 81:1, 10-16: God brought Israel out of Egypt, and longs for Israel to listen to God and follow God’s ways, but they want nothing to do with God.
OR Psalm 112: Those who fear and obey God, who are generous and righteous will know a life of goodness, confidence and richness.
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16: Words to live by: Love one another and be hospitable, share the pain of those who suffer, be faithful in marriage, be content with what you have and follow the example of faithful leaders.
Luke 14:1, 7-14: Jesus advises his followers not to take places of honour at feasts, in case they be asked to move and are humiliated. Rather, he invites them to take seats at the foot of the table, so that if they are invited to a better place, they will be honoured. Further, when hosting dinners, he encourages them to invite those who cannot repay – the marginalised and rejected.

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August 23rd International Day for the remembrance of the slave trade and its abolition

Article 1 of the United Nations Slavery Convention defines slavery as “the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised”.

The following information is written from the perspective of Australian history during the colonial period. It also introduces the reality of modern day slavery. There is MUCH to explore in the history of slavery in Australia, for Aboriginal people, Pacific Islanders and others (eg coolies from China) but a summary will suffice at this point. Prayers are included at the end.

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COCU53C.21August2022

Readings
Jeremiah 1:4-10 
Psalm 71: 1-6
Hebrews 12: 18-29
Luke 13:10-17

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