Order of Service – Sunday 23 August 2020 – PENTECOST 12
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Order of Service 23 August 2020
CALL TO WORSHIP
The God of new beginnings has called us to this place.
We come to celebrate the new life that God offers all people.
Be patient. Be attentive. The creator God is here.
In our singing and in our praying and in the silence, God is here.
HYMN: 454 “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness”
RESPONSIVE READING
Son of Man, You build Your Church on both the strength and frailty of Your disciples. Pour out the riches of Your grace that with diverse gifts Your Church may further Your Kingdom ….
Nothing should prevail against Your will.
Son of Man, before You nations are humbled. Remove the fear that leads to oppression and contempt that diminishes human worth ….
Strengthen all that leads to cohesive living.
Son of Man, You bring to birth hope and new life. Bless all who work in social and medical services, caring for the sick, the elderly & the needy…
Wrap all life in Your tender love.
Son of Man, You fulfil the hopes and dreams of all ages. Be with all who long for relief from their suffering ….
Anoint us with Your Holy Spirit.
Jesus, Holy One, You are the Word of eternal life. Strengthen and encourage Your Church in declaring Your love ….
Keep us faithful however difficult is the message we proclaim.
Jesus, Holy One, surround with Your spiritual armour all who defend the vulnerable and powerless. Give courage to leaders to advance the cause of all with equality ….
Sustain the integrity of those under pressure where conflict or selfishness would triumph.
Jesus, Holy One, You knew the companionship of friends and the pain of people turning away. Be with the lonely and those who have been abandoned ….
May we be secure in Your love and affirmation.
Jesus, Holy One, speak Your words of peace to any whose mind is troubled. Bless us all whatever our distress ….
Open Your ears to our cry.
HYMN: 446 “Glorious Things of You are Spoken”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
And now, defeated on all fronts and completely forsaken, like a feeble cripple, I am rejected; I am banished that I might perish. Worn down by multitude of blows, I was captured by death and deprived of grace. I seek mercy with a shameful face. I, who have committed all manner of sin, pray for all the dead living in You. For You are able, with infinite ingenuity, to save dying mortals like me. For You everything is possible. Especially since You have power that knows no limits, and You take delight in exercising Your will for good. Therefore, when these two illustrious and renewing graces come together – power and will – the despair that afflicts the race of sinners is lifted away and the light of Your good news arrives with Your prescription to heal our souls, Lord of all, blessed forever. Amen. (St. Grigor Narekatsi 951-1020)
Father God, creator and sustainer, we pray forgive and heal us.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
“If anybody sins, we have one who speaks to the Father on our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1b-2)
HYMN: 599 “Take My Life and Let It Be”
PRAYER
Mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, You stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of Your risen Son, we will share His resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be Your people.
Creator of the universe, You made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever Your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of Your name.
O God, Your Son remained with His disciples after His resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbours.
As His disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbours with whom we share it.
Prayers of the people (in silence)
Open our hearts to Your power moving around us and between us and within us, until Your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.
Prayers of the people (in silence)
Guide us in the path of discipleship, so that as You have blessed us, we may be blessed for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom nearby our words and deeds. Amen.
Prayers of the people (in silence)
Receive these prayers, O God, and transform us through them, that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand not only what You do on our behalf, but what You call us to do so that Your realm will come to fruition in glory. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask You, hear our prayers. Amen.
HYMN: 572(ii) “O Thou Who Camest from Above”
BIBLE READINGS
Romans 12:1-8 (Page 1123) Matthew 16:13-20 (Pages 972-973)
MESSAGE: “What About You? Who do You Say I Am?”
HYMN: 222 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”
OFFERING – “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. (Acts 20:35)
HYMN: 611 “God of Grace and God of Glory”
BENEDICTION
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, brothers and sisters. Amen.
To contact Krikor call 0418 417 411
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au
Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740