Order of Service – Sunday 15 January 2023 – EPIPHANY 2

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Lord we have come to listen to You and to share with You all that is on our hearts and minds.

      We have come to praise You and to give You thanks.

      We have come because You are worthy and because of our need.

We have come because You are here and because You have promised to go with us when we leave.

      Fill us with Your love and empower us with Your Spirit that we may worship You in Christ. Amen!

Let us praise God who meets our needs and leads us to places of tranquillity and rest.

      Let us praise God who comforts us and replaces our fears with overflowing love.

HYMN:       142       “Glory Be to God the Father”

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Lord, we thank You for the splendour with which You have filled all creation; for the immensity and extent of the universe, which defies our understanding; and for the beauty of our world, which is greater than our words to describe it.

We praise You for the place You have given us in Your creation.

Thank You for those who, through words and pictures, through music and writing, have added to the beauty of Your wonderful world; thank You that we reflect Your image when we desire to create that which is good.

Thank You for all who are transformed by the sight of beauty, the touch of love, the care of compassion, the challenge of Your word, the assurance of forgiveness, and the presence of Christ.

Thank You, most of all, for the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and for those moments when You break into our lives all over again; for helping us to recognise the purpose of Your love in the whole of your creation.

We bring our prayers in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!         (David Clowes)

HYMN:       143       “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

TIME TO PRAY

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION                         Psalm 40 – Prayer of David

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.

       He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

       Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

       Many, O Lord my God,are the wonders You have done.

The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

       Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened, burnt offerings and sin offeringsYou did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come —it is written about me in the scroll.

       I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim Your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as You know.

       I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart;I speak of Your faithfulness and Your saving help.

I don’t conceal Your love and Your faithfulness from the great assembly.

       Do not withhold Your mercy from me, Lord;may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

       They are more than the hairs of my head,and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me.

       May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

       But may all who seek Yourejoice and be glad in You; may those who long for Your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me.

       You are my help and my deliverer;You are my God, do not delay.

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES

Lord, as I read the psalms let me hear You singing.

As I read Your words, let me hear You speaking.

As I reflect on each page, let me see Your image,

And as I seek to put Your precepts into practice, let my heart be filled with joy. Amen!     (Gregory of Nazianzus, 329-389)

HYMN:       485       “My God, Accept My Heart This Day

BIBLE READINGS                                                                     Robyn Irwin

Isaiah 49:1-7 (Page 726)                                                              John 1:29-34 (Page 1050)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:            “The Mission of God’s Servant”     Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       655       “O Let the Son of God Enfold You”

NOTICES –

  • Time4U – Recommences on Wednesday 1 February 2023.
  • Movie/Pizza Night – 6:30 pm Tuesday 7 February 2023.
  • Elders’ & Council Meeting – Wednesday 8 Feb 12:30 pm.
  • Congregational Meeting – Sunday 12 February 10:30 am.

OFFERING  –    “Men will praise God for Your generosity in sharing  with them and with all”.  2 Cor. 9:13

HYMN:           “We Sing of Your Glory”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION

Go forth from this place, as disciples of the Christ the Servant, to love and serve your neighbour and your God.

Go forth like servants, to do good and charitable things, and to show others the wonder of our God. Go in peace and love!

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Sustainer, the Redeemer and Giver of life be with you to show others the wonder of God. Amen!

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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