Order of Service – Sunday 19 November 2023 – PENTECOST 25

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Come before the Lord in holy worship!

We come as we are as we have so many times before to worship our God and give thanks.

Open your hearts to God’s spirit and let Him renew your life.

We are ready. We are willing. We give ourselves to the renewing spirit of God.

INVOCATION

Out of a world of conflict and confusion, Lord, we gather seeking Your peace. May we find comfort in Your presence.

As our Saviour, we lay our lives before You. As our friend, Your presence gives us strength. We celebrate Your faithfulness in song and word.

In Your Spirit, may we then be moved to respond in faithfulness as our lives are lived in relationship with You. Amen!

HYMN:       141       “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”

RESPONSIVE READING

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.  

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.  From birth I have relied on You; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You. I have become like a sign to many, but You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendour all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. Be not far from me, O God; come quickly to help me.

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvellous deeds.

Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up. You will increase my honour and comfort me once again.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You— I, whom You have redeemed.

HYMN:       642       “This Day God Gives Me” (Tune 156)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

We confess, O God, that we have not always been open to Your gifts. In our common life, we have not always spoken the truth in love. We have not always been generous with our possessions. We have not always been kind and forgiving to one another. Forgive us and walk with us into the new life that is our destiny as Your children, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.            (Ephesians 2:12-13)

A PRAYER OF PRAISE

Father, may we always give You thanks for raising Christ our Lord to glory, because we are His people and share the salvation He won, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Eternal Father, turn our hearts to You to give You thanks. By seeking Your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship You in spirit and truth.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen!

HYMN:       717       “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES

God our helper, by your Spirit, open our minds, that as the Scriptures are read and Your Word is proclaimed, we may be led into Your truth and taught Your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                                Frank Knowles

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Page 1169)                   1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (Page 1171)

MUSICAL REFLECTION:

MESSAGE       “Be Different and Encourage One Another!”        Krikor

HYMN:       137       “For the Beauty of the Earth”

NOTICES –

  • St. Andrew’s Day Luncheon – Sunday 26 Nov 12:00 noon
  • Movie/Pizza Night – Tuesday, 5 December 6:30 pm.
  • Congregational Meeting – Sunday 10 Dec after the Service.
  • Elders’ & Council Meeting – Wednesday 13 Dec 12:30 pm.
  • Carols Service – Sunday 17 December 9:30 am.
  • Food & Gifts for Exodus – All in by 17 December.
  • Christmas Eve Service on the Lawn – Sun 24 Dec 7:00 pm.
  • Christmas Day Service – Monday25 December 9:00 am.

OFFERING  –       Give generously and freely for God’s glory.

HYMN:       580       “Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING

As we depart from this place it is our prayer, O God that You would grant us Your wisdom and sustain us with Your power. We confess that without You we are hopeless and helpless. Give us Your peace today. Amen!

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To contact Krikor call 9453 0787 or 0418 417 411

Church Website:  http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au

Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au

Church Office phone: 9427 4740