Order of Service – Sunday 26 November 2023 – St. ANDREW’S DAY and CHRIST THE KING SUDAY

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MUSIC – Bagpipes                                                                  Robin Cummins 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Here we meet.  Here we encounter. Here we worship God.

Here we will encounter Christ, King and Redeemer of all of creation.

Here we will celebrate what it means to be the people of God in this place.

Here we will give thanks for the Word made Flesh. 

Here we will meet our Redeemer and our King.

Here we will worship God.

HYMN:       477       “Jesus Calls Us  Here to Meet Him”

RESPONSIVE READING

Give thanks to the Lord.

Exalt His holy name.

Christ our King, Your justice embraces all people and calls us into a mutual fellowship of love and care. Challenge Your Church to live out this concern in acts of compassion and liberation …

As we do to and for others, so we serve You.

Christ our King, give to governments and all who rule a deep concern for the needs of their people. Give us openness to welcome the stranger in peace and hospitality …

May we share of our wealth and poverty.

Christ our King, in You the thirsty find refreshment, the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed and prisoners are visited …

Extend the boundaries of our concern beyond those who are easy to love.

Christ our King, the sick, the lame and the frail hold a special place in Your concern. Give us grace to ensure that the care that is needed is provided …

And Your faithfulness endures from age to age, so we rejoice before Your glory.

Rejoice in the Lord.

Sing to Him with thanksgiving.

Christ our King, enthroned on the cross-bearing insults and torments for our redemption, by Your blood may true peace reign …

Bless and guide Your body, the Church, that we may exalt You and share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Christ our King, You endured the scoffing of leaders and ridicule from the

bystanders. Rescue us from the grip of darkness and cynical abuses of power …

Strengthen all who strive for justice by Your glorious power.

Christ our King, still our hearts to know Your presence and share Your peace …

Bring us to declare that You are righteousness.

Christ our King, in lonely agony You bore the pains of the world. Be with all who are desolate and afflicted, whose world is shaken…

Be present help, O Lord, in times of trouble and give courage and strength to all who fear.

Christ our King, gather in Your mercy all who have shared in Your passion, who have been faithful to You till the end…

May we with all Your faithful servants share Your glory now and for ever.

HYMN:       76       “I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes”

CONFESSION

God desires that no one should perish, but that all should turn to Christ and live. We confess our sins in response to His call. God pardons those who humbly repent and truly believe the gospel. Therefore, we have peace with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

By awesome deeds You answer us with deliverance, God of our salvation; and perhaps the most awesome deed of all was the gift of Your only Son to the world You so love, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. The great good news therefore is this: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.      Thanks be to God!

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:           “Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind”          Scottish Folk Song

                                                                                                                               by Alastair Durden

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                                 Penny Goodley

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (Page 855)                                John 1:35-42 (Page 1050)

MUSICAL REFLECTION:

MESSAGE         “Andrew, the Follower of Christ the King”          Krikor

HYMN:      589      “Jesus Calls Us! O’er the Tumult” (Tune – St. Andrew’s)      

NOTICES – 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  –  Consider to give freely with a thankful heart for all the

                      gifts and the blessings that the Father has provided to you.

HYMN:       771       “Now to Him Who Loved Us, Gave Us”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

SENDING OUT

Go from this place filled with anticipation of what God is doing in our world. Go now, as people of God.

We go assured that God is love, and God reigns in our world.

We go to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Go now, held in the loving hands of God Most High.

Go now and follow Christ in all things.

Go now, in the love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

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