Order of Service – Sunday 14 April 2024 – EASTER 3

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Come and worship! Sing your heart’s song. Fall down before God’s throne. Rest in fields of blessing and hope. Come and worship!

Come and worship!

We are here, with God’s Spirit among us.

God reveals God’s self to us today:

As the Good Shepherd, giver of rest and comfort;

As the Holy Lamb, worthy of our eternal praise;

As the giver of new life, and new hope.

We are here, with God’s Spirit among us.

We worship you, Holy Trinity.                             (Rebecca E Garrett, Abingdon 2016)

OPENING PRAYER

Holy Lamb and Gentle Shepherd, we are here, the sheep of Your pasture. Lead us in Your ways. We come, from every nation and every language. We come, needing rest and wanting challenge. We come, kneeling in awe and standing in the promise of new life. We come with Peter, with John, with the psalmist, and with the heavenly hosts, as we sing to You over and over: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour . . . be to our God forever!” Bless this time of worship, Beautiful Saviour, and guide us to springs of Your living water. Amen!

HYMN:       132       “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”

A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Jesus our Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness— for what we have done, but shouldn’t have, for what we should have done, but didn’t.

We yearn to hear Your voice, Gentle Shepherd, but listen to our own voices instead.

We want to care for our sisters and brothers, to comfort them when they hurt, to give what we have to people who have less, but we choose to hoard our resources and time.

Forgive us, Lord, and help us forgive ourselves too for everything we name before You now . . .

(A time of silence)                                                                                           

In Your holy name, we pray. Amen!

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

Children of God, hear these words of promise: Christ our Shepherd joyfully welcomes us back into the fold of love and freedom, teaching us to know His voice.

In the name of Jesus, the Christ, we are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus, the Christ, you are forgiven.

Praise and thanks to God! Amen!

THE PEACE

As a forgiven and reconciled flock, take a moment to spread the joy and peace of Christ with those around you!

The peace of the risen Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

(You may like to exchange a sign of peace with those around you.)

HYMN:       233       “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story”

TIME TO PRAY

In silence please offer your prayers to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus.

PRAYERS

O God, creator and preserver of all mankind: we humbly pray for all sorts and condition of men, that You would be pleased to make Your way known to them, Your saving power among all nations.

Especially we pray for the welfare of Your global church, that it may be guided and governed by Your good Spirit, so that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.

We commend to Your fatherly goodness and mercy all who are in any way afflicted or distressed, that it may please You to comfort and relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

Almighty God, You have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who have made our prayers to You; and grant us those things which we have asked in faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

HYMN:       10       “The Lord’s My Shepherd”

BIBLE READINGS –                                                      Brian Cartwright

John 21:1-25 (Pages 1075-1076)

For the Word of the Lord – Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE              “Serving the Lord – Feed My Lambs!”

HYMN:       201       “King of Glory, King of Peace”

NOTICES –

• Elders’ & Council Meetings Wed 17 April 12:30 pm.
• Senior Lifesaving Skills Refresher – Friday 3 May 1:30 pm.
• Movie/ Pizza Nights – Tuesday 7 May 6:30 pm.
• Mother’s Day Fellowship Meal – Sun 5 May 12:00 noon.
• Trip to Nowra – Shoalhaven Heads 27 May to 3 June 2024.
• Pentecost Service – Sunday 19 May 10:00 am, St. Aidan’s.

OFFERING  –   In enthusiasm and hope, in humility and community, in

trust and expectation, we make our offering to God.

HYMN:       569       “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION

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

Go forth like Peter and the disciples, to do good and charitable things, and to show others the wonder of our God, which is both Gentle Shepherd and Righteous Lamb. 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 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