Order of Service – Sunday 6 April 2025 – LENT 5
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
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: 201 “King of Glory, King of Peace”
RESPONSIVE READING – Psalm 126
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God, You loved us before the mountains were strong. From long ago You anointed us and saw our place in Your creative purposes. We are Your works of old, before the fountain of water had sprouted strongly.
In Jesus You offer living water, He speaks to us afresh on the mountain top: in Him is new and full life. May our sharing in this time be blessed, and the insights and questions we share piece together new images of Your place and purpose. Amen!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, we come in prayer as Your people, to ask You to forgive us for having such divided hearts. We draw near You only occasionally and often for our own concerns—not in true devotion to You. Our decisions are so often forgetful of You and just based on self-interest. You know what we are like better than we do ourselves and ask You to forgive us and help us. Wash away the sins we have committed and cause Your Spirit to fill and rule our hearts. Thank You for Jesus our Saviour and for the Spirit our Life-giver—make us people who love and serve You as You deserve. In the name of Jesus. Amen!
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Paul says: “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 23:12-13)
Thanks be to God.
HYMN: 684 “Love Will be Our Lenten Calling”
LENTEN PRAYER
God, like viruses, our concern with our individual needs, hopes and wants destroy life and families. Yet in the face of the impossible, faithful people let go of self in order to bring new life, and to rebuild shattered families and ravaged lives into hopeful and real futures.
May the Christ Light remind us how personal and how simple these solutions can be, and how much difference we can make.
Guide us by the Light! Guide us by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
SILENT REFLECTION (as the music plays)
HYMN: 430 “Your Words to Me are Life and Health”
BIBLE READINGS – Ruth West
Isaiah 43:16-21 (Page 719) Philippians 3:4b-14 (Page 1163)
MUSICAL REFLECTION
SERMON: “Straining Ahead!” Krikor Youmshajekian
HYMN: 604 “Make Me a Captive, Lord” (Tune 228)
NOTICES –
- Prayer Vigil Service commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Sunday 13 April at 3:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Uniting Church 197 Macquarie Street Sydney.
- Elders’/Council Meeting – Wednesday 16 April at 10:00 am
- Good Friday Service – Friday 18 April at 9:30 am.
- Easter Service – Sunday 20 April at 9:30 am.
OFFERING – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)
HYMN: 714 “Eat this Bread, Drink this Cup” (Vs. 1, 3 & 5)
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord. God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
COMMUNION
Eternal God, let Your Spirit come upon Your holy people, and may He sanctify these gifts of bread and wine.
As we share these holy things, may we be nourished and grow in grace to Your honour and glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
We break this bread and take this cup so that we share in the life of Christ. God’s gifts for God’s people.
SERVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: 687 “God Gives Us a Future”
COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen! (Hebrews 13: 20-21)
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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