Order of Service – Sunday 7 April 2024 – ESATER 2

Click the link below to download the Order of Service.

LIGHTING OF THE EASTER CANDLE

The light of the risen Christ rises in glory, overcoming the darkness of sin and death.  (Light the candle of the Risen Christ)

The light of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER

Almighty God, boldly we approach Your throne of grace.

Joyfully, we come knowing You always welcome us.

Humbly, we acknowledge before You and one another our need.

Eagerly, we seek Your mercy and grace, which are sufficient for our every need.

Grant us open hearts, minds, and lives that we might gratefully receive. We pray in the name of Jesus, our great High Priest. Amen.

HYMN:       371       “God is Gone Up on High”

PRAYER

God of new beginnings, help us hear the good news that in Christ the old has passed away and the new has come. Help us know that even the darkest wilderness gives way to light and life. We thank You that even when the wilderness is of our own making and we have purposely turned away from You, You await our return as a loving father awaits the return of a lost child.

We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION (from Psalm 51)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against You, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Wash me, O Lord, and make me clean.

Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

In the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom; for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: ‘Your sins are forgiven’.

Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY   (to be sung with the tune of 768i)

Praise God, the Source of life and birth;

praise God, the Word, who came to earth;

praise God, the Spirit, holy flame;

all glory, honour, to God’s name.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED   (Standing)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

    suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

    he descended to the dead.

    On the third day he rose again;

    he ascended into heaven,

    he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

     the holy catholic Church,

     the communion of saints,

     the forgiveness of sins,

     the resurrection of the body,

     and the life everlasting. Amen.

HYMN:                  “All to Jesus I Surrender”

HEARING GOD’S WORD

Thank You, Father, for making Yourself known to us and showing us the way of salvation through faith in Your Son. Teach us through Your word and equip us for every good work, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                    Ruth West

1 John 1:1-2:1 (Page 1207)                                                   John 20:19-31 (Page 1075)

MESSAGE                     “The Week After”                 Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       407       “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

NOTICES – Elders’ & Council Meetings Wed 17 April 12:30 pm.

• Senior Lifesaving Skills Refresher – Friday 3 May 1:30 pm.
• Mother’s Day Fellowship Meal – Sun 5 May 12:00 noon.
• Pentecost Service – Sunday 19 May 10:00 am, St. Aidan’s.

OFFERING  –   Honour the Lord with your wealth. (Proverbs 3:9)

HYMN:       429       “Break Now the Bread of Life”

PRAYER

Holy God, we offer our thanks and praise. In remembrance of all You have done for us, we take this bread and this cup, and offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, made worthy by the perfect offering of Christ our great high priest. By Your Word and Holy Spirit, bless these gifts that we may truly share Christ’s body and blood, and become, by grace, His body given for the sake of the world.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

We break this bread and take this cup so that we can share in the life of Christ. God’s gifts for God’s people.

Christ is the bread of joy, who shares food with sinners.

Christ is the cup of life, who revives the faint-hearted.

Let us receive what we are; let us become what we receive.

The body of Christ.

THE COMMUNION

Receive this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The body of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The blood of Christ keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER AND BLESSING

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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