Order of Service – Sunday 29 March 2020 – LENT 5

Click on the link below to download the Order of Service.

Link:  Order-of-Service-29-March-2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvellous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with harp, with harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.           Psalm 98:1, 4-6

We move forward in this season of honest reflection and courageous acknowledgement of the ways we are tempted to turn from trust in God.

We come with eyes open, ready to face the snares and pitfalls that threaten to capture us away from our trust in God. We come with our fears and concerns in the prevailing worldwide pandemic Corona Virus.

May the gift of grace surround us on our way forward through our path.

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

HYMN:    111    “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation”

PRAYER

God of all Truth, teach us what is true.

When we know the Truth, may we keep it holy.

May our conversation together, sharing of truths and heartfelt prayers lead us to discover Your Truths which lead to life. Amen.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

Ever-living God, You are infinite, yet compassionate; in You we live, and move, and have our being. One with us in Jesus Christ, You share our life and our death; flowing through us as living water, You quench our thirst. Holy One, we adore You; Holy Wisdom, we adore You; Holy Spirit, we adore You; accept the praise we bring today and for ever. Amen.

HYMN:       693      “Come as You Are”

PRAYER OF THE SINNER  –  Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.

Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If You, O Lord, kept record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness therefore You are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word, I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord God more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.

He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                 

God of mercy and grace, we confess that when temptation has come our way we have often failed to meet its challenge. We have strayed from what we know to be right. We have taken the easy way instead of the way that leads to life. We have sought our security in mere possessions, status, and wealth instead of placing our trust in you. Forgive us. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

LENTEN  PRAYER

God, You guide the birthing of life in us and through us. Tenderly You watch out for our wellbeing. Wisely and in compassion You tend to our needs. Yet we still find it difficult to understand Your call to us through Jesus to ‘go and do the same’. Remind us how simple this call is and how great the grace waiting to be poured out on us as we take the first step in obedience.

Guide us by the Light! Guide us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

HYMN:       684       “Love Will be Our Lenten Calling”

TIME TO PRAY  –           Let us be in a time of prayer.

Pray for all those who are in pain and suffering. Pray for those who are affected by the Corona Virus pandemic. Pray for Betty’s family, as they mourn her loss. And for peace, love and harmony to prevail in our world.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES

O Lord, You have given us Your Word for a light to shine upon our path; inspire us to meditate on that Word and to follow its teaching; that we may find its light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.                                                (Jerome 342-420)

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                   Ian Butters

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Pages 857-858)                                                Romans 8:6-11 (Page 1118)

John 11: 1-45 (Pages 1063-1064)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:                          “You Will Live!”                Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       409     “O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping Through Us”

NOTICES –     All our Services and activities have been suspended

until further notice!

OFFERING  –       Give generously for God with a thankful heart.

HYMN:       233       “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story”

BLESSING

The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

In this critical and challenging times seek our great God’s help and care.

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