Order of Service – Sunday 10 December 2023 – ADVENT 2 – PEACE

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CALL TO WORSHIP

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

Here we will encounter Christ, Peacemaker 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 experience the Deep Peace of the Spirit.

Here we will worship God.

HYMN:       346       “Prepare the Royal Highway”

ADVENT PRAYER

O God, who makes us glad about the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only Son Jesus Christ: grant that as we joyfully receive Him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him when He shall come to be our Judge, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end. Amen!

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE (Candle of Peace)       Ian Butters

As we light our second Advent Candle, we open ourselves up to Your Peace in our lives.

We light the Advent Candle and remind ourselves of the ways You bring Peace into our lives, and we live in the Hope that You will use us for Peace through this Advent Season.

This is the candle of Peace.

ADVENT PRAYER                                                                       Ian Butters

Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord when He humbled Himself to come among us, He fulfilled the plan You formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation.

Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ will come again in His glory.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim Your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise. Amen!

A LITANY FOR ADVENT

Lord God, we adore You because You have come to us in the past. You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel. You have challenged us in the words of the prophets. You have shown us in Jesus what You are really like.

Lord God, we adore You because You still come to us now. You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us. You come to us through men and women who need our help. You come to us as we worship You.

Lord God, we adore You because You will come to us at the end. You will be with us at the hour of death. You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail. You will still be God when our history has run its course.

We welcome You, God who comes. Come to us now in the power of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Lord God, we come to adore You. You are the source of all that is.

You have spoken and given form and beauty to the world. You have spoken and given purpose to human life.

You have spoken and declared the forgiveness to our sin; You have spoken and freed us from the fear of death.

Lord Jesus Christ, divine Word, speak to us the eternal purpose; remove our guilt; conquer the fear of death in our hearts. Speak and let us hear you, Lord. Amen!

HYMN:       203       “Fairest Lord Jesus”

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                                         Ruth West

Isaiah 40:1-11 (Page 714)                                                    Mark 1:1-8 (Page 990)

MUSICAL REFLECTION:

MESSAGE                   “Prepare the Way!”                Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       270       “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”

NOTICES – Elders’ & Council Meeting – Wed 13 Dec 12:30 pm.

  • Elders’ & Council Meeting – Wed 13 Dec 12:30 pm.
  • Carols Service – Sunday 17 December 9:30 am.
  • Food & gifts for Exodus Foundation. Canned, ring pull open tin food, biscuits, cereal, long life milk and pasta are much needed – 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  –     “Freely we have received; let us freely give!”

DEDICATION of OFFERING

Loving and Gracious God, we pray for our offering. Guide us as we use these gifts to create a community of welcome and inclusion.  Be with us as we seek to love our neighbours as ourselves.

May we be a community known for our love. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Loving God, we pray for Gayush and the Artsakh refugees who have fled their homes. We pray for strength as they navigate life with very few safety nets. We pray for the Armenian Missionary Association’s and all other organisations’ work and are thankful for the support they provide. We are thankful for their dedication, assistance and continued presence in the lives of Gayush and her children. We are thankful for her commitment to protect her children and that’s her only dream.

We pray for Armenia. May it know the Peace that comes from You as they host 120000 Artsakh refugees, give wisdom to the leadership to handle the situation with understanding. We pray for all those countries who have welcomed refugees to find shelter. We pray for the peacebuilding work undertaken by those who care.

May our communities be places of welcome and inclusion, especially for those living below the poverty line. May we be communities that love generously as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father ….

HYMN:       276       “There’s a Light Upon the Mountains”

SENDING OUT

Go from this place filled with God’s infinite Peace. Go now, as people of God.

We go assured that God is love, and God brings Peace into the 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