Order of Service – Sunday 11 May 2021 – Easter 2

Click the link below to download the Order of Service.

Order-of-Service-11-April-2021Download

CALL TO WORSHIP

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

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.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Father we thank You that we can come to You just as we are.

We praise You that You know us completely.

We do not have to pretend; You know what we are really like.

We thank You that You still love us.

We praise You that in Jesus You shared all that this life means to us.

We thank You that through Him we can enter the heaven of Your love.

We are glad that You know the things that hurt us.

We thank You for understanding our fears.

We praise You that we never need to feel unloved, unwanted, undesirable or unnecessary.

We thank You for Your promise to be with us always, and we praise You for the hope that Jesus makes possible.

Father, forgive us for not showing love to each other, for our failure to help those in need, for the foolishness that spoils our love.

Forgive us, and fill us with the love of Jesus.

In His name. Amen                                                                   (David Clowes)

HYMN:       717       “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You are merciful and kind, but we have gone our own way, not loving You as we ought, nor loving our neighbours as ourselves. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. We deserve Your condemnation. Father, forgive us. Help us to love You and our neighbour, and to live for Your honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

“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 God removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11-12)

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 all who are in ay 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.

Individual prayers of thanks and requests said in silence or out loud.

 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 according to Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN:       502       “Soul of My Saviour, Sanctify My Breast”

BIBLE READINGS                                                                       Ruth West

1 Peter 1:1-9 (Page 1200)                                         John 20:19-31 (Page 1075)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:                “Don’t Doubt. But Believe!”      Krikor Youmshajekian

RESPONSE

Lord, in private moments we understand Thomas all too well.

For he demanded more than just somebody’s word.

We are suspicious, we have doubts, and we want proof.

Yet You have called us to the life of faith.

PRAYER

O God, You have called us to be wise as serpents in discerning that which is true and that which is false. We know that there are those who would willingly mislead us in this world. When we have doubt, transform it into faith. When we have no faith, give us the courage to act as if we do until we are blessed with its presence. In the name of Him who revealed himself in His wounds. Amen.

HYMN:       649       “These Things Did Thomas Count as Real”

NOTICES: –Time4U – Wednesday 14 April 10:00 am.

  • Armenian Genocide Commemoration Vigil – Sunday 18 April 3:30 pm Armenian Apostolic Church 10 Macquarie St. Chatswood. Organised by the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches. Reflections by Rev. Ashley Saunders, CEO Barnabas Fund Australia. Come and join!
  • Sign the Petition – Recognise the Armenian Genocide.
  • Working Bee in the garden – Monday 26 April from 2:00 pm.
  • Elders’ & Council Meetings Wed 28 April 12:00 noon.
  • Mother’s Day Munch – Sunday 2 May 2021, after Morning Tea (only tea and coffee).

OFFERING:   “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. (Acts 20:35)

HYMN:       210       “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

BENEDICTION

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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