Order of Service – Sunday 12 January 2025 – BAPTISM OF JESUS

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CALL TO WORSHIP

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.                                                                                                 (Psalm 95:1-3)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God;

The holy habitation of the Most High.

The Lord pours forth rivers from bare mountains, and fountains in valleys’ depths.

God opens rocks, and water gushes out.

On dry thirsty land God springs forth streams in the desert.

Let us Worship God.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify Your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen!

HYMN:       133       “O Worship the King All-glorious Above”

RESPONSIVE  READING              Psalm 29                           Page 547

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

O God, we thank You for this earth, for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass. We thank You for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendour of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn’s fruit, rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers. For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries. Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with Your glory. Life is constantly changing and renewing itself. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and yet can be. Amen! Walter Rauschenbusch

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

CONFESSION OF SIN

Even as we enter into the presence of God, we exclaim with Isaiah: “Woe is me, I am a person of unclean ways, dwelling among a tainted people.”

If we claim we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

But if we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Trusting in the steadfast love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord, let us pray:

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Sovereign God, in baptism You called us to turn from sin and to turn to Jesus Christ; but we stray from His ways and do not heed Your call.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

In baptism You joined us to Christ in His death that we might be raised with Christ in new life; but we cherish old ways and fail to embrace the risen life of righteousness, justice, and love.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

In baptism You united us with all the baptized who confess Your name; but we foster division in the church.

We refuse to live as one people, and so fail to witness to Your reconciling love before the world.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

In baptism You call us to ministry in all realms of life, but we refuse the struggle to know Your will; we do not nurture the ways of peace; we allow enmity to grow among us, setting neighbour against neighbour and nation against nation.

We abuse the earth You entrust to our care and live in discord with all You have made.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

In baptism You sent us to serve with compassion all for whom Christ died; but we ignore the suffering of the oppressed and the plight of the poor.

We take bread from the hungry and stop our ears to cries for justice.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

In baptism You gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us, but we rely on ourselves and refuse to trust Your direction. We spurn Your eternal wisdom, preferring, instead, the luring ways of the world.

(Silence)

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Remember the promises You made to us in baptism, forgive our sinful ways and heal our brokenness.  Set us free from all that enslaves us, and raise us to new life in Jesus Christ, that we may be your faithful servants, showing forth Your healing love to the world, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen!

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Hear the good news: Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ lives in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is of the New Creation. The old life

is finished, gone. Behold, new life has begun.

Brothers and Sisters, believe the good news:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                       Roslyn McCawley

Psalm 29:1-11 (Page 547)                                Luke 3:1-6, 15-17 & 21-22 (Page 1016)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:             “The Voice from Heaven”          Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       250       “Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized”

NOTICES –

  • Movie/Pizza Nights will resume onTuesday 4 Feb 6:30 pm.
  • Elders’ & Council Meetings Wednesday 5 Feb 10:00 am.
  • Time4U will resume on Wednesday 12 Feb 10:00 am.

OFFERING  –        Everything we have and give comes from God.

HYMN:       194       “O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High!”

BLESSING

Go forth into the world to live as those baptized into Christ’s mission and may the eternal light of God keep you rock-solidly immersed in the river of life in the peace and power of the Holy Spirit now and for evermore. Amen!

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