Order of Service – Sunday 14 March 2021 – LENT 4
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come to worship the Source of all being with thanksgiving and praise.
We gather to worship the divine mystery who is good and whose loving kindness is for ever.
Come to worship the Source of all being with a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
We gather to worship the divine mystery whose loving kindness is shown in word and deed.
Come to worship the Source of all being with songs of joy.
(from Psalm 107:1-3,17-22)
Living God, as we continue our journey through this season of Lent, we are reminded of the steadfast love that the psalmist wrote about. A love which would endure forever, through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. A love given not to judge, but to save, causing human sinfulness to be encountered by divine compassion. Accept our praise and thanksgiving, O God, for this priceless gift of lives lived eternally with You, a gift made possible through the sacrificial love of Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, and in whose name we pray. Amen.
HYMN: 602 “O Love that Wilt not Let Me Go”
(Sung while seated as a continuation of the prayer)
In singing “O Love that Wilt not Let Me Go” we remember with shame the times when we have not reflected that depth of love in and through our lives.
God of steadfast love, forgive us any unloving and unlovely actions and words.
God of unchanging love, as this community of faith, we confess the times when our love for the world falls short of Your love for us.
God of unlimited love, forgive us for too often replacing love with judgment.
Merciful and loving God, help us to empty ourselves of all that hinders Your life-giving love to shine through our lives.
Strengthen us with Your Spirit to be credible witnesses of Your love as we experience it in and through Jesus, Your Son, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
God, who is rich in mercy, out of great love for us – even when we were dead through our sins – made us alive together with Christ….for by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God. (Based on Ephesians 2:4,5,8)
And so, I declare to you, in Jesus Christ we are loved and we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN: 164 “The Great Love of God is Revealed in the Son”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Chris Butters
Loving God, You taught Your disciples love for one another—love which would manifest itself in selflessness and servanthood. Hear the prayer of Your people for our world and all who dwell in it.
We lift to You the nations, that they may be rebuilt in justice and in peace, and especially this nation and its leaders. Hear our prayers for the nations.
We lift to You this earth, which You so lovingly created, that as stewards of Your gifts we might thankfully use its resources for the good of all. Hear our prayers for Your creation.
We pray for this city and for cities and villages around us, that all might work together to strengthen and improve the lives of their citizens. Hear our prayers for the cities.
We pray for Your church—both here in this faith community and around the world—that this season of Lent might be a time of renewal in faith and mission on Your behalf, and that together we may learn the path of servanthood toward all humanity. Hear our prayer for Your church.
Where there is injustice, renew our mission to do Your will and bring about reconciliation, healing and peace. Where there is pain, make us agents of Your regenerative power and Your healing caress. May we discover and shed abroad Your great love among those we encounter who are alone or grieving or lost. Make us, as Your church, Your hands and feet and voice in this world, especially as we pray for those whose lives are closely linked with our own and for the needs we bring with us this day which we offer to You in silence. (Silent prayer)
We pray for ourselves and our own needs, and the needs of those around us, whose lives are closely linked with our own… To those who are sick and sorrowful, bring Your healing and hope. To the grieving, bring Your peace. And to the dying bring the joy of Your promise to us of eternity with You. For these and all our prayers we offer You, trusting in Your goodness and Your strength, in the name and spirit of Jesus the Christ.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray saying….
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen!
BIBLE READINGS – Wendy Phelps
Numbers 21:4-9 (Pages 151-152) Ephesians 2:1-10 (Pages 1156-1157)
John 3:14-21 (Pages 1051-1052)
MESSAGE: “I Love You (God)” Bob Minton
HYMN: 217 “Love Divine All Loves Excelling”
NOTICES –Time4U – Wednesday 17 March 10:00 am.
- Congregational Meeting – Sunday 28 March after Service.
- Elders’ & Council Meetings Wed 31 March 12:00 noon.
- Pizza/Movie Night – Tues 6 April 6:30 pm, start at 7:15 pm.
OFFERING –
The manner of Your loving, O God, is shown in Your giving. Accept the gifts we bring; and the different ways we contribute our gifts of time, talents and money, signs and tokens of our daily life, our labour and our love. Guide us in their use by Your light to the world, Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
HYMN: 613 “Lord of All Hopefulness, Lord of All Joy”
BENEDICTION
Let us rejoice: God so loves the world!
May God your Maker send you back into the world with creative energies refreshed.
May Christ the Light illuminate your darkest moments.
And may the Holy Spirit of steadfast love guide you until we worship together again.
This day, this week and forevermore. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen!
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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