Order of Service – Sunday 17 November 2024 – PENTECOST 26

Click th elink below to download the Order of Service.

Order-of-Service-17-November-2024Download

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come before the Lord in holy worship!

We come as we are as we have so many times before to worship our God and give thanks.

Open your hearts to God’s spirit and let Him renew your life.

We are ready. We are willing. We give ourselves to the renewing spirit of God.

INVOCATION

Out of a world of conflict and confusion, Lord, we gather seeking Your peace. May we find comfort in Your presence.

As our Lord and Saviour, we lay our lives before You. As our friend, Your presence gives us strength. We celebrate Your faithfulness in song and word.

In your Spirit, may we then be moved to respond in faithfulness as our lives are lived in relationship with You. Amen!

HYMN:       141       “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”

RESPONSIVE READING

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.  

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.  From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You. I have become like a sign to many, but You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendour all day long.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. Be not far from me, O God; come quickly to help me.

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvellous deeds.

Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up. You will increase my honour and comfort me once again.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You— I, whom You have redeemed.

HYMN:       642       “This Day God Gives Me” (Tune 156)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God is always more ready to listen to our confession, than we are to admit our sin.

Holy Friend, help us to make this prayer of confession authentic. All of us have sinned, yet some among us may be feeling particularly ashamed over certain wrongs recently done or good deeds left undone.

Please grant to us sincere regret, a thirst for mercy and cleansing, and the honest desire for a brand-new start.

Maybe many of us come honestly thinking that we have done the best we could do in the circumstances. Yet we are also aware that our ignorance and clumsiness have added to the corporate muddle of life. In the tangled web of community, we see good intentions and efforts often get squashed while selfish ones appear to flourish. This discourages us, and often causes us to give up trying as much as before.

Please grant to us a radical repentance where it is needed, forgiveness in proportion to our sins, a healthy humility to undergird our ambitions, and an optimism that is grounded in Your ability to work all things together for good. We ask this in the name of the Messiah who came not to condemn but to redeem.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

We read in Hebrews that “when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and ….by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” The good news is this, that in and through Jesus Christ, we are loved, and our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen!

HYMN:       607         “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES

Even as we seek understanding, our minds too often shelter us from the realities we might uncover. May we have the courage to hear and hold truths found within these words. Amen.                                                             (Gretta Vosper Another Breath)

BIBLE READINGS –                                                                Chris Butters

Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23 (Pages 968-969)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:   “People Responding to God’s Word ”  Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       430       “Your Words to Me are Life and Health”

NOTICES –

  • 3 Documentaries Screening in November Tuesday nights.
  • Wednesday 27 November – Bus Trip – from 9:00 am.
  • 1 Dec – Advent 1 & St. Andrew’s Day Service and Lunch.
  • Movie/Pizza Night – Tuesday 3 December 6:30 pm.
  • Sun 8 Dec – Congregational Meeting after churchservice.
  • Christmas Carol’s Service – Sunday 15 December 9:30 am.
  • Food & Gifts for Exodus – All in by 15 December.
  • Christmas Eve Service – Tuesday 24 December 7:00 pm.
  • Christmas Day Service – Wednesday 25 December 9:00 am.

OFFERING  –  “In enthusiasm and hope we make our offering to God”.

HYMN:      221       “Glory to God on High!” (Tune 447)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

SENDING OUT AND BENEDICTION

Do not be confronted to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Know that God goes with you, to strengthen you, to protect you, to give you peace. Amen!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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