Order of Service – Sunday 18 October 2020 – PENTECOST 20
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
O God, who is here — in this place, now — in our midst; empower us to praise You, not with words and actions which come from outside of us, but from within us. Dwell in us more fully that we may sing to You with all our being. Fill us with a sense of Your joy that we might actually delight in Your worship. Focus us upon Your self-giving Love, which is above every love we have ever known, the source of all.
O God, who is here — in this place, now — in our midst; make Your love real here and now, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER We Come as We Are
Lord, we come as we are that we may be changed by Your grace.
We come with our emptiness that we may be filled.
We come with darkness, seeking Your light.
We come with weakness to receive Your strength.
We come with our brokenness that You may make us whole, Lord.
We come as we are that we may be changed by Your power.
We come with our worship to praise You forever.
We come with our words and our prayers, which we offer for Your glory.
Lord, we come as we are that we may be changed by Your grace.
HYMN: 452 “God of Mercy, God of Grace”
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, creator and redeemer, we praise you for your work of creation; for the beauty of the world around us and for every gift we enjoy. We bless You for creating us to know You, love You and obey You. Most of all we thank You for Your amazing love in sending Your Son to restore Your world, to die for us and to give us life in all its fullness. Accept, O God, our praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty and merciful God, You know the thoughts of our hearts: we confess that we have sinned against You and done what is evil in Your sight. Wash us from the stains of our past sins and give us grace and power to put away all hurtful things, so that, being delivered from the bondage of sin, we may bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
O eternal Light, shine into our hearts; eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil;
O eternal Power, give us Your strength; eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance;
O eternal Pity, have mercy on us.
Grant that with all our hearts, and minds, and strength we may seek Your face; and finally, in Your infinite mercy, bring us to Your holy presence.
So, strengthen our weakness that, following in the footsteps of Your blessed Son, we may obtain Your mercy, and enter into Your promised joy. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the perfect offering for our sins and not for ours only, but also the sins of the whole world.”
Hear then Christ’s word of grace: ‘Your sins are forgiven’.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN: 611 “God of Grace and God of Glory”
PRAYER
Holy God, You have called us to follow in the way of Your risen Son, and to care for those who are our companions, not only in words of comfort, but with acts of love. Seeking to be true friends of all, we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People
Guide us in the path of discipleship, so that as You have blessed us, we may be a blessing for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom near our words and deeds. Amen.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, God invites us to bring our doubts and fears, our joys and concerns, our petitions and praise, and offer them for the earth and all its creatures.
Prayers of the People Receive these prayers. O God, and transform us through them, that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand, not only what You do on our behalf, but what You call us to do so that Your realm will come to fruition in glory. Amen.
HYMN: 576 “O For A Closer Walk with God”
A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES
O Lord, You have given us Your Word for a light to shine upon our path; inspire us to meditate on that Word and to follow its teaching; that we may find its light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Jerome 342-420)
BIBLE READINGS –
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Page 1169) Matthew 22:15-22 (Page 979-980)
SERMON: “Render Unto Caesar”
OFFERING – “Give generously to him and do so without a grudging
heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you
in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”
Deuteronomy 15:10
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Almighty God, who has given us many good gifts as our Heavenly Father, we now offer these pledges to You. We pray that You accept them, bless them and use them for the spread of Your Kingdom and glory. Guide us, that we might continually accept our responsibility to You, to Your church and to others, in Christ’s name. Amen.
HYMN: 599(ii) “Take My Life, and Let It Be”
BENEDICTION
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and forevermore.
And now the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 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