Order of service – Sunday 19 April 2020 – EASTER 2
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Order of Service 19 April 2020
LIGHTING OF THE EASTER CANDLE
The light of the risen Christ rises in glory, overcoming the darkness of sin and death. (Light a candle, representing the Risen Christ)
The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.
CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER
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: 371 “God is Gone Up on High”
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.
CONFESSION (from Psalm 51)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against You, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight.
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Wash me, O Lord, and make me clean.
Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (from Psalm 103)
Hear the good news: Our gracious God forgives all your iniquity and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy; God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; God does not deal with us according to our sins, or repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is the steadfast love of God; as far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgression from us. Thanks be to God! Amen.
HYMN: 376 “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”
TIME TO PRAY
In silence please offer your prayers to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE APOSTLES’ CREED (Standing)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
DOXOLOGY (to be sung with the tune of 768i)
Praise God, the Source of life and birth;
praise God, the Word, who came to earth;
praise God, the Spirit, holy flame;
all glory, honour, to God’s name.
BIBLE READINGS –
1 Peter 1:1-9 (page 1200) John 20:19-31 (page 1075)
MESSAGE: “Doubt vs Faith” 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: 231 “At the Name of Jesus”
OFFERING – Honour the Lord with your wealth. (Proverbs 3:9)
HYMN: 210 “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
BLESSING
May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead, now put you together and provide you with everything you need to please Him. Make us into what gives Him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always!
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