Order of Service – Sunday 21 June 2020 – UNITING CHURCH 43rd ANNIVERSARY
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The world belongs to God, the earth and all its people.
How good and how lovely it is to live together in unity.
If the Lord’s disciples keep silent these stones would shout aloud.
Lord, open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim Your praise.
Come, Let us worship God
HYMN: 152 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
PRAYER
Gracious God, help us to remember that we must love one another and remember we are all Your children. Remind us, that if we tune our hearts to Jesus’ heart, we will all come together to create a loving and kind world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
God of our ancestors, You have led Your people, protecting with Your power and sheltering in Your shadow. We praise and adore You.
Lord, You are generous to those who call on You, bringing salvation to all who believe and confess Your name. We praise and adore You.
Living God, remain with us today. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may dwell in Christ. We praise and adore You. Amen.
PSALTER READING: Psalm 122 (Pages 612-613) – In Unison
HYMN: 111 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved You with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves; we repent, and are sorry for all our sins. Father forgive us, strengthen us to love and obey You in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Thanks be to God.
TIME TO PRAY
In silence offer your prayers in the name of Jesus and join in for the Lord’s Prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
LITANY FOR CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
Brothers and sisters, we rejoice that the Holy Spirit inspired our forebears to form the Uniting Church for God’s praise and glory. On this joyful occasion of our church anniversary let us pray to the Lord:
Eternal and loving God, today we give thanks to You for Your goodness through all the years of worship and witness in this place.
For your grace in calling us to be Your people; for Your love revealed to us in Christ your Son; for Your gift of the Spirit and the joy of salvation:
We give You our thanks, O God.
For those who established the church here: for their faith and vision, for their gifts and abilities:
We give You our thanks, O God.
For all who have been members of this church; for those who have given freely of their time and money; for those whose wisdom guided us:
We give You our thanks, O God.
For all who have preached and taught here; for all who have confessed here that Jesus is Lord; for all who today lead in worship, witness, and service:
We give You our thanks, O God. (The people stand)
And now let us reaffirm our loyalty to Christ and pledge our faithfulness to the church:
That God may be reverently worshipped; that the gospel may be faithfully proclaimed; that the sacraments may be joyfully celebrated:
We pledge our allegiance to Christ and the Church.
That our families and friendships may be enriched; that our daily lives and work may be consecrated; that our faith and love may be nurtured:
We pledge our allegiance to Christ and the Church.
For the teaching and guiding of those who are young; for the encouraging and equipping for those who serve; for the strengthening of those who seek God’s way; and for the comforting of those who mourn:
We pledge our allegiance to Christ and the Church.
For the conversion of the world to our Saviour; for the reconciliation of the people and nations; for the promotion of righteousness and peace; and for the extension of the reign of God:
We pledge our allegiance to Christ and the Church.
In loving remembrance of all who have run the race and finished their course; in gratitude for one another here today who make up the body of Christ in this place; in thanksgiving for all who keep the faith and in communion with all God’s people on earth:
We pledge our allegiance to Christ and the Church. Amen.
HYMN: “Sing Them Over Again”
BIBLE READINGS –
Ezekiel 37:15-28 (Pages 858-859) Hebrews 13:1-8 (Page 1194)
John 17:1-26 (Pages 1070-1071)
REFLECTIONS: “Take Courage” Bob Minton
HYMN: 547 “Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart”
MESSAGE: “One in His Hands” Krikor Youmshajekian
HYMN: 459 “In Christ there is No East or West”
OFFERING – Please give freely and willingly with thankful hearts.
HYMN: 446 “Glorious Things of You are Spoken”
CLOSING RESPONSE
Creator God, You call us to believe and to follow You: awaken our faith in Your presence among us.
Creator God, You call us to be a new creation: fill us now with Your Spirit, and inspire us with the good news of salvation. Creator God, keep us, Your children born of water and spirit, faithful to our calling as followers of Jesus. Amen.
COMMISSION, BENEDICTION AND DISMISSAL
Union does not happen by accident. Whatever happens, God is doing, wherever we are, God has put us there; He has a purpose in our being there. Christ who dwells within us has something He wants to do through us wherever we are. 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