Order of Service – Sunday 23 June 2024 – UCA ANNIVERSARY
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CALL TO WORSHIP Krikor Youmshajekian
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.
Our land is alive with the glory of God; desert sands hum and gum trees dance. Brown grasses sing and mountains breathe their stillness. All created things add their rhythms of delight and even stones rap out their praise.
Let our voices mingle with those of the earth; may our hearts join the beat of her joy, for our Triune God is with us: our creator surrounds and upholds us. Christ Jesus walks beside and before us. The Spirit moves within and between us. Blessed be God, our wonder and delight.
Lord, open our lips and our mouths shall proclaim Your praise.
PRAYER Krikor Youmshajekian
God of our ancestors, You have led Your people, protecting us with Your power and sheltering us 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!
HYMN: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation.
Come all who hear, brothers and sisters draw near,
praise him in glad adoration.
2. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining:
have you not seen all you have needed has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
3. Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend us;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend us:
ponder anew what the Almighty can do
as with his love he befriends us.
4. Praise to the Lord, who when darkness of sin is abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, our best hopes confounding,
sheds forth his light, scatters the horrors of night,
saints with his mercy surrounding.
5. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again:
gladly for ever adore him.
INVOCATION Krikor Youmshajekian
O God, we gather together in this place seeking to know You. We gather together as a community of Your people to know Your will and way. Grant us the comfort and power of Your presence. Accept us as we are, where we are, and lead us where You would have us go to do what You would have us do. In the name and the Spirit of Christ we pray.
Come to us, O God of surprising grace. Break into the places in our lives which we think are not worthy of Your entry and show us the measure of Your love for us. Break through into newness in all our life together, O God, in the wonder of Your transforming presence. Amen!
A SONG OF CREATION Rick Johnson
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
In the firmament of God’s power, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord,
O heavens and all waters above heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew,
all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and summer, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days,
O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Let the earth glorify the Lord.
Glorify the Lord, O Mountains and hills,
and all that grows upon the earth,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,
and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Let the people of God glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
In the firmament of God’s power, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and highly exalt God for ever.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rick Johnson
Holy God, we confess that often we have failed to be an obedient Church. We have not done Your will; we have broken Your law; we have rebelled against Your love; we have not loved our neighbours; and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Gracious God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and action. You have given us love, but we have returned apathy;
You have provided us with neighbours, yet we have become self-centred;
You have given us a world to enjoy, but we have spoiled our home.
Forgive us for the wrong things we have done, and for the good things we have failed to do. Give us time to change, with the desire and will to do so. Amen!
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS Rick Johnson
The good news is that all who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life.
As you hold this faith, I declare that you are set free from all your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be the glory for ever and ever.
Hear then Christ’s words of grace to us: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Thanks be to God.
SONG: “As the Deer Pants for the Water”
WE ARE A PILGRIM PEOPLE Penny Goodley
We believe in one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We proclaim Jesus Christ, the Crucified and risen One, confessing him as Lord to the glory of God the Father.
In the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we acclaim Jesus as the Lord of the Church, the Head over all things, the beginning of a new creation.
We acknowledge that we live and work between the time of Christ’s death and resurrection and the final consummation of all things which he will bring.
We are pilgrim people, always on the way towards a promised goal; on the way Christ feeds us with word and sacraments, and we have the gift of the Spirit in order that we may not lose the way.
We will live and work within faith and unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, bearing witness to that unity which is both Christ’s gift and his will.
We affirm that every member of the church is engaged to confess the faith of Christ crucified. Together with all the people of God, we will serve the world for which Christ died. And we await with hope the day of the Lord Jesus. Adapted from the Basis of Union of the UCA
TIME TO PRAY
As the music plays, in your heart offer your prayers in the name of Jesus and join in for the Lord’s Prayer.
HYMN: “The Church’s One Foundation”
1. The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord:
she is his new creation by water and the word;
from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses with every grace endued.
3. Though with a scornful wonder the world sees her oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, ‘How long?’
and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
4. Through toil and tribulation and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation of peace for evermore,
till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed,
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth has union with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give to us the grace
like them, the meek and lowly, in heaven to seek your face.
A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES Bob Gee
Holy One, open our hearts and minds by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and proclaimed, we may hear Your Word with Joy. Amen!
THE SERVICE OF THE WORD Bob Gee
Psalm 127 (Page 614) Ephesians 2:19-22 (Page 1144)
John 17:1-19 (Pages 1070-1071)
MUSICAL REFLECTION
SERMON: “God is Still Building the Uniting Church in australia Jim Mien AM
WE DEDICATE OURSELVES ANEW Ian Butters
The church is one body, made of many members. Each of us adds something beautiful and unique to this community.
Though we are frail humans, God dwells on earth and makes Himself known in sacred spaces and sacred moments.
God is with us, today, here in this place and wherever we meet in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We promise to love as God’s people, and to sing, pray, listen, hear the words of scripture, and to share these things with each other so we may energise and deepen our faith.
We dedicate ourselves this day to serving each other.
We look forward to more years of service and worship together. We dedicate ourselves anew to being Christ’s people in the world.
Where there has been conflict among us, we pray for the softening of hearts and for reconciliation between us.
We pray for healing, peace and co-operation among us.
We covenant anew today, to share the ministry of Jesus with each other, and with the larger community around us, so that all who meet us may know, by our example, of his unconditional love and healing grace.
Filled by the grace and love of Jesus Christ, we dedicate ourselves afresh to God’s service.
With God’s help, may it be so!
HYMN: “Our God Our Help in Ages Past”
1. Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:
2. Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure:
sufficient is your arm alone, and our defence is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you art God to endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in your sight are like an evening gone:
short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all of us away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.
6. Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
remain our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Graham Howard
O Lord our God, You hear our prayers before we speak, and answer before we know our need. Although we cannot pray as we ought, may Your Spirit pray in us, drawing us to You and towards our neighbours. We pray for the whole creation: may all things work together for good, until, by Your design, your children inherit the earth and order it wisely.
Let the whole creation praise You, Lord our God.
We pray for the Church of Jesus Christ; that, begun, maintained and promoted by the Holy Spirit, it may be true, engaging, glad, and active, doing Your will.
Let the Church be always faithful, Lord our God.
We pray for peace in the world. Disarm weapons, silence guns, and put out ancient hate that smoulders still, or flames in sudden conflict. Create goodwill between every race and nation.
Bring peace on earth, O God.
We pray for enemies, as Christ commanded; for those who oppose us or scheme against us, who are also children of Your love. May we be kept from infectious hate or sick desire for vengeance.
Make friends of enemies, O God.
We pray for those involved in world government, in agencies of control or compassion, who work for the reconciling of the nations: keep them hopeful, and work with them for peace.
Unite our broken world, O God.
We pray for those who govern us, for those who make and administer our laws. May this country always be a land of free people who welcome exiles and work for justice.
Govern those who govern us, O God.
We pray for those who are poor, those who are hungry, in need of employment, homes or education. Increase in us, and in all who prosper, concern for the disinherited.
Care for the poor, O God.
We pray for social outcasts; for those excluded by their own aggression or by the harshness of others. May we accept those whom our world names unacceptable, and so show Your mighty love.Welcome the alienated, O God.
We pray for sick people who suffer pain, or struggle and silently cry out for healing: may they be patient, brave, and trusting.
Heal the sick and troubled, O God.
We pray for the dying, who face the final mystery: may they enjoy light and life intensely and greet death unafraid, believing in Your love.
Have mercy on the dying and comfort those who mourn, O God.
We pray for people who are alone and lonely, who have no one to call in easy friendship: may they be remembered, befriended, and know Your care for them.
Visit lonely people, O God.
We pray for people who do not believe, who are shaken by doubt, or have turned against You. Open their eyes to see beyond broken fellowship the wonders of Your love displayed in Jesus and to follow when He calls.
Conquer doubt with faith, O God.
We pray for families, for parents and children: may they enjoy one another, honour freedoms, and forgive as freely as we are all forgiven in Your huge mercy.
Keep families in love, O God.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Congregation
(adapted from the Basis of Union)
We believe in God, sovereign in grace and love, maker of all things.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God, the firstborn of a new creation.
We believe in God’s eternal Spirit, pledge and foretaste of the future, given that we may not lose the way, who has endowed us with a diversity of gifts.
We are a pilgrim people on the way to the promised goal. On this way, we are called to live and work within the faith and unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
In this unity, we offer our worship, witness and service and receive one another in love and joy.
We are being led to the free obedience of the children of God, and so we look with yearning and hope to the final reconciliation of humanity with God, and the renewal of all creation. Alleluia! Amen!
HYMN: “God Gives Us a Future”
God gives us a future, daring us to go
into dreams and dangers on a path unknown.
We will face tomorrow in the Spirit’s power,
we will let God change us, for new life starts now.
We must leave behind us sins of yesterday,
for God’s new beginning is a better way.
Fear and doubt and habit must not hold us back:
God gives hope, and insight, and the strength we lack.
Holy Spirit, teach us how to read the signs,
how to meet the challenge of our troubled times.
Love us into action, stir us into prayer,
till we choose God’s life, and find our future there.
RESPONSE Krikor Youmshajekian
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!
OFFERING – Help us who have received so freely from You to give as freely in our turn and have the pleasure of giving.
NOTICES:
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Rick and Krikor
HYMN: 429 “Break Now the Bread of Life”
THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.
INVITATION
Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.
PRAYER
Be present, risen Lord Jesus, as You were with Your disciples, and make Yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
According to our Saviour’s command, we set this bread and this cup apart for the holy supper to which he calls us, and we come to God with our prayers of thanksgiving.
We give You thanks through Your beloved child Jesus, whom You revealed to the whole world as Saviour and Redeemer, the light of all the nations. And so, we praise You with the faithful of every time and place, joining with choirs of angels and the whole creation in the eternal hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
We thank You that You called a covenant people to be a light to the nations. Through Moses You taught us to love Your law, and in the prophets, You cried out for justice.
In the fullness of Your mercy, You became one with us in Jesus Christ, who gave himself up for us on the cross. You make us alive together with him, that we may rejoice in his presence and share his peace.
By water and the Spirit, You open the kingdom to all who believe, and welcome us to Your table: for by grace we are saved, through faith.
We bless You, Sovereign God, ruler of the universe, through our Lord Jesus, who on the night of His betrayal took bread, gave You thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this and eat it. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper, He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying:
Drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for everyone for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.
With this bread and this cup we do as our Saviour commands: we celebrate the redemption He has won for us.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out the Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Make us one with Him, one with each other, and one in ministry in the world, until at last we feast with him in the kingdom. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, in your holy Church, all honour and glory are yours, Father almighty, now and for ever. Amen!
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
THE COMMUNION
Receive this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank You, Lord, that You have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people. Amen!
HYMN: 782 “Go Now In Peace”
Go now in peace, go now in peace,
May the love of God surround you everywhere
Everywhere you may go.
BENEDICTION AND DISMISSAL Krikor Youmshajekian
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.
Go in peace; may you carry God’s Wisdom, speak forth God’s Word, and embody God’s Presence wherever you are.
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