Order of Service – Sunday 24 April 2022 – ANZAC DAY
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OPENING SENTENCES
Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:16-17)
CALL TO WORSHIP
On this day, above all days, we recall those who, in the great tragedy of war, gave their lives for Australia and those who died for the freedom of all people.
We remember those who still sleep amid the ridges of Gallipoli, in the Syrian Deir ez-Zor desert, in our land and unknown resting places in every sea and land. We remember all who have fallen since in the defence of peace, on land, in the air and on the sea. We remember each man, woman and child who has died so that the light of freedom, justice and humanity may continue to shine.
Today, as we remember, we ask God that we and our successors may prove worthy of their sacrifice.
OPENING PRAYER
Come, Holy Spirit, renew our hearts; renew our faith; renew our love for You; renew our openness and compassion; renew our sense of justice.
Come Holy Spirit, renew your Church; renew our love for the Gospel; renew the liveliness of our worship; renew our commitment for the care for the poor; renew the church in its understanding of calling.
Come, Holy Spirit, renew the Earth. Teach us to protect our environment; teach us to care for other people as our own brothers and sisters; teach us to imagine all living things as we are connected to each other; so may the peoples and living things live in harmony with the earth. Amen.
HYMN: 569 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Loving Father, who gives life to all, we trust to Your keeping those who have died in the service of this country, and the one and half million Armenian men, women and children, who were brutally killed and massacred. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who suffer from the effects of war; grant them Your peace and healing strength; and for those who in sadness recall lives lost; grant them comfort in the hope of resurrection. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
May we be inspired by the determination of those who have served in the fight for freedom and justice; and those who were killed for their faith. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving Father, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Give Your Spirit of peace to all people and remove from them the spirit that makes for war, that all may live as members of Your family. Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER This prayer is based on the writings of Gregory of Narek
Son of justice, ray of blessings, form of light, Cherished desire, exalted beyond understanding, mighty beyond telling, Joy of goodness, hope realised, praised by heaven, King of glory, Christ creator, life proclaimed:
… Let your light dawn, Your salvation be swift. (Holy, Holy)
Prepare the earth to the light of day and let the soil bloom and bring forth fruit.
To the Creator, together with You, all glory, and with the Holy Spirit, praise and resounding thanks, now, and always and forever. Amen.
HYMN: SHARAGAN – Sourp, Sourp (Holy, Holy)
PRAYER
We thank You, O God, for those who gave themselves with such courage in service and sacrifice for their country and those who were murdered for their faith in Christ. Inspire us to spend ourselves for the common good that we may build up harmony and peace for which they fought and died.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN: 76 “I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes”
RESPONSIVE READING Memorial Day
O Lord, our God, on this day we come together to praise Your holy name and to remember those who gave their lives for our country.
We praise You, O God, for the gift of memory.
We remember, also, all our loved ones who have departed from us, and have gone to receive their reward in eternal life.
We thank You, O Lord, for these people who have fought the good fight and entered your kingdom.
We lift our hearts in gratitude for all who have lived valiantly, and for all who have died for truth, liberty, righteousness and faith.
Help us, O God, to prize highly and to guard carefully the gifts which through loyalty and devotion have passed on to us.
Grant to us the wisdom and grace that, having them always in remembrance, we may emulate their faithfulness and with them inherit the Promised Land.
Confirm our faith in Your promises of eternal life; that “if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built with human hands.”
We thank You, O God, that Jesus Christ our Lord is the resurrection and the life; that those who believe in Him will live, even though they die; and whoever believes in Him will never die.
Praise, glory, and honour be to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit now and always. Amen!
HYMN: 10 “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
BIBLE READINGS – Wendy Phelps
Romans 8:18-27 (Page 1082) John 20:19-31 (Page 1075)
SERMON: “Life and Hope” Krikor Youmshajekian
NOTICES – Mother’s Day Lunch – Sunday 1 May 11:30 am.
- – Tuesday 3 May 6:30 pm
- 10 May 7:30 pm LCM Anglican Church.
OFFERING – Help us to give as those who gave much more.
HYMN: 47 “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”
PRAYERS AND BLESSING
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted, honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord bless Your people and all who labour in the cause of peace that through them Your Spirit will renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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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