Order of Service – Sunday 24 December 2023 – ADVENT 4

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Here we meet.  Here we encounter. Here we worship God.

Here we will encounter Christ, the One who is Love for all of creation.

Here we will celebrate what it means to be the people of God in this place.

Here we will give thanks for the Word made Flesh. 

Here we will experience the Love of Christ.

Here we will worship God.

We gather in Hope, for God is with us, even when hopefulness struggles to take root in our world.

We gather in Peace, for Jesus, Prince of Peace, is with us, even when peace seems overtaken by war and violence.

We gather in Love, as the Spirit weaves amongst us, even though hate seeks to take hold in the world.

We are not alone. Let us worship God.

HYMN:       137       “For the Beauty of the Earth”

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE                       Mark Woodward

As we light our fourth Advent Candle, we celebrate Your Love.

We light the Advent Candle and remind ourselves that You are Love. We love the world, and we live in the Hope that You will use us to continue building Your Love in our world this Advent Season.

This is the candle of Love.

ADVENT PRAYER                                                             Mark Woodward

Loving God, we open ourselves to You, trusting that this is how You made us: You created and formed us for joy-filled hearts and lives. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained but must be shared. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by You so we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen!

HYMN:      153       “God is Love, Let Heav’n Adore Him”

A LITANY OF ADVENT 

Lord God, we adore You because You have come to us in the past. You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel. You have challenged us in the words of the prophets. You have shown us in Jesus what You are really like.

Lord God, we adore You because You still come to us now. You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us. You come to us through men and women who need our help. You come to us as we worship You.

Lord God, we adore You because You will come to us at the end. You will be with us at the hour of death. You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail. You will still be God when our history has run its course.

We welcome You, God who comes. Come to us now in the power of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Lord God, we come to adore You. You are the source of all that is.

You have spoken and given form and beauty to the world. You have spoken and given purpose to human life.

You have spoken and declared forgiveness of our sin; You have spoken and freed us from the fear of death.

Lord Jesus Christ, divine Word, speak to us the eternal purpose; remove our guilt; conquer the fear of death in our hearts. Speak and let us hear You, Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

Most wonderful God, it is You who inspires every noble thought and every loving deed. When we draw near to You in worship, save us from wanderings of mind and coldness of heart, that with a deep longing for more truth and a warm desire for more Love, we may know You, embrace You, and worship You in the incarnate life of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We wait for Your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of Your temple and we wait in silence for Your loving-kindness, O God. Amen!

HYMN:       217(i)       “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

BIBLE READINGS –                                                        Roslyn McCawley

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (Page 587)                         John 3:16-36 (Page 1052)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:                       “Love Divine!”                   Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       317       “Love Came Down on Christmas”

DEDICATION of OFFERING

Generous God, we pray for our offerings. As we ready ourselves for Christmas, may we use these offerings to bring Hope, Peace, Joy and Love into our community. We pray for the work of all the charity organisations. May we give generously this year to support their work. Amen!

HYMN:       145       “The King of Love My Shepherd is”

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION (Prayer for Refugees)

Creator and loving God, surround refugees with Your love. Hold them close, we pray. Be present with all refugees living in camps across the world. Comfort and guide them as they navigate living away from their homelands.

We pray for healthcare workers sent by humanitarian organizations. May they be surrounded by Your loving presence. Protect them as they carry out their duties, we pray.

We pray for peace and for home.

Loving God, our hearts break with the thought of so many refugees still displaced by civil wars. We pray for repatriation programs and for those who have never seen their homeland.

Be with them as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father ….

HYMN:       771       “Now to Him Who Loved Us, Gave Us”

SENDING OUT

Go from this place filled with Joy for how God is Loving our world. Go now, as people of God.

We go assured that God loves us and all of creation.

We go to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Go now, held in the loving hands of God Most High.

Go now and follow Christ in all things.

Go now, in the love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Amen!

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To contact Krikor call 9453 0787 or 0418 417 411

Church Website:  http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au

Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au

Church Office phone: 9427 4740