Order of Service – Sunday 24 January 2021 – EPIPHANY 3

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CALL TO WORSHIP

God is faithful and compassionate. God provides peace in the midst of life’s storms. It is God who guides us and creates new paths.

INVOCATION

O Lord we enter this place today aware of Your great gifts. We thank You for the gift of Your creation and presence. We are thankful for Your forgiveness and redemption. We are thankful for Your willingness to meet us wherever we are. We thank You especially for the gift of Your Son who personified all of Your love for us. Accept this gift of our worship on this day. Anoint us with Your presence. Amen.

HYMN:       275       “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

RESPONSIVE READING

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

With You, O Lord, is the well of life.

In Your light we see light.

God Most High, Your glory continues to surprise our expectations beyond our imagination. Breathe new life into our traditions and familiar practices, to prepare Your people for Your Kingdom.

Bless and guide Your bride, the Church, as it seeks to live Your good news.

Spirit of God, come upon Your Church. Fill it with Your life and grace.

May we be good news to the poor in spirit and wealth.

God Most High, You are with us in times of struggle and peace. Strengthen the hands who defend the weak and vulnerable.

Give courage to those who dare to establish just peace.

Spirit of God, come upon the nations. Challenge them with Your justice and equity.

May we work for the liberty of all.

God Most High, You bring people together in love and fidelity. Bless all who covenant their relationships before You.

In all that we are and all that we have we share in Your love.

Spirit of God, come weighed down by oppression and violence. Inspire all who work for fair working conditions and levels of pay.

May our trading be a source of blessing.

God Most High, You take our anxiety and rescue us from the pit of despondency. Give hope to all weighed down by concerns and fear.

Bring to troubled hearts the light and refreshment of Your peace.

Spirit of God, come upon all who have to overcome disabilities of mind or body. Send Your healing presence upon all in need.

May earth and heaven resound with Your praise.

HYMN:       119       “I Sing the Almighty Power of God”

A GENERAL THANKSGIVING

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, Your unworthy servants, do give You most humble and hearty thanks for all Your goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men. We bless You for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for Your inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech You, give us that due sense of all Your mercies, that our hearts may be sincerely thankful; and that we show forth Your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to Your service, and by walking before You in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, we come in prayer as Your people, to ask You to forgive us for having such divided hearts. We draw near to You only occasionally and often for our own concerns — not in true devotion to You. Our decisions are so often forgetful of You and just based on self-interest. You know what we are like better than we do ourselves and we ask You to forgive us and help us. Wash away the sins we have committed and cause your Spirit to fill and rule our hearts. Thank You for Jesus our Saviour and for the Spirit our Life-giver — make us people who love and serve You as You desire. In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the perfect offering for our sins, and not for ours only, but also the sins of the whole world.”   Thanks be to God.

APOSTLES’ CREED

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.

HYMN:       598       “Dear Father, Lord of Humankind”

BIBLE READINGS –

Jonah 3:1-10 (page 917)                                                               Mark 1:14-20 (page 990)

MESSAGE:                   “Come Follow Me!”           Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       589       “Jesus Calls Us! O’er the Tumult”

OFFERING  –   “Men will praise God for your generosity”. (2 Cor. 9:13)

HYMN:       28       “God is Our Strength and Refuge”

BLESSING

We have heard your word, O Lord. It is a powerful word and has changed our lives. In your spirit we go forth to live and work that life might be renewed and people redeemed. Be with us now and always.

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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