Order of Service – Sunday 26 January 2025 – EPIPHANY 3 – AUSTRALIA DAY

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Come, let us worship God, who has called us to be holy people, and has established an everlasting covenant through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We come in spirit and in truth.

We praise You, O God, we acclaim You as Lord.

HYMN:       179       “Praise With Joy the World’s Creator”

A  LITANY  OF  INVOCATION

Come to us, God of peace.

Come with Your healing and Your reconciling power.

Come, that fear may be cast out by love; that weapons may be replaced by trust; that violence may give way to gentleness:

Come to us, God of peace.

Come to us, God of justice.

Come with your righteous judgments and Your mercy.

Come, that we may hear the cries of the oppressed in every land; that we may see the suffering of the poor in our own land; that we may return to the way of righteousness and compassion:

Come to us, God of justice.

Come to us, God of Love.

Come with Your extravagant kindness and Your goodness.

Come, that we may see You in the people of every race and culture; that we may embrace You in the lonely, the bereaved and the rejected; that we may be an accepting and a caring church:

Come to us, God of Love.

Come to us, God of unity.

Come with Your forgiveness and Your healing grace.

Come, that we may witness to reconciliation for a divided world; that we may gather around Christ’s table as one people; that we may affirm one church, one faith, one Lord:

Come to us, God of unity.

Come to us, God of hope.

Come to us with Your promises, come in Your mysterious presence.

Come, that we may marvel at Your faithfulness in past generations; that we may celebrate the new things You are doing among us today; that we may be Your pilgrim people on our journey to your kingdom;

Come to us, God of hope.

PRAYER – ABIDING  IN  GOD

O loving God, to turn away from You is to fall, to turn towards You is to rise, and to stand before You is to abide for ever.

Grant us, dear God, in all our duties Your help; in all our uncertainties Your guidance; in all our dangers Your protection; and in all our sorrows Your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

PSALTER –       Psalm 19 (Read in unison)                                  Pages 541-542

HYMN:       590       “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests. Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

In peace, we pray to You, Lord God.

For all people in their daily life and work;

for our families, friends, and neighbours, and for those who are alone.

For this community, our country, and the world;

for all who work for justice, freedom,  and peace.

For the just and the proper use of Your creation;

for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

for all who proclaim the gospel, and for all who seek the truth.

For the Uniting Church in Australia, for the President of the Assembly, for our Moderator and for the Chairperson of the Presbytery, for the Ministers of the Word, elders and church councils and the congregations;

for all who serve God in the church.

We pray for our own needs, and for others for whom You have called us to pray. Hear us Lord;

for Your mercy is great.

We thank You, Lord, for all the blessings of life.

We will exalt You, O God our king;

and praise Your name for ever and ever.

We give You thanks for all those who have died in the peace of Christ,

and for the promise of Your eternal kingdom.

In Christ You have called us to eternal glory;

to You be praise for ever and ever.

Glorious God, You have heard the prayers of Your faithful people;

You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking.

Grant our requests as may be best for us.

This we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

HYMN:       207       “Jesus Shall Reign” (Mel. 439)

BIBLE READINGS –                                                           Penny Goodley

Nehemiah 8:1-12 (Page 479)                                               Luke 4:14-21 (Page 1018)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

SERMON:               “Rejoicing in God’s Word”          Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       428       “Help Us, O Lord, to Learn”

NOTICES –

  • Movie/Pizza Night – Tuesday 4 Feb 6:30 pm. Film “Lion”.
  • Elders’ & Council Meetings Wednesday 5 Feb 10:00 am.
  • Time4U will resume on Wednesday 12 Feb 10:00 am.

OFFERING  –   God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7)

HYMN:       154       “Great is Your Faithfulness”

THE LORD’S PRAYER  and BLESSING

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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