Order of Service – Sunday 27 September 2020 – PENTECOST 17

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CALL TO WORSHIP

O God from whom every gift derives, we come to worship You this day. You are an amazing and great God, greater than our comprehension or our imagination. You are beyond any word we could ever use to describe You. And yet, through Jesus, we know the intimacy of Your vast Love.

We have come to You in thanksgiving and praise, to know that You are God and to place our lives anew into Your perspective. Widen our vision this hour with Your Word. Instil in us, again, Your hope in place of our despair, Your peace where our hatred threatens, Your joy amidst our depression, Your love overwhelming our apathy. May Your Holy Spirit surround and dwell in us now, and forevermore. In Jesus we pray. Amen.

HYMN:       152       “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You”

RESPONSIVE READING

The presence of God is surely in this place.

The presence of God is everywhere.

We open our hearts to receive the presence of God in this place, at this time.

We seek ways to express the presence of God in all places, at all times.

We are here to remind ourselves and each other that God is everywhere at all times.

God is in all people, in all things, in all places, and in all situations.

We pray and seek God’s help and blessing now more than ever.

To see God where we expect to find God, we open our eyes.

To see God everywhere, we must open our hearts.

PRAYER

Our God, You are King of kings and Lord of lords. We thank You for the gift of eternal life that is available through the blood of Jesus. May the world know Your great love and may we be the ones who tell it. Amen.

HYMN:       141       “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”

CONFESSION

The Life You give us in Christ is so very real, God.

Who are we to receive such goodness?

We confess that we have not been all that faithful throughout the past week. There were moments when we acted in love. But more often our actions were powered by other motives. Forgive us.

Help us to live in You and empower us with Your Spirit. Who are we to profess the life You freely give? Who are we to claim Your daily goodness? Who are we to receive Your healing presence?

Thank You, Father God, for Your forgiveness. Thank You, Christ Jesus, for Your Life. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your power.

We open ourselves to You, anew today. Live now in us, we pray.

In Jesus name. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Once we were slaves to sin, living lives that led only to death. But thanks be to God! In His mercy, He has set us free from the power of sin and death, and has offered us eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord! 

Now we are free to choose life, and to use our lives to bring honour and glory to God!

Thanks be to God! Amen.

HYMN:                 “He Is Lord”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Father, we pray for the holy catholic Church;

          that we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;

          that Your name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all ministers of the gospel;

          that they may faithfully proclaim Your Word and administer

          Your holy sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;

          that there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do Your will in all that we undertake;

          that our works may find favour in Your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;

          that they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise You for Your saints who have entered into joy;

          may we also come to share in Your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our community, for the life and worship of our church and congregation, and for those whose needs are known to us.

Let us pray for ourselves.      A time for silent prayers.

Almighty God, You have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to You; and You have promised, through Your well-beloved Son, that when two or three are gathered together in His name You will be in the midst of them.

Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us;

granting us in this world knowledge of Your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN:       609      “May the Mind of  Christ My Saviour”

BIBLE READINGS –

Exodus 17:1-7 (Page 71)                                                     Psalm 78:1-29 (Pages 580-581)

MUSICAL REFLECTION –   “Day by Day”  from Quiet Moments

MESSAGE:            “What Am I To Do With These People?”            Krikor

HYMN:       432       “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”

OFFERING  –   In enthusiasm and hope, in humility and community, in

                               trust and expectation, we make our offering to God.

HYMN:       569       “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”

BENEDICTION

To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!

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