Order of Service – Sunday 29 January 2023 – EPIPHANY 4

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Come before the Lord in holy worship!

We come as we are as we have so many times before to worship our God and give thanks.

Open your hearts to God’s spirit and let Him renew your life.

We are ready. We are willing. We give ourselves to the renewing spirit of God.

INVOCATION

We gather as Your people, O God, as we have done many times before. We ask that today be different. Electrify our spirits, transform our minds, and renew our energy. Fill us with the energy of Your love that we might go about the work of transforming the world in the name of Jesus. Amen!

HYMN:       107       “Sing Praise and Thanksgiving”

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!

HYMN:       93       “Praise the Lord, You Heavens Adore Him”

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.

HYMN:       703       “As the Deer Pants for the Water”

RESPONSIVE READING  –  Seek the Lord

Seek the Lord while He wills to be found;

          call upon God when He draws near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways

          and the evil ones their thoughts;

and let them turn to the Lord, who will have compassion,

          and to our God, who will richly pardon.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

          nor your ways My ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

          so are My ways higher than your ways,

          and My thoughts than your thoughts.

For as rain and snow fall from the heavens

and return not again, but water the earth,

          bringing forth life and giving growth,

          seed for sowing and bread for eating,

so is My word which goes forth from My mouth;

it will not return to Me empty;

          but it will accomplish that which I have purposed,

          and prosper in that for which I sent it.

TIME TO PRAY

In silence please offer your prayers to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM(347-407)

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!

A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE SCRIPTURES

O Lord, You have given us Your Word for a light to shine upon our path;

inspire us to meditate on that Word and to follow its teaching;

that we may find its light that shines more and more until the perfect day;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!                                    (Jerome 342-420)

BIBLE READINGS –                                                              Brian Cartwright

Matthew 5:1-12 (Page 958)                       1 Cor. 1:18-31 (Pages 1128-1129)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

SERMON:       “Christ – Wisdom and Power of God”     Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       430       “Your Words to Me Are Life and Health”

NOTICES –

  • Time4U – Recommences on Wednesday 1 February 2023.
  • Movie/Pizza Night – 6:30 pm Tuesday 7 February 2023.
  • Elders’ & Council Meeting – Wednesday 8 Feb 12:30 pm.
  • Congregational Meeting – Sunday 12 February 10:30 am.

OFFERING   –     Give generously and freely for God’s glory.

HYMN:       781       “Father, Bless Us as We Go”

BENEDICTION

The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. 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