Order of Service – Sunday 6 December 2020 – ADVENT 2 – Peace
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us come with a sense of expectation of the new things God can do in our lives.
Show us God what we need to do personally and as a community to get ready for Your coming.
Come you who are fearful or despairing. Come those searching for peace. Come those needing healing and renewal.
We come to God in whom we find life.
Hear God’s call to repentance. God invites us to plunge into cleansing waters.
Returning to God we find forgiveness and refreshment. You restore our life. Praise be to God.
HYMN: “O Lord My God, When I in Awesome Wonder ” (On Screen)
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
There is a voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make the paths straight for Him.”
Today we especially pray for the Rohingya people, who fled violence in Myanmar to find safety in Bangladesh, as well as the people of Artsakh, who fled the war-torn country to find safety in Armenia.
Come Prince of Peace. In places darkened by the shadow of hunger.
Come Prince of Peace.
In a world of great wealth, where so many go without.
Come Prince of Peace.
In a world of great knowledge, where many die of ignorance.
Come Prince of Peace.
In a world of astonishing beauty, but so much destruction and disregard for God’s creation.
Come Prince of Peace. Amen.
A LITANY FOR ADVENT
Lord God, we come to adore You. You are the source of all that is.
Before we were born, before time began, before the universe came into being, You were.
When time is finished, when the universe is no more, You will still be.
Nothing can take Your power from You.
And in Your presence, we can only be silent . . . (silence)
Yet You have spoken to us. Out of universal silence Your living word has reached us.
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 the forgiveness to 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 (silence). Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Jan Catwright
PEACE
Yolŋu people speak of right relationships between people, between people and God, and people and the land as Mägaya Rom. The Law gives meaning to our lives by teaching respectfulness in all our relationships. God sent Jesus into the world to bring peace and restore broken relationships. His reign brings Mägaya Rom.
May the God of Peace help us honour each other and cherish the gifts God gives of the land, sea, sky and water.
May the God of Peace help us live in peace. Amen.
God of Peace give us peace. Amen. (The candle is lit)
HYMN: 28 “God is our Strength and Refuge”
CHRISTMAS BOWL – Video Clip
BIBLE READINGS – Dianna Brookes
Isaiah 40:1-11 (Page 714) 2 Peter 3:8-17 (Page 1206)
Mark 1:1-8 (Page 992)
MUSICAL REFLECTION
MESSAGE: “At Peace with Him” Krikor Youmshajekian
HYMN: “Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us ” (On Screen)
NOTICES – ChristmasCarols Service: Sunday 13th December 9:30 am.
– Christmas Eve Service: Thursday 24th December 7:30 pm.
– Christmas Day Service: Friday 25th December 9:00 am.
OFFERING – DEDICATION OF OFFERING
We give thanks for the prophetic voice of John the Baptist and others whom God has sent to point our feet along the path of true peace. May our giving contribute to the peace-building work of Christ as we take our place as co-workers with him for the healing of God’s world. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
As this broken bread was once many grains, which have been gathered together and made one bread: so may Your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Draw near with faith, to feed on Christ in your hearts with thanksgiving.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank You, Lord, that You have fed us in this sacrament, united with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people. Amen.
HYMN: 558 “All Praise to Thee, My God, this Night”
THE LORD’S PRAYER – SENDING OUT
We go to be part of God’s reconstruction effort, levelling mountains of prejudice and lifting boulders of fear.
Prince of Peace make us partners with You in building peace.
May God, Creator, Redeemer, and Life-giving Spirit strengthen and guide you always.
We go strengthened by Christ to declare God’s reign of peace. 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