Order of Service – Sunday 7 February 2021 – EPHIPHANY 5

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord.
How good it is to make music to our God;
how pleasant and right it is.
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem,
and gathering up the outcasts of Israel; 
healing the broken-hearted,
and binding up their wounds;
counting the number of the stars,
and calling each by their names.
Our Lord is great, ever so powerful;
whose wisdom is beyond measure. 
The Lord comes to the aid of the oppressed;
and brings down the wicked. 
Respond to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make music to our God with the lyre.
our God, who covers the heavens with clouds,
and prepares rain to fall on the earth,
who makes grass grow on the mountains;
gives grain to the cattle,
and to the young crows when they call.
The Lord God does not take pleasure in the strength of the horse,
nor the fitness of a man,
the Lord’s delight is in those who hold the Lord in holy awe;
who wait upon the steadfast love of the Lord.
Praise the Lord.

                                                                                               (Psalm 147:1-11)

HYMN:       210       “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

PRAYER OF PRAISE

Here in this place, God transforms us into disciples,

so we may share the grace etched upon our hearts.

Here with these people, compassion is written on our hearts,

so we may join Jesus in bringing justice to all.

Now, in these moments, the Spirit is breathed into us,

so we can be as persistent as God in bringing hope to the world.

HYMN:       129       “Amazing Grace”

PRAYER FOR CONFESSION

Let us pray:  

Forgive us, O God, for clinging to the use of language which excludes people from hearing the great good news about Jesus.

Woe to us all if our lives and characters proclaim other than the gospel of Jesus Christ.     

Forgive us, O God, if our piety is visible on Sundays, but hard to detect the rest of the week.

Woe to us all if the gospel is proclaimed only within these walls and not daily in the communities where we live or study or work.

Forgive us, O God, for earnestly praising and worshipping you in words and ritual whilst failing to perform deeds of mercy and service.

Woe to us all if we forget that proclamation of the gospel goes hand in hand with the belief that the hopes and dreams of the downtrodden and powerless can be transformed into reality when we risk stepping out in faith.

Forgive us, O God, if our zeal for mission and evangelism is shaped by the state of our finances rather than the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Strengthen us with the Holy Spirit to do all for the sake of the gospel, so that we, and all those to whom the gospel is truly proclaimed may share in its blessings. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Hear the good news: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. Friends, believe the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are loved, we are healed and we are forgiven!

Thanks be to God!  Amen!

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Ever-living, ever-present God, You are with us.

We come before You this day knowing we are to be dispersed, sent out into your world to be Your church in new ways.

If we are resistant to this change Lord, hear our prayer of confession and bless us with forgiveness, patience and resilience for we are committed to care for each other as we care for ourselves.

So, help us to discover new ways to share why we live our lives committed to sharing the promises of the gospel.

During this time of upheaval, we will remember those whose groups who meet in our buildings that are no longer available to them and the new ways they will need to be community.

We remember planned baptisms and weddings and pray times for rejoicing will not be too far away.

We remember those for who this time is one of uncertainty and challenge, those who now live with fear and in isolation, and those for whom this time is one of anguish and death.

Hold all those in need of your love at this time.

Holy God, you encourage us when doubtful to draw closer to you.
Allow us to recognise your Holy Spirit as our guide, comforter, and companion.

And so, with the hope you instil in us and when the time is right and this season of COVID 19 is over we will return as your gathered community with joy, celebrating our resilience, knowing our communities are stronger than ever to continue your work to help build a flourishing world wherever we find ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

BIBLE READINGS –

1 Corinthians 9:16-23  (Page 1134)                       Mark 1:29-39  (Page 991)

MESSAGE:                      “God (not) In a Box ”                       Bob Minton

HYMN:       153       “God is Love”

OFFERING  –   “According to their ability, they gave”.  Ezra 2:69

OFFERTORY PRAYER

In these days of changed circumstances and the different ways we contribute our gifts of time, talents and money we ask O God that You bless both our gifts and us the givers. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

HYMN:       502       “Soul of My Saviour, Sanctify My Breast”

HOLY COMMUNION

THE INVITATION

We are here because Jesus has called us –

Strangers and friends, believers and doubters, the certain and the curious.

It is always a mixed company that Jesus gathers and invites to His table where, in bread and wine, He meets us and through Him, we who are different, are joined to each other.

So, come, not because you understand, but because you are understood.

Come, not because of how you feel, but because God has food for you.

Come, not because you deserve a place, but because Jesus invites you, just as you are.

We do as Jesus did and commanded us to do. We take ordinary bread and wine. The ordinary things of the world which Christ, in His own way, will make special and as He said a prayer before sharing, we do so too.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God our maker.

It is right to give God our thanks and praise.

Praise is Yours, Holy God… Praise beyond all telling.

All that we are, all that we have, all that we know and all that we are yet to be, comes from Your care. Water and wisdom light and longing.

The stones of the earth and the hope in our hearts are grounded in Your graciousness. The life of the world and all its people, nature and human skill celebrate You as first mover and final destiny.

Therefore, to an unending song of earth, sea and sky to the anthems of the company of heaven – the angels and archangels, the saints of every age and as one with Your people on earth, North, South, East and West, we join our praise, saying the song of Your eternal greatness:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory,

Hosanna in the highest!

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the Highest.

Because You, gracious God, have been faithful to us, we will be faithful to Jesus.

He promised to be with those who meet in His name.

This we believe.

He promised to hear the prayers of faithful people.

This we believe.

He said that in the communion of bread and wine, He would be present with us and we remember Him:

This we celebrate.

So, send now Your Spirit among us and upon this bread and wine, that we may taste and see Your goodness, be embraced by Your love and engaged in Your service. Amen!

We pray the prayer Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come,  Your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours. 

Now and for ever. Amen!

As Jesus did, so we do.

We break this bread and we share this wine.

We believe that He who lived, died and rose again for us, will meet us here.

Graciously nourish us, O Christ, so that we who try to follow You, may receive food for the journey and be bound in solidarity, with all who walk in Your way. Amen!

The Lamb of God.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world.

Have mercy on us!

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world.

Have mercy on us!

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world.

Give us your peace!

Take this bread, share this wine.

In these Christ comes to us, with love from God.

The gifts of God,

for the people of God.

So, come and share this table, it is neither our virtues nor our defects that are important.

It is the invitation to each and to all to take what Jesus has to offer those with whom He is pleased to dine.

THE DISTRIBUTION

The body of Christ, broken for you.      Amen!

The blood of Christ, poured out for you.   Amen!

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Holy God, we give You thanks that we have been fed and renewed by Christ’s life in us and we go now to share that life with others.

Send us out from here equipped with the power of Your Spirit to follow Jesus and to spread the message of His love and compassion to all whom we meet.

Amen!

BENEDICTION

Go in peace, and may God touch you and embrace you, may He raise you up on His wings and give you strength, and wisdom and joy, may His Word dwell in you and his Spirit guide your steps, may His Praise endure forever in your hearts and cast His light upon all about you, this both now and forevermore. 

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. 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