Order of Service – Sunday 7 January 2024
Click the link below to download the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Endow the king with Your justice, O God, the royal Son with Your righteousness. He will judge Your people in righteousness, Your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; He will crush the oppressor. He will endureas long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In His days the righteous will flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. (Psalm 72:1-7)
HYMN: 207 “Jesus Shall Reign Wher’er the Sun”
EPIPHANY PRAYER
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God, Alleluia!
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Alleluia!
With joy let us pray to our Saviour, the Son of God who became one of us, saying: The grace of God be with us all.
O Christ, let Your gospel shine in every place where the Word of life is not yet received. Draw the whole creation to Yourself that Your salvation may be known through all the earth. The grace of God be with us all.
O Christ, Saviour and Lord, extend Your church to every place. Make it a place of welcome for people of every race and tongue. The grace of God be with us all.
O Christ, Ruler of rulers, direct the work and thoughts of the leaders of nations that they may seek justice, and further peace and freedom for all. The grace of God be with us all.
O Christ, Master of all, support of the weak and comfort of the afflicted, strengthen the tempted and raise the fallen. Watch over the lonely and those in danger. Give hope to the despairing and sustain the faith of the persecuted. The grace of God be with us all.
O Christ, light that made manifest as the true light of God, gladden our hearts on the joyful morning of Your glory; call us by our name on the great Day of Your coming; and give us grace to offer, with all the hosts of heaven, unending praise to God in whom all things find their ending, now and forever. Amen!
HYMN: 497 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
A LITANY FOR EPIPHANY
Our Heavenly Father, we thank You that the good news of Your Son’s birth was revealed to Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, wise men and simple people.
As the Wise Men followed the star and found the Christ Child and worshipped Him, help us to find Him anew through the celebration of His birth, making Him the King of our lives.
As the lowly shepherds quickly shared with others the good news of the Saviour’s birth, may we, too, become bearers of Your message.
Help us, O God, in the light of the shining star to realise the wastes and desolations of the world.
Lord, we pray that You will dispel the darkness of all kinds of prejudice and religious bigotry from the hearts of people.
Lord, we pray, that Your light will shine into the shadowy hearts and clouded minds and bring them to the truth.
Lord God, let the light of Christ expose sinners for what they are, and enable them to turn to the Source of life and enable them to find the truth.
Lord God, we pray for those who struggle to find direction in their lives, and for those who attempt to live out their lives with peace and dignity.
Gracious Lord, we thank You for Your manifestation in Jesus Christ, who was “anointed to preach the good tidings to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
May His spirit manifest itself in our lives; may He be praised through our lives. Amen!
PASTORAL PRAYER
HYMN: 447 “Lord, Your Almighty Word”
BIBLE READINGS – Ivy Lee
Math 2:1-12 (Page 956) Ephesians 3:1-13 (Page 1157)
MUSICAL REFLECTION
SERMON: “Epiphany” Krikor Youmshajekian
HYMN: 454 “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness”
NOTICES –
- Movie/ Pizza Nights will resume on Tues 6 Feb 6:30 pm.
- Time4U will resume on Wed 7 Feb 10:00 am.
- Elders’ & Council Meetings Wed 14 February 12:30 pm.
OFFERING – “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.
(Matthew 6:21)
HYMN: 511 “Let Us Break Bread Together With the Lord!”
COMMUNION
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The cup we take is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
THE COMMUNION
Receive this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank You, Lord, that You have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people. Amen!
HYMN: 459 “In Christ There is No East or West”
BENEDICTION
Go in peace and let the blessing of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Amen!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To contact Krikor call 9453 0787 or 0418 417 411
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au
Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740