Order of Service – Sunday 8 January 2023 – BAPTISM OF CHRIST

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who trust in Him.

Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.                      (Psalm 34:8, 96:9 and 122:1)

HYMN:       133       “O Worship the King All-glorious Above”

ADORATION

Eternal God, Lord of heaven and earth, we praise You for Your greatness. Your wisdom is seen in all Your works. Your grace and truth are revealed in Jesus Christ Your Son. Your presence and power are given to us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, blessed Trinity, we worship and adore You for ever and ever. Amen!

CONFESSION

In penitence and faith, let us confess our sins to Almighty God.

Silent Prayer

Merciful God, our maker and judge, we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved You with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves; we repent, and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. Strengthen us to love and obey You in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us: ‘Your sins are forgiven”.

Thanks be to God.

HYMN:       132       “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

O Lord our God, You hear our prayers before we speak, and answer before we know our need. Although we cannot pray as we ought, may Your Spirit pray in us, drawing us to You and towards our neighbours.

         Amen!

We pray for the whole creation: may all things work together for good, until, by Your design, Your children inherit the earth and order it wisely.

         Let the whole creation praise You, Lord our God.

We pray for the Church of Christ; that, begun, maintained and promoted by the Holy Spirit, it may be true, engaging, glad, and active, doing Your will.

          Let the Church be always faithful, Lord our God.

We pray for peace in the world. Disarm weapons, silence guns, and put out ancient hate that smoulders still, or flames in sudden conflict. Create goodwill between every race and nation.

          Bring peace on earth, O God.

We pray for enemies, as Christ commanded; for those who oppose us or scheme against us, who are also children of Your love. May we be kept from infectious hate or sick desire for vengeance.

          Make friends of enemies, O God.

We pray for those involved in world government, in agencies of control or compassion, who work for the reconciling of the nations: keep them hopeful, and work with them for peace.

          Unite our broken world, O God.

We pray for those who govern us, for those who make and administer our laws. May this country always be a land of free people who welcome exiles and work for justice.

          Govern those who govern us, O God.

We pray for those who are poor, those who are hungry, in need of employment, homes or education. Increase in us, and in all who prosper, concern for the disinherited.

          Care for the poor, O God.

We pray for social outcasts; for those excluded by their own aggression or by the harshness of others. May we accept those whom our world names unacceptable, and so show Your mighty love.

          Welcome the alienated, O God.

We pray for sick people who suffer pain, or struggle with demons of the mind, who silently cry out for healing: may they be patient, brave, and trusting.

          Heal the sick and troubled, O God.

We pray for those whose tears are not yet dry, who listen for familiar voices and look for familiar faces: in their loss, may they affirm all that You promise in Jesus, who prepares a place for us within Your spacious love.

          Comfort those who mourn, O God.

We pray for people who are alone and lonely, who have no one to call in easy friendship: may they be remembered, befriended, and know Your care for them.

          Visit lonely people, O God.

We pray for families, for parents and children: may they enjoy one another and forgive as freely as we are all forgiven in Your mercy.

          Keep families in love, O God.

We pray for young and old: give impatient youth true vision, and experienced age openness to new things. Let both praise Your name.

          Join youth and age together, O God.

We pray for people everywhere: may they come into their own as children of God, and inherit the kingdom prepared in Jesus Christ, the Lord of all and Saviour of the world.

          Hear our prayers, almighty God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who prays with us and for us, to whom be praise for ever. Amen!

HYMN:       217(i)       “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

BIBLE READINGS                                                                    Chris Butters

Isaiah 42:1-9 (Page 717)    Acts 10:34-43 (Page 1089)   Matthew 3:13-17 (Page 957)

MUSICAL REFLECTION

MESSAGE:                 “Christ – God’s Servant”            Krikor Youmshajekian

HYMN:       250       “Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized”

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.

HYMN:       256       “From Heaven You Came, Helpless Babe”

OFFERING and DEDICATION

Almighty God, who has given us many good gifts as our Heavenly Father, we now offer these pledges to You. We pray that You accept them, bless them and use them for the spread of Your Kingdom and glory. Guide us, that we might continually accept our responsibility to You, to Your church and to others, in Christ’s name. Amen!

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BENEDICTION

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