You can watch some parts of the service in this video here (mostly bible readings and the message) or scroll down and read the prayers and songs in the order they happened.
LIGHTING THE CANDLE
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here
Come bow your heads now
With reverence and fear.
In him no sin is found,
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The holy one is here.
Welcome
Welcome to our service this morning! We believe that we are all created lovingly and wonderfully in the image of God, and we welcome everyone to this church and worship time together We love sharing love and care to everyone worshipping in the church or watching on Zoom or other devices. Please feel very welcome here this morning.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Dharawal people traditional custodians on whose lands we meet today and pay our respects to the Elders of the past, present and future. We commit to walking together gently across these lands in friendship, trust, justice and healing.
Invitation to Worship
The smallest thing, under the influence of God,
is made infinitely precious and eternal.
If we come to worship focussing on our needs,
we will go away feeling let down.
If we come wanting a God made in our own likeness,
we will be disappointed.
If we come rigid in our ideas and set in our ways,
we will leave as barren as we arrived.
If we put God first,
we shall never worship in vain.
Listen to this, people of God:
The Lord our God is One
and we shall love the Lord our God
with all our hearts
with all our minds
and with all our strength.
PRAYER OF APPROACH
Awesome Friend, we tum away from a pernicious preoccupation with our own thoughts, prejudices and wants. We come to you, loving Helper. Please help us to cast aside our self-centredness and find our true centre in you. Bring us to that point where we let go of all that is tatty or second rate and launch out into sincere and joyful praise. Through Christ Jesus our divine Friend
HYMN
Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew. Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace; here as one we claim the faith of Jesus
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat: a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet. Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space; as we share in Christ the feast that frees us
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard, and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Let us pray.
Regretfully but sincerely, loving God, we confess
that we don’t often live in the style of Jesus;
Too readily we adjust to the values and attitudes of the rest of the community; sometimes there is nothing distinctive or winsome about us.
Regretfully, loving God,
we confess that we do not make the most of our faith;
In the times we have to ourselves in this busy life, we do not make space for reflection and prayer; we leave you at the edges instead of embracing you at the centre of our days.
Regretfully, loving God, we confess
that we have looked for you in remarkable people and spectacular events;
Yet we have ignored you in the ordinary circumstances, in ordinary friends and neighbours, and in ordinary church members.
Regretfully, loving God, we confess
that we have not been very fair to ourselves;
We have hidden our gifts behind false modesty, withheld strengths in case others expect a lot from us, and been too afraid that our faith may be mocked if expressed openly.
Regretfully, loving God, we unfold our lives before you.
Please forgive and get rid of the things that are sloppy, unloving or rotten.
Please mend the things that are torn or distorted or fractured.
Please rehabilitate that soul-image of yourself that exists in each of us,
and give us the desire and the will and the strength
to make a good fist of living by faith in this new week.
In the name of Christ Jesus our Saviour, we pray.
Amen!
In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I ask you to accept God’s saving love, putting our sins and mistakes behind us and letting go of regrets and fears. Now lets face the future with the measured optimism of those who know they are destined to ultimate victory. By saving love we are released and you are at liberty!
Thanks be to God!
Hymn
Jesus, my Lord, Let me be near you: By your own word Help me to hear you.
Jesus my Lord Lead me to love you, Nothing more dear, No one above you
All through the day, Sisters and brother, Yours we will be, Caring for others,
Hearing your words, Learning your story.Bearing your cross, sharing your glory.
Teach us to know, Seeing from blindness, Help us to show Everywhere kindness.
Jesus our Lord Lead us and guide us, Best of all friends always beside us.
Video: Uniting Church’s 49th birthday, plus childrens talk and birthday celebration
BIBLE Readings: Ian
Genesis 22:1 – 14
Matthew 19:13 – 15
13 Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
SERMON John
Prayers for giving
Thank you to everyone as you bring your gifts of loving service and financial support through online giving. Let us pray:
Generous God, we bring our many gifts and talents.. Let your Holy Spirit breathe life into our giving and serving, so that all we do may bring glory to your name. Amen
Prayers of the People: Bruce
Hymn
1 God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power; now fulfil your Church’s story, bring the bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour.
2 See the hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail his ways. Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.
3 Cure your children’s warring madness; bend our pride to your control; shame our wanton selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
4 Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore; let the gift of your salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore.
SENDING OUT
Live purposefully,
for God hears the voice of every child.
Live trustingly
for even the hairs of our heads are numbered.
Live bravely,
for fear of failure is overshadowed by the love of Christ.
The cool head of Christ Jesus guide you,
the immovable rock of God’s love underpin you,
the warm fires of the Spirit embolden you,
today and always.
Amen!
BENEDICTION HYMN
We shall go out with hope of resurrection, We shall go out, from strength to strength go on, We shall go out and tell our stories boldly, Tales of a love that will not let us go.
We’ll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted, We’ll dream our dream of hurts that can be healed, We’ll weave a cloth of all the world united Within the vision of a Christ who sets us free.
We’ll give a voice to those who have not spoken, We’ll find the words for those whose lips are sealed, We’ll make the tunes for those who sing no longer, Vibrating love alive in every heart. We’ll share our joy with those who are still weeping, Chant hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief, We’ll leap and dance the resurrection story Including all within the circles of our love.
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