ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY & WELCOME
For over 60,000 years, the Dharawal people have walked on this ancient land, on country when the seaside was 25km east of its current location – Sydney Harbor was a river & Botany Bay a swamp. The Creator spoke to them in their Dreaming, for they too are made in the image of God.
We pay our respects to their elders, past and present and pledge ourselves to work together for
reconciliation & justice making. In that spirit of reconciliation we are invited and welcome here.
For the story of God is bigger, wider, more inclusive and welcoming than we can ever imagine.
There is room here for everyone; there is room here for you – God’s love embracing the world.
CHRIST CANDLE
We believe Christ Jesus is the Light of the world. We are drawn to His light lest we lose our way.
This candle reminds us of His promise that light is stronger than darkness. Christ is our Light!
OPENING PRAYER
Holy God. Carpenter’s Son. Spirit of intimacy.
Let all the world and every part of my being praise your Name.
For you made us in your image so that we could know what it truly is to love and be loved.
It is a new day. A precious gift won on a Cross and in an empty tomb. Hallelujah. Amen
HYMN
Awake, awake to love and work!
The lark is in the sky
The fields are wet with diamond dew
The worlds awake to cry
Their blessings on the Lord of life
As He goes bravely by.
Come, let our voices be one with theirs
Shout with their shout of praise
See how the giant sun soars up
Great Lord of years and days!
So let the love of Jesus come
And set our souls ablaze.
To give and give and give again
What God has given to us
To spend yourselves nor count the cost
To serve right gloriously
The God who gave all worlds that are
And all that are to be.
CCLI Song # 2961242 Geoffrey A. Studdert-Kennedy Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence # 31951
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
A RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF CONFESSION based on Isaiah 65: 17 – 25
O God, still creating, ever renewing
We hear your promises of a new day of joy and peace for all of your creation
But the past for me is a comfort, I long for it still.
You tell us you will once again rejoice in the places where we worship you and live
And that we will be a delight to you.
While our lives, like Jerusalem after the Exile, are still a ruin to you
What hope can be found in them and us?
Forgive our lack of faith in your ability to rebuild and renew our lives every day.
O God, do a new thing in our hearts, today!
May old animosities and the destructive habits of a lifetime be cast aside
So that our lives can bear the fruit of your Spirit in all we think and say and do.
And let us not be overwhelmed by selfish pride
But be glad and rejoice in your abundant and extravagant care, O God.
Through Christ Jesus we pray. Amen
Written by Paul B 2022
GOSPEL READING Dick & Jan
Luke 21:5 – 19 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be and what will be the sign that this is about to take
place?” And he said “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.“ When you hear of wars and insurrections do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be
great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
In this we hear God’s word of Life. Praise be to God.
HYMN ‘O Day of Peace’
O day of peace that dimly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams
Guide us to justice, truth and love
De-livered from our self-ish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands
Our hearts from envy find release
Till by God’s grace our waring world
shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb
Nor shall the fierce devour the small
As beats and cattle calmly graze
A little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love
All creatures find their true accord
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled
For all the earth shall know the Lord.
Words: Carl P Dow 1944 – © 1992 Hope Publishing Company. Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951
MESSAGE: You can watch the video here
HYMN
O God who came from above
The pure celestial fire to impart
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of our hearts.
There let it for Your glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze
And trembling to its source return
In humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus confirm our heart’s desire
To work and speak and think for You
Still let us guard the holy fire
And still stir up Your gift in me.
Ready for all Your perfect will
Our acts of faith and love repeat
Till death Your endless mercies seal
And make the sacrifice complete.
CCLI Song # 2684677 Charles Wesley Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.
All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence # 31951
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Bruce H
BLESSING & BENEDICTION
We are marching in the light of God (x 6)
We are living in the love of God (x6)
We are moving in the power of God (x6)
CCLI Song # 320947 Anders Nyberg © 1987, 1991 Peace Of Music Publishing (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors
Pty. Ltd.) Sovereign Music UK (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) For use solely with the
SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence # 31951
Recent Comments