Welcome. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, wherever you’ve come from, wherever you’re going to, whatever is in your heart we say: Welcome & Good morning! Worimi, Budaryi Melinawul (Darug Aboriginal) Fakaalofa atu! (Niuean)
Acknowledgement of Country
As we gather, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and these waters. We pay our respect to elders past and present, and commit ourselves and our church to listening, learning and keeping the covenant as we walk together, First and Second Peoples.
Lighting the candle
Christ, the Light that shines in the darkness
Shine on us.
You call us to oneness
Join us together in your love.
You call us to embody your love and to share it with the world.
Speak to us, and show us how to live out this calling.
Jesus, your call to a new way of being and living
resonates in our soul and opens us to hear more.
We have so much to learn from you, Spirit of Wisdom,
to live a faith-filled life.
God of all, come, speak with us now.
Let us hear your words as if for the first time.
Inspire us. Guide us. Teach us.
We pray with joy, for we are your people,
living a faith-filled life with you! Hallelujah, Amen.
Sing: We are your people (Together in Song, 468)
Prayer of Confession
Jesus prayed, “that they may all be one.”
We confess that we, your people, are far from being one.
We have competed when we should have been cooperating.
We have divided and fought over points of doctrine.
We have insisted that everyone in the Church should share our key beliefs.
We have failed to love another in the way that you have loved us.
We have squabbled when we should have been serving.
We have failed to be your effective witnesses in the world because of our divisions.
Forgive us and help us become one.
(Silent prayer)
Help us, we pray, to be people of faith who embody your love,
justice, mercy and compassion.
Help us, we pray,
to work with our fellow Christians to serve your world.
Grant unity and reconcile your Church
so that it may shine the light of Christ
into the darkness of the world.
Amen.
Assurance
God rolls away everything that stands in our way – our past, our sin, our pain, our hesitation,
and reshapes us into new people living in the new creation.
What wonderful grace.
We are forgiven!
Broken, we are made whole;
lost, we are brought home;
empty, we are filled with songs of gladness.
We rejoice and give thanks to God who has graced us with mercy.
Amen.
Sing: Make me a channel of your peace, Together in Song 607
Prayer of Adoration
In the light of a dawning day, we turn to you, God of Light.
During the busyness of our days, we pause and meditate on your word.
As we eat our food and are refreshed by fresh water,
we give thanks for the gifts that come before us,
nourishing and sustaining us,
bringing us joy and energy for the day.
As we end our day and have a moment to reflect,
we think of all those who have enabled and supported us
to make it worthwhile and fulfilling
with the materials and goods we needed today.
In the light of the evening moon, we turn to you, God of Light,
who have shone through even in the bleakest moments,
and who guides us now to an evening of rest.
Bible Readings: Janene
Acts 16:16-34
John 17:20-26
Sermon: Rev Matagi Jessop Vilitama, “Oneness with God, Oneness with others” (John 17:20-26)
Offering Prayer: Generous God, you have shown us great love. May we, in the unity of Christ, bring our diverse gifts and offer them to your service, to be used for the ministry of our church. Let our church life reflect your way. May we be bringers of peace in this area, offering kind words
and generous outstretched hands to those who need a friend. Grow in us the skills we need to be your missional people. Take the life of this church to be a witness of a faith-filled life with you. Amen
Prayers of the People: John
Lords Prayer
Loving Creator, we honor you,
and we honor all that you have made.
Renew the whole world in the image of your love.
Give us what we need for today,
and a hunger to see the whole world fed.
Strengthen us for what lies ahead;
heal us from the hurts of the past;
give us courage to follow your call in this moment.
For your love is the only power,
the only home, the only honor we need,
in this world and in the world to come. Amen.
(Sarah Dylan Breuer)
Sing: Community of Christ (Together in Song 473)
Benediction:
Go now and live as children of light.
May we together shine your light into the darkness of this world.
Help us to be one in your love.
Strengthen our desire to work together for you.
And may you go with the blessing of the Triune God.
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