Order of Service – 30th July 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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Kardlayirdi Karnungga
The light on the hill

July 30, 2023
Pentecost 9A
Preacher: Rev Robyn Caldicott

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional carers of the land on which our church is built.

Prelude

Welcome

Lighting of Candles

Acknowledgement of Country

A Time of Reflection:

As we gather from the busy-ness of this world Let us be still and know that all will be well, that in all manner of things it will be well. ……

Choir: Come and Find the Quiet Centre

Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead.
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.

Fresh anticipation percolates, as this community gathers together in this sacred place. ……

Choir: Come and Find the Quiet Centre

Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we’re shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.

Let us affirm we are not alone

Choir: Come and Find The Quiet Centre

In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other’s pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming,
there’s a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit’s lively scheming
there is always room to spare.

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

We Sing: Sing of The Lord’s Goodness

Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom,
come to him and bless his name.
Mercy he has shown us, his love is forever,
faithful to the end of days.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Power he has wielded, honour is his garment,
risen from the snares of death.
His word he has spoken, one bread he has broken,
new life he now gives to all.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Courage in our darkness, comfort in our sorrow,
Spirit of our God most high;
solace for the weary, pardon for the sinner,
splendour of the living God.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Praise him with your singing, praise him with the trumpet,
praise God with the lute and harp,
praise him with the cymbals, praise him with your dancing,
praise God till the end of days.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.

Prayer of Confession

Let us pray

Assurance of Forgiveness

Thanks be to God!

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-39

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

From this shines forth the Word of God.
Thanks be to God.

Prayer of Adoration and Praise

Passing of the Peace

The peace of our God be with you.
And also with you.

Community News and Notices

Current or previous BP E-news and to sign up to receive BP E-news

Children’s Time

Children may go downstairs for Sunday School. Parents, you are welcome to join your child in Sunday School if you feel your child may need your assistance. Alternatively, you may wish for your child to remain with you for the duration of worship. Activity packs are available at the entrances.

Choral Anthem: – Bread of the World

Scottish traditional, arr Alan Bullard Fl A 4 -P14

Introduction to Genesis Reading

Scripture Reading: Genesis 29.15-28

Then Laban said to Jacob, ‘Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?’ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.’ Laban said, ‘It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.’ So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.’ So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?’ Laban said, ‘This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me for another seven years.’ Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

May the Spirit of God open our eyes to see, our ears to hear,
and our hearts to understand.

Message

We Sing: On Eagles’ Wings

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in this shadow for life,
say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
my Rock in Whom I trust.”

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.
Snares of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear;
under God’s wings your refuge,
with faithfulness your shield.

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.
For to the angels God’s given a command,
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Alternatively, there is an offering bowl near the lectern on the left-hand side as you exit the church.

Offering Prayer

Prayers of the People

Incorporating Taize – O Lord Hear My Prayer Sung by Choir

Compassionate God, hear our prayers,

Choir: O Lord Hear My Prayer

O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r:
when I call answer me. O Lord hear my pray’r,
O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.

Gracious God, hear our prayers

Choir: O Lord Hear My Prayer

O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r:
when I call answer me. O Lord hear my pray’r,
O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.

Loving God, hear our prayers

Choir: O Lord Hear My Prayer

O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r:
when I call answer me. O Lord hear my pray’r,
O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.

Holy Communion:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

your Kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours

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.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Breaking of the bread

(Distribution of Elements)

Prayer after Communion:

Thank you Loving God
For inviting us to share in this meal
May we sense your presence in new and deeper ways
And carry within us a sacred longing
For your absent guests.
So may we seek always to share the good news….
that there is a place at your table for everyone.
Amen

We Sing: Great is Your Faithfulness.

Great is your faithfulness, O God my Father,
in you no shadow of turning we see;
you never fail and your love is unchanging:
as you have been you for ever will be.

Great is your faithfulness
great is your faithfulness,
morning by morning new mercies we see;
all we have needed your hand has provided:
great is your faithfulness, Lord God, to me.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in unspoken witness
to your great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is your faithfulness
great is your faithfulness,
morning by morning new mercies we see;
all we have needed your hand has provided:
great is your faithfulness, Lord God, to me.
Pardon for sin and a peace that’s enduring,
your living presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow –
these are the blessings your love will provide.

Great is your faithfulness
great is your faithfulness,
morning by morning new mercies we see;
all we have needed your hand has provided:
great is your faithfulness, Lord God, to me.

Together in Song 154. Thomas Obadiah Chisholm 1866-1960 alt. Words & Music © 1923, renewal 1951 by Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Words used with permission under copyright CCLI Licence No 137219. Copyright cleared music for churches.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Choral Blessing: – May the Seeds of Love

Rosemary Nairn

Come and share morning tea together, downstairs in the basement. There are stairs behind the organ and a ramp between the church and the car park leading to the basement.

Some of the liturgy in this service is adapted from Words for Worship and Seasons of the Spirit, both published by MediaCom Education – mediacomeducation.org.au