Order of Service – 13th August 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

For improved text clarity and easier reading, e.g. change text size, you can use ePub on iPhones, iPads and other devices with an ePub application. For your Kindle use mobi. If you want to see it exactly as printed, or print your own there is a pdf.

Kardlayirdi Karnungga
The light on the hill

August 13, 2023
Pentecost 11
Preacher: Dr Deidre Palmer

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

Prelude

Welcome

Lighting of the Candles and Introit – Jesus is Lord

Martin How

Call to Worship

Eternal God, we cry to you, lost and alone.
Faithful yet unseen, you are present.
Wind and waves beat against us.
Jesus calm and steady, you are there.
Fear and doubts rise up in us.
Spirit of peace, you are here with us and within us.
In awe and gratitude, we thank you.
We reach out to you. We worship you.

Prayer

We Sing: I Sing the Almighty Power of God

I sing the almighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word,
and then pronounced them good.
There’s not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known;
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne.
All creatures, numerous as they be,
are subject to your care;
there’s not a place where we can flee
but God is present there.
God’s hand is my perpetual guard,
he guides me with his eye;
why should I, then, forget the Lord,
who is for ever nigh?

Together in Song 119. Issac Watts. Melody from the ‘Scottish Psalter’, 1635, as given in John Playford’s ‘Psalms’, 1671

Prayer

Words of Assurance

Psalm 105.1-5 – Paraphrase from The Message

Hallelujah! Thank God. Pray to Him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done.
Sing him songs, translate his wonders into music.
Honour his holy name with Hallelujahs.
You who seek God, live a happy life.
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works.
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made.
Thanks be to God.

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 – I want Jesus to Walk with me

African American Spiritual

Scripture Readings: Matthew 14: 22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

The Gospel of Christ, Light of the world.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon

We Sing: God of Creation

God of Creation, gentle life-giver,
present at birth and all through our days;
author of sunrise, song in the night sky
here in this place, we offer our praise.
Jesus, companion, teacher and healer,
friend of the grieving, suffering, the poor
stand with your people, whisper among us
promise of mercy, goodness for all.
Spirit of comfort, blow through creation,
stir up new life, breathe peace through our world.
Healer of hearts, and hope for tomorrow,
weave all our sorrows into new dawn.
Here we give thanks for life in its fullness,
blessings received, your gifts to us all.
Make us a people filled with compassion,
selflessly giving, serving your world.

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

…And now with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying:

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

now and forever. Amen

We Sing: At the Name of Jesus

At the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him
King of Glory now:
this the Father’s pleasure
that we call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.
Humbled for a season
to receive a name
from the lips of sinners
unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it
spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious
when from death he passed.
In your hearts enthrone him,
there let him make new
all that is not holy,
all that is not true.
He is God the Saviour,
he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshipped,
trusted and adored.
When this same Lord Jesus
shall appear again
in his Father’s glory,
there with him to reign,
then may we adore him,
all before him bow,
as our hearts confess him
King of Glory now.

Together in Song 231. Caroline Maria Noel 1817-77 alt. Public Domain.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Choral Blessing – With Prayer and Supplication

Amy Beach

Postlude

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 Unfolding Light and Spill the Beans.