Order of Service – 15th October 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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October 15th, 2023 10.00am
Preacher: Rev Linda Driver
Pentecost 20
Liturgical colour: Green

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

Prelude

Welcome and Acknowledgment of Country

Welcome! Niina marni!
Marni’ai!

A Time of Silence

Lighting of the Candles

Introit – May the Mind of Christ My Saviour

D.R. Gould Together in Song 609

Call to Worship

Reading from Psalm 106:

Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right.

And so, with the psalmist, we sing out:
Praise our Creator!

We say:
Give thanks to God, for God is good!
God’s steadfast love endures forever!

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.
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 Adoration

We are surrounded by so many wonders that God has done. I wonder.. where have you seen God at work this week? Spend a moment quietly reflecting on God’s goodness.

(a time of silence)

We give thanks for God’s presence.
We give thanks!

Opening Prayer

We might not all come with praise. Joy might be furthest from our hearts. Anger, sadness, and anxiety might mingle here too.

O God, you make space for it all. Bring us together today to experience the fullness of your steadfast love. May we find your grace holding us close, now and always.
Amen.

Prayer of Confession

God, remember us, save us, heal us. Hold us to your heart as a mother holds her infant child. Call us again to walk vulnerably with you.
We pray in the name of Christ, Amen.

Words of Grace

In the letter to the Philippians, Paul tells the community to rejoice in God always, and then to rejoice some more, for God is near. Friends, may you know God’s presence among you: healing you, holding you, calling you into the very life of God.

Hear then this good, good news: In Christ, your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Passing of the Peace

May the grace and peace of 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: – Rejoice in the Lord Always

Purcell (PD)

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:1-9 NRSVUE

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

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

Message

We Sing: Nothing Can Trouble

Choir to sing through once, then Congregation join in 3 times through.

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
those who seek God shall never go wanting.
Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten;
God alone fills us.

Together in Song 739. St Teresa of Avila Words and Music by permission Ateliers et Presses de Taizé Ltd.

Prayers of the People

Response:
God, in your grace,
hear our prayer.

Paul encourages the church in Philippi not to worry about anything, but in everything let their requests be made known to God. And so, we, too, trust that God will hear when we bring what is on our heart, so we offer our prayers…

…For justice to roll down among us like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, we pray.

God, in your grace,
hear our prayer.

In silence we offer now to you the prayers and concerns of our hearts.

(Silence is kept)

Hear us, O God, set your Spirit of grace to rest upon us, that we might follow in Christ’s Way.

God, in your grace,
hear our prayer. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 in the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

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:

God, we are thankful for your presence with us. We pray that our gifts make your presence known in the world you love.
Amen.

We Sing: Lord of All Hopefulness

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
be there at our labours and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Word of Mission and Benediction

May the peace of God, beyond our understanding, rest upon you through the Spirit of Grace and guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And may the blessing of the one God Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve in all you do
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Choral Blessing: – Peace I Leave With You

Philip Young

Postlude

Come and share morning tea together, 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 has been adapted from: Liturgy, Learning, & (purposeful) Life. Pentecost 2, 2023. Year A. Writers: Bec Lindsay and Amanda Nicholas Transforming Worship facebook group: Alex Sangster Seasons of the Spirit: Seasons Fusion. Pentecost 2, 2023