Order of Service – 1st January 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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Kardlayirdi Karnungga
A light on the hill

The First Sunday after Christmas
January 1, 2023

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

Welcome

Lighting of the Candles

Call to Worship – Psalm 98

Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

Prayer

We Sing: Joyful, Joyful

Joyful, joyful, we adore you,
God of glory, God of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before you
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All your works with joy surround you,
earth and heav’n reflect your rays,
stars and angels sing around you,
centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
singing bird and flowing fountain
call to praise you joyfully.
You are giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest.
You our Father, Christ our brother,
all are yours who live in love;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to your joy above.

Together in Song 152. Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933alt. Public Domain.

Prayer

Words of Assurance

Passing of the Peace

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

Introduction to Rev Andrew Prior

Community News and Notices

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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.

Scripture Reading. Matthew 2: 13-23

The Escape to Egypt

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

The Return from Egypt

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

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

We Sing: A Voice was Heard in Ramah

A voice was heard in Ramah that could not be consoled,
As Rachel wept for children she could no longer hold.
For Herod ruled the nation, yet feared the Infant King.
How great the devastation that fear and anger bring!
God, we hear the crying for little ones of yours;
For many still are dying in conflicts and in wars —
In every troubled nation, on every violent street,
How great the lamentation when fear and anger meet!
Whenever one is weeping, the whole world suffers, too.
Yet, Jesus, as we serve them, we’re also serving you.
So may we not ignore them, nor turn our eyes away,
But help us labor for them to bring a better day.
Prince of Peace, you lead us in ways of truth and grace.
May we be brave to practice your peace in every place —
To love each fear-filled nation, to serve each troubled street.
How great the celebration when peace and justice meet!

Sermon

We Sing: This, this is the God We Adore

This, this is the God we adore;
our faithful, unchangeable friend;
whose love is as great as his power,
and neither knows measure nor end.
’Tis Jesus the first and the last
whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
we’ll praise him for all that is past,
and trust him for all that’s to come.

Together in Song 220 Joseph Hart 1712-68 alt

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Music Reflection

Prayers of the People

We Sing: Be Known to us in Breaking Bread – Remain seated

Be known to us in breaking bread,
but do not then depart,
Saviour, abide with us, and spread
your table in our heart.
There sup with us in love divine;
your body and your blood,
that living bread, that heavenly wine,
be our immortal food.

Together in Song 514. James Montgomery 1771-1854 alt. Public Domain.

Communion Liturgy
All are welcome to take part in this meal

Setting of the Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

May God be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to our God.

Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

… And so we raise our voices, together with heaven and earth
your people throughout all time and in all places, and all of creation, saying:
Holy, holy, holy God, of all creation and life,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
Hosanna in the highest!

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.

Breaking of the Bread

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

(distribution of the elements)

Prayer after Communion

We Sing: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from his table take leave,
The supper is ended: may now be extended
the fruits of his service in all who believe.
The seed of his teaching, our hungry souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for all humankind.
His grace shall incite us, his love shall unite us
to work for his kingdom, his purpose to find.
With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living
the tasks of our everyday life we will face,
our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing as neighbours all those of each race.
One feast that has fed us, one light that has led us,
unite us as one in his life that we share.
Then may all the living, with praise and thanksgiving,
give honour to Christ and his name that we bear.

Together in Song 531.Omer Westendorf – Text © Copyright 1964, World Library Publications, a division of J. S. Paluch Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Words used with permission under copyright CCLI Licence No 137219. Copyright cleared music for churches.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Postlude

Please come and share morning tea in the basement. There are stairs behind the organ and a ramp between the church and the car park leading to the basement.