A Light on the Hill

Order of Service – 1st October 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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Kardlayirdi Karnungga
The light on the hill

Season of Creation: Voice – The Voice of Creation
October 1st, 2023
Preacher: Brooke Prentis
Liturgical colour: Aqua

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

Prelude

Welcome

Welcome! Niina marni!
Marni’ai!

Acknowledgment of Country

Lighting of the Candles and Introit – Among us and before us

Together in Song 259 (Wild Goose Songs)

Call to Worship

Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
 praise him with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the Lord!
 Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns,
 and shout for joy to the Lord, our king.

Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
 sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
 you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord,
  because he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the peoples of the world
 with justice and fairness.
Shout for joy to the Lord, our king

Psalm 98:4-9 GNV

We Sing: All Creatures of Our God and King

  1. All creatures of our God and King.
    lift up your voice and with us sing
      alleluia, alleluia;
    O burning sun with golden beam,
    and silver moon with softer gleam,
      O praise him, O praise him,
      alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

  2. O flowing water, pure and clear,
    make music for your Lord to hear,
      alleluia, alleluia!
    O fire, so masterful and bright,
    providing us with warmth and light,
      O praise him, O praise him,
      alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

  3. Dear Mother earth, who day by day
    Unfold rich blessings on our way,
      O praise him, alleluia!
    All flowers and fruits that in you grow,
    Let them his glory also show;
      O praise him, O praise him,
      alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

  4. Let all things their Creator bless,
    and worship him in humbleness;
      O praise him, alleluia!
    Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
    and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
      O praise him, O praise him,
      alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Together in Song 100. Based on Laudato sia Dio mio Signore the ‘Canticle of the Sun’ of Francis of Assisi 1182‑1226 William Henry Draper 1855‑1933 alt. Music from the English Hymnal words by permission Oxford University Press. Public Domain

Prayer of Approach

Prayer of Confession

We confess that we have become alienated from Earth and have brought harm to animals of all kinds, our kin.
We are sorry.

.. for animals that have been harmed or neglected
.. for animals that have been injured because of our use of chemicals
.. for animals who have lost their homes because of our need for space and urban development
We are sorry.
We are sorry.

Assurance of Forgiveness / Affirmation

We give thanks that in Christ our sins are forgiven.
Christ, teach us to love Earth
and reconcile with Earth as our home.

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

Song: Getting to Know You

Choir Only – Sing once through.

As we learn, about you today
As you learn, about us today
As we learn, together on the way
God is here with us to-day.

Getting to know… Brooke and Linda

We Sing – Congregation sings once through.

As we learn, about you today
As you learn, about us today
As we learn, together on the way
God is here with us to-day.

Tune from Love and Anger song 70. African American traditional. © Wild Goose Resource Group. Words M Harris

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: –Ubi Caritas et amor

(Taize ) John Berthier

Prayer of Illumination

As we prepare to hear the Word, may the Spirit of God open our eyes to see, our ears to hear,
and our hearts to understand. Amen

Bible Readings: Job 12:7-10 NIV and Matthew 22:34-40

Job 12:7-10 NIV

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.”

Matthew 22:34-40 NIV

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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

Message

We Sing: Come One, Come All

Let all the earth come join the song
and join the dance for all belong
creation beats with willing hearts
so come on saints, let’s play our part

Come one, come all
to life that’s whole
come one, come all
to love that’s full

The hills and rivers sound their praise
and we join in for our God reigns
come to the table eat your fill
come rest by living waters still

Come one, come all
to life that’s whole
come one, come all
to love that’s full

So take your place and know you’re loved
and spread the word, for there’s enough
to know our God and truly live
creation was made for this

Come one, come all
to life that’s whole
Come one, come all
to love that’s full (x2)

So take your place and know you’re loved
and spread the word for there’s enough
to know our God and truly live
creation was made for this

Music and lyrics by Malcolm Gordon, arr by Fiona Chus. All rights reserved. ONE LICENSE. License #A‑604444.

Getting to Know..

East Adelaide Domestic Violence Service (EADVS)

Prayers of the People

Inspired by the prayer of St Francis: Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred
let us sow love;
where there is injury,
pardon;
where there is doubt,
faith;
where there is despair,
hope;
where there is darkness,
light;
where there is sadness,
joy.

O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving
that we receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Holy Communion

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.

…therefore with angels and archangels, ancient voices in the forest, high voices from the sky, deep voices from the sea and the whole company of creation, we proclaim your presence among us.
Holy, holy, holy God,
wisdom, strength and hope.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God.
Hosanna in the highest!

Words of Institution

…and be his faithful followers, showing your love for all of creation.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory is yours God of Love,
for ever, 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.

Breaking of the Bread

Distribution

Prayer After Communion

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, our Creator, through your love, you have given us these gifts to share. Accept our offerings – of cash, and of gifts n goodies to go towards the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service – as an expression of our deep thanks and as signs of our concern for those in need, including our fellow creatures on planet Earth.
With all creation we praise our Creator.
Amen

We Sing: Inspiring Love

Tune: ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ – HYFRYDOL.

  1. Love divine, all love inspiring,
    joy of heav’n on earth is known;
    you, the heart of all that’s living,
    you, the breath, the mind, the soul.
    All creation sings your praises,
    plains and mountains, sea and sky;
    we will join the sacred chorus,
    we will sing your love through time.

  2. Jesus come to dwell among us,
    Holy love personified.
    Wisdom of the broad wide cosmos,
    timeless star dust in your eyes.
    With your touch you healed and welcomed,
    with your words you showed us your way;
    now we follow your path of justice,
    spread your peace more day by day.

  3. Breath of Life, breathe ever hopeful,
    liberate from tyranny.
    Blow, wind, blow, and carry onward
    humans into unity.
    Help us weave our threads together,
    vibrant, strong, community;
    we are one, one body in Spirit;
    found in wonder, love, are we.

Words: Rev Dr Sarah Agnew,in loving memory of her father David. Used with Permission.

Sending Forth

Blessing

Choral Blessing: – Let our earth be peaceful

Gibson/ Murray (Hope 87)

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.

Season of Creation Discipleship Ideas

You are invited to try one or more of the following as Spiritual Disciplines as we come to the end of the Season of Creation:

Some of the liturgy in this service has been adapted from the River Sunday and the Blessing of Animals Sunday resources from the Season of Creation https://seasonofcreation.org/; and a prayer written by Moira Laidlaw http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/