Order of Service – 20th August 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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Kardlayirdi Karnungga
The light on the hill

August 20, 2023
Pentecost 12
Preacher: Rev Dr Graham Vawser

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 – Jubilate Deo

Jacques Berthier

Call to Worship

God of Love, we have come by many arduous roads to this day in this place.
You have accompanied us.
We have needed you.
And you have provided, sometimes in ways we did not see.
Still we are in your house, members of your family.
Still we are loved. So, we praise you. We thank you. We worship you.

Prayer

We Sing: Filled with the Spirit’s Power

Filled with the Spirit’s power, with one accord
the infant church confessed its risen Lord:
O Holy Spirit, in the church today
no less your power of fellowship display.
Now with the mind of Christ set us on fire,
that unity may be our great desire:
give joy and peace; give faith to hear your call,
and readiness in each to work for all.
Widen our love, good Spirit, to embrace
in your strong care all those of every race:
like wind and fire with life among us move
till we are known as Christ’s, and Christians prove.

Welcome to Linda

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance

Let us hear God’s words of peace to God’s people – to the faithful who turn their hearts to God. You are held and forgiven by the God who will not let you go
Thanks be to God.

Introduction – Graham Vawser.

Passing of the Peace

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

Musical Interlude: – Lord of the Dance

Stella Morris

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.

Introduction to Scripture Reading

Scripture Reading: Genesis 45.1-15

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.” And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.’ Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Sermon 1

Choral Anthem – O Breath of Life

John Bullard

Scripture Reading: Matthew 15: 21-28

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

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

Sermon 2

We Sing: All Are Welcome

Refrain:
All are welcome, friend and stranger,
at the banquet of the Saviour.
All are welcome, all are welcome here.

From the woman who comes crying,
leaving tears at Jesus’ feet,
to the man who knows the right way,
but cannot see.

All are welcome, friend and stranger,
at the banquet of the Saviour.
All are welcome, all are welcome here.
From the ones who feel forgotten,
those who sense their place is gone,
to the ones who live in hunger –
here you belong.

All are welcome, friend and stranger,
at the banquet of the Saviour.
All are welcome, all are welcome here.
Go into the streets and cities,
to the farms and families.
Tell about the splendid table –
God’s mercy.

All are welcome, friend and stranger,
at the banquet of the Saviour.
All are welcome, all are welcome here.

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: Love Divine

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.
Jesus come to dwell among us,
Holy love personified.
Wisdom of the broad 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.
Breath of Life, breathe ever hopeful,
Liberate from tyranny.
Blow, wind, blow, and carry onwards
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.

Charles Wesley, adapted by Sarah Agnew. Tune Together in Song 217 Used with permission.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Choral Blessing – A Clare Benediction

John Rutter

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, Spill the Beans and Unsplash