Order of Service – 6th October 2024

The Order of Service follows below.

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Brougham Place Uniting Church
Kardlayirdi Karnungga
A Light on the Hill

6 October 2024
Preacher: Rev Linda Driver
Communion
Liturgical colour: Green

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

As you wait for worship to begin, please turn your phone to silent.

Prelude

Welcome and Acknowledgment of Country

Naa marni?
(Are you all good?)
Marni Ai!
(Good I am)

Lighting of the Candles

Call to Worship

Praise the Lord!
With all our hearts, we will praise God’s holy name!

Praise the Lord!
Never forget the good things God has done for us.

Praise the Lord, all the earth — everyone, everywhere!
We too will praise the Lord!

We Sing: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation.
Come all who hear,
brothers and sisters draw near,
praise him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord who in all things is wondrously reigning
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining;
have you not seen
all that is needed has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper our work and defend us;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend us;
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do
as with his love he befriends us.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen
sound from his people again:
gladly for ever adore him.

Together in Song 111. Joachim Neander 1650‑80 tr. Catherine Winkworth 1827-78 and others (PD)

Opening Words

Prayer of Adoration

God our Creator, Our thoughts cannot contain you; our words fall short of your vastness.
Yet you are our God.

God of all ages, your breath gives us life. Your hands shape our being. Your artistry in creation leaves us gasping in wonder, longing to experience that which is of you. In each person, there you are, if we could but discern you.
Accept us again, O ancient yet ever new God,
as we come to worship and adore you.
Amen.

A Responsive Prayer

We walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before
and know that we are not alone on this journey.

We walk in the footsteps of those who are older
and know that they go before us.

We walk in the footsteps of God
For the feet of God have walked this way.

The footsteps of God will become for us the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thanks be to God!

Safe Church Statement

The Uniting Church in Australia believes that all people are made in the image of God, and as such we accept every individual regardless of race, age, creed, sexuality and gender.

As a Christian Community we believe that God reaches out to us in love and acceptance and that our relationships with each other should express love and respect and not be abused.

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, we know that there is a time to be born, a time to grow old and a time to die. We know that ageing is a part of life.
Yet sometimes we forget.

Sometimes we fail to embrace the life of our older people. We confess that we sometimes do not hear the voices of our older people, their needs and concerns. In our busy daily life, sometimes we just don’t stop and listen.
Forgive us when we close our ears to our older people.

We confess that we sometimes become reluctant to share precious resources of life with our older people. In this competitive world, too often our priorities go to where we readily see new life, youth and the promise of worldly success.
Forgive us for our failure to share.

We confess that many Indigenous Australians never know old age, or become old before their time, through the struggles in their lives.
Forgive us when we fail to notice and act.

Loving God, the Giver of Life, bring to us the awareness that our life depends on each other. We are called to uphold each other, especially those who are weak, frail and vulnerable. Fill us with your compassion, love and grace, the grace that walks with us, embracing us throughout our whole life. In the name of Christ,
Amen.

Words of Assurance

God is love.
Through Christ, God reaches out to us,
embracing the young and the old,
the strong and the weak,
the living and the dying.
In Christ we are one.
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

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Children’s Time

We Sing: For Everyone Born

For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread;
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead.

    And God will delight when we are creators of justice
    and joy, compassion and peace:
    yes God will delight when we are creators of justice,
    justice and joy.
For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong.

    And God will delight when we are creators of justice
    and joy, compassion and peace:
    yes God will delight when we are creators of justice,
    justice and joy.

Communion

The children are invited to sit with their families.

Invitation

Words of Institution

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us give our thanks to God:

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.

Let us pray…

…we say with every person who has been at this table in every time and in every place:
Holy, holy, holy God
God of power and might
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 Breaking of the Bread

And so, we will together share in this bread and this wine – and remember Jesus.
These are the gifts of God for us, the people of God.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray together in the words that Jesus taught us:

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.

The Communion

Prayer After Communion

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.

We Sing: For Everyone Born (reprise)

For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread;
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead.

    And God will delight when we are creators of justice
    and joy, compassion and peace:
    yes God will delight when we are creators of justice,
    justice and joy.
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free.

    And God will delight when we are creators of justice
    and joy, compassion and peace:
    yes God will delight when we are creators of justice,
    justice and joy.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103

Let my whole being bless the Lord!
    Let everything inside me bless his holy name!
Let my whole being bless the Lord
    and never forget all his good deeds:
    how God forgives all your sins,
    heals all your sickness,
    saves your life from the pit,
    crowns you with faithful love and compassion,
    and satisfies you with plenty of good things
        so that your youth is made fresh like an eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness;
    does justice for all who are oppressed.
God made his ways known to Moses;
    made his deeds known to the Israelites.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    very patient, and full of faithful love.
God won’t always play the judge;
    he won’t be angry forever.
He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin
    or repay us according to our wrongdoing,
    because as high as heaven is above the earth,
    that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him.
As far as east is from west—
    that’s how far God has removed our sin from us.
Like a parent feels compassion for their children—
    that’s how the Lord feels compassion for those who honor him.
Because God knows how we’re made,
    God remembers we’re just dust.

The days of a human life are like grass:
    they bloom like a wildflower;
    but when the wind blows through it, it’s gone;
    even the ground where it stood doesn’t remember it.
But the Lord’s faithful love is from forever ago to forever from now
        for those who honor him.
    And God’s righteousness reaches to the grandchildren
        of those who keep his covenant
        and remember to keep his commands.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

You divine messengers,
    bless the Lord!
You who are mighty in power and keep his word,
        who obey everything he says,
    bless him!
All you heavenly forces,
    bless the Lord!
All you who serve him and do his will,
    bless him!
All God’s creatures,
    bless the Lord!
Everywhere, throughout his kingdom,
        let my whole being
    bless the Lord!

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

Message

We Sing: God Who Sets Us on a Journey

God who sets us on a journey
To discover dream and grow
Lead us as You led Your people
In the desert long ago
Journey inward journey outward
Stir the spirit stretch the mind
Love for God and self and neighbour
Marks the way that Christ defined
Exploration brings new insights
Changes choices we must face
Give us wisdom in deciding
Mindful always of Your grace
Should we stumble lose our bearings
Find it hard to know what’s right
We regain our true direction
Focused on the Jesus light
End our longing for the old days
Grant the vision that we lack
Once we’ve started on this journey
There can be no turning back
Let us travel light discarding
Excess baggage from our past
Cherish only what’s essential
Choosing treasure that will last
When we set up camp and settle
To avoid love’s risk and pain
You disturb complacent comfort
Pull the tent pegs up again
Keep us travelling in the knowledge
You are always at our side
Give us courage for the journey
Christ our goal and Christ our guide

Tune: Ode to Joy (Together in Song melody 152). Words: Dine, Joy. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. Words used with permission under copyright CCLI Licence No 137219. Copyright cleared music for churches.

Prayers of the People

Offering

To give electronically towards the ministry of Brougham Place, 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

We sing: In a Church That’s Moving Forward

In a church that’s moving forward,
this is where we long to be.
in a church with gifts abounding
and the grace to set them free.
in a church of many cultures,
in a church both old and young,
in a church of many accents
when the song of Christ is sung.
With a Lord who leads the mission
for a people on the way,
with a Lord who’s healing blindness,
lets the voiceless have their say.
with a Lord of every nation,
with a Lord of every place,
with a Lord who shines compassion
on to every tribe and race.
On a road that leads to wholeness
When we’re broken or unsure,
On a road to understanding
Where division finds a cure;
On a road where all may travel,
On a road where many roam,
On a road we walk together,
As we make our journey home.

Sending Forth and Benediction

May the Giver of Life of all generations, whose love spans our years, keep us ever mindful of the wonderful gift of life – childhood to fulfilment of age – that we so rejoice in each other, that we live our days with respect, compassion and mutual responsibility; to the glory of Christ.

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.

Postlude

Morning Tea today will be shared over a cuppa at a local café. We suggest heading over to Da Vinci, just across Brougham Gardens on the corner of O’Connell Street. Hope to see you there!

This service has been prepared with assistance from

Older Persons Sunday 2024: Dignity and Hope for All Ages. UnitingCare Australia.

Bible Reading: Common English Bible

Communion Liturgy based on a resource For When Children Are Present by Roddy Hamilton.