Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 15/11/2020 of the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. This service includes some pre-recorded videos prepared by the region in addition to some music videos. Most words are included or links to them are provided.
HYMN: “Take this moment”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is “Take this moment” by John Bell & sung by the ‘Celebration Singers’. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EFbMwM4aWo
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
The ‘Call to Worship’ and ‘Opening Prayers’, which are in the video below, are led by Rev. Keith Robinson. The words are underneath the video.
Welcome to the Sunday online worship for 15/11/2020 rom the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today .we will be looking at the Parable of the Talents, one of the most challenging parables for us to understand. Let us pray,
Faithful God, you bless us with gifts that are uniquely our own. We long to use the talents you bestow upon us to build your kingdom. We yearn to live with gratitude for all that you have done for us and the opportunities you place before us. Clear our vision, Holy One, and help us see the good we can do with the gifts and talents we have received.
We light the candle as a reminder that the light of Christ is always with us.
Light candle
Acknowledgement of country
As we begin our worship, let us also acknowledge the Wiradjuri people. They are the first inhabitants of our region, and part of God’s good creation. We honour them for their custodianship of the land, on which we live today.
Let us continue our prayer,
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. You turn us back to dust, and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’ For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night…
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days… Let your work be made known to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper the work of our hands – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Musical reflection
The musical reflection for today is, “Lord, we come to ask your healing“. The music was sung by St Laurence’s choir, Chorley, England. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbbcjEsiwb8
Bible readings
Ros Robinson leads us in the readings from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 & Matthew 25:14-30.
Reflection
The speaker is Geoff Wellington from the Saltbush team. There is a video of the message in the window below. The text can also be downloaded by selecting the link immediately below.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/pentecost-24-the-parable-of-the-talents-matthew-25-14-30/
Prayers of the people & Lord’s Prayer
Go to the video below for the ‘Prayers of the people’, which are led by from Tim Budge, who will be using drawings by Leunig. The video includes the Lord’s Prayer & a closing blessing by Keith.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and 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.
Word of mission & blessing
Generous God, who gives talents and gifts for the building up of the kingdom. Send us now to use those talents and gifts in ways that work for the interests of God to be realised in our lives and the people we encounter.
And bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
HYMN: “Who would true valour see “
The closing hymn is, “Who would true valour see”, and it is sung at Manchester Cathedral. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiSAjwtpFUc&t=30s
POSTLUDE
Today’s postlude is, ”Glory and praise to God”, by Dan Schutte. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YculmbiRhME
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Opening prayer. Scifres, Mary, Beu, B. J..; The Abingdon Worship Annual 2020.
- Prayers of the people. Donald Scott, Minister of Edinburgh, Priestfield. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
- Blessing. liturgies © 2020 Saltbush Community Ministers.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/pentecost-24-the-parable-of-the-talents-matthew-25-14-30/
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