Online Worship 20/09/2020

Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 20/09/2020 of the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today, this service is based on the ‘Saltbush’ service for this Sunday. It includes some pre-recorded videos prepared by the region in addition to the sermon video from ‘Saltbush’ & some YouTube videos. Most words are included or links to them are provided.

HYMN: “For the beauty of the earth”

Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is “For the beauty of the earth”, which is sung by Michelle Swift to a familiar tune.

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 20/09/2020 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today, the worship is based on the ‘Saltbush’ service for this Sunday, and will be exploring ‘sacred spaces’, particularly scared spaces in the outback.

God is near everyone. God is in every place. God is in every time. God is with us, and so we come to worship.

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 pray,

God, our Creator, whose glory fills our planet, help us to discern your vibrant presence among us and our kind in creation, especially in the rocks, the deserts and the wild world of the outback. Help us to understand those of your creatures who are suffering. Lift our spirits to rejoice with the wild world of the Outback. In the name of Christ, who reconciles and renews all things in creation. Amen. 

MUSICAL REFLECTION

The musical reflection for today is, “Amazing grace“, sung by Garrumul & Paul Kelly. Licensed to Youtube [note: contains images of Garrumal, who has since died].

BIBLE READINGS

Rev. Keith Robinson leads us in the readings from Romans 8:18-27 & Matthew 3:13-4:1.

REFLECTION

The speaker is Rev. Tim Jensen from the Saltbush team. There is a video of the message in the window below. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER

Go to the video below for the ‘Prayer of the people’, which are led by Keith & Ros Robinson. The video includes the Lord’s Prayer & a closing blessing by Keith.

Prayers of the people & blessing

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

May the Spirit of God, who is above all and in all and through all, fill you with the knowledge of God’s presence in Earth and the impulse of Christ within you. 

Go in peace, serving Christ and loving Earth! Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen 

HYMN: “FOR YOU, DEEP STILLNESS”

The closing hymn is, “For you, deep stillness”. Words and music by Julie Perrin and Robin Mann, performed by Sharon and Robin Mann.

POSTLUDE

Today’s postlude is, “Look at the world”, by John Rutter (from Mass of the Children) & sung by the Cambridge Singers. Licensed to YouTube.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  1. Call to worship. Word for Worship, September 20 2020.
  2. Opening prayer. Season of Creation 3: UCA Synod Vic/Tas.
  3. Sermon, Word of mission & blessing. Saltbush service for 20/09/2020 [https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/season-of-creation-3-outback-sacred-spaces-matthew-313-41/].
  4. Music videos: 
    Opening song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy7t2Uasqe8
    Reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVORrx9jIiE&list=PLkXKcx1j5X41vMhdqusd2DKNm7vl_CHKR&index=13
    Closing song: https://vimeo.com/432061818
    Postlude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gpdc5Mjjq8

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Eastern Riverina Uniting Churches