Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 24/01/2021 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.
HYMN: “Jesus calls us here to meet him”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, “Jesus calls us here to meet him”, which is in the window below. If it does not connect, try going directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModYoPReYYw
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Welcome to the Sunday online worship for 24/01/2021 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today the service is mostly based on the Saltbush service for this Sunday, and we will be exploring Jesus’ message that the Kingdom of God has come near.
The time has come, and Jesus appears in Galilee proclaiming the Good News. That the Kingdom of God has drawn near, repent then and believe the Good News. Come from your fishing boats, your farms and kitchens and let us worship God. For Good News has arrived. Amen.
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, source and home of all things, in the beginning you sang creation into being and formed this rich red land; you are worthy of all praise. Lord Jesus, brother and healer, Word of God and one-with-us, your love for the world took you to the cross; you make us whole. Spirit of God, within and among us, and bringer of new life; you inspire us and give us the strength to live in hope.
God of grace: Spirit, Son, Father, whose love never ends, whose mercy is beyond telling, whose faithfulness continues to surprise; we praise you and worship you now and for ever. Amen.
At the same time, we see how our own actions have marred this wonderful country, the hurt and neglect we show to one another, and the ugliness we sometimes impose on your creation. We need your loving grace, come to us now, forgive us and renew us. Take us all and lead our nation towards the higher destiny which belongs to the children of God. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
As we coming up to Australia Day, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect to the song, “Wiyathal” by Gurrumul. It is in an aboriginal language and those interested in the words can find them at the YouTube site. The video is in the window below & if you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluzjo6eAyM
BIBLE READING: MARK 1: 14-20
1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” 1:16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea–for they were fishermen. 1:17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 1:18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 1:19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 1:20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
REFLECTION
The speaker is Rev. Geoff Wellington. There is a video of the message is in the window below.
QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION
Jesus comes proclaiming the Good News that the kingdom of God has drawn near.
How will we respond? Simon and Andrew, James and John leave behind their fishing and turn their lives around and follow.
●I wonder what you have heard and thought from the Word today?
●I wonder what Good News looks like for you and your community now?
●What one action can you or your church take in response to the Word today?
SILENCE
Spend some time in silence sitting still (suggested 5 minutes). Close your eyes lightly. Sit relaxed but alert. Focus all our mind, heart and soul on the presence of God without trying to create it. Simply be still and open to God.
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
In you, O God, do we put our trust: Hear us when we bring our prayers for the world and for the church.
Please see the video in the window below. If you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUc6LSInqhU
Let us join together in the prayer that Jesus taught us:
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
With the Good News of God’s coming near ringing in our ears, let us go now to live out our calling from the one who calls us to come and follow Jesus. Bless us and the people we meet along the way Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
HYMN: “Be thou my vision “
The closing hymn is “Be thou my vision”. The video is in the window below and if you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIMhshpf0Y4
POSTLUDE: “New Year Prayer”
Today’s postlude is “New Year Prayer”. The video is in the window below and if you have trouble connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62ZNM99-XRw
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Saltbush service. https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/epiphany-3-the-good-news-of-god-mark-1-14-20/
