Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 22/08/2021 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: “WORSHIP THE LORD”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is ‘’Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”. The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBEmXFkwcOE
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 22/08/2021 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today we are called to live in God’s presence, knowing that God is with us in all things. Even as we are in lockdown due to COVID-19, we can be assured that there is no place where God cannot be found.
How beautiful are the places where you dwell, O Lord! There is no place that can contain your glory. Blessed are those who find their strength in you. Hear our prayers this day, Holy God, as we proclaim your praises to all the earth!
(Call to worship based on Psalm 84)
We light the candle as a reminder that the light of Christ is always with us. Light candle
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY & PRAYER
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 care of the land, on which we live today.
Let us pray,
Loving God, we come to worship you, knowing that you are already here in this place, wherever we may be. We come to worship you, knowing that you are already present in our hearts. We come to worship you, to find in you the strength, peace, joy and hope we need. May this worship be a time of blessing to each of us, we pray.
Gracious God, we confess that we too often try to live our lives out of our own strength, instead of yours. We try to protect ourselves with arrogance, with self-reliance, instead of righteousness and faith. Forgive us, holy God. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit. Give us wisdom to change our ways, that we may live wisely. Amen
Let us never forget the good news, that in Christ we are reconciled to God and to each other. Our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART
The message for the young at heart is a Godly Play story based on the 1 Kings reading. Today, we will be led by Geoff Hopkins from, ‘The River Church Community’, which is based in San Jose, California. The video was originally recorded in late October, 2020.
BIBLE READINGS
Today’s readings are from 1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11, 22-24, 26-30 and John 6:56–69, and are read to us in the video below.
In the reading from 1 Kings chapter 8, Solomon completes the building of a great temple, and dedicates it to God. God’s presence is evident, however the presence of God cannot be contained to a temple. In the reading from John, chapter 6, Jesus proclaims himself again as the Bread of Life in a way that the disciples struggle to understand. But Simon Peter says that Jesus has the words of eternal life.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
The musical reflection for today is, ‘’Be still, for the glory of the Lord”, which is sung by the Upminster Baptist Church Live. The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8oTxmY0MfU
REFLECTION
The speaker is Rev. Keith Robinson, and 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 Ros Robinson and Rev. Keith Robinson. 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
This day, may God give you strength to sustain you, might to uphold you, wisdom as guide.
May God’s way be your way, may God keep you safe, and may God give you rest. Amen
HYMN:
The closing hymn is, “Lord of Creation”. The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OGq5vhSJLM
POSTLUDE:
Today’s postlude is “God qualifies the called”, by Matt & Josie Minikus. The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N38jNFlEeLY
RESOURCES for Online Worship 22/08/2021:
- The welcome, opening prayer, and closing word of mission and blessing were based on:
Lay Leaders Liturgy: Worship Resources, Sunday 22 August 2021, MediaCom EDUCATION. - The links for the YouTube videos are included within the body of the service.
- The Vimeo videos are original videos. Background music has been pre-purchased and is royalty free.
