Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 26/07/2020 of the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. This service includes some pre-recorded videos prepared by the region in addition to some YouTube videos for music. Most words are included or links to them are provided.
HYMN: “THY HAND, O GOD, HAS GUIDED”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, to our first hymn, which is “Thy hand, has guided”. To help with the singing, the words of all hymns will display within the video.
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 26/07/2020 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today we will continue to look at the life of Isaac’s son, Jacob, and explore how God uses the unwanted to bless the world. The call to worship is based on Psalm 105.
Praise the Lord! We gather to sing praises to God.
Praise the Lord! We gather to give thanks for all God has done in our lives.
Praise the Lord! We gather to worship our creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Amen. [1]
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,
Almighty God, you shape us in your image, not so we might puff up with pride, but so we might humbly serve others. You have chosen us, not because we are special, but that we might become hope to a world with so much despair.
Holy is your name, O Lord. Grant us now the help of the Holy Spirit, that we may receive your word with joy and thanksgiving, praise you for your goodness, and give ourselves to you in love and service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Musical reflection
The musical reflection for today reminds us of the glory of God’s creation as expressed in Psalm 105 and our role as custodians. It is “Cherish delicate earth”, sung by Paddington Uniting Church.
Bible readings
Keith & Ros Robinson lead us in the readings from Genesis 29:15–28 & Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52.
Reflection
The speaker is Rev. Keith Robinson. There is a video of the message in the window below. The text can also be downloaded by selecting the link immediately below.
Prayers of the people & Lord’s Prayer
The ‘Prayers of the people’ in the video below are led by Ros Robinson from Cootamundra Uniting Church. The prayers begin with a poem by Jan Sutch Pickard from Dandelions and thistles: Biblical meditations from the Iona Community. The video also includes the Lord’s Prayer and a closing blessing by Keith.
God of small seeds and mighty plants, of dandelions and thistles, we give thanks for your goodness and remember with gratitude those people who generously sowed the seeds of faith in our own lives. Help us to continue to sow acts of love and kindness together with you in this world, and to serve you with joy all our days. Hear our prayers, Lord, as we bring to you in silence our concerns for our community, our nation, our world and ourselves…
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
Let us go from worship today knowing there is always treasure to be found. May we take the time to have a look, rummage around in curious places, examine things that catch our eye and celebrate the wonderful things to be found.
Go in peace, knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of God. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rest upon you, the love of God embrace you, and the presence of the Holy Spirit surprise and encourage you, both now and forevermore. Amen.
Hymn: “Beauty for brokenness”
The closing hymn is “Beauty for brokenness” and it is sung at Leicester Cathedral, UK.
Postlude: “In Christ Alone”
Today’s postlude is “In Christ alone”, which draws on today’s lectionary reading from Romans 8:26–39. It is written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend and performed by Celtic Worship.
Acknowledgments
1. Saltbush Community Ministers. https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/pentecost-8-mustard-seeds-yeast-matthew-13-31-33-44-52/]
2. Image. Jacob and Rachel at the Well — F. Antolínez y Sarabia, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, TX
