Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 29/08/2021 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: “HERE IN THIS PLACE”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is ‘’Here in this place”, composed by Marty Haugen and sung by Ferryhill Parish Church, Aberdeen. 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=kTbOxrlQ0zo
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.
In the beginning when it was very dark God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. In the beginning when it was very quiet, the word was with God. And the word was God. When the time was right God sent His Son. He came among us and was one of us.
Welcome to the Sunday online worship for 29 August 2021 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today we will be exploring the Old Testament book, ‘Song of Solomon’, also known as ‘Song of Songs’, and exploring what it might mean for us today. Let us worship God!
CALL TO WORSHIP & ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 care of the land, on which we live today.
We come to worship together, to give thanks to God, who is the source of all good gifts. God is gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. God is faithful, wise, and good. God calls us to be humble, compassionate, and Christ-like. Let us worship God!
PRAYER
Loving God, giver of all good gifts, we gather to worship you today. You are an awesome God, greater than our understanding; and your vast love for us goes beyond our comprehension. Open our eyes to your presence, O God; draw us closer to you, in love. Teach us your ways of wisdom; that our lives might reflect your goodness, your holiness, and your love. These things we pray in Christ, Amen
Be merciful to us, O God. Because of your great mercy wipe away our sins! Create in us a clean heart, and put a new and loyal spirit in us. Do not banish us from your presence; or take your holy spirit away from us. Give us the joy that comes from your salvation, and may we be willing to obey you, that we might walk wisely in your ways, and live in holiness and love. AmenIn Christ we find forgiveness, and the chance for a new start. Our sins are washed away, and we are made clean. Thanks be to God!
In Christ we find forgiveness, and the chance for a new start. Our sins are washed away, and we are made clean. Thanks be to God!
ABOUT THE ‘SONG OF SONGS’
I would encourage you to check out this short video which explains for us what the ‘Song of Songs’ (ie ‘The Song of Solomon’) is all about.
BIBLE READINGS
Today’s readings are read to us in the video below by Russell Wray of Cootamundra Uniting Church. The readings are:
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and the Gospel of Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.
The reading from the Song of Solomon (sometimes called ‘Song of Songs’) is a love poem celebrating romantic love between a woman and her beloved. This book is sometimes used as a metaphor for the love between Christ and the church. In the reading from Mark, Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders because his disciples don’t follow the Jewish ritual of handwashing before eating. Jesus teaches that holiness comes not from blind obedience to rules but from our personal morality and by living a life of faith.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
The musical reflection for today is, ‘’Dear Lord and Father of mankind”, by St. Laurance’s Church, Chorley. 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=YAxiN0egN-I
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
Go in peace;
may you carry God’s Wisdom,
speak forth God’s Word,
and embody God’s Presence
wherever you are.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMN: “JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE YOU”
The closing hymn, sung at The Royal Albert Hall, is in window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/eMY3ivdNzwE
POSTLUDE: “FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH”
Today’s postlude is “For the beauty of the Earth”, composed by John Rutter and sung by the Vocal Arts Academy, Milwaukee. 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=PTOfSKXkRa0
RESOURCES for Online Worship 29/08/2021:
- The call to worship, opening prayer, and closing blessing were based on:
Lay Leaders Liturgy: Worship Resources, Sunday 29 August 2021, MediaCom EDUCATION. - All music in the Vimeo videos was either free or royalty free and does not require acknowledgment.
- The links for the YouTube videos are given in the body of the service.
