Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 29/11/2020 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. Most words are included or links to them are provided.
HYMN: “Come, thou long expected Jesus”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is “Come, thou long expected Jesus”. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEEd0uWnDGs
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 29/11/2020 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent, where the message is: Watch out! Be alert! Get Ready!
So today we come to prepare our hearts and minds once more to receive the Gospel of hope and healing. In this place we are invited to open ourselves to the Spirit of God. to prepare a place for God in our lives. Come then, let us worship God.
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.
Advent Candle Lighting
We light a candle today to remind us that Christ is the Prince of Peace, the one promised from the beginning of the world. We thank God for the hope he gives us and for the peace he bestows.
Lord, help us remember that to receive peace we must be prepared for it.
The people of God prepare again to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world.
Lord, help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s appearing. Work in our hearts at this time and help us to prepare ourselves for the peace that he brings, the inner peace that tells us we are united with you, and the outer peace which will come when he returns to judge the world.
As the first candle is lit, let us hold it in our minds as a symbol of peace that we may join with all God’s faithful people in the task of loving everyone. It is only one small light, but it is indeed a light.
Light candle
We now sing the carol, “A Candle is burning” to the tune of “Away in a Manger”. Kaleb Brasee is playing the piano.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
reflective clip
This video is about modern day Bethlehem and continues the theme of ‘peace’. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQDl95tOcU
Bible readings
Rev. Keith Robinson leads us in the readings from Isaiah 64:1-9 & Mark 13:24-37.
Reflection
The speaker is Rev. Keith Robinson. 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 from Ros 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 now and walk in the light of the Lord. Stay alert for the Lord is near. Put on the armour of light and live openly and honourably.
And may God clothe you in the light of Christ; May Christ Jesus teach you his ways; And may the Holy Spirit keep you alert and prepared
for the coming day of the Lord.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMN: “Lo, he comes with clouds descending “
The closing hymn is, “Lo, he comes with clouds descending”. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cHmPHCljY8
POSTLUDE:
Today’s postlude is, ”Come Jesus, prince of peace”. The video is below & a separate link is provided if you prefer to go directly to Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaWX-k11GWo
