Welcome to the Sunday Online Worship 31/01/2021 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: “All people that on earth do dwell”
Let us worship together, and sing if you are able, our first hymn, which is “All people that on earth do dwell”. 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=6xM6Ke4lKJM
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 31/01/2021 from the Eastern Region of the Riverina Presbytery. Today we are invited to ponder the God of change as we explore the start of the ministry of Jesus after he first called his disciples.
“… when the Sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching…. “ (Mark 1:21-22a)
Let us open ourselves once more to the Word, to Spirit, to action, as community, gathered around Christ.
Lord, open our ears and hearts to your word and presence, that planted once more, like a seed in the ground, we may be encouraged and given new life. Open our lives and the life of our church community to your word and the way of your Kingdom. Lord, open our spirits to your Spirit of blessing… We pray. 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 our Creator, our thoughts cannot contain you; our words fall short of your vastness; yet you are our God, God of all ages. Your breath gives us life. Your hands shaped our being. Your artistry in creation leaves us gasping in wonder; longing to experience that which is of you. In each person, there you are, if we could but discern you.
However, we confess that we are sometimes bound by fear and hate and division. We confess that all too often we are bound by our own desires. Free us, O God, from that which binds us. Release us into the bright light of a new day.
Let us say together the confession in the order of service.
O God, bring new life, where we are worn and tired, new love, where we have closed our hearts, forgiveness, where we have wounded others, and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit, in every part of our lives. Amen.
MUSICAL REFLECTION
The musical reflection for today is, “Praise the One who breaks the darkness”. 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=E7HJL38qaos
BIBLE READINGS
Rev. Keith Robinson leads us in the readings from Psalm 111 & Mark 1:21-28.
REFLECTION
The speaker is Rev. Mark Faulkner from the Saltbush community 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. 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, and may God’s Word direct your every step; may God’s Spirit sustain you in every act,and may God’s living love fill your every moment, both now and forevermore. Amen
HYMN: “How great thou art“
The closing hymn is, “How great thou art”. 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=ed3EhvlNGsI
POSTLUDE:
A humorous performance called, ”Silent monks sing the Hallelujah chorus”. 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=pRhjWdr-LAA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Call to worship. Saltbush service.
https://saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/video/the-word/epiphany-4-in-capernaum-mark-1-21-28/ - Message. Mark Faulkner from Saltbush Community. https://vimeo.com/501549043
