- CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us worship God.
The world belongs to God,
the earth and all its people.
Love and peace come together,
Justice and peace join hands
How good and lovely it is
To live together in unity
If the Lord’s disciples keep silent
The stones would shout aloud
Lord, open our lips
And our mouths shall proclaim you praise
- HYMN/SONG 1 TIS 724 Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna, hosanna,
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, hosanna,
Hosanna in the highest
Lord, we lift up your name
With our hearts filled with praise
We exalt you, O Lord our God
Hosanna in the highest
Glory, glory,
Glory to the King of kings
Glory, glory,
Glory to the King of kings
Lord, we lift up your name
With our hearts filled with praise
We exalt you O Lord our God
Glory to the King of kings
- GREETING
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God
And the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you
- PRAYERS
ADORATION
Ever living God,
You are infinite, yet compassionate
In you we live, and move, and have our being.
One with us in Jesus Christ.
You share our life and our death,
Flowing through us as living water
You quench our thirst.
In you we live, and move, and have our being
Holy one, we adore you
Holy Wisdom, we adore you
Holy Spirit, we adore you
Accept our praise we bring today and forever.
Amen.
INVOCATION
Come to us, O God of surprising grace
Brek into the places in our lives
Which we think are not worthy of your entry
And sow us the measure of you love for us.
Break through into newness
In all our life together, O God
In the wonder of your transforming presence.
Amen
CONFESSION
We come to God,
Knowing that we have failed to obey the call of Jesus
To love God and love one another with our whole being
But we also come to God who reaches out to us
With healing and reconciliation
Let us pray together
God of mercy, give us grace today to make a fresh start.
We know that we have not loved you with our whole heart
Nor have we loved our neighbour as ourselves
As we hope to be forgiven
Teach us to forgive
And lead us forward in a new life
Where neither grudges nor resentment have a part.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins
And cleanse us form all unrighteousness
Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us
“Your sins are forgiven.”
Thanks be to God
- HYMN TIS 129 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
This YouTube clip has additional verses to those that will be sung in the Church service.
- Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see. - ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed! - Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home. - The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
- PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Holy one, open our hearts and minds
By the power of the Holy Spirit
That as the scriptures are read and proclaimed
We may hear your word with joy.
Amen
- SCRIPTURE FIRST READING
Philippians 2:5-11 Good News Translation
5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
6 He always had the nature of God,
but he did not think that by force he should try to remain[a] equal with God.
7 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had,
and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a human being
and appeared in human likeness.
8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—
his death on the cross.
9 For this reason God raised him to the highest place above
and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
10 And so, in honour of the name of Jesus
all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below[b]
will fall on their knees,
11 and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
- RESPONSE TO FIRST READING
Your word, O God, is a lamp to our feet
A light to our path
SCRIPTURE SECOND READING (GOSPEL) (as per the lectionary)
Luke 19:28-40 Good News Translation
The Triumphant Approach to Jerusalem
28 After Jesus said this, he went on in front of them toward Jerusalem. 29 As he came near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead 30 with these instructions: “Go to the village there ahead of you; as you go in, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If someone asks you why you are untying it, tell him that the Master[a] needs it.”
32 They went on their way and found everything just as Jesus had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying it?”
34 “The Master needs it,” they answered, 35 and they took the colt to Jesus. Then they threw their cloaks over the animal and helped Jesus get on. 36 As he rode on, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives, the large crowd of his disciples began to thank God and praise him in loud voices for all the great things that they had seen: 38 “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!”
39 Then some of the Pharisees in the crowd spoke to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “command your disciples to be quiet!”
40 Jesus answered, “I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting.”
- RESPONSE TO SECOND READING
May your word live in us
And bear much fruit.
- MESSAGE
WERE YOU THERE?
We are all familiar with the song “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”. The many different people from many backgrounds who were there would answer from their own perspective. We usually sing that song at our Good Friday and Easter Day services. It calls us to experience the passion of the cross and resurrection and make our own response.
In a similar vein we could add a verse that draws us into the excitement of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the crowd lit up shouting “Hosanna!” Over and over. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel”
Were you there when Jesus rode into Jerusalem?
There were so many people from different backgrounds that could respond to that question from their own experience and perspective. People were asking “Who is this?” and the answer came, “It is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
So, I thought I’d find out more and asked a few people,
Were you there when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and why?
“My Name is John.
I’m a close friend of Jesus. I tried to persuade him to keep away from Jerusalem because I knew that the Pharisees were out to get him. I’ve been following Jesus for some time, and chose to stay with him despite the mounting dangers that were mounting. I really was surprised at the royal reception on his arrival. Something amazing and out of control was happening and I too joined the others shouting our Hosannas. I could feel God’s hand in all this.”
“I’m Bartimaeus.
I joined the group of followers after Jesus touched my eyes and I began to see.
Nobody had ever given me the time of day as I spent my life begging. Jesus saw my worth and now I live my life in thankful praise. I truly can shout “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”’
“Yes. My name is Mary.
I became one of Jesus’ close friends when He turned my life round. You really don’t want to know about my past. Look at me now. I’m a changed person who knows how much I am loved by God. I became caught up in the excitement then danced and sang my way into Jerusalem.”
Don’t forget me. My name is Caleb.
I was there when a few friends lowered a cripple through the roof. Jesus just said that he was forgiven and told him to pick up his bed and go home. And that’s what happened. He picked up his bed, picked his way through the crowd and disappeared with this huge smile on his face. This Jesus was worth sticking by and I began to learn many Godly truths from him. I’m a true follower and like to consider myself a disciple.
I’m Martha, the practical one.
Jesus is a close family friend and I was there when Jesus raised Lazarus to life. Absolutely amazing. Jesus the gentle and kind man who took me aside and helped me to see a new way of looking at life. I think I am the backbone of Jesus’ raggedy crew. How else would they survive without my cooking. I’m sure the meals are much better when I sing as I prepare the meals. I can shout Hosanna with the best of them.
When I looked around the huge crowd had gathered. Many pilgrims coming for the Passover were caught up in the excitement and continued singing the psalms with joy. The poor in ragged clothes. The unloved. The tax collectors and the outsiders who don’t meet the correct standards.
They all joined together shouting their praises for the man Jesus who seemed much more. Jesus rode on this young donkey. Some threw their cloaks on the ground before him and waved branches cut form nearby trees.
But I saw one group; the Scribes and the Chief Priests who did not enjoy the celebration. So, with trepidation I asked them. One of the scribes, who would not give his name, responded angrily. He looked like he would explode.
“This Jesus is a stirrer and causes trouble. He breaks rules. He speaks without our authority and intimates that he is speaking God’s truth. He blasphemes when he pronounces forgiveness. He mixes with tax collectors and prostitutes. He is nothing but riff-raff. What more do you want? He must be stopped! It’s time to put plans into action.
I said to Jesus, “Teacher, command your disciples to stop.” Do you know what he said. “If they stop, the stones would cry out.”
Well, that’s it we must be on our way. We have plans to make.
When I turned back to the crowd Jesus had disappeared. Some said he’d gone off to Bethany to spend time with his friends.
A few days later I witnessed another crowd. A different crowd. I had never witnessed such outrage before. They were not shouting Hosannas like the other day. They were shouting “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
When the governor, Pilate, questioned him and asked “Are you a King?” Jesus replied “I am a King, but not like the kings you know. I came to rule the heart of your lives. I’m here to reveal that truth to you all.”
When I slipped away, it wasn’t going well for Jesus at all. It seemed that the lies and cruelty would win the day. So, the experience left me deep in thought, trying to make sense of all that I had seen and heard.
Yes, I was there when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and I was there because I was attracted to him and the things he did and taught, and I wanted to find out more.
- HYMN TIS 348 Ride on, ride on in majesty
- Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Hark all the tribes “hosanna” cry; - Thine humble beast pursues his road
- With palms and scattered garments strowed.
- Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
- Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
The Father on His sapphire throne - Awaits His own anointed Son.
4 Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, Thy power and reign.
- NOTICES
- PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
We have received a Spirit of adoption
And the Spirit o God assures us
That we are God’s children
In the Spirit we lift our prayers to God
In confidence, let us pray
God of creation and Sustainer of all life within it, who offers us hope through the resurrected and ascended Jesus, and the gift of the Spirit as surety for life beyond what we know, hear us.
We pray for our ministry agents and chaplains who are ministering within our communities during these uncertain times.
We pray for Uniting Care and Blue Care as they minister to those reaching out for assistance.
For those with disabilities and the elderly within their care.
Grant them the necessary gifts and graces and the wisdom to use them.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
We pray for our politicians, health workers and those on the front line who are daily stepping up to care for the community.
We pray for those in positions where difficult decisions have to be made.
Grant them and overflow of your compassion, with strength and peace.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
We pray for those in our communities who are struggling. May we find genuine ways to to encourage and uplift them.
We pray for those in our communities who have lost or reduced their employment.
Grant them hope for a renewal of a productive life, and grant all of us the will to share each other’s burdens.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer
We pray for those folk dear to us who suffer in different ways, with ill health and debilitating afflictions of body and mind. Grant them your peace.
Lord, hear us
Lord, hear our prayer in the name of the resurrected and ascended Christ.
Amen
- THE LORD’S PRAYER
- OFFERING
- DEDICATION OF OFFERING
Gracious God, for all you have poured out for us:
We give you thanks.
For your Word that has inspired and fed your people:
For those who had vision to record it, skill to translate it and presence to share it:
We give you thanks.
For your love that has surrounded and enfolded us, that has given us joy, confirmed our faith, nurtured our love and given us enduring hope in the gift of the promise of eternal life.:
We give you thanks.
To you be all praise and glory forever and ever.
Amen
- HYMN TIS147 To God be the glory, great things he has done.
- To God be the glory great things he hath done
So loved he the world that he gave us his son
Who yielded his life, an atonement for sin
And opened the life-gate that all may go in
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth his voice
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things he hath done
- O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To ev’ry believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth his voice
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things he hath done
- Great things he has taught us, great things he has done
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son
But purer and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth his voice
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things he hath done
- WORD OF MISSION
May we go forth into the world in peace
And be of good courage
Help us to hold fast to what is good
Rendering no on evil for evil
Equip us to strengthen the faint hearted,
Support the weak, help the afflicted and honour all people
Always loving and serving the Lord,
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
- BLESSING
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you
And give you peace.
The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God
And the communion of the Holy Spirit
Be with us all evermore
- DEPARTING HYMN TIS 755 You shall go out with joy
In this YouTube clip, the words are repeated.
You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace,
The mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you
There’ll be shouts of joy
And all the trees of the fields
will clap, will clap their hands
And all the trees of the fields
will clap their hands
The trees of the fields will clap their hands
The trees of the fields will clap their hands
While you go out with joy
Service for Sunday 20th November 2022, which was conducted by Mr Ian Kerr 
Service for Sunday 29th November 2020, – Mr Geoffrey Webber 