A Light on the Hill

Order of Service – 21st September 2025

The Order of Service follows below.

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Brougham Place Uniting Church
Kardlayirdi Karnungga
A Light on the Hill

Sunday September 21, 2025, 10.00am
Preacher: Rev Linda Driver
Season of Creation Week 3: Storm Sunday. Aqua

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional carers of the land on which our church is built.

As you wait for worship to begin, please turn your phone to silent.

Prelude

Welcome and Acknowledgment of Country

Naa marni?  (Are you all good?)
Marni Ai!     (Good I am)

Lighting of the Candles

Call to Worship

Hey, everyone! Give praise to God!
God dreamed us and called us and here we are!

You, the elements of nature, fire, rain, wind, cold and heat, stone and mountain – give praise!
God dreamed us and called us and here we are!

Weather watchers and civil defence, fire fighters, search and rescue teams, give praise!
God dreamed us and called us and here we are!

So listen out for the Name that is above every Name,
sing out with all the love and joy you can find:
all you are is made by God,
all you have is gift from God.
Calling all creation – come and be found in praise!

Opening Prayer

God of storms and stillness,
shaper of billowing clouds and magnificent rainbows,
open our minds to the wisdom of creation.
Fill our hearts with reverence and humility,
that we may listen, learn, and live in kinship with all creation.
Amen.

We sing: All Creatures of our God and King

Together in Song 100

  1. All creatures of our God and King.
    lift up your voice and with us sing
          alleluia, alleluia;
    O burning sun with golden beam,
    and silver moon with softer gleam,
          O praise him, O praise him,
          alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

  2. Swift-rushing winds that are so strong,
    and clouds that sail in heaven along,
          O praise him, alleluia!
    Fresh-rising morn, in praise rejoice,
    and lights of evening, find a voice:
          O praise him, O praise him,
          alleluia, alleluia, alleluia    !

  3. O flowing water, pure and clear,
    make music for your Lord to hear,
          alleluia, alleluia!
    O fire, so masterful and bright,
    providing us with warmth and light,
          O praise him, O praise him,
          alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

  1. Let all things their Creator bless,
    and worship him in humbleness;
          O praise him, alleluia!
    Praise, praise Creator, praise the Son,
    and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
          O praise him, O praise him,
          alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Prayer of Confession

Creator of storm-cloud and starlight,
as we reflect on the wonders of creation,
we confess the fear that rises when creation’s rhythms disrupt our comforts—
rainstorms, snowstorms, sandstorms, firestorms.
We sometimes forget that we are not above the storm, but within it.
Forgive our desire to control what we should honour,
our complacency in the face of climate disruption,
our failure to listen to the warning winds and rising seas.
Forgive us for the times when tempests and torrents can so easily erode our faith and trust in you.

Short silence

May we walk more gently,
plan with humility,
and trust your Spirit moving even in the whirlwind. Amen.

Words of Assurance/Grace

Lift your eyes to the sky and know that God is in the storm and beyond it.
Hear the voice that speaks peace to winds and waves.
God’s loving kindness flows through all creation,
offering renewal and strength.
We give thanks for your love.
We hear your call to care. Amen.

We sing: Our God in Heaven

Together in Song 465

  1. Our God in heaven,
    grant to your children
    mercy and blessing,
    songs never ceasing,
    love to unite us,
    grace to redeem us –
    Our God in heaven,
    Creator God.

  2. Jesus, Redeemer,
    may we remember
    your gracious passion,
    your resurrection.
    Worship we bring you,
    praise we shall sing you –
    Jesus, Redeemer,
    Jesus our Lord.

  3. Spirit descending
    whose is the blessing,
    strength for the weary,
    help for the needy;
    make us your temple,
    born a new people –
    Spirit descending,
    Spirit adored.

Please remain standing

Passing of the Peace

The peace of our God be with you.
And also with you.

Community News and Notices

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Gospel Reading: Luke 8:22-25

One day, Jesus and his disciples got into a boat, and he said, “Let’s cross the lake.” They started out, and while they were sailing across, he went to sleep.

Suddenly a storm struck the lake, and the boat started sinking. They were in danger. So they went to Jesus and woke him up, “Master, Master! We are about to drown!”

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and waves to stop. They obeyed, and everything was calm. Then Jesus asked the disciples, “Don’t you have any faith?”

But they were frightened and amazed. They said to each other, “Who is this? He can give orders to the wind and the waves, and they obey him!”

The Gospel of Christ, Light of the world.
Thanks be to God.

Children’s Time (Exploring the Theme)

Children and Young People may go downstairs for Sunday School and Youth. Parents, you are welcome to join your child in Sunday School if you feel your child may need your assistance. Alternatively, you may wish for your child to remain with you for the duration of worship. Activity packs are available at the entrances.

We sing: You Are Holy, You are Whole

Together in Song 753

  1. You are holy,
    you are whole.
    You are always evermore
    than we ever understand.
    You are always at hand.
    Blessèd are you coming near;
    blessèd are you coming here
    to your church in wine and bread,
    raised from soil,
    raised from dead.

  2. You are holy,
    you are wholeness,
    you are present,
    let the cosmos praise you, Lord!
    Hallelujah, hallelujah,
    hallelujah, hallelujah, our Lord!
    hallelujah, hallelujah, our Lord!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 29

All you angels in heaven,

honor the glory and power

of the Lord!

Honor the wonderful name

of the Lord,

and worship the Lord

most holy and glorious.

The voice of the Lord

echoes over the oceans.

The glorious Lord God

thunders above the roar

of the raging sea,

and his voice is mighty

and marvelous.

The voice of the Lord

destroys the cedar trees;

the Lord shatters cedars

on Mount Lebanon.

God makes Mount Lebanon

skip like a calf

and Mount Hermon

jump like a wild ox.

The voice of the Lord

makes lightning flash

and the desert tremble.

And because of the Lord,

the desert near Kadesh

shivers and shakes.

The voice of the Lord

makes deer give birth

before their time.

Forests are stripped of leaves,

and the temple is filled

with shouts of praise.

The Lord rules on his throne,

king of the flood forever.

Pray that our Lord

will make us strong

and give us peace

From this shines forth the Word of God.
Thanks be to God.

Message

We sing: Jesus Lord of Wind and Wave

Tune: Together in Song 609 (St Leonards)

  1. Jesus Lord of wind and wave yes
    All creation in your power
    Come and quieten storms that ravage
    Show your presence now

  2. Like disciples fearing drowning
    We may feel we’re going down
    Jesus you rebuke the powers
    Bringing calm around

  3. Yet our faith can so desert us
    Gaze removed from trusting Christ
    Jesus come again astound us
    Saviour Lord and life

  4. You are Lord of all creation
    Lord with love that touches souls
    May we follow with obedience
    Save us make us whole

Prayers of the People

Response:

When the wind stills and the water calms,
may we rise with creation to sow peace and restoration.

The Lord’s Prayer

And now with the confidence of the children of God, let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying…

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

your Kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

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.

Offering

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Alternatively, there is an offering bowl near the lectern on the left-hand side as you exit the church.

Offering Prayer

We give thanks for help and support in the storms of life.
We bring these offerings of money (and food,
and all we have given of ourselves in the past week).
May they be used to bring your life and love
to those most in need.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We sing: I the Lord of Sea and Sky

Together in Song 658

  1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
    I have heard my people cry.
    All who dwell in dark and sin
    my hand will save.
    I who made the stars of night,
    I will make their darkness bright
    Who will bear my light to them?
    Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night;
I will go, Lord, if you lead me;
I will hold your people in my heart.

  1. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
    I have borne my people’s pain;
    I have wept for love of them.
    They turn away.
    I will break their hearts of stone,
    give them hearts for love alone.
    I will speak my word to them.
    Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night;
I will go, Lord, if you lead me;
I will hold your people in my heart.

  1. I, the Lord of wind and flame
    I will tend the poor and lame;
    I will set a feast for them.
    My hand will save.
    Finest bread I will provide
    till their hearts are satisfied.
    I will give my life to them.
    Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night;
I will go, Lord, if you lead me;
I will hold your people in my heart.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Creator God,
whose still, small voice may be heard beyond the wind and rain, fire,
and flood, give you courage to face the storm and peace to overcome your fear.
Go with the blessing of God,
Creator of clouds and oceans,
Christ in the boat beside us.
and Spirit stirring in every storm.
We go in faith, hope, and love. Amen.

Extroit

It is appropriate to depart during the Extroit if you wish

Come and share morning tea together, in the basement. There are stairs behind the organ and a ramp between the church and the car park. All are welcome!

Thank you for joining us for worship!
If you would like to get in touch or request a prayer, please make use of the Contact Cards in the pews and next to the Offering Bowl. Alternately, you can email our Minister, Rev Linda Driver:

Some Questions to Reflect on this Week.

This week you are invited to choose from the following questions and spend some time in prayer and reflection. You might like to reflect on one question per day, or the same question for the whole week.

  • When have you experienced a ‘storm’ in your life? How did it shape or change you?
  • What helps you stay grounded when the winds rise?
  • What might Earth’s storms teach us about change, release, or renewal?
  • What wisdom can we hear in thunder, in crashing waves, in wild weather?
  • When have you tried to control something you could not? What would it mean to let go and to trust?
  • How might we act differently if we believed storms were part of Earth’s sacred rhythm?
  • Where is Jesus in the storms of your life? Do you feel he is sleeping, calming, or simply present?

This service has been prepared with assistance from

Liturgy, Learning, & (Purposeful) Life (L3) – Season of Creation
Viv Whimster, John Carr, Susan Burt:
© 2025, Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of South Australia

Call to worship Adapted from ‘Psalm 148’
Silvia Purdie
Adapted and used by permission

Bible Readings are from the Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.

Photo by Michael Kroul on Unsplash

Congregation Hymns/Songs:

All Creatures of Our God and King
Together in Song 100. Based on Laudato sia Dio mio Signore the ‘Canticle of the Sun’ of Francis of Assisi 1182 – 1226 William Henry Draper 1855-1933 alt. Music from the English Hymnal words by permission Oxford University Press. Public Domain.

Father in Heaven / Our God in Heaven
Together in Song 465. Daniel Thambyrajah Niles 1908-70 alt Words © D. T. Niles by permission the Christian Conference of Asia. All rights reserved.

You Are Holy, You are Whole
Together in Song 753. Words & Music © P. G. Harling. Per Gunnar Harling 1948- All rights reserved.

Jesus Lord of Wind and Wave
Tune: St Leonards Arthur Cyril Barham-Gould, David MacGregor © Words: 2025 MacGregor, David; Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

I the Lord of Sea and Sky
Together in Song 658. Daniel L. Schutte 1947 – Suggested by Isaiah 6. Words by permission Oregon Catholic Press. All rights reserved.

www.bpuc.org