Order of Service – 16th April 2023

The Order of Service follows below.

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UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA
SYNOD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Commissioning of
Mr Mark Waters
to the role of
Director
UnitingCare SA

Sunday 16^th April 2023
10:00am
Brougham Place Uniting Church
Kardlayirdi Karnungga
The light on the hill

Prelude

Acknowledgement of CountryRev Robyn Caldicott

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

Welcome & GreetingRev Robyn Caldicott

Lighting of the Candles and IntroitJan Oliver

Joyful the morning –
Torres St Island hymn (TiS 383)

Call to WorshipRev Robyn Caldicott

based on John 20:19 – 20

We Sing: Sing of the Lord’s Goodness

Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom,
come to him and bless his name.
Mercy he has shown us, his love is forever,
faithful to the end of days.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Power he has wielded, honour is his garment,
risen from the snares of death.
His word he has spoken, one bread he has broken,
new life he now gives to all.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Courage in our darkness, comfort in our sorrow,
Spirit of our God most high;
solace for the weary, pardon for the sinner,
splendour of the living God.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.
Praise him with your singing, praise him with the trumpet,
praise God with the lute and harp,
praise him with the cymbals, praise him with your dancing,
praise God till the end of days.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.

Prayer of ConfessionRev Robyn Caldicott

Words of Assurance

Passing of the Peace

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

Reminder about ways to pass the peace: please stand still and not move about the sanctuary or into the aisles.

Community News and Notices

Current or previous BP E-news and to sign up to receive BP E-news

Children’s TimeKaran Hudson

Children will remain in the church for the duration of worship. Activity packs are available from the entrances.

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32Barbara Sibley

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them:

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.”
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.

Choral Anthem – Kyrie Eleison

Ukranian hymn

Scripture Readings: John 20:19-31Barbara Sibley

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Message ‘So I Send You’Bronte Wilson

Apostles Creed

The people stand.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

We Sing: I the Lord of Sea and Sky

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?

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.
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?

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.
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?

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.

OfferingRev Robyn Caldicott

To give electronically please go to bpuc.org/give

Chimes Offertory – Alleluia

Offering PrayerRev Robyn Caldicott

COMMISSIONING OF MARK WATERS

as Director of UnitingCare SA

SentencesRev Sue Page

In Jesus Christ we are children of God through faith.
All who are baptised into Christ are clothed with Christ.

There is no longer Jew or Greek,
there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female;
for we are all one in Christ.
Claimed by God in baptism,
we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit
that we may live as witnesses to Jesus Christ,
share his ministry in the world and grow to maturity,
awaiting with hope the day of our Lord Jesus.

Sisters and brothers, the Church is God’s covenant people, the Body of Christ, and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Baptism into Christ’s Body initiates people into Christ’s life and mission in the world.

Through baptism we are united in a communion of love, service, suffering and joy, in one family of the Father of all in heaven and earth, and in the power of the one Spirit.

We thank God that the one Spirit has endowed the members of Christ’s Church with a diversity of gifts.
There is no gift without its corresponding service,
for all ministries have a part
in the ministry of Christ.

The Uniting Church in Australia affirms that every member of the Church is engaged to confess the faith of Christ crucified and to be his faithful servant.

It seeks to encourage people to discover and develop the gifts which God’s Spirit has given them.

The Synod of South Australia has discerned God’s call to Mark Waters for the ministry of pastor as Director, UnitingCare SA.

In the Uniting Church, the ministry of pastor may include teaching the Church’s beliefs and practices; pastoral oversight; leadership of worship; evangelism and service beyond a gathered congregation.

PresentationRev Sue Page
Mark Waters

The Secretary of the Synod invites the person to be commissioned to stand before the Moderator and says:

Moderator, I present Mark Leslie Waters for commissioning as a pastor while serving as Director UnitingCare SA.

The Secretary gives a brief ‘narration of steps’ which shall include reference to: the person’s previous ministry(ies) and the role to be undertaken.

Questions to the PastorBronte Wilson

Mark, we rejoice that you have come today declaring your willingness to participate in Christ’s ministry in this particular way.

In serving in this ministry you are reaffirming your baptism, declaring your allegiance to the risen crucified Lord and seeking to be obedient to God’s will.

And so I ask you now:

Mark, do you confess anew Jesus Christ as Lord?
I do.

Do you believe that you are called by God through the Church to this ministry?
I do.

Do you embrace the faith and unity of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church, as set forth in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, expressed in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds and described in the Basis of Union?
I do.

Do you accept the discipline of the Uniting Church and the oversight of Wimala Presbytery?
I do.

Do you affirm and commit yourself to the covenant made between the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Uniting Church and accept the obligation to serve both First and Second peoples?
I do.

Will you endeavour to show love and compassion in the name of Christ to all among whom you serve?
I will.

Will you take part in the work of the Synod of South Australia and the councils of the Uniting Church, and will you share in the life and witness of the wider Church?
I will.

The PeopleBronte Wilson

The Moderator requests everyone to stand and says:

Will you support your brother Mark in the discharge of his responsibilities within this synod?
We will, in the love of Christ.

Will you care for Mark, and will you at all times support him with your love and prayers?
We will, the Lord being our helper.

May God give you strength to fulfil these promises; and to God be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus from generation to generation for ever.
Amen.

The congregation sits.

Induction and Commissioning PrayerBronte Wilson

The pastor to be inducted kneels and the Moderator says:

Let us pray in silence for Mark, before we commission him as pastor, serving as Director UnitingCare SA:

I invite you to raise your hands towards Mark and join me in prayer:

Almighty God,
in every age you have chosen servants to speak your word and lead your people. We thank you for Mark, who you have called to serve you. Fill him with the Holy Spirit and give him gifts for this ministry.

May he have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, and be a faithful disciple, being an example to the people of God and witnessing before the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.Numbers 6:24-26

Declaration of Commissioning

The pastor stands and faces the people.

The Moderator says:

In the name of Jesus Christ, the sovereign Head of the Church, and by the authority of the Synod of South Australia we now declare Mark Waters is commissioned as a pastor in the Uniting Church in Australia while serving as Director, UnitingCare SA.

Other Churches and Faiths

The Moderator may welcome and introduce clergy or representatives of other churches who are present.

The Moderator invites them to come forward and greet the newly commissioned pastor.

If there are representatives of other faiths present, the Moderator may invite them to come forward and greet the pastor.

The PastorMark Waters

The newly-commissioned pastor may make a brief response.

Prayers of the PeopleRev Don Catford

Intercessions may include:

The pastor and their families
The UnitingCare organisations
The needs of the Church and the world.

The Lord’s Prayer

…And now let us pray to the Father in the words our Saviour gave us:

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.

The Sending Forth of the People of God

We Sing: Love Divine

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.
Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more thy temples leave:
thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be,
let us see thy great salvation,
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.

Together in Song 217, Charles Wesley 1707-88 alt. Public Domain.

BlessingMark Waters

Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the faint-hearted;
support the weak;
help the afflicted;
honour all people;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Choral Blessing – Shalom

traditional (TiS 778)

Postlude Chimes – Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Come and share morning tea together, downstairs in the basement.

Some of the liturgy in this service is adapted from the following: Resources published by Moira Laidlaw (B.A., Dip.Theol., D.Min.); Words for Worship published by MediaCom Education Inc. - mediacomeducation.org.au.