Worship – April 5

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Prelude, Welcome and Lighting of the Candles

Call to Worship

A lament in the face of our struggles incorporating Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

At times of pain and struggling, in times like this, we cling to faith even as we bare our true feelings before God. This morning, in our Call to Worship, we shall recite the faithful words of the Psalmist, even while we are honest before God about our fears and anxieties.

O give thanks to the LORD, for God is good; whose steadfast love endures forever!
But where are you? In the midst of our anguish our souls cry out in pain.

Let Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
Will you hold us, even in this hour?

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
Your gates seem shut fast today and righteousness is but a dim memory.

This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
Show us the gate and give us the key for we are desperate and cannot see a way through.

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
We cling to the hope you have extended to us.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Mystery upon mystery confounds our understanding.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
We can but wonder at the still small voice whispering in our despair.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
We will summon our faith and cling to your Gospel.

Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
You alone can make a way through our dilemmas.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
You, Jesus Christ, are in truth the source of life – the gift of grace.

The LORD is God, who has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
We fix our gaze upon you. We centre our being in your longed-for presence.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
We will worship you and bear our souls before you.

O give thanks to the LORD, for God is good, whose steadfast love endures forever.
Bind us to your Spirit, that we might have life and stay tethered to you in love.

We Sing: Be Still My Soul TiS 123

1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
   bear patiently the cross of grief and pain.
   leave to your God to order and provide;
   in every change, he faithful will remain.
   Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
   through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
   and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
   then you shall better know his love, his heart,
   who comes to soothe your sorrow, calm your fears.
   Be still, my soul: your Jesus can restore
   the trust and hope that strengthened you before.

3. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
   when we shall be forever with the Lord,
   when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
   sorrow forgotten, love’s pure joy restored.
   Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
   all safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Katharina von Schlegel 1697 – ? tr Jane Laurie Borthwich 1813-97 alt. Public Domain.

Prayer of Confession

Our God is full of grace and mercy. As we bring our confession today, let us surround it in prayerful song, Kyrie Eleison.

We Sing: Kyrie Eleison (Lord, Have Mercy)

Words of Assurance

We are tethered to God – connected,
even when all seems lost,
even when we have turned away.

Our God is full of grace and mercy.
You are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!

Passing of the Peace

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

Community News and Notices

Children’s Time

We Sing: Pray

I’m gonna stretch my hands up to the sky,
’cause you are awesome God.
I’m gonna hide my face and shy away,
I’m so sorry, God.
I’m gonna clear my mind and bow my head
for those who are in need.
I’m gonna clap my hands and thank you God,
for all you’ve given me.
I’m gonna pray, I’m gonna pray,
I’m gonna pray anytime of the day.
I’m gonna pray, I’m gonna pray,
I’m gonna pray ev’ry time of the day.

© 2018, Jennifer Hughes. Used by Permission.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

The gospel of Christ, light of the world.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon

We Sing: We Will Love ATFG 586

We will walk with you at the edges,
we will die with you on the crossroads,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.
We will risk with you taking chances,
we will stand with you facing evil,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.

1. Come Lord Jesus Christ hear our prayer,
   come now living friend please draw near.
   Alone, we feel unsure and so afraid.
   Calling us to live by your grace,
   calling us to leave all that’s safe.
   Our lives we choose to lose
   so you may save.

We will walk with you at the edges,
we will die with you on the crossroads,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.
We will risk with you taking chances,
we will stand with you facing evil,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.

2. Stepping out we call on your name,
   knowing you have healed all our shame.
   Our God, your precious love has made us whole.
   Gifting us with power to set free,
   Holy Spirit, use even me.
   Renew all that I am
   so I may see.

We will walk with you at the edges,
we will die with you on the crossroads,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.
We will risk with you taking chances,
we will stand with you facing evil,
we will live in your dangerous places,
we will love.

Words and Music: Graeme Gardiner. © 1992 Graeme Gardiner, 25 Greens Road, Warrimoo NSW 2774.
All rights reserved. ONE LICENSE. License #A-604444.

Offering

Details for electronic giving to either the regular offering or the building fund are Bank SA BSB 105 022, Acc 061147940 (with “Offering” or “Building Fund” as reference).

Prayers of the People

And now with the confidence of the children of God we pray:

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 in the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.

We Sing: On Eagle’s Wings TiS 48

1. You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
   who abide in this shadow for life,
   say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
   my Rock in Whom I trust.”

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.

2. Snares of the fowler will never capture you,
   and famine will bring you no fear;
   under God’s wings your refuge,
   with faithfulness your shield.

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.

3. For to the angels God’s given a command,
   to guard you in all of your ways;
   upon their hands they will bear you up,
   lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.

Words and music: Michael Joncas 1951- © 1979 New Dawn Music by permission
Oregon Catholic Press. All rights reserved. ONE LICENSE. License #A-604444.

Sending Forth and Benediction

Postlude