Call to Worship
Leader: Because of the great things the Mighty God's has done for us all, we worship the Lord. His name is holy: from one generation to another he shows his mercy to those who honour him.

Hymn: TiS 161 vs 1, 2 & 4 Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord
Tune: Woodlands 10 10. 10 10 Walter Greatorex

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name – the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore! -Timothy Dudley-Smith

The Testimony From Generation to Generation
Reference to the fact that Aboriginal people have been living in and caring for this land for over 40,000 years. Acknowledge that it was European settlement that disrupted them, and had an impact on their life style, culture, and language.

In many instances it was the Christian Church which accepted responsibility for the care of people, especially children. The decision of the Government early this year to say ‘sorry'.

In the indigenous culture, story-telling is the way in which things are passed on … the sacred stories, culture and faith traditions wiped out by Christian people. … the smoking ceremony when a baby is born. …

Grandmother – Mother – Daughter, and also Younger to Older
The local committee will choose people to speak about
Learning the Faith,
Passing on the Faith

Leader: A thanksgiving for Australia

God of holy dreaming, Great Creator Spirit,
from the dawn of creation you have given your children
the good things of Mother Earth.
You spoke and the gum tree grew.
In the vast desert and dense forest,
and in cities at the water’s edge,
creation sings your promise.
Your presence endures
as the rock at the heart of our Land.
When Jesus hung on the tree
you heard the cries of all your people
and became one with your wounded ones:
the convicts, the hunted, and the dispossessed.
The sunrise of your Son coloured the earth anew,
and bathed it in glorious hope.
In Jesus we have been reconciled to you,
to each other and to your whole creation.
Lead us on, Great Spirit,
as we gather from the four corners of the earth;
enable us to walk together in trust
from the hurt and shame of the past
into the full day which has dawned in Jesus Christ. Amen
- Ms Lenore Parker from A Prayer Book for Australia (Broughton Books 1998)

Hymn: TiS 253 O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr
Tune: Marrkapmirr 77.75 Australian Aboriginal melody

O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr
all the power belongs to you,
hold me by this power O Lord
you alone are king

Now we praise you for your Word,
living, true and full of light,
yours the hands that rest on me
hold me for all time.
-Aboriginal people of Arnhem land, versified by D'Arcy Wood
(Note ‘Marrkapmirr’ is a term of endearment, and means in this context ‘altogether lovely, and worthy of affection’)

Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Leader: Creating God, you called the world into being, you hold all people in your love. You called each of us into being, breathing life into us and calling us to worship you.
People: We gather in worship for we love you and adore you.
Leader: Faithful God, from generation to generation you call people of every race to serve you. We learn stories of your faithful ones as we read or listen to their stories in the Hebrew and New Testament scriptures and in lives of people in more recent times.
People: God of all people, we love you and adore you.
Leader: Amongst them you called Noah, Abraham and Sarah, the parents of Moses and later Moses himself, prophets, kings and queens, shepherds, a slave girl, Naomi and Ruth, Esther, John the Baptist, your only Son, Jesus, those whom he called and others since. Some we know, others we don't. Many gave their lives, persecuted for their faith. Many of your faithful ones suffer still.
People: God of all people, we love you and adore you.
Leader:We pause to remember in silence those times we have not reflected the love of God in our lives. (pause)
Leader: Timeless God,
We confess that we do not live as the people you create us to be. (pause)
We do not treat your created world with respect, care or compassion. (pause)
In our selfishness we are often careless as we use all you give us, taking for granted
the resources you have created.
People: We ask your forgiveness.
Leader: Caring God,
We do not always love you, others or ourselves as we should.
We forget you love all people when we exclude people because they are different. Unlike us you set no boundaries of race, gender or life style.
Unlike your faithful ones in the past we hang onto our faith, not sharing it with others even ignoring those who worship you in different ways than we do.
People: We ask your forgiveness through Christ our Saviour.
Leader: Lord God,
Bring us together as one, reconciled by you and reconciled with each other.
You made us in your likeness, you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.
He has given us forgiveness from sin. Lord God, bring us together as one, different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ, together as your body, your church, your people. Lord God, bring us together as one, reconciled, healed, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do. In Jesus Christ, let us be together as One.
People: Amen
Adapted from a prayer by Bishop Arthur Malcolm from A Prayer Book for Australia (Broughton Books 1998)

Words of Assurance
Leader: John reminds us that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Hear Christ’s words of grace to us: “Your sins are forgiven.”
People: Thanks be to God.

THE PEACE one with God, and one with each other
Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you
People: And also with you.
(Please exchange a sign of peace with those around you)

Hymn: TiS 693 Come as you are
Tune:‘Come as you are’ - irregular. Deidre Browne, David Putney

Come as you are: that’s how I want you,
come as you are; feel quite at home,
close to my heart, loved and forgiven,
come as you are; why stand alone?

No need to fear, love sets no limits;
no need to fear, love never ends;
don’t run away shamed and disheartened,
rest in my love, trust me again.

I came to call sinners, not just the righteous;
I came to bring peace, not to condemn.
Each time you fail to live by my promise,
why do you think I’d love you the less?

Come as you are; that’s how I love you;
come as you are, trust me again.
Nothing can change the love that I bear you;
all will be well, just come as you are. -Deidre Brown

Readings from Scripture
(May be read in different languages if your community has a mixture of cultures.)
Ruth 1:14b–19a
Hebrews 11:32–12:3
Psalm 139:1–18
John 3: 1–16
Leader: Gracious God, may your word live in us.
People: And bear much fruit to your glory.

Message

The Lord's Prayer (in own language)
Leader: God of all truth, you have chosen as your blessed ones those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
We give thanks for those whose lives have shone with integrity and goodness.
We give thanks for your prophets of old and all today who fight for justice, freedom, and truth.
People: We give you thanks and praise.
Leader: Help us to follow their example, that we too may be filled with your spirit.
God of truth, for all the saints,
People: We give you thanks and praise.
Leader: God of all humility, you have chosen as your blessed ones those whose hearts are simple and pure.
We give you thanks for those who do not grasp at material possessions.
We give you thanks for all those whose good works have been unnoticed and unsung.
People: We give you thanks and praise.
Leader: Help us to follow their example, that we too may come to see your face.
God of humility, for all the saints,
People: We give you thanks and praise.
Leader: God of all faithfulness, you have chosen as your blessed ones those who have remained steadfast in the face of danger and persecution.
We give thanks for those of this church who have gone before us.
We give thanks for all whom we hold dear who are now in your eternal presence. We give thanks for all who have followed in your way until their life's end.
People: We give you thanks and praise.
Leader: Help us to follow their example, that we too may rejoice to come into our reward and, with all the saints of heaven, worship you for ever.
God of all faithfulness, for all the saints,
People: We give you thanks and praise.

from ' Let Us pray' by Janet Nelson, Harper Collins Religious - with alterations

Prayers for our prayer partners (for example - Australia and South Korea)

Offering for the work of ACWC, with musical interlude

Offertory Prayer
Leader: We thank you, Lord, for all you have given us.
Please accept these tokens of our love for you and use the money to further the work of your kingdom through ACWC.
People: Amen

Hymn: TiS 455 For all the saints
Tune: Sine Nomine 1010.10 and Hallelujahs Ralph Vaughan Williams

For all the saints who from their labours rest,
who to the world their Lord by faith confessed,
your name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.

You were their rock, their fortress and their might,
you were their captain in the well fought fight,
in deepest darkness still their one true light.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.

But see, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.

From earth’s wide bounds and ocean’s farthest shore,
Through heaven’s gate the holy people pour;
The Three-in-One for ever they adore.
Hallelujah, hallelujah. - William Walsham How 1823-97 alt.

Sending Forth and Benediction
Leader: Go boldly into the future that God has claimed for you,
know that the God who holds all things will be there,
that Christ who calls us friend will walk beside us,
and that the Spirit who makes all things new
will mark our way with light and hope.
And the Blessing of God,
Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,
be upon us all and remain with us always
People: Amen

Hymn: TiS 720 Halle, hallelujah!
Tune: Halle, Halle. Caribbean Traditional – arr. Terry MacArthur

Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
(repeat two or three times) - Caribbean traditional, World Council of Churches

Postlude

Prayers used with permission.
Prayers of Intercession written for this service.
TiS 161, 253, 693, 455 Hymns used with permission
(Together in Song, HarperCollins Publishers, Australia 1999)

* This order of worship was prepared by the National Executive of Australian Church Women