SCOTS CHURCH ADELAIDEUNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

237 North TerraceAdelaide, South Australia

We, the Uniting Church people of Scots Churchon North Terrace are called by God to be a welcoming,

inclusive, worshipping community of God,committed to justice, learning and care,

anticipating a world transformed by the love of God.

Second Sunday in Advent: Peace6th December, 2020

Preacher: Rev Dr Peter TrudingerLiturgist: Mrs Penelope Horn

Organist: Mr Ashleigh Tobin OAM

REMEMBERING THE FIRST PEOPLE

We remember with gratitude the Kaurna people, the original custodians of the land on which we now gather

and ask for God’s grace to be good stewards of this place with them and to strive for reconciliation between all who

share it.

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WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE PRESENCE OF DIVINE MYSTERY

A warm welcome is extended to all.Your presence both enriches us

and this time of celebration together.

An asterisk * indicates you are invited to stand as you are able. You are invited to speak the words in bold.

Helpful instructions are in italics

Our worship service follows a classic pattern. For those of you unfamiliar with this, sentences in this font briefly explain the parts of the service.

If you require the hearing loop please sit in middle of centre pews

GATHERING(The meditation, prelude and image are intended to help you set aside the stresses of the outside world and prepare for worship.)

MeditationDo your little bit of good where you are;

it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. Desmond Tutu

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Prelude

WelcomeAdvent is a season of preparation as we wait for the hope, peace, joy, and love of God to break into our lives anew through the story of the birth of Jesus, and through acts of hope, peace, joy, and love. Each Sunday we light candles for remind us of the hope, peace, joy, and love for which we wait.

Call to Worship(We start by reminding ourselves that we are here to worship God together. The Call is often based on a passage from the Bible.)

Let us hear what God will speakGod will speak peace to his people.

In the wilderness of our world, let us prepare the way for God,We will make the paths straight.

God will feed his flock like a shepherd;he will gather the lambs in his arms.

Let us hear what God will speakGod will speak peace to his people.

(based on Isaiah 40:1-11 and Psalm 85:8)

Lighting of Advent Candles(Each Sunday we light a new candle on the Advent wreath. The central candle is lit at Christmas. The candle for today symbolizes peace.)

Opening Prayer(This prayer usually focuses on God, e.g., acknowledging that God is with us or praising God. The hymn continues the praise.)

(based on Psalm 85:10-11)

*Hymn TiS 263 The Bright wind is blowing1 The bright wind is blowing, the bright wind of heaven,

and where it is going to, no one can say;but where it is passing our hearts are awakingto grope from the darkness and reach for the day.

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2 The bright wind is blowing, the bright wind of heaven,and many old thoughts will be winnowed away;the husk that is blown is the chaff of our hating,the seed that is left is the hope for our day.

3 The bright wind is blowing, the bright wind of heaven,the love that it kindles will never betray;the fire that it fans is the warmth of our caring,so lean on the wind - it will show us the way.

Prayer of Confession(There is a vast difference between God and humans. Humans often do things that are hurtful to others or to God. This prayer acknowledges that there is room for improvement and asks for God’s forgiveness.)

We will follow each short prayer with the wordsLord/Christ, have mercy.

Lord/Christ, have mercy.

Assurance of Pardon and RenewalAt the beginning, at the end,

…In Christ Jesus, we are forgiven and made whole.

Thanks be to God.

WE LISTEN FOR WHAT THE SPIRITIS SAYING TO THE CHURCH TODAY

(We want to live in the way God wants us to live. First we pray that God might help us understand what that means. Then we listen to part of the Bible, and finally a message explaining what those words might mean for us today. The hymn often picks up on some theme from the Bible reading.)

Prayer for Illumination

The Good News for TodayIsaiah 40:1-11,Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13Mark 1:1-8

In sacred words of old,we have heard the Spirit speak anew.

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*Hymn TiS 409 O breath of life1. O breath of life, come sweeping through us,

revive your church with life and power;O breath of life, come cleanse* renew us,and fit your church to meet this hour.

2. O wind of God, come bend us, break us,till humbly we confess our need;then in your tenderness remake us,revive, restore: for this we plead.

3. O breath of love, come breathe within us,renewing thought and will and heart;come, love of Christ, afresh to win us,revive your church in every part.

4. Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abatingwhile harvest fields are vast and white?Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,equip your church to spread the light.

Sermon

Silent Reflection

WE RESPOND IN FAITH(In this section we commit ourselves to live lives that are in keeping with God’s will.)

*Hymn TiS 616 O Day of God, draw near (Tune: 271)1. O day of God, draw near

in beauty and in power,come with your timeless judgment nowto match our present hour.

2. Bring to our troubled minds,uncertain and afraid,the quiet of a steadfast faith,calm of a call obeyed.

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3. Bring justice to our landthat all may dwell secure,and firmly build for days to comefoundations that endure.

4. Bring to our world of strifeyour sovereign word of peace,that war may haunt the earth no moreand desolation cease.

5. O day of God, draw nearas at creation's birth;let there be light again, and setyour justice in the earth.

Prayers of the People(God has asked us to love and care for each other. In this prayer, we remember situations of need in the world. It closes with the Lord’s Prayer, which was taught by Jesus to his disciples and is used by all Christians.)

ResponseCome, O God,

restore and renew, bring peace and wholeness.

We close with the The Lord’s Prayer: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 yoursnow and for ever. Amen.

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Life and Ministry of the Congregation(We mention some of the things that are happening in our community, including the practical ways we can respond to God’s love for us, by loving our neighbour.)

Invitation to the Offering(One practical way of responding is to contribute money which is used to help

These gifts we offer today can open the way for the love of God to come into people’s lives: by meeting real needs, by supporting community and by bearing witness to the light.

*Prayer of Dedication(We offer the money to God and pray that it might be used wisely.)

*Hymn TiS 270 On Jordan’s bank (verses 1, 3, 4, 5)1. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry

announces that the Lord is nigh:come then and hearken, for he bringsglad tidings of the King of kings.

3. For you are our salvation, Lord,our refuge and our great reward;without your grace we waste awaylike flowers that wither and decay.

4. To heal the sick stretch out your hand,and bid the fallen sinner stand;shine forth, and let your light restoreearth's own true loveliness once more.

5. To him who left the throne of heavento free us all, let praise be given;and praise be to the Father done,and Holy Spirit, Three in One.

*Commissioning(At the end of the service, we prepare to go back to our daily lives. The Commissioning reminds us how we are to live in the world. The Blessing reassures us that God is with us in our daily lives.)

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*Blessing

*Choral Amen TiS 783(ii)

PostludeThis is an opportunity for quiet reflection. Please remain seated until the postlude has ended. No applause is necessary.

WE DEPART IN PEACETO LOVE AND SERVE

Let the church of Jesus, the Christ, arise and go forth into the world as a vibrant witness to the abiding presence of

God’s love.

We exchange the peace of the Christ with one another.

Sources used in worship today include Words for Worship, and Seasons of the Spirit. Music reproduced with permission, licenses #A1050, LicenSingOnline, and #496838, CCLI. Image: Elias Pirasteh, "Melody of Doves," flickr.com/photos/pirasteh/ 2533146297/, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image:by kiutruongphoto https://pixabay.com/photos/bird-dove-animal-3724869/.

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Scots Church AdelaideNews and Information

Sunday 29th November 2020

Prayer Requests - Requests for Prayers for family members, friends, etc. can be completed on the cards on the table at the back of the church and then placed in

the prayer box (also on the table). Personal requests can be made toRev Peter Trudinger or Alice McIvor

Duty Sunday 13 th December Verger: Mr Ker DengPreacher: Rev Dr Peter TrudingerOrganist: Mr Ashleigh Tobin OAMLiturgist:

Duty Sunday 20 th December Verger: Mr Ker DengPreacher: Rev Dr Peter TrudingerOrganist: Mr Ashleigh Tobin OAMLiturgist:

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Christmas CardsChristmas cards from Frontier Services and Uniting World will be available free of charge in McGregor Hall after today’s service.

Adelaide Cantata Band will perform Prepare the Way: Bach cantatas for Advent Friday 11th December Pilgrim Uniting Church. Tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/BMSIO. Further information is available on the noticeboard in McGregor Hall.

Payneham Road Uniting Church is holding a fundraiser for continuation of their organ student scholarship with an ORGAN CONCERT. Featuring Veta Brown Organ Scholar Val Estrella and supporting artists, Saturday 12th December 2020 at 7 pm. Tickets: Adults $25, Children $10, Family $50 via https://www.trybooking.com/BMQEO Further information is available on the noticeboard in McGregor Hall.

Service of Lessons and Carolswith music program arranged byAshleigh Tobin OAMhere at Scots Church Adelaide

Sunday 20 December 10:30am

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About Scots Church Adelaide

Scots Church was opened in 1851 by local supporters of the Free Church, a reform movement in the Church of Scotland that opposed political control of the church and engaged with the social changes of the 1800s, including industrialisation and urbanisation. The church originally was named after the leader of the movement, Thomas Chalmers. In 1929, the congregation amalgamated with Flinders St Presbyterian Church and took the name Scots Church. After the Flinders St church was demolished items such as the organ, windows and plaques, were placed in Scots Church, and the stonework re-used as facing for the office block. In 1977 Scots Church joined the Uniting Church in Australia.

Over the years, the congregation has supported many social initiatives around Adelaide. Today Scots proudly continues in its commitment to the city community as a neighbour and place open to all. We host several community organizations, including the SA Jazz Archive and The Big Issue. Our facilities are available for use by other community groups.

The building is the second oldest church still standing in the city. The current minister of the congregation is Rev Dr Peter Trudinger. Worship services are held at 10.30am each Sunday.

SCOTS CHURCH ADELAIDEUNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

237 North Terrace, Adelaide, Phone 8223 1505Minister: Rev Dr Peter Trudinger

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www.scotschurch.org www.facebook.com/scotschurchadelaide

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