Renewal through Trust
2024 FELLOWSHIP DAY
Relying on God's Provision
Prepared by the National Committee of ACW Inc.
WELCOME
THIS ORDER OF SERVICE was prepared by the National Committee of Australian Church Women Inc, with the theme for the present term being 'Renewal through Trust'.
This service has the subtitle 'Relying on God's Provision'.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF THE LAND
We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia as the traditional custodians of this land.
We respect past and present Elders and are thankful for their wisdom which has sustained their people since the beginning of time.
We will support emerging and future First Nations leaders and their people.
Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Come to hear the Word of God.
People: We come with joy as a community of hope.
Leader: Come and be refreshed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
People: We come with joy to worship the God of new life.
HYMN
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven (Together In Song 134)
[Click on image to sing along with the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60JgQoJK9J8
Chet Valley Channel, Chet Valley Churches in South Norfolk, UK.]
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND PETITION
Leader:
God our Father, we thank you for your great love for us in sending Jesus to be our redeemer and the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Help us to deepen our understanding of your word and rely on the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we ask this.
AMEN
People:
BIBLE READINGS: (NIV)
Acts 20:32–35
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
John 14:23–27
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Colossians 3:12–16
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
HYMN
Come Spirit blest, our hearts inspire (Together In Song 425)
[Click on image to sing along with the video.
The Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Leader:
Let us offer our prayers for others. We pray for peace. Peace between nations and peace of heart and mind.
Save us, O God, from believing that might is right. Turn our minds towards the ways of peace. Bring an end to bloodshed and hatred.
Let us pray for our nations for the movement of God’s Spirit in the land.
We pray for those who have so little despite the riches of our country. For our indigenous sisters and brothers; for those who struggle to farm the land; for those who are unemployed; for those who have become caught up in the world of crime; and those who have lost faith in the future. Dear God, bring your power to save.
Let us pray for our community and those we know personally are in need of God’s special presence today.
Spirit of mercy and healing, hear the prayers we now bring.
O God of the desert, the mountains and the plains, let your grace pour down upon us like summer’s rain to refresh, revitalise and renew. Let your name be praised in all the world. We rejoice in your goodness and celebrate with thanksgiving your presence with us all. Hear our prayer through Christ we pray.
AMEN
People:
People:
People:
People:
Leader:
Leader:
Leader:
WINIFRED KIEK SCHOLAR for 2024
Rev. Judy Sanderson of Australia
HYMN
May the Mind of Christ my Saviour (Together in Song 609)
During the singing of this hymn, your offering will be received for the work of the Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund.
If you are unable to forward your offering locally, please email the ACW National Secretary Margaret Ker margaretker48@gmail.com
[Click on image arrow to sing along with the video.
Performed by Northallerton Methodist Church Choir
DEDICATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SCHOLARS AND TRUST
Leader:
Dear God, we thank you for these gifts for the Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship Trust. We ask that you bless the membership of the Trust as they consider applications from women wishing to further their Biblical studies and training for ministry.
We thank you for all past scholars and all they have contributed in ministry in their areas of influence.
We pray especially for our 2024 scholar, Rev. Judy Sanderson. Encourage and use her in her faith and ministry.
Amen
Let us join together in the Lord’s Prayer.
Leader:
People:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day 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
BENEDICTION
Leader: Go in joy, enriched by God’s word.
Go in hope, encouraged by God’s love.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
People: We go in the name of Jesus, AMEN.
HYMN
The King of Love my Shepherd is (Together in Song 145)
[Click on image arrow to sing along with the video.
Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship
The offerings presented at Fellowship Day Services throughout Australia go towards the Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship to honour Rev. Winifred Kiek, the first woman to be ordained in Australia.
This scholarship is offered to Christian women of member countries of the Asian Church Women’s Conference, multicultural Australia, and Pacific Island Nations. The scholarship is used for supplementary training or further studies in theology and related fields.
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Copyright
This Order of Service is copyright ©2024 Australian Church Women Inc. The liturgy is specially prepared and may be freely reproduced as a whole for the purposes of Worship.