ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
UNITED CHURCH
SUNDAY SERVICE
Sunday - 03 October 2021
“Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine, my heart and my mind; for Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth.” Psalm 26: 2
HYMN: We love the place, O God
MHB 677
We love the place, O God,
Wherein thine honour dwells;
The joy of thine abode
All earthly joy excels.
It is the house of prayer,
Wherein thy servants meet;
And thou, O Lord, art there,
Thy chosen flock to greet.
We love the word of life,
The word that tells of peace,
Of comfort in the strife
And joys that never cease.
We love to sing below
Of mercies freely given;
But O we long to know
The triumph song of heaven!
Lord Jesus, give us grace,
On earth to love thee more,
In heaven to see thy face,
And with thy saints adore.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Let us give thanks to the Lord:
for His mercy and love are everlasting.
You are worthy to receive our prayers and praises,
heavenly Father, eternal Lord God;
and with all the Church in heaven and on earth
we praise You for Your majesty and glory,
for Your goodness and grace.
We thank You for the wonders of creation,
and for the revelation of Yourself to all people:
for Your gift of life to us,
for Your mercy and grace throughout our lives,
for the joy of loving and being loved,
for all that is true and noble, all that is good and pure.
For these gifts we give You thanks and praise.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Most merciful God, we confess to You before the whole company of heaven that we have sinned in thought, word and deed, and in what we have failed to do. Forgive us our sins, heal us by Your Spirit and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Old Testament:
Epistle:
HYMN: Jesus loves me
WOV 166
1 Jesus loves me, this I know,
and the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
in his love we shall be strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The bible tells me so.
2 Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, ‘let them come to me.’
Chorus
3 Jesus loves me still today,
walking with me on my way,
wanting as a friend to give
light and love to all who live.
Chorus
Gospel:
Mark 10: 2-16
Homily
Rev Peter Witbooi
HYMN: Have faith in God, my heart
WOV 552
1 Have faith in God, my heart,
trust and be unafraid;
God will fulfil in every part
each promise he has made.
2 Have faith in God, my mind,
though oft your light burns low;
God’s mercy holds a wiser plan
than you can fully know.
3 Have faith in God, my soul,
his cross forever stands;
and neither life nor death can pluck
his children from his hand.
4 Lord Jesus, make me whole;
grant me no resting place
until I rest, heart, mind and soul,
the captive of your grace.
Affirmation of Faith:
We believe and trust in God the Father who created the universe.
We believe and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who has redeemed the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God.
Amen.
PRAYERS
God bless Africa. Guard our children.
Guide our leaders and give us peace,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Father of Justice and love
You call Your Church to witness
that You are in Christ reconciling the world
to Yourself:
help us to proclaim boldly the good news of Your love
that all who hear it may be reconciled to You and work
together for peace and justice;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Father in heaven, keep Your household, the Church, steadfast in faith and love, that through Your protection it may be free from all adversities, and may devoutly serve You in good works to the glory of Your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
HYMN: Rejoice, the Lord is King!
WOV 147(ii)
1 Rejoice, the Lord is King;
your Lord and King adore;
mortals give thanks, and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice.
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
2 Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice.
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
5 Rejoice in glorious hope;
Jesus the judge shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home:
We soon shall hear the archangel’s
voice;
the trump of God shall sound,
Rejoice!
Now unto Him who is able to keep,
Able to keep you from falling,
And present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory
With exceeding joy.
To the only wise God, our Saviour,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.