Renewal through Trust
FELLOWSHIP DAY SERVICE 2022
Trust, Reflect, Rejoice
Prepared by Rev'd Anne Kennedy of the Victorian Unit of ACW
[Click on image arrow to play video.]
WELCOME
THIS ORDER OF SERVICE was prepared by Rev'd Anne Kennedy of the Victorian Unit of Australian Church Women, with the theme for the present term being 'Renewal through Trust'.
This service has the subtitle 'Trust, Reflect, Rejoice'.
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
We come together to worship you, O Lord. Be with us as we pray and sing your praises as a gathering of Christians united in the Holy Spirit. Make your presence real to us so that we may live to your praise and glory.
HYMN
Lord of all hopefulness (Together In Song 613)
[Click on image to sing along with the video.]
PRAYERS
Leader: Loving God, as we look around the world, we see so many things that are wrong in your sight – nations at war, disease and pestilence, and the breaking down of human relationships.
ALL: Help us to put our trust in you that, through your power, we may play our part in making things right.
Leader: Lord Jesus, we reflect on your earthly life and remember the goodness you brought to our world – the healing of misunderstandings, equality to all human beings, and the promise of eternal life.
ALL: Help us to reflect on your example, through words and actions,
as you went about your daily life, sharing God’s love and peace
with everyone you met.
Leader: Holy Spirit, we rejoice in your presence among us as we join
together as a loving Christian community, to celebrate Fellowship
Day and reflect on the legacy of the Reverend Winifred Kiek.
ALL: Help us to rejoice as we look at each other through the eyes of
Christ with new vision and greater understanding.
AMEN
BIBLE READING
Psalm 23 (Common English Bible)
The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger because you are with me.
Your rod and your staff—they protect me.
You set a table for me right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live.
Here is a beautiful rendition of 'The Lord is my Shepherd'
by Aled Jones and his son Lucas.
BIBLE READING
Luke 2:26‒38 (New Revised Standard Version)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’
Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
For the Word of the Lord — Thanks be to God.
WINIFRED KIEK SCHOLAR FOR 2022
Miriam Moses of Papua New Guinea
Studying for a Master of Theology
HYMN Tell out my soul (Together in Song 161)
During the singing of this hymn your offering will be received for the work of the Winfred Kiek Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund.
If you are unable to forward your offering to your local ACW Unit, please email the ACW National Secretary Margaret Ker margaretker48@gmail.com
[Click on image arrow to sing along with the video]
DEDICATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SCHOLARS AND TRUST
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this monetary gift for the Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship Trust. We ask that you bless the members of the Trust with wisdom as they consider applications that come from women wishing to further their Biblical studies and training.
We pray especially, at this time, for our 2022 Scholar, Miriam Moses from Papua New Guinea, studying for a Master of Theology.
Encourage her on her faith journey and may she be used in ministry to extend your Kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus and for His sake.
Amen
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray for the world and for the Church. (Intercessions for specific needs may be included.)
Voice 1: Loving God, we give thanks for the beauty and abundance of the
earth. Help us to live in harmony with your creation and use
wisdom and generosity in our use of its bounty. We pray for
those places affected by flood, fire, drought and natural disasters.
ALL: Lord of grace, hear our prayer.
Voice 2: We give thanks for leaders who serve the common good. Give
wisdom to those who have responsibility and authority in every
land, that we may share with justice the resources of the world
and work together in trust.
All: Lord of grace, hear our prayer.
Voice 3: We give thanks for the fellowship of Australian Church Women
and pray for all communities in which they meet. We remember
with gratitude the support of members of Australian Church
Women for the Winifred Kiek Scholarship over many decades.
Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another
as we help to equip young women to share the Gospel in the Asia-
Pacific region.
All: Lord of grace, hear our prayer.
Voice 4: We give thanks that you are the God who brings mercy and
wholeness. Bring comfort and healing to all those who are ill,
especially those experiencing the effects of Covid-19 around the
world. Give to all medical staff and carers wisdom, patience and
gentleness and, to us all, your peace.
All: Lord of grace, hear our prayer
AMEN
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 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 yours
now and forever.
AMEN
BENEDICTION
Leader: Now may the hope of a better world, a worthier life, a holier
morrow and a sweeter thanksgiving, inspire us all with patient
continuance in well doing; and may grace, mercy and peace from
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, remain with us now and always.
All: AMEN
This benediction was prayed by the Reverend Winifred Kiek at her ordination service on 13 June 1927 and used at her last act of public ministry on 9 March 1975. It is the benediction that she loved most.
HYMN
Rejoice, the Lord is King (Together in Song 216)
[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 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.
Copyright
This Order of Service is copyright ©2022 Australian Church Women Inc. The liturgy is specially prepared and may be freely reproduced as a whole for the purposes of Worship.