1. 50 th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Australia Service of Thanksgiving – Service Alternative Form (p58)

2. We sing a processional or opening hymn/song

3. God gathers us As in one body we have many members, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ. Where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there among them. Let us live a life worthy of our calling, with all humility and gentleness, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

4. Let us pursue the things that make for peace, and build up the common life. [Christ has opened a door in front of us, which no-one can close.] In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

5. We confess: God forgives Friends in Christ… and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us. Heavenly Father, we confess that we are born in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have failed to do.

6. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. We deserve your eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

8. We sing a hymn/song or Psalm of thanksgiving

9. We pray, “Lord, have mercy” In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the wellbeing of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

10. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

11. We give all glory to God TIS 142 Glory be to God the Father OR LHS 436 Come, let us join our cheerful song

12. We pray a prayer for today The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray:

13. Gracious Father, we pray for the whole church throughout the world. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where it is superstitious, cleanse it; where anything is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, supply its need; where it is divided and torn apart, heal its wounds. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

14. OR Almighty and eternal God, in mercy you give the light of your gospel to your church. Keep us in sound teaching, so that we may firmly believe and faithfully follow your saving word, and finally, with its holy comfort, die in peace and joy. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

15. First reading - Exodus 19:3-7 The first reading is written in chapter 19 of Exodus, beginning at verse 3. After the reading: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

16. We pray a Psalm

17. Second reading - 1 Peter 2:(4- 8)9,10 The second reading is written in chapter 2 of 1 st Peter, beginning at verse 4. After the reading: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

18. We respond to God’s word Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia

19. Gospel - John 15:12-17 The holy gospel is written in chapter 15 of the Gospel according to St John, beginning at verse 12. Glory to you, O Lord. The minister reads the gospel. This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

20. We sing a hymn/song

21. We listen to the sermon

22. We confess our common faith We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

23. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

24. For us* and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

25. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

26. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

27. We believe in one holy catholic† and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. * This means: us human beings † or: Christian; 'catholic' here means 'universal'

28. We affirm our confession of faith I ask you… Do you accept the holy Scriptures as the word of God? We accept, without reservation, the holy Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments, as a whole and in all their parts, as the divinely inspired, written, and inerrant word of God,

29. and as the only infallible source and norm for all matters of faith, doctrine, and life. Do you accept … exposition of the holy Scriptures? We accept, without reservation, the confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church as contained in the Book of Concord.

30. Do you accept the teaching of the Lutheran confessions on the sacrament of holy baptism? We accept that baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God's word and by his command.

31. Do you accept the teaching of the Lutheran confessions on the sacrament of the altar? We accept that the sacrament of the altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us to eat and drink.

32. We sing a hymn/song During the singing of this hymn/song, your freewill offerings may be received.

33. We sing an offertory song AT 265 For all your goodness, Lord OR TIS 774 For the life that you have given (can be sung to any 8 7 8 7 D meter tune)

34. We pray for the world, the Church, and each other Response: Loving Father we give you thanks.

35. We sing a hymn/song

36. We prepare to receive the body and blood of Christ The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

38. We pray, “Holy, holy, holy” Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

39. We pray All praise and thanks be to you, eternal God… we remember as he comes to us in this holy meal. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

40. Christ’s words of institution …Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

41. Send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith so that we who receive the body and blood of Christ may live as true members of the body of your Son. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

42. Join our prayers… until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

43. We pray 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.

44. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

45. We receive Christ’s peace The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.

46. We pray, ‘Lamb of God’ Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

47. Invitation to Holy Communion There is one bread, and we who are many are one body, because we all eat of the same bread. Thanks be to God. Come, everything is ready.

48. Distribution

50. We sing a post-communion song A Hymn for Australia (Joe Strelan - Tune Thornbury LHS 194)

51. Our land, O Lord, rejoices your glory to proclaim. The beaches, bush and Outback unite to praise your name. The Olgas, ancient landmarks, the Desert, burning haze- creation cries in chorus; To God, the Lord, be praise!

52. And we, have we no voices to swell the land’s refrain? God’s love is purest sunlight, His mercy, gentle rain. Each age and generation his marvellous grace displays. The church responds in chorus: To God, the Lord, be praise.

53. Yet many, lord, are silent, ashamed to join the choir. Send out your word, send swiftly your living Spirit’s fire, until, in faith confessing the wonders of your ways, Australians sing in chorus: To God, the Lord, be praise! © JG Strelan 1988 Used by permission, LCA, Commission on Worship

54. We pray our thanks to God Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through this healing gift; and we pray that through it you would graciously strengthen us in faith toward you and in love toward one another; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

55. We are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called us out of darkness into his own marvellous light. At one time we were not God's people, but now we are his people; at one time we did not know God's mercy, but now we have received his mercy.

56. The word of God will not fail to do what he plans for it; it will do everything he sends it to do. We are Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth. He has chosen and appointed us to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. He is with us always, to the very end of the age. OR

57. God blesses us The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favour,† and give you peace. Amen. OR Almighty God, Father, Son, † and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.

58. Closing song of praise LHS 437 Now thank we all our God OR LHS 429 All creatures of our God and king OR AT 172 May we be one OR The Great Southland (Bullock)