1. 50th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Australia
Service of Thanksgiving – Service of the Word

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. We sing a hymn/song

5. We confess: God forgives
Let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of each other.
We confess to you, almighty God, before the whole company of heaven, and to each other, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed by our own fault. Have mercy on us, for Jesus’ sake, forgive us all our sins, and bring us to eternal life. Amen.

6. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on us, and has given his only Son to die for us, and for his sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in his name he has given the right to become children of God, and has given them his Holy Spirit. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved. Grant this, Lord, to us all.
Amen.

7. We confess our common faith (Apostles Creed)
As God’s people through our baptism into Christ, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

8. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.

9. The third day he rose again from the dead
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

10. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
*or: Christian; 'catholic' here means 'universal'

11. New Testament Canticle - Ephesians 1:3-10
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.

12. Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him.

13. Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children — this was his pleasure and purpose. Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!

14. For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, which he gave to us in such large measure! In all his wisdom and insight God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.

15. This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

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

17. Gracious Father, we pray for the whole church throughout the world
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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. We pray Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

21. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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

23. 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.

24. We sing a hymn/song

25. We listen to the sermon

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

27. We pray an offering prayer
Let us pray. Gracious Father, we offer with joy and thanks what you have first given us – ourselves, our time, and our possessions – as signs of your goodness and symbols of our love. Accept them for the sake of Jesus Christ, who offered himself for us. Amen.

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

29. We pray the Lord’s Prayer
Finally, let us pray for all those things which our Lord would have us ask, saying:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

30. Give us today our daily bread
Give us today our daily bread. 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.

31. We sing the Song of Mary
LHS 903 Tell Out My Soul or AT 260 My Soul Is Praising The Lord or another Hymn/Song of praise may be sung.

32. 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.

33. OR
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.

34. God blesses us
The blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you (us) always. Amen.

35. 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)