Worship at LEIGHMOOR UCA Sunday 9th January 2022 – 9.30 a.m. BAPTISM OF JESUS WELCOME TO WORSHIP

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

TIS 134                Praise My Soul the King of Heaven  

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS         Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22  

TIS 10                         The Lord’s My Shepherd          

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:                    God Is with Us   

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship]     

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 569               Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer     

BENEDICTION         God Be with You (v.2)  

NOTICES:

Prayer Topics 

          1. Leighmoor Uniting Church 

          2. Protection for Families and Friends 

          3. Healing for The Sick & People Who Are in Need 

          4. Peace, Unity, and Justice in Nations 

          5. Culture of Discipleship

          6. Protection from Violence, Racism, and Abuse

          7. Pray for Environment & Sustainability

          8. Prayers around COVID & Across Australia

          9. Care and recovery of each part of God’s creation

        10. Spiritual Blessings in Christ

        11. Faith Growth

“O Lord, you have mercy on all. Take away my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of your Holy Spirit.
Take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore you, a heart to delight in you,
to follow and to enjoy you, for Christ’s sake. Amen.”
(By Ambrose)

Worship at LEIGHMOOR UCA Sunday 2nd January 2022 – 9.30 a.m. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS WELCOME TO WORSHIP

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

TIS 161                              Tell out My Soul 

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS         Isaiah 60:1-3; Ephesians 1:3-14         

TIS 447                       Lord Your Almighty Word         

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:            Spiritual Blessings in Christ   

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship] 

TIS 465                              Father in Heaven       

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 523            Here, Lord We Take the Broken Bread   

HOLY COMMUNION  

BENEDICTION          God Be with You (v. 1)  

NOTICES:

Prayer Topics 

          1. Leighmoor Uniting Church 

          2. Protection for Families and Friends 

          3. Healing for The Sick & People Who Are in Need 

          4. Peace, Unity, and Justice in Nations 

          5. Culture of Discipleship

          6. Protection from Violence, Racism, and Abuse

          7. Pray for Environment & Sustainability

          8. Prayers around COVID & Across Australia

          9. Care and recovery of each part of God’s creation

        10. Spiritual Blessings in Christ

        11. Faith Growth

“Grant Lord, that as the years change, we may find rest in your eternal changelessness. May we go forward into this year with courage, sure in the faith that while life changes around us, you are always the same, guiding us with your wisdom and protecting us with your love….in the name of Jesus. Amen (by Harold E. Evans)”

Morning Tea: After Sunday Service, Fellowship Hall 

                     CHURCH CONTACTS

Minister: Rev Heeyoung Lim 

M: 0432 054 369 E: hyfilm12@gmail.com 

Website: www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS       Colossians 3:12-17 & Luke 2:41-52         

TIS 526                             Lord Jesus Christ        

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:     Growing in God’s Word and Wisdom   

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship] 

SRC 407                            One Thing I Ask      

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 497                Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence  

BENEDICTION         God Be with You (v. 4)  

NOTICES:

Prayer Topics 

          1. Leighmoor Uniting Church 

          2. Protection for Families and Friends 

          3. Healing for The Sick & People Who Are in Need 

          4. Peace, Unity, and Justice in Nations 

          5. Culture of Discipleship

          6. Protection from Violence, Racism, and Abuse

          7. Pray for Environment & Sustainability

          8. Prayers around COVID & Across Australia

          9. Care and recovery of each part of God’s creation

Sunday School 

Morning Tea: After Sunday Service, Fellowship Hall 

“Dear God, thank you for bringing us to the end of another year. We do not take this for granted! Thank you so much for your goodness, mercies, for your unending and unfailing love.

Heavenly Father, heal every broken heart, heal us inside & out, heal our hurts and heal our pain. Help us remember that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.”

                     CHURCH CONTACTS

Minister: Rev Heeyoung Lim 

M: 0432 054 369 E: hyfilm12@gmail.com 

Website: www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org 

19^th December 2021 (Advent 4)

Title: The Glory of God’s Powerful Love  

(Scripture Reading: Micah 5:2–5a; Luke 1:39-56)

                                                                                     By Heeyoung Lim

In Micah 5:2–5a, Micah was able to see God’s hand in all events, believing that God works toward restoration in the acts of justice. Micah points to the small town of Bethlehem as the source for the coming messiah, God’s most powerful demonstration of love. The small village of Bethlehem Ephrathah takes centre stage. God prepared centuries in advance for His people to understand Jesus as the Messiah fulfilling the promises. 

In Micah, hope for the present is lost, but God’s plans go far beyond the present. Messiah will be the good shepherd feeding his flock, and God’s people may be those awaiting the return of the exiles, the restoration of the lost, and the birth of the child of Bethlehem. God presented in Micah is the Lord of restoration and reunion. He does not punish His people to dissolve them but to prepare them for renewal and reunion. God’s plan here focuses on all His people from all the nations of the earth as the gospel of Luke emphasizes the salvation for all people. God’s salvation and most powerful love were prophesied and achieved. God’s salvation comes to the remnant of His people through the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem, but it is for everyone. 

A messiah had been promised to God’s people long before the time of Elizabeth and Mary. Luke 1 includes the meeting of Mary with her relative Elizabeth and the song as Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s blessing. God has chosen Mary to carry the Christ child. Mary was ready to serve but also anxious after the angel Gabriel’s visit and headed to visit the home of Elizabeth. Mary believed God’s promise and expected God’s miracle, but she needed a safe place to wait for the child sent by God in the social context and gaze of those times. As Mary enters, Elizabeth’s unborn child who will be the prophet John leaps in joy at Mary’s greeting. The first meeting between John the Baptist and Jesus takes place here. The baby jumped in the womb and God’s Spirit spoke through Elizabeth. 

In Luke 1, God’s Spirit inspired Elizabeth to bless Mary and her child, and Spirit-inspired words from Elizabeth rained blessings on Mary. The encounter between Elizabeth and Mary, led by the Holy Spirit, was a true blessing and must have been a heart-to-heart conversation. Mary’s blessing came not from who she was, it is from the holy baby whom she carried in her womb. This blessed child placed Mary in the position of blessing. I believe that Jesus Christ placed us in the position of blessing too. Even before his birth, Jesus was recognized as Lord, the Messiah of God, and our Saviour. In this gospel, God’s promises were nurtured in two women who believed God’s promise. Both women were nurturing new life inside them. God works powerfully through the ones who appear powerless.

In verse 45: “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary believed and expected God to accomplish what he said. Faith brings blessing. Her faith displayed itself in praise. (46) Mary described herself as “the Lord’s servant” (38) and “humble” (48) and recognized that God was doing something extraordinary in her life. 

Mary sings the glory of God’s powerful love. In verses 47-56, Mary sings because God has chosen her to carry the Christ child and she praises because God acts with justice and mercy to lift those who are considered lowly, scatter those who are proud, and feed those who are hungry. In her song we hear of both sides of God’s goodness in action and the grace and the mercy of God. Mary sings for God’s promise of justice to be fulfilled in people’s lives, and her song is for all people who hope for God’s love and believe in Christ. She gave glory to God and rejoiced in the presence and actions of God through praising God. God’s reign of hope and justice comes in ways that surprise us and fill us with joy. 

God also chooses to act in our lives. We are called to praise the Lord with great joy and love. We can rejoice in God’s Promise and long the reign of justice and hope that Christ brings. God’s Spirit fills us with power, so that the gospel will be conveyed to the world and God’s promise will be achieved. May we contribute to extend the reign of God and encourage each other in word and deed.

Elizabeth was Mary’s safe place when Mary was expecting the fulfillment of God’s promise in some social and cultural difficulties. Can we be the safe place that Elizabeth offers to Mary? Mary was willing to bear the disgrace to become God’s instrument of grace until the fulfillment of God’s promise. Are we being the nurturing place where God’s promises exist and grow just like Mary? Who are the lonely, marginalized, or isolated people in our community who need a safe space? I think that everyone needs a safe place. The true safe place is only Christ, but Christ provides the world with the safe and nurturing places through us. How can the church be that safe place for others? How can we be spirit-filled people and how can we share blessings in all relationships every time?

Today’s text recalls loving salvation for an undeserving people and affirms that God does what he promises. God pays careful, loving attention to the humble, raising them up to new positions of importance. God restores His people, but He often accomplishes His will in unusual and unexpected ways. When Christ came into the world, the world has been forever changed. In Christ, God’s surprising grace accomplishes what we cannot, and His justice and salvation are given to us. God fulfills his promises and works out his will according to his perfect timing. Praise and adoration belong to God alone. May we praise God with all our hearts together.

Today’s text invites us to believe that God has done the impossible. We often limit God by our thinking or with our actions even though we experience that God often accomplishes His will in ways we might not expect. Let Him surprise us! May we trust God to be true to His promises. God responds to our faith and rewards our obedience. Despite circumstances which may give us difficulties, let God work out His will in our lives according to His timing.

May we be receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our faith journey as Jesus lived in dependence on the ministries of the Holy Spirit on the earth. I believe that the indwelling Spirit empowers us to live the life of victorious faith. May we give praise and thanks to God continually for his gracious gift of salvation. May we join Mary in singing praises to God for His mercy, forgiveness, love, and salvation.

The important thing is that God is God and what God did and why He did it. God planned to provide forgiveness and salvation for all people and achieved His salvation promises through Jesus because He so loved the world and people. God’s mercy is found in forgiveness and long-suffering patience with the weakness and corruption of humanity. God has sent His Son for us, and we celebrate the birth of our saviour, Jesus at Christmas. God is sovereign in the world and displays God’s greatness by displacing the proud and the powerful, sending the rich away empty handed. God has opened a path for us to be in constant relationship with his mercy and love. God is good, and God keeps promises. May we praise the coming of the Lord and the glory of God’s powerful love. I hope that Leighmoor congregation will be strengthened, prepared, and deepened by the love of God and the Spirit-filled blessings. May the Holy Spirit-inspired words and blessings be upon you and our faith community always. 

Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials) 

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

TIS 272                 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS             Micah 5:2-5a & Luke 1:39-56         

TIS 286                  Light One Candle (v. 1, 2, 3 & 4)       

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:        The Glory of God’s Powerful Love  

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship] 

TIS 316                      O Little Town of Bethlehem     

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 268                              Joy to the World 

BENEDICTION          God Be with You (v. 3)  

NOTICES:

Morning Tea: After Sunday Service, Fellowship Hall 

Marriage: Matthew (second son of Henry Wan) & Claire 

Monday, 20^th December at the Melbourne Marriage Registry 

Christmas Worship & Events / Cluster Ministry of LCM

Leighmoor 

Christmas Journey: Friday, 24^th December 4PM
Chilling + Christ-centred Sharing + Carols

Treasure Hunt + Christmas Photo Zone 

Christmas Carol & Candle Service: Friday, 24^th December 8PM
Candle Service + Christmas Music + Words + Carols
Christmas Exhibition & Display (Bringing Christmas items and symbols) 

Christmas Service: 25^th December 9.30AM

Sunday Service: 26^th December 9.30AM

Murrumbeena

Countdown Christmas: Today, 19^th December 2PM-5.30PM
Pop-up market, Children’s Craft, Activities, Carols

Blue Christmas: Wednesday, 22^nd December 7.30PM.

Coatesville
Christmas Eve in the Carpark: Friday, 24th December 6-8PM
Carols in the Chapel: 9PM   Midnight Vigil: 12AM 

Worship at LEIGHMOOR UCA Sunday 12th December 2021 – 9.30 a.m. ADVENT 3 WELCOME TO WORSHIP

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

TIS 265                    O Come, O Come, Emmanuel                  

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS      Zephaniah 3:14-20 & Philippians 4:4-7         

TIS 286                   Light One Candle (v. 1, 2 & 3)       

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:                    Rejoice in the Lord            

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship] 

TIS 231                         At the Names of Jesus    

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 268                              Joy to the World 

BENEDICTION          God Be with You (v. 2)  

NOTICES:

Morning Tea: After Sunday Service, Fellowship Hall

Christmas Worship & Events / Cluster Ministry of LCM

Leighmoor 

Christmas Journey: Friday, 24^th December 4PM 

For Children and their families
Chilling + Christ-centred Sharing + Children’s and Parent’s Craft Christmas Bible Fashion Show with Christmas Carols

Carols and Dancing + Treasure Hunt + Christmas Photo Zone 

Christmas Carol & Candle Service: Friday, 24^th December 8PM
For All Generations
Candle Service + Christmas Music + Words + Carols
Togetherness (Visual Presentation)
Christmas Exhibition & Display (Bringing my Christmas symbols)

Christmas Service: 25^th December 9.30AM

Sunday Service: 26^th December 9.30AM

Murrumbeena

Countdown Christmas: Sunday, 19^th December 2PM-5.30PM
For Families: Pop-up market, Children’s Craft, Activities, Carols

Blue Christmas: Wednesday, 22^nd December 7.30PM.

Coatesville
Christmas Eve in the Carpark: Friday, 24th December 6-8PM
Carols in the Chapel: 9PM   Midnight Vigil: 12AM

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE 

SERVICE OF APPROACH

TIS 160                             Father All Loving                 

CALL TO WORSHIP

WELCOME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

PRAYER

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS          Philippians 1:3-11 & Luke 3:1-6        

TIS 286                      Light One Candle (v. 1 & 2)       

CHILDREN TIME 

SERMON:              Prepare the Way of the Lord            

               [Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship] 

TIS 599                                 Take my Life   

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

NOTICES – OFFERTORY 

TIS 442                                   All Praise 

HOLY COMMUNION  

BENEDICTION          God Be with You (v. 1)  

NOTICES:

Christmas Worship & Events / Cluster Ministry of LCM

Leighmoor 

Christmas Journey: Friday, 24^th December 4PM 

For Children and their families
Chilling + Christ-centred Sharing + Children’s and Parent’s Craft Christmas Bible Fashion Show with Christmas Carols

Carols and Dancing + Treasure Hunt + Christmas Photo Zone 

Christmas Carol & Candle Service: Friday, 24^th December 7.30PM
For All Generations
Candle Service + Christmas Music + Words + Carols
Togetherness (Visual Presentation)
Christmas Exhibition & Display (Bringing my Christmas on the table)

Christmas Service: 25^th December 9.30AM

Sunday Service: 26^th December 9.30AM

Murrumbeena

Countdown Christmas: Sunday, 19^th December 2PM-5.30PM
For Families: Pop-up market, Children’s Craft, Activities, Carols

Blue Christmas: Wednesday, 22^nd December 7.30PM.

Coatesville
Christmas Eve in the Carpark: Friday, 24th December 6-8PM
Carols in the Chapel: 9PM   Midnight Vigil: 12AM

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE

SERVICE OF APPROACH

TIS 265 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  

CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
PRAYER

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 & Luke 21:25-36

TIS 286   Light One Candle (v. 1)

CHILDREN TIME

SERMON: In the Light of Christ’s Coming
[Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship]

SRC 185 How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
NOTICES – OFFERTORY

SRC 1389 King of the Ages

BENEDICTION God Be with You (v. 4)

NOTICES:

Christmas Worship & Events / Cluster Ministry of LCM

Leighmoor
Christmas Carol & Candle Service: Friday, 24th December 7.30PM
Candle Service + Christmas Music + Message (Intergenerational) 
Christmas Bible Fashion Show with Christmas Carols (All generation)
Christmas Treasure Hunt (Middle Room & Fellowship Hall)

Christmas Service: 25th December 9.30AM
Sunday Service: 26th December 9.30AM

Murrumbeena
Countdown Christmas: Sunday, 19th December 2PM-5.30PM
An afternoon for the whole family and everyone in between.
Programs: Pop-up market, Children’s Craft, Activities, Carols

Blue Christmas: Wednesday, 22nd December 7.30PM.
Blue Christmas is a Reflective Service for those who sometimes struggle with the noise and hype of Christmas

Coatesville
Christmas Eve in the Carpark: Friday, 24th December 6-8PM
Christmas Story (Drawing, Crafts, Games, Music, Sausage Sizzle)
Carols in the Chapel: 9PM 
Midnight Vigil in the Chapel: 12AM

PLEASE STAND FOR ENTRY OF THE BIBLE

SERVICE OF APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP
WELCOME
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
PRAYER

TIS 28 God Is Our Strength and Refuge  

SERVICE OF THE WORD

READINGS Revelation 1:4-8; John 18:33-37

TIS 717 Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

CHILDREN TIME

SERMON: Reign of Christ
[Sermon on Web / Hardcopies at the Door after worship]

SERVICE OF RESPONSE

JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
NOTICES – OFFERTORY

TIS 154 Great Is Your Faithfulness

BENEDICTION God Be with You (v. 3)

NOTICES:

Prayer Topics

1. Leighmoor Uniting Church
2. Protection for Families and Friends
3. Healing for The Sick & People Who Are in Need
4. Peace, Unity, and Justice in Nations
5. Culture of Discipleship
6. Protection from Violence, Racism, and Abuse
7. Pray for Environment & Sustainability
8. Prayers around COVID & Across Australia
9. Care and recovery of each part of God’s creation

Sunday School: On Sundays except today
Materials will be provided

Messy Church: Being held in December

Christmas Worship & Events 
Christmas Carol and Candle Service: 24th December 7.30 p.m.
Christmas Service: 25th December 9.30 p.m.
Sunday Service: 26th December 9.30

Collection of Favorite Hymns for Hymn Service (Christmas)
(Notify Heeyoung by phone, email, text message or paper)