Welcome
Thank you for joining us in gathered worship today!
At Covenant, we are a church that is bound to God and to each other by grace, growing and serving together in love, and living and sharing the hope that we have in Jesus.
We hope that you will be moved towards greater love for Jesus and one another as we pause to praise, pray, and ponder under God’s Word.
The emphasis throughout our Sunday service is that worship is all about God. In our service, we will: worship our Heavenly Father for his miraculous deeds, bear witness to Jesus Christ the Son and the hope he brings through his death and resurrection, be moved to engage with the mission of God through the power of the Holy Spirit as we wait for the return of Christ.
Our service is shaped by the Bible—God’s Word to us. Because of that, our worship follows a shared pattern each week. Christians sometimes call this pattern a “liturgy.”
“Liturgy” simply means “the work of the people.” It reminds us that worship isn’t a performance or a product—it’s something we participate in together. Throughout the service, you’ll have chances to join in with prayers and spoken responses, and you’re warmly invited to take part.
We hope your time with us serves to encourage and fill you with hope and joy.
Call to Worship
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
Psalm 93:1-2
Songs of Invitation
Confession of Sin
Lord God,
we humbly plead with you to forgive us of our many sins and failures.
Blot them out. Wash away each guilty stain in the blood of Jesus who died for our forgiveness. Remove our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.
And having forgiven us, change us, sanctify us through and through, remove our desire to sin, take from us that spirit of rebellion which is our great weakness, and replace it with a spirit of glad and willing surrender to all your perfect will. In Jesus’ name
All: Amen!
Word of Assurance
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Romans 5:1-2
Congregational Prayer
Offering
Regular giving to support our ministry as a gospel partner can be made by direct deposit into our account.
Account Name: Covenant Presbyterian Church
BSB: 032 060
Account: 663 486
Weekly Catechism
New City Catechism for Kids – Question 40
What should we pray?
The whole Word of God directs us in what we should pray.
Community News
Mikey’s start date and induction service
Mikey’s first Sunday with us will be Sunday, 25 October. We are looking forward to welcoming Mikey, Amy, Tristan and Sari to Covenant – a welcome lunch will follow the service, stay tuned for more details!
Mikey’s induction service will be held the day before, 3pm Saturday 24 October at Christ College, with ministers from across the Inner West Presbytery joining us. All are welcome to attend to show your support.
2027 CG Planning Survey
As we look ahead to 2027, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Community Groups and where you might like to serve in ministry at Covenant. The short survey asks about your CG preferences for next year and any ministries you’d be open to exploring. Please complete it by the end of October: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/2027planning
Important Dates
| October 11 | Church Life Hub After service @ Christ College |
| October 25 | Mikey’s Induction Service 3pm @ Christ College |
| October 26 | Mikey’s first Sunday at Covenant 10am @ Christ College |
Bible Reading
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Outline
John 18:26-19:16
Josh S
Life Upside-Down
- Jesus’ trial: Worldly kingdoms and power-plays
Mixed motives (John 18:39)
Power structures (John 11:47-48)
Power-plays (John 19:12)
Corruption (John 18:38) - Jesus’ kingdom is not “of this world”
A heavenly origin (John 18:37)
A spiritual realm
An eternal timeline
A godly nature - Jesus’ Kingdom is a Kingdom “of the Truth”
Jesus’ kingdom is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6)
Jesus’ kingdom is constituted by truth (John 18:37)
Jesus’ kingdom advances by the truth (John 15:26-27)
- Life Upside-Down
- Believing in an upside-down king
- Participating in an upside-down kingdom
Songs in Response
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.
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 for ever.
Amen.
Benediction
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17
Contact Us
Got a comment, question or prayer point you’d like to share with us? Please get in
touch: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/feedback