Author: Daniel Shih

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

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

Songs of Invitation

Confession of Sin

We confess, our Father, that we do not live up to the family name.
We are more ready to resent than to forgive, more ready to manipulate than to serve,
more ready to fear than to love, more ready to keep our distance than to welcome,
more ready to compete than to help. At the root of this behavior is mistrust.
We do not love one another as we should, because we do not believe that you love us as you do.

Forgive us our cold unbelief. And make more vivid to us the meaning and depth of your love at the cross. Show us what it cost you to give up your Son that we might become your sons and daughters. We ask this in the name of Jesus our righteousness.

All: Amen!

Word of Assurance

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

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

Community News

Calling for OHP & sound desk helpers

As we enter 2026, Covenant is seeking more helpers to serve on OHP and/or sound desk. These roles play an integral part in the smooth running of our Sunday services. No previous experience is required, you will receive training and supervision.

Please let one of the elders know if you are interested or would like to know more.

Important Dates

January 25	CGL / ACGL planning meeting After service @ Christ College
February 1	Prayer corner 9am @ Christ College
February 8	Vision day After service @ Christ College

Bible Reading

1. 1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Outline

Elect Exiles

1 Peter 1:1-2

Dan Shih

1. Your own worst enemy
2. Exiles
3. Elect
4. The people are the point

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

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11

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

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.

Isaiah 12:6

Songs of Invitation

Confession of Sin

Almighty God,
unto whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden –
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
so that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen!

Word of Assurance

To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Ephesians 1:6-7

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 24

Q: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?

A: Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God.

Community News

Game time after service

Will Tam will be hosting a mafia-like game after service at 1.30pm today. Please contact Will or Steph for further information if you would like to join in the fun. 

Combined Christmas service

This year’s Christmas service will be a combined service with Burwood Presbyterian Church, 46-48 Belmore St, Burwood. We look forward to seeing our regulars and newcomers coming together to hear the good news this Christmas.

Christmas lunch @ Chu’s

Dan and Cass are kindly opening up their home for lunch after the Christmas Day service. If you don’t have any plans and would like to fellowship over lunch, you are very welcome to join. Please let one of the elders know, for catering purposes.

Important Dates

December 25	Combined Christmas service 9.30am @ Burwood Presbyterian Church
December 25	Christmas lunch After Christmas Day service @ Chu’s
January 4	First Covenant service of 2026 10am @ Christ College

Bible Reading

1. Genesis 3:14-19 NIV
2. Luke 2:1-21 NIV

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Outline

A New and Glorious Morn

Gen 3:14-19, Luke 2:1-21

Dan Shih

Under siege

The ancient battle

A thrill of hope

Double waiting

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

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Revelation 1:5-6

Welcome

Thank you for joining us in gathered worship today! At Covenant, we believe that true hope, joy, meaning, and redemption is found in Jesus Christ. Therefore, 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. We gather to worship Him. Our gathered worship is that it is foundationally and fundamentally 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. All of these activities of worshipping, witnessing, and waiting will be shaped and formed by God’s divine revelation as it is given to us in Holy Scripture.

Our understanding of Scripture, God’s divine action, and theology will shape the flow of our service. Therefore, our worship service is “liturgical” and what you hold before you is our weekly liturgical document. Originating from Greek, this word means, “work of the people”. This means our service is both corporate and communal in nature. We are not individual consumers of a product, but join others in community to participate together in engaging with God. At different points in the service, there will be opportunities to join the liturgy, and we encourage you to enthusiastically participate in these corporate moments of response.

We hope your time with us serves to encourage and fill you with hope and joy. 

Call to Worship

God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15-16

Songs of Invitation

Confession of Sin

Holy God, as we reflect on our sinfulness, we confess that no trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin. If you should give us the choice to live in pleasure and keep our sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give us sanctified affliction! 

Deliver us from every evil habit, liberate us from every rekindling of former sins, and save us from everything that prevents us from delighting in you. Then we shall bless you for helping us to be upright, O God our Righteousness.

All: Amen!

Word of Assurance

He saved us through
the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ
our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we
might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:5–7

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 21

Q: What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?

A: One who is truly human and also truly God.

Community News

Covenant Session summary reports

Covenant Session summary reports are available for meetings up to 5 Oct 2025. Please use this link to access: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/sessionsummary

Ministry Update 2025-26

The elders will be holding a Ministry Update after service on Sunday, 30 November. This will be an opportunity for us to give thanks for how God has led us through 2025 and to look ahead to 2026. We will also be holding a Q&A. 

Please send in any questions via our feedback form: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/feedback

Important Dates

November 30	Covenant Ministry Update 2025-26 After service @ Christ College
December 7	Covenant prayer corner 8:30am @ Christ College

Bible Reading

1. Isaiah 2:1-5 NIV
2. 1 Peter 2:4-10 NIV

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Outline

The Mountain of the Lord

Isaiah 2:1-5

Dan Shih

Mountains as high places

Israel: God’s mountain project

A stone placed in Zion

The Church – Spiritual Zion

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

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Welcome

Thank you for joining us in gathered worship today! At Covenant, we believe that true hope, joy, meaning, and redemption is found in Jesus Christ. Therefore, 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. We gather to worship Him. Our gathered worship is that it is foundationally and fundamentally 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. All of these activities of worshipping, witnessing, and waiting will be shaped and formed by God’s divine revelation as it is given to us in Holy Scripture.

Our understanding of Scripture, God’s divine action, and theology will shape the flow of our service. Therefore, our worship service is “liturgical” and what you hold before you is our weekly liturgical document. Originating from Greek, this word means, “work of the people”. This means our service is both corporate and communal in nature. We are not individual consumers of a product, but join others in community to participate together in engaging with God. At different points in the service, there will be opportunities to join the liturgy, and we encourage you to enthusiastically participate in these corporate moments of response.

We hope your time with us serves to encourage and fill you with hope and joy. 

Call to Worship

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:5

Songs of Invitation

Confession of Sin

Lord, you are a God who is ready to forgive and of infinite kindness,
remove from us all needless and destructive anger.
Grant to us a meek, gentle, humble and peaceable spirit that, mindful of our own weakness, we may with greater patience bear with the weaknesses of other;
and thinking of ourselves with sober judgement,
we may not be provoked when others think poorly of us.

So may we be Christlike in character: patient towards all;
easily won over to forgive the wrongs of others;
not keeping a record of wrongs, or holding the sins of others against them;
that you Lord God may so be gracious toward us.

All: Amen!

Word of Assurance

Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

Congregational Prayer

Offering

Weekly Catechism

New City Catechism for Kids – Question 18

Q: Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished?

A: No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come.

Community News

Registrations now open for Covenant Big Day In 2025!
BDI is happening on Saturday 25 October 4pm to late and Sunday 26 October 9am to 3pm. Register now by clicking on this link:
https://www.covenantchurch.com.au/bdi25-rego/

Sunday school and Extreme teachers/helpers
Every parent wants the children and youth of Covenant to come to a saving relationship in Christ and to know God in his word. We need more members of the Covenant family to teach and help at Sunday school and Extreme. Please see Robyn, Gloria, Jayden, Caroline or Dan for more details.

Sunday service administration help
Each week, work happens in the background to ensure that everything is ready for the Sunday service. We are looking for additional helpers to assist with the work. If you are interested to help or would like to know more, please contact Chong or Michelle, or use the feedback form.

Zachary Lam’s baptism and lunch
Zachary Lam will be getting baptised next Sunday, 28 September during the Sunday service. Danny and Jess will be opening up their home after the service for lunch. Everyone is warmly invited to the baptism as we formally welcome Zachary into our covenant family, as well as to the lunch afterwards. More details to come.

Important Dates

September 28	Zachary Lam’s baptism During service @ Christ College
October 5	Covenant Session meeting 2pm @ Christ College
October 25	Big Day In (Day 1) 4pm @ Christ College
October 26	Big Day In (Day 2) 8am to 3pm @ Christ College

Bible Reading

1. Isaiah 1:1-20 NIV

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Outline

Judgement and Hope

Isaiah 1:1-20

Dan Shih

God’s frustration

God’s disgust

God’s tenderness

Songs in Response

Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead;
On the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic [universal] Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen

Benediction

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Welcome

Thank you for joining us in gathered worship today! At Covenant, we believe that true hope, joy, meaning, and redemption is found in Jesus Christ. Therefore, 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. We gather to worship Him. Our gathered worship is that it is foundationally and fundamentally 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. All of these activities of worshipping, witnessing, and waiting will be shaped and formed by God’s divine revelation as it is given to us in Holy Scripture.

Our understanding of Scripture, God’s divine action, and theology will shape the flow of our service. Therefore, our worship service is “liturgical” and what you hold before you is our weekly liturgical document. Originating from Greek, this word means, “work of the people”. This means our service is both corporate and communal in nature. We are not individual consumers of a product, but join others in community to participate together in engaging with God. At different points in the service, there will be opportunities to join the liturgy, and we encourage you to enthusiastically participate in these corporate moments of response.

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, you are a God who is ready to forgive and of infinite kindness, remove from us all needless and destructive anger. Grant to us a meek, gentle, humble and peaceable spirit that, mindful of our own weakness, we may with greater patience bear with the weaknesses of other; and thinking of ourselves with sober judgement, we may not be provoked when others think poorly of us.

So may we be Christlike in character: patient towards all; easily won over to forgive the wrongs of others;
not keeping a record of wrongs, or holding the sins of others against them; that you Lord God may so be gracious toward us.

All: Amen!

Word of Assurance

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

Congregational Prayer

Offering

Weekly Catechism

New City Catechism for Kids – Question 13

Q: Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?

A: Since the fall, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.

Community News

Covenant Session summary reports

Covenant Session summary reports are available for meetings up to 22 June 2025. Please use this link to access: https://www.covenantchurch.com.au/aka/sessionsummary 

Important Dates

July 18-20	Covenant elders’ retreat Hunter Valley
July 27	Covenant prayer corner 8am @ Christ College
	Covenant Session meeting 2pm @ Christ College
	Church BBQ Location TBD

Bible Reading

1. Matthew 9:35-38 NIV

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Outline

The Lord of the Harvest Sends Out Workers

Matthew 9:35-38

Daniel Shih

Jesus’ mission

Jesus’ motivation

Jesus’ mandate

Songs in Response

Lord’s Prayer

I believe in God the Father Almighty
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead;
On the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic [universal] Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen

Benediction

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21