Author: Warren Chan

  • Belonging to One Another

    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

    Almighty God, gracious Father,
    we confess that we are not worthy of your presence,
    but we look now to Jesus, the Lamb of God,
    who takes away our sin.
    Through him we can now draw near to you,
    listening to your voice, trusting in your love,
    and delighting in your Word.
    We joyfully beg to see your face!
    Now cleanse our minds of all error and our hearts of all idols,
    that we may shine in the world with the radiant light of your
    Spirit and your character. In the name of Jesus,

    All: Amen!

    Word of Assurance

    The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

    Psalm 145:13b-14

    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 Catecism

    New City Catechism for Kids – Question 26

    Q: What else does Christ’s death redeem?

    A: Every part of fallen creation.

    Community News

    Covenant Session summary reports

    Covenant Session summary reports are available for meetings up to 12 Jan 2026. Please use this link to access: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/sessionsummary

    Covenant 2026 calendar

    Want to know what is going on at our church this year? Please visit and subscribe to the Covenant 2026 calendar: https://www.covenantchurch.com.au/calendar/

    We would love for you to journey and plan your calendar with us.

    Important Dates

    February 15Congregational Meeting
    After service @ Christ College
    March 1Prayer Corner
    9am @ Christ College

    Bible Reading

    1. Romans 12:1-16

    All: Thanks be to God.

    Sermon Outline

    Belonging to One Another

    Romans 12:1-16

    Warren Chan

    1. Sacrificed bodies

    2. …to be part of the Body

    3. Expression of belonging… in the local church

    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 who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Romans 15:5-6
  • Steadfastness, a Virtue

    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

    No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.

    Jeremiah 10:6-7

    Songs of Invitation

    Confession of Sin

    O Gracious God
    Please forgive us, we pray.
    Remove the sins that distance us from you and from those we love and care about. Remove our selfishness, our pride, our envy, and our greed.
    Remove from us our thoughtless acts and words that hurt one another.
    Remove from us the tendency to hurt others out of revenge and anger.
    Forgive us please.
    Create in us a clean heart, O Lord.
    And renew in us a right spirit.

    All: Amen!

    Word of Assurance

    The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;  he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

    Psalm 34:17-18

    Congregational Prayer

    Offering

    Weekly Catechism

    New City Catechism for Kids – Question 17

    Q: What is idolatry?

    A: Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator.

    Community News

    Covenant Preliminary Vision and Values now available

    Session is pleased to release a document setting out the preliminary vision and values that we have been working on for the last two months. Thank you for your patience and prayers.  To access the document, click the link below:

    https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/vision

    Save the Date for our Big Day In!

    Block out your calendars for the following: Saturday 25 October 4pm to late; Sunday 26 October 8am to 3pm. Planning for our Big Day In is underway!

    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.

    Zachary Lam’s baptism and lunch

    Zachary Lam will be getting baptised on 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 14Vision and Values Q&A
    After service @ Christ College
    September 19Praise & Prayer evening
    7:30pm @ La Lune Market, North Strathfield
    September 28Zachary Lam’s baptism
    During service @ Christ College
    October 25Big Day In (Day 1)
    4pm @ Christ College
    October 26Big Day In (Day 2)
    8am to 3pm @ Christ College

    Bible Reading

    1. 1 Peter 2 NIV
    2. 1 Peter 5:10-11 NIV

    All: Thanks be to God.

    Sermon Outline

    Steadfastness, a Virtue

    1 Peter 2, 5:10-11

    Warren Chan

    Boat with ballast

    Steadfastness and BAU

    Gospel Truths

    1. Holy purpose
    2. Prestigious status
    3. Delight of God

    Applications

    • Crave
    • Cultivate

    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

    The LORD bless you and keep you;
    The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
    The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

    Numbers 6:24-26