Title: VERSION: 10th July 2000
Author: Felicity Bock
Last saved by: Libby Krahling

Australia Day

VERSION: December 2023

AUSTRALIA DAY
26 January 

Australia Day (26 January) is a secular occasion, a day for Australians to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history. 

As the body of Christ, our primary focus is on our heavenly homeland. God has called and gathered us as his children, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and reconciled to him to be citizens of heaven. While we await our Saviour, there are many things we can give thanks to God for as Australians living in this country. Congregations should be aware, however, that Australia Day is a deeply challenging time for many people. This is particularly the case for First Nations people. Migrants and refugees who have come to Australia may also feel disconnected from celebrations and services which focus too heavily on white European history in this country. 

It is not essential for Australia Day to be marked in the worship service if that is not appropriate in the local context, but if it is, it must be handled gently, and with respect. Congregations that choose to do so are urged to avoid overtly nationalistic or political displays as these obscure and distract the focus of worship from God and may trouble the conscience of others gathered for worship. 

The resources below reflect a Christian response to the issues surrounding Australia Day, emphasising the need for reconciliation with each other and with God, thanksgiving for the blessings he has given us, and care for all who live in this land.

If a rite of reconciliation is to be used between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, this needs to be carefully negotiated beforehand between the two local participating parties, so that it is a time of intentional and genuine sharing rather than something that is perceived as imposed.

A rite of reconciliation can vary from a simple passing of the peace to an extended rite of reconciliation. It should be adapted according to local conditions. Discussion within the congregation well in advance will be important, to have awareness of people's sensitivities. These should be addressed with careful pastoral care, noting differing attitudes that may exist within the congregation. It will be necessary to educate the congregation about the rite of reconciliation beforehand. 

Expressions of sorrow for past offences are not necessarily confessions of personal guilt, but rather acknowledgment and regret that wrong actions took place and that fellow Australians and Christians were hurt and some are still suffering because of that hurt. Carefully explaining the distinction between this will be essential for the sake of the consciences of those who gather.

LITURGY

OPENING SENTENCES
The following sentences based on verses from Psalms 24 and 95 could be used. 'In the name . . .' could replace the 'Glory to the Father . . .'.

Come, let us worship the Lord.
He is our maker.
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Australia is the Lord's, and everything in it.
He cares for each one of us.
The Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

OR the following sentences from Psalm 125:

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be shaken but endures for ever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people
    both now and for evermore.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION

Friends in Christ: 
God says, 
'If my people who are called by my name 
humble themselves, 
pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, 
then I will hear from heaven, 
and will forgive their sin and heal their land'. 2 Chronicles 7:14
So let us come before God our Father 
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 
and ask him to forgive our sins.

For times we have closed our eyes and our hearts 
to the cries of the hurting and the poor
and for times we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves:
pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

For divisions and hurt caused by hatred and fear, 
prejudice and intolerance;
and for all the times we haven’t defended the oppressed:
pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

For the destruction and pollution of your creation;
for self-gratification without consideration of the cost;
and for all the times we have failed to fear, love and trust in you above all else:
pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

Lord God, our heavenly Father,
we confess to you that we are sinful.
We have sinned against you in many ways,
in our thoughts and in our words,
in what we have done
and in what we have failed to do.
Have mercy and forgive us,
and help us to live as your people,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has God removed our transgressions from us.
He loves us,
And gave his Son, to become a human being in this world
and suffer and die for us.
So by his authority, as his called servant,
I forgive you all your sins,
in the name of the Father and the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
Amen.

Or for lay-reading services:
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has God removed our transgressions from us.
He loves us,
and gave his Son to become a human being in this world
and suffer and die for us.
To those who believe in his name, he has given the right to become the children of God, and has given them his Holy Spirit. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved. Grant this, gracious Lord, to us all. 
Amen.

RITE OF RECONCILIATION
The following words of reconciliation may be used, perhaps in conjunction with the absolution, or before the celebration of the Lord's Supper. 
Examples can be seen on application from the LCA (as used at the 2000 Convention) and from the Queensland District.

God has forgiven us and reconciled us to himself. 
Let us also forgive and be reconciled to one another. 

Representatives of different groups (for example, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, people born in Australia and recent arrivals, old and young, men and women) stand in front of the chancel and greet one another with a handshake and the words ‘The peace of the Lord', or similar. If considered appropriate, words of sorrow for past offences by one group to another may also be offered. 

I invite you all to greet those around you with a word of peace.

Then the people of the congregation may turn to those around them with a greeting of peace.

OR you may like to continue on from the Confession and Absolution with this prayer:

In 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Paul writes, 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 	

As God’s beloved and redeemed people, let us pray to the Lord:
Gracious Heavenly Father:
We thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son you have reconciled the world to you. We thank you for calling us to be your people and cleansing us from sin through baptism, to walk in the light of your love. Help us to lay down our earthly attitudes and embrace each other with kindness and compassion, that we may be reconciled with our brothers and sisters even as we have been reconciled with you. Make us agents of your peace as we work alongside each other in your ministry of reconciliation, so that all may know you and the fullness of life and peace that Jesus gives.
In the name of Christ,
Amen. 

This could be followed by the Passing of the Peace.

*Please refer to the Reconciliation Action Plan resources for additional ideas for encouraging and supporting reconciliation: https://www.rap.lca.org.au/ 

LORD, HAVE MERCY

In peace let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].
For peace in our land and our community, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].
For peace in our homes, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].
For the peace of the whole world, for the wellbeing of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Gracious God, the ruler of all nations, 
you have richly blessed this land and its people. 
Lead all who live in Australia 
to acknowledge your goodness, 
give thanks for your favour, 
and obey you by loving each other. 
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.

FIRST READING
Deuteronomy 28:1-9 The Lord will bless the land
(Begin: 'Moses said to the people: . . .')
OR
Deuteronomy 8:5-14  Don’t forget God in prosperity 

PSALM
Psalm 145:1-9
Antiphon: 
I will extol you, my God and King.  (Ps 145:1a NRSV)
OR
One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.  (Ps 145:4 NRSV)

OR Psalm 125 
Antiphon:
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved. (Ps 125:1 NRSV)

SECOND READING
Romans 13:1-8  Respect for governing authorities

OR Hebrews 11:8-16 Living by faith and looking beyond what we currently enjoy

ALLELUIA VERSE 
(Rom 13:8 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; 
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  
Alleluia.

OR (Matthew 5:3)
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mark 12:13-17  Give God what belongs to God
(If using NRSV, put 'to Jesus' instead of 'to him' in v 13)

OR Matthew 5:1-12 The ethics of the Kingdom of God

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
that we live in Australia
and also belong to the kingdom of God.
Make us responsible members of society,
and above all obedient to our heavenly Father.
Amen.

OR

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
For the many blessings 
you have granted us and this country
Help us to live as your children, 
And to be a blessing to others.
Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH
Martin Luther's explanation of the first article of the Creed in his Small Catechism could be used for the confession of faith on this day.

I believe in God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I believe that God has created me
and everything that exists.
God has given me
my body and soul,
my mind and senses,
and all my abilities,
and still takes care of them.
God also gives me
everything I need from day to day -
things like food, clothes,
home and family, work, and money.
God protects me from danger
and keeps me safe
when I am in trouble.
God does all this only because
he is my kind and loving Father;
I certainly do not deserve it.
All I can do is thank, praise,
serve, and obey God.
This is certainly true.

OFFERING 
If either of the gospels listed above are used instead of the gospel for the day, the following words may be used to announce the offering.

Jesus said: 
'Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's,
and to God the things that are God's.'
All we are and all we have come from God;
let us worship him with our offerings.

OR Jesus said: 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
All we are and all we have come from God;
let us worship him with our offerings.

An offering procession may be held, in which material goods for the needy as well as the money offerings may be taken to the altar. If an offering procession is held, including material gifts, arrangements should be made previously for people to leave their gifts in baskets or boxes in a convenient assigned place, either during the preceding week or before the service.

When the offering is presented, the following prayer may be said:

Heavenly Father, thank you for caring for us in our daily lives and providing peace and protection through our government and laws. We offer these gifts that by your grace they would be a blessing to those who receive them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
With thanksgiving to God for the gift of our land, let us pray:

Response
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Suggested intercessions
*	for remembrance of our history and of God's generosity
*	for our industry, education and way of life
*	for protection from violence, discord, confusion, pride, arrogance, and from every evil course of action
*	for unity among the many different cultures and races that live in this land
*	for refugees and those suffering in the aftermath of conflict
*	for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
*	for those who continue to suffer the effects of mistreatment, discrimination and persecution,  
*	for continued freedom and peace
*	for the governor-general (by name) and for national parliamentary leaders and representatives (by name) 
*	for thankfulness in good time
*	for trust in times of trouble
*	for all Australian churches.

Concluding prayer
As we have no lasting home in this land, help us to live here as citizens of heaven and seek the city which is to come, where we will be at home with you and all the saints forever. 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. 

OR
The following prayer may be used (adapted for local requirements). 
Let us pray to our God, who is the Father of every nation, saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, be with your whole church on earth, and the church in this country. Keep it faithful and let your message of forgiveness through Christ be heard and believed. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Bless our country, Australia, and help those in authority to strive for harmony, honesty and justice. Remember our King, Charles, our Prime Minister, N, our Premier, N, those in our local government, and all who maintain law and order. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Guide our industry, our education, our arts, culture and leisure activities, our mass media, our science and technology. Be with the unemployed and the overworked, the sick and the aged, the poor, the needy and the lonely. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Protect our nation from hatred and violence, from arrogance, discord and confusion, and from all evil. Bring unity among the different peoples of our land: the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous people; those born here and those from overseas; the rich and the poor. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Help us to care for the land and protect its fragile environment, so that the blessings you give can be enjoyed by others. 
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Be with us in our journey here through this life, and finally take us to our true home with you forever. We pray through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

OR, the following may be used or adapted.
Lord, we thank and praise you for this vast land of Australia with its unique beauty and grandeur, for its wealth and its resources. Help us to take good care of our land for ourselves and for others.

We thank you for your many gifts and blessings to us, for peace and prosperity, freedom and good government, education and culture, work and leisure. Help us not to squander our heritage, but to use it wisely and preserve it for our children.

We thank you for the variety of people and cultures in our nation, for the First Nations people, for our ancestors and their descendants, and for migrants from all over the world. Teach us to respect and value each other.

We thank and praise you that by the preaching of the gospel you have planted and nurtured your church among indigenous people and the newcomers to this land. Move us to promote the unity of your church in this country and proclaim the good news of salvation to our own people and our neighbours.

We commend to your fatherly care all those who are lonely and forgotten, the homeless and destitute, the sick and the aged, and all victims of prejudice or injustice. Help us to love and care for our neighbours in need.

We commend to you all those who are unemployed and those who are overworked, those who suffer economic hardship and those who fail to receive fair return for their work. Have mercy on those who put their hope in wealth, and help us to work together for a just distribution of our nation's resources.

We commend to you all those in government and positions of authority, our King and his advisers, the parliaments of our commonwealth and state. Help them to govern wisely and justly so that people may be restrained from wrongdoing and encouraged to live good lives.

OR, one of the forms of the 'Lord, have mercy' as given above may be used, if it has not been used earlier.

COMMUNION INVITATION
Every time we eat from this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of the whole world,
you call people of every nation, tribe, race and language
to be your holy nation.
Strengthen us,
who have received the body and blood of your Son,
to live as your people
and to serve one another in your name.
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.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace, as citizens of heaven.
Thanks be to God.  

OR Go in peace, giving thanks to God the giver of all good things.
Thanks be to God.

OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

SUITABLE HYMNS
Suitable hymns for this occasion may be found in the following sections of the Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement:

Harvest (560-568)
Creation (808-813)
Work and Society (814-821)

In particular, consider the following:

Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement
347	Guide me, O thy great Jehovah 
570        	Lord, while for all mankind we pray 
571	Almighty Lord, before thy throne
574        	Swell the anthem, raise the song 
577		God save our gracious King 
804	The church of Christ, in every age
808,809	Go out, my heart
810	Let all things now living
859	Seek, O seek the Lord

All Together books
1	Lord of our Days
217	Shine, Jesus, shine
330	These good gifts
356	Give glory
361	Here we are
416	We will rise up
427	God's time
433	You were in this place
493	Follow the Saviour (for children)
494	For you, deep stillness
574	You are our Father you live in heaven / Aboriginal Lord's Prayer

Together in Song
135	All things bright and beautiful (Australian version)
166	Sing a new song
188	Where wide sky rolls down
326	The Secret
456	Your hand, O God, has guided (LH 194 Thy hand …)
464	Seek, O seek the Lord
472	Father of mercy, God of consolation
614	O God of love, whose heart is ever yearning
615	Almighty God, lift up your eyes
641	The Pilgrims Song
671	Made in God's likeness
672	Lord of earth and all creation

Other Music 
The Great South Land – Geoff Bullock
The Blessing – Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Steven Furtick 
By Faith - Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend
Blessed be your name - Beth Redman, Matt Redman
Follow the Saviour – Colin Buchanan
Goodness of God - Ben Fielding, Brian Johnson, Ed Cash, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson
How Great (Psalm 145) - Bob Kauflin, Jordan Kauflin, Nathan Stiff
We Are One - Alanna Glover, Claire Williams
Here We Stand - Sam Brewster, Niki Shepherd, Alanna Glover & Tom Brewster
O Come in Humble Prayer - Colin Buchanan

PSALM 145:1-9
This psalm can be presented in various ways. It could be spoken antiphonally or responsively, it could be sung by a choir, or it could be sung by the congregation. A setting by Sue Collyer was included in Music Package 4, page19. Other settings are listed in Music Package 3. Note that TIS 89 is a hymn paraphrase of Psalm 145 sung to the tune Truro.

The following paraphrase by David Schütz may be sung to LH 503 Quam dilecta or LH 416 St Cecilia. Verse 10 of the psalm is included for the sake of versification. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

I praise you, God and King,
I bless your holy name,
forever every day,
I bless your name always.

Great is the Lord our God,
and greatly to be praised,
his greatness is beyond
all human power to know.

And every age will tell 
each other of your works, 
and everyone declare 
the mighty things you do.  

And I will meditate 
upon your wondrous works, 
the beauty of your face, 
the splendour of your ways.

Your awesome deeds are told 
and I declare you 'Great!'
We know your righteousness; 
we sing and celebrate!

For gracious is the Lord,
and he is merciful,
he's slow to show his wrath,
abounds in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all, 
compassionate and kind.  
And all your works give thanks, 
your faithful bless your name.  

PSALM 125 

For musical settings of Psalm 125, see Music Package 6.

The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 125 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of 'Trust and obey' (LHS877). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm. 

Those who trust in the Lord,
they will never be moved,
but like Zion's high mountain stand firm.
Now forever the Lord
will surround those he loves,
like the hills round Jerusalem's walls.

Do good, O Lord,
to all those who are good,
and to those who are upright
in the depth of their hearts.

For the wicked won't rule
in the land of the just,
lest the righteous reach out to do wrong.
Though the Lord leads away
those who wilfully stray,
may he bless Israel with his peace.

OUR LAND, O LORD, REJOICES
The following hymn by John Strelan may be sung to the tune Thornbury (LHS 194, TIS 15). Include the acknowledgment: '(c) John Strelan. Used by permission.'

Our land, O Lord, rejoices
your glory to proclaim.
The beaches, bush and outback
unite to praise your name.
The Olgas, ancient landmarks, 
the desert, burning haze,
creation cries in chorus:
To God, the Lord, be praise!

And we, have we no voices
to swell the land's refrain?
God's love is purest sunlight, 
his mercy, gentle rain.
Each age and generation
his marvellous grace displays.
The church responds in chorus:
To God, the Lord, be praise.

Yet many, Lord, are silent,
ashamed to join the choir.
Send out your word, send swiftly
your living Spirit's fire,
until, in faith confessing
the wonders of your ways,
Australians sing in chorus:
To God, the Lord, be praise!

LORD, THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS 
This song is based on Psalm 90. David Schütz's original paraphrase was written specifically for Marty Haugen's tune 'Song at the Centre' (Gather Australia 399 or As One Voice Vol 2 No. 74) which, David says, 'has a wonderful "Celtic"-style lilt to it that makes it a joy to sing'. Otherwise any well-known 8787D tune, such as Hyfrydol (LHS 349, TIS 233), Friend (LHS 426), Austria (LHS 458, TIS 93) or Hymn to Joy (LHS 822, TIS 152) may be used. David has paraphrased the whole psalm, but here only parts are used to make a 3-verse song. The condensation has been done with his help. Include the acknowledgment 'Paraphrase (c) by David Schütz. Used by permission.'

Lord, throughout all generations,
you have been our dwelling place,
long before the birth of mountains,
long before the world was made,
you were God then, now and ever,
everlasting still the same,
but one word returns us mortals
back to dust from whence we came.

For a thousand years of history
are as nothing in your sight,
they're like yesterday now passing,
like an hour in the night;
they are swept away on waking,
like a dream at break of day,
they're like grass that grows in morning,
and in evening fades away.

Turn, O Lord, and have compassion!
How long will your people wait?
Fill our hunger in the morning
with your steadfast love and grace.
Let your blessing and your favour
be on us, O Lord our God;
bless our passing small achievements
with your everlasting word.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE MORNING
The following translation by David Schubert of Martin G Schneider's song has been published in Together in Song (TIS 162), where the tune may be found. Include the acknowledgment 'Tr (c) David Schubert. Used by permission.'

Thank you for giving me the morning,
thank you for every day that's new,
thank you that all my hurts and troubles 
I can take to you.

Thank you for all my friends and helpers,
thank you for people everywhere,
thank you for showing me, Lord Jesus,
how to help and care.

Thank you for times of working, playing,
thank you for all that I can do,
thank you for all that's bright and cheerful,
and for music too.

Thank you for comfort in my sadness,
thank you for all who understand,
thank you that your hand holds and leads me,
everywhere I am.

Thank you for speaking to me, Jesus,
thank you for meeting with me here,
thank you, because you love all people,
those both far and near.

Thank you that you're so good and loving,
Thank you that I am filled with you,
Thank you, you make me feel so glad and
thankful as I do.

TRAVELLING ON
The song 'Travelling on' by John Kleinig, tune by Sue Collyer, was written for the LCA general convention 2000, and is also very suitable for this occasion. It is available in Music Package 6 (pp 2-4).

CANTICLE
If a canticle is sung on this day, the Song of Mary is most suitable. It is preferable if this can be sung. Various settings and forms of the Song of Mary are available, for example
-	LHS 903 'Tell out, my soul' (TIS 161), or TIS 172, TIS 173 
-	All Together Everybody 260 'My soul is praising the Lord' 
-	the setting by Sue Collyer in Music Packages 2, 4 and 7, pages 21-25, as well as other settings in Package 7
-	the version in the Modern Vespers of Worship Today (which could also be sung to the tune of LH 568)
-	the adaptation of the Modern Vespers version to 8888 metre, as given in the document ‘General notes and resources’, under ‘Canticles’, in the ‘General and seasonal’ folder.

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR
If Advance Australia Fair is sung in the service, congregations should consider using the additional verse written by Ruth Ponniah in 1988. This verse is Public Domain. If this verse is sung, the song should be introduced as “Advance Australia Fair”, not the National Anthem.

Please note the official changes to the lyrics in the first two verses. 

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Additional Verse by Ruth Ponniah (1933-2021) 

With Christ our head and cornerstone
we'll build our nation's might,
whose way and truth and light alone
can guide our path aright.
Our lives a sacrifice of love
reflect our Master's care,
with faces turned to heaven above
advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing:
Advance, Australia fair!

DRAMA

READINGS 
The Mark 12 gospel reading could be read by three readers: the narrator (could be the pastor), one of the questioners, and Jesus. The gospel could also be mimed as it is read.

VISUAL

DECORATION

Care should be taken not to decorate the church in an overtly patriotic or nationalistic way such as draping the altar in the Australian flag. Not only might this be divisive in your congregation but it also draws focus away from God, and could imply that we are worshipping our country instead. 

For this occasion, the church could be decorated with Australian native flowers and foliage, particularly those of your local area. 

Drawings, paintings and photos of Australian scenes or subjects could be displayed on the walls, on banners or posters, or on screen at appropriate times during the service, eg during prayers, confession, songs, readings or sermon. 

Offering Display
If the congregation chooses to bring forward offerings representing their harvest, work or talents, a display of the blessings God has given us would be very appropriate for this day.

SYMBOLS
You may like to include the LCA logo in your service, and explain its significance. 
The blue background represents water. The fluidity of water is reflected in God's character. He is constant and faithful, but he is always moving; you cannot ever capture or contain him. Water is life; without water, you will quickly die. Many people are dead inside because they do not have a life with God. Water also makes us clean. Lutherans believe that no matter how bad you have been, God wants to wash away every trace of your past and make you brand new again.
The cross is golden brown. The gold reminds us that Jesus is God’s only Son; he is royalty, the King of Kings. Yet, he left all of that to come to earth to live with us, and even to die for us. He understands the heartache of broken relationships and what it is like to struggle and feel rejection. There is nothing pretty about pain, or about dying and Jesus understands that. The cross is also sloping forwards, and that represents a new future with Jesus, here on earth and then in heaven. 
The red flames represent the Holy Spirit, which is the presence of God right here among us. On a cold night, a fire brings warmth and comfort. The Holy Spirit does that too, by giving us the peace of an eternity safe with God. Just like a fire, the Holy Spirit can also be wild and dangerous, at times burning off the deadwood of our lives. This might be painful sometimes, but it is so we can begin a fresh new life.
The Southern Cross reminds us that even on the darkest nights, God is still watching over us. He is close to us and never abandons us. The Southern Cross used to guide sailors and travellers. The cross guides us too, always pointing us to Jesus who loved us so much that he died and rose again, so we can live with him forever. 

CHILDREN

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN
Explain the LCA Symbol described under 'Symbols' in the 'Visual' section above. Or discuss the many things we can be thankful for in Australia.

OTHER WAYS OF INVOLVING CHILDREN
Children can be actively involved in the service. Dramatic and visual elements lend themselves to this, eg:

*	a procession (entrance, offering, exit)
*	making and displaying pictures and decoration
*	dramatising the gospel reading
*	a special song, eg the Australian version of 'All things bright and beautiful' in TIS (no. 135) or 'Thank you for giving me the morning' (TIS 162).

OTHER

ENTRANCE AND EXIT PROCESSIONS. 
An entrance procession may be led by a cross-bearer, followed by any people participating in special ways in the service, including the choir, with the liturgist(s) at the end. The order is reversed for an exit procession. The opening hymn is sung during the entrance procession and the closing hymn during the exit procession.

LCA Worship Resources - Minor festivals and other days