NOTES: So many scripture stories center around a meal and this one is no exception. Abraham's encounter with God begins with an offer of "a little snack" to some strangers. But as so often happens with hospitality, "just a little something" becomes a feast very quickly. God's message for Abraham is a renewal of the old promises that still seem so unreachable. But maybe, like the hospitality, there is a more extravagant blessing waiting in the wings.
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-10a
18 The Lord appeared to Abraham[a] by the oaks[b] of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He
looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran
from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let
me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after
that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said,
“Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures[c] of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then
he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it
before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10 Then
one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife
Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance
behind him. 8:30 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
WelcomePrelude
Lighting the Christ Candles
Praise Hymn#517 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"(vss. 1, 2, & 3)
Call to Worship
Leader: As Abraham welcomed the strangers
People: So God welcomes us.
Leader: God greets us with joy
People: and says, “rest here for awhile.”
Leader: God prepares a meal to nourish our weary spirits.
Leader: So let us receive the gracious hospitality of our God.
People: Let us rest in this holy place
where there is shade and water, food and laughter.
~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.
Invocation
Lord, give us the eyes of Jesus
to see our neighbors and the strangers we meet.
Teach us what it means to love the stranger as we love ourselves.
Forgive us for selfishness and
for silence. Make strong and bold our compassion for the strangers who come to our communities.
Teach us to love and care for the stranger the way you do. Amen
~ written by Rebeca Jiménez Yoder Posted on the website of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. https://www.tcdsb.org/Pages/default.aspx
We Contemplate God's Word
Scripture
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & ConcernsPrayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (vss.1, 3, & 4)
Praying Together
Lord, help us to remember
that no one is better than anyone else in your Kingdom.
Help us to then treat each other the way you treat people.
Generous God,
Because you treat us with your tender love,
We take time to pray for our friends, family members
and others who need you more than ever.
Pour out your healing on all who need it.
Be generous with your transforming love
for those who needs it in their lives.
Bring forth your reconciliation in families,
and in places where it is needed.
Gifting God,
You give us the gifts of the spirit to use to further your Kingdom
and to be the Body of Christ in the world.
We take time to remember the people devastated by Hurricane Katrina
[substitute any other more recent situation or disaster]
and to thank you for the restoration that has already taken place.
Empower us to continue to be your hands and feet
to continue the work that needs to be done there
and in so many other places.
There is none like you God in your love, your generosity,
your gifting and your hospitality.
And we thank you that you are in our lives,
working in us and through us
to let people know your kingdom is open to all.
In the name of your Son, who opened the doors for all
and broke down barriers that kept people from you, Amen.
~ written by Rev Abi, and posted on Rev Abi’s Long and Winding Road blog. http://vicarofwadley.blogspot.ca/
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the TableCommunion Hymn#424 "I'm Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table"(all verses)
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn#494 "They'll Know We Are Christians" (vss. 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing
10:40 am Order of Service
We Gather in God's Presence
WelcomePrelude
Call to Worship
Leader: As Abraham welcomed the strangers
People: So God welcomes us.
Leader: God greets us with joy
People: and says, “rest here for awhile.”
Leader: God prepares a meal to nourish our weary spirits.
Leader: So let us receive the gracious hospitality of our God.
People: Let us rest in this holy place
where there is shade and water, food and laughter.
~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.
Praise Hymn#517 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"(vss. 1, 2, & 3)
Lighting of the Candles
Invocation
Lord, give us the eyes of Jesus
to see our neighbors and the strangers we meet.
Teach us what it means to love the stranger as we love ourselves.
Forgive us for selfishness and
for silence. Make strong and bold our compassion for the strangers who come to our communities.
Teach us to love and care for the stranger the way you do. Amen
~ written by Rebeca Jiménez Yoder Posted on the website of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. https://www.tcdsb.org/Pages/default.aspx
Passing of the Peace
Faith Hymn#552" Standing on the Promises" (vss. 1, 2, & 3)
We Contemplate God's Word
ScriptureChoir Anthem
Children's Sermon
Sermon
We Pray Together
Joys & ConcernsPrayer Hymn#588 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (vss.1, 3, & 4)
Praying Together
Lord, help us to remember
that no one is better than anyone else in your Kingdom.
Help us to then treat each other the way you treat people.
Generous God,
Because you treat us with your tender love,
We take time to pray for our friends, family members
and others who need you more than ever.
Pour out your healing on all who need it.
Be generous with your transforming love
for those who needs it in their lives.
Bring forth your reconciliation in families,
and in places where it is needed.
Gifting God,
You give us the gifts of the spirit to use to further your Kingdom
and to be the Body of Christ in the world.
We take time to remember the people devastated by Hurricane Katrina
[substitute any other more recent situation or disaster]
and to thank you for the restoration that has already taken place.
Empower us to continue to be your hands and feet
to continue the work that needs to be done there
and in so many other places.
There is none like you God in your love, your generosity,
your gifting and your hospitality.
And we thank you that you are in our lives,
working in us and through us
to let people know your kingdom is open to all.
In the name of your Son, who opened the doors for all
and broke down barriers that kept people from you, Amen.
~ written by Rev Abi, and posted on Rev Abi’s Long and Winding Road blog. http://vicarofwadley.blogspot.ca/
We Come to the Lord's Table
Invitation to the TableCommunion Hymn#424 "I'm Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table"(all verses)
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for DiscipleshipDiscipleship Hymn#494 "They'll Know We Are Christians" (vss. 1, 2, & 4)
Blessing
Closing Hymn #8 "All Praise to God for Song God Gives" (refrain only)
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