December 1, 2019

THEME:  Use the light given us.  We use that light to see God's promises.

NOTES First Sunday is Hope.  Our hope houses our expectations.  During this first Sunday of Advent we will turn to hear John the Baptist as he works to rally us up and get our hearts and our world ready for the Messiah that we all expect.  John preaches a message to get ready, and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.  The Romans text will be our preaching text, and like John's message it reminds us to wake, the days has come, prepare to receive the salvation that God has prepared for you.  


Scripture: Romans 13:11-14






8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

We Light the Advent Wreath

 Advent Song:   CH#128 "One Candle is Lit"  st. 1

Lighting the Advent Candle HOPE
Today we light the candle of Hope.  May a light be ignited within each and everyone of us during Advent that we may see God's great promise and become a light for others.

Prayer:  Let us pray.  During this Advent season may we be reminded of Your promises to us and Your fulfillment of them.  Help us to prepare ourselves for Advent and find the Hope that awaits.  Amen  

An Encounter with John the Baptist

We Contemplate God's Word

Praise Hymn...O Come, O Come, Emmanuel #119  stanzas 1 and 3

Scripture:  Romans 13:11-14

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn...O Come All Ye Faithful...#148...stanzas 1 and 2

Praying Together



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn...Good Christians Friends, Rejoice...#164...Stanzas 2 and 3

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn...Go Tell It On the Mountain...#167...stanzas 1 and2

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting of the Candles

We Light the Advent Wreath

Advent Song:   CH#128 "One Candle is Lit"  st. 1

Lighting the Advent Candle HOPE

Today we light the candle of Hope.  May a light be ignited within each and everyone of us during Advent that we may see God's great promise and become a light for others.  

Prayer:  Let us pray.  During this Advent season may we be reminded of Your promises to us and Your fulfillment of them.  Help us to prepare ourselves for Advent and find the Hope that awaits.  Amen   

An Encounter with John the Baptist

We Greet Each Other In Jesus' Name

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel #119  stanzas 1 and 3



We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture  Romans 13:11-14

Children's Sermon

Sermon



We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn...O Come, All Ye Faithful...#148...stanzas 1 and 2

Praying Together



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn...Good Christians Friends, Rejoice...#164...Stanzas 2 and 3

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving



We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn    #170...How Great Our Joy...stnza 4

Blessing

Closing Hymn Go Tell it On the Mountain....#167...Stanzas 1 and 2

November 24, 2019

THEME: Giving Joyful Thanks to God

NOTES: Today's scripture shares a unique understanding of the role of Jesus Christ. The writer says "In Christ, all things hold together..." and uses the Greek word for "glue." Colossians is written to a church in its second generation trying to move into a more mature state of organization and structure. The author reminds the church that their identity, what holds them together as a body is the power of God in Christ Jesus. And, as with many of the Epistles to churches, the author roots this identity in "giving thanks." "Giving joyful thanks" to God is our best response to the One who has reached out and gathered us into one body. Further more, giving thanks brings us into a point of view where we can see and appreciate and engage in the fellowship of God-Creator, Savior and Spirit. Where can our life together as a congregation be transformed by this "glue?" What points of view will thankfulness and giving thanks open up in our life together?

Scripture:
 Colossians 1:11-20
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.











8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn

Call to Worship


Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.

~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/

Invocation

This morning, Lord,
we want everything to be for your glory.
We want our thoughts,
our words, our songs,
our church, our community,
our resources, our time, our lives:
all to be for you.
Everything ours is yours,
and we come together to declare this to be so,
on this holy day of thanksgiving.
Bless our time together with your holy presence,
Amen.

~ written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading in Worship. http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/2013/10/thanksgiving-call-to-worship.html

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together

God of the living,
with all Your creatures great and small
we sing Your bounty and Your goodness,
for in the harvest of land and ocean,
in the cycles of the seasons,
and the wonders of each creature,
You reveal Your generosity.
Teach us the gratitude that dispels envy,
that we may honor each gift as You cherish Your creation,
and praise You in all times and places.
That this day may be holy, good and joyful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may offer to You our worship and praise along
with the work of our hands, minds and hearts:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That in the pleasures and pains of life,
we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by Your Holy Spirit,
in communion with all Your holy ones,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may always and everywhere give thanks to You, O God,
for all of our blessings and giftedness:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.

~ posted on the website of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.
www.cbmidwest.org/


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship 
Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.

~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/
 
Praise Hymn

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 


This morning, Lord,
we want everything to be for your glory.
We want our thoughts,
our words, our songs,
our church, our community,
our resources, our time, our lives:
all to be for you.
Everything ours is yours,
and we come together to declare this to be so,
on this holy day of thanksgiving.
Bless our time together with your holy presence,
Amen.

~ written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading in Worship. http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/2013/10/thanksgiving-call-to-worship.html

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn


We Contemplate God's Word

Presentation of Bibles

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together


God of the living,
with all Your creatures great and small
we sing Your bounty and Your goodness,
for in the harvest of land and ocean,
in the cycles of the seasons,
and the wonders of each creature,
You reveal Your generosity.
Teach us the gratitude that dispels envy,
that we may honor each gift as You cherish Your creation,
and praise You in all times and places.
That this day may be holy, good and joyful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may offer to You our worship and praise along
with the work of our hands, minds and hearts:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may strive for the well-being of all creation:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That in the pleasures and pains of life,
we may know the love of Christ and be thankful:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by Your Holy Spirit,
in communion with all Your holy ones,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.
That we may always and everywhere give thanks to You, O God,
for all of our blessings and giftedness:
we pray in gratitude to You, O Lord.

~ posted on the website of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.
www.cbmidwest.org/

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing

Closing Hymn

November 17, 2019

THEME: God's Vision for Fullness of Life

NOTES: As we root our hearts and minds in gratitude this month, we can take a moment to open a fresh perspective on something we hear mentioned a lot: The Kingdom of God, God's Reign, Heaven, God's Will for the World. By the time Isaiah 65 was written, Israel and Judah had experienced the full dose of the consequences of unfaithfulness. Their relationship with God had broken apart in every possible way - physical losses like the temple, the land, their loved ones, their livelihood; spiritual losses like their worshiping community, their deep connection to God through the land, their sense of well being, their freedom and self-determination....captivity had taken its toll. Before they can live a new life in relationship with God, they will need to imagine that something new is possible. So the word God sends to them, the message carried by the later disciples of the prophet Isaiah is a word of hope. God is envisioning something new and the people of Israel and Judah will be included in that new vision. What they lost, well, it's gone. But lies ahead, it will be good. Can gratitude assist our hearts and minds in making this shift when our lives turn upside down and we feel we have lost everything? How does this word from God speak to us today as we try to imagine new wholeness and deeper relationships with God?


Scripture:
Isaiah 65:17-25
17 For I am about to create new heavens
    and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
    or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
    and its people as a delight.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
    and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
    or the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it
    an infant that lives but a few days,
    or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
    and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
    they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
    they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
    and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain,
    or bear children for calamity;[a]
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—
    and their descendants as well.
24 Before they call I will answer,
    while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
    the lion shall eat straw like the ox;
    but the serpent—its food shall be dust!
They shall not hurt or destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
says the Lord.







8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn

Call to Worship

Come, let’s praise God together!
For God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s tell stories of God’s power and majesty,
His mighty acts throughout history:
for God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s remember the compassion He has shown toward us;
His mercy and unfailing love, generation after generation:
for God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s pass these stories along to our children and grandchildren,
so that they, too, may come to know and love our God.
For God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s worship God together!
-by Christine Longhurst https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/10/call-to-worship-prayer-psalm-145-1-5.html

Invocation
Holy One, you have promised to be with us,
And long ago sent your Spirit to abide among us
and guide us to a future of goodness and hope. 
We come seeking your truth, your justice, your kindness.
O God, you are with us this morning.
Let us feel your presence and
welcome you into our lives.
Come and fill these desires of our hearts.

~ from Hold on to Faith: Service Prayers for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, written by The Rev. Catherine Rolling.  Posted on the Worship Ways page of the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon



We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns
Prayer Hymn
Praying Together
Everlasting God, in the beauty of your holiness we gather to worship you, to praise you for your goodness and mercy; and for the way that here especially, we can be aware and know your holy presence. We come together into this our beloved place of prayer and praise, where we are not only surrounded by the signs and symbols of your presence, but also of the memories of people, who in the past, have inspired us with their faith and their nurture of us; but who have also pointed to us towards the only way forward for our life’s faith journey.

Welcoming God, we come as your vulnerable children to worship you, to offer ourselves to you with all our frailties and faults; and all our struggles with life’s complexities, because you open your arms with love and compassion to all in need of your generous love and support. As the wise Psalmist wrote: “Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young near your altar.”  We come together today, to gain strength, hope and encouragement for life’s journey from the Source of all power and strength – our God.

God of grace and God of glory, you are our Light and our Protector—and our God in whom we trust, regardless of our worldly status or influence over others. We come in humility, before such a Forgiving God as is our God, and acknowledge that it is only in your presence that we can find life’s balance and perspective; and that only in your holy presence, we can know true acceptance and our true home. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on Geelong City Parish UCA website. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn
Elder's Prayer
Words of Institution
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation
Prayer of Thanksgiving




We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service




We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship 
Come, let’s praise God together!
For God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s tell stories of God’s power and majesty,
His mighty acts throughout history:
for God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s remember the compassion He has shown toward us;
His mercy and unfailing love, generation after generation:
for God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s pass these stories along to our children and grandchildren,
so that they, too, may come to know and love our God.
For God is great, and worthy of our praise!
Let’s worship God together!
-by Christine Longhurst https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/10/call-to-worship-prayer-psalm-145-1-5.html

 
Praise Hymn

Lighting of the Candles 

Invocation 
Holy One, you have promised to be with us,
And long ago sent your Spirit to abide among us
and guide us to a future of goodness and hope. 
We come seeking your truth, your justice, your kindness.
O God, you are with us this morning.
Let us feel your presence and
welcome you into our lives.
Come and fill these desires of our hearts.

~ from Hold on to Faith: Service Prayers for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, written by The Rev. Catherine Rolling.  Posted on the Worship Ways page of the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/


Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn



We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Children's Sermon

Sermon

We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together
Everlasting God, in the beauty of your holiness we gather to worship you, to praise you for your goodness and mercy; and for the way that here especially, we can be aware and know your holy presence. We come together into this our beloved place of prayer and praise, where we are not only surrounded by the signs and symbols of your presence, but also of the memories of people, who in the past, have inspired us with their faith and their nurture of us; but who have also pointed to us towards the only way forward for our life’s faith journey.

Welcoming God, we come as your vulnerable children to worship you, to offer ourselves to you with all our frailties and faults; and all our struggles with life’s complexities, because you open your arms with love and compassion to all in need of your generous love and support. As the wise Psalmist wrote: “Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young near your altar.”  We come together today, to gain strength, hope and encouragement for life’s journey from the Source of all power and strength – our God.

God of grace and God of glory, you are our Light and our Protector—and our God in whom we trust, regardless of our worldly status or influence over others. We come in humility, before such a Forgiving God as is our God, and acknowledge that it is only in your presence that we can find life’s balance and perspective; and that only in your holy presence, we can know true acceptance and our true home. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, and posted on Geelong City Parish UCA website. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2012 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.




We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving



We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing

Closing Hymn

November 10, 2019

THEME: God Shakes Things Up for Good

NOTES: Remember a time when everything seemed finished and investing in the future seemed pointless? But for some reason, you just decided to go ahead and do it anyway? In today's scripture, God's word comes to Israel through the prophet Haggai. Everything seems to have come to a crashing halt in Israel's relationship with God. But God reveals some interesting news....A shake-up is coming in the way things are. And God is looking to a future with Israel. God is ready to invest in that moment and has already begun to move towards a grace filled future. When we look at our world today, where are we called to throw our energy and imagination in with God's?


Scripture:
 Haggai 1:15b-2:9...on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month.
2 In the second year of King Darius, 1 in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 4 Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.



8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#3 "The Sun is on the Sea and Shore"(all verses)

Call to Worship

Leader: Come, come into the light of God!
People: It is difficult to shake off the darkness of our world.
Leader: Come, come into the brilliance of God’s truth.
People: Our minds wander to worry and care.
Leader: Come, turn into the embrace of the Holy One.
People: Our hope and help come from God, our refuge and strength.
Leader: Come, worship and praise God.

-Ana Gobledale, UK. https://worshipwords.co.uk/gathering-words-for-worship-inspired-by-psalm-43-pentecost-22-ana-gobledale-uk/

Invocation

Holy One, dwell within us.
Whisper in our ears;
Glimmer in our vision;
Write upon our hearts.
We wait
with open ears, open eyes, open hearts.
Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.  http://spaciousfaith.com/2012/01/18/wednesday-worship-piece-isaiah/
 

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#575 " Come and Find the Quiet Center" (verses 1 & 3

Praying Together


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#289 "What is This Place" (verses 1 & 3)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#619 "My Life Flows On" (verses 1 & 4)

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship 
Leader: Come, come into the light of God!
People: It is difficult to shake off the darkness of our world.
Leader: Come, come into the brilliance of God’s truth.
People: Our minds wander to worry and care.
Leader: Come, turn into the embrace of the Holy One.
People: Our hope and help come from God, our refuge and strength.
Leader: Come, worship and praise God.

-Ana Gobledale, UK. https://worshipwords.co.uk/gathering-words-for-worship-inspired-by-psalm-43-pentecost-22-ana-gobledale-uk/
 
Praise Hymn#3 "The Sun is on the Sea and Shore"(all verses)

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 

Holy One, dwell within us.
Whisper in our ears;
Glimmer in our vision;
Write upon our hearts.
We wait
with open ears, open eyes, open hearts.
Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.  http://spaciousfaith.com/2012/01/18/wednesday-worship-piece-isaiah/


Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn#90 "Come, Christians, join to Sing" (verses 1 & 2)


We Contemplate God's Word

Presentation of Bibles

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#575 " Come and Find the Quiet Center" (verses 1 & 3

Praying Together


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#289 "What is This Place" (verses 1 & 3)

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hym#619 "My Life Flows On" (verses 1 & 4)

Blessing

Closing Hymn #445 "Go In Peace"

November 3, 2019 All Saints Day

THEME: When Jesus Found a Saint in a Tree

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME CHANGE: FALL BACK

NOTES: We are observing All Saints' Day today. A.J. Bodnar and Liza Di Savino will be back with us to share music for Prelude, Special Music, Anthem and Postlude. 

As we remember the people who have died in the past year, the whole church is remembering the generations of people of faith who have gone before us. We look to the stories of their lives to enlighten and enliven our own journeys. Today, it is the story of Zaccheus, whose faith grew in the branches of a sycamore tree, when Jesus noticed him waiting there. What can we learn from the man who let Jesus invite himself over for dinner?

Scripture: 
Luke 19:1-10 
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”




8:30 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude   Music from Liza & A.J.

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#637 "For All the Saints" (verses 1 & 3)

Call to Worship

Leader:
I lift my eyes
from world to sky,
from where will I find help?

People:
My help will come
from the Holy One,
the maker of earth and sky.

Leader:
Beneath our feet
the ground may tremble,
but we will never fall;

People:
The Lord God slumbers not,
and is ever watchful.

Leader: The Holy One will keep us,
People: The Holy One will hold us;
our life is precious to God.

~ from a piece written by Reverend Sarah Agnew. Posted on pray the story.  http://praythestory.blogspot.ca/


Invocation

Lord of our richest encounters
you heard the hidden cry of Zacchaeus
to welcome you into his home.
Teach us too hear the whispers of the world,
to feel its pain, and then bravely voice
so may cries for justice, and for peace.

~ posted on Us. (the new name for USPG). http://www.weareus.org.uk/churchresources/sunday/
We Contemplate God's Word


Scripture

Sermon


 We Remember All Saints

Litany for All Saints

Reader 1:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the feet of the saints
,
who walked this path long before me
,
who pointed out this path to me
,
who cleared the path with me.

Reader 2:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the wisdom of the saints
,
who shared their vision of God’s ways
,
who lived faithfully by God’s ways
,
who loved God all the way.

Reader 3:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the cloaks of the saints

that sheltered my weary soul from the dust
,
that marked my life for a new adventure,

that gave me some flair for the dance.

Reader 4:
With thanksgiving on our tongues,

now sing praise for the voices of the saints

who named God within you

who evoked God from you

who gave God to you.

~ written by Rachel Hackenberg, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/author/rachelhackenberg/


Reading of the Names & Lighting of the Candles      instrumental music with Liza and A. J.

Song: "Holy, Holy. Women and Men "            Music from Liza & A.J.




We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#638 "In the Bulb There Is A Flower" (all verses)

Praying Together
We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you

Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals,

Weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses

Where your name was lifted and adored.

We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise:

Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil,

Strong hands and those gnarled with age

Holy hands 
- used in offerings of service across the land.

We thank you, God, for hardworking saints;

Whether hard-hatted or steel-booted,

Head ragged or aproned,

Blue-collared or three-piece-suited

They left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come.

Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.

Bless the memories of your saints, God.

May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/a-prayer-meditation-for-all-saints-day



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#403 "In Remembrance of Me" (all verses)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation  from Liza & A.J.

Prayer of Thanksgiving



We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#635 "Faith of Our Fathers" (verses 1 & 3)

Blessing

Closing Music  Music from Liza & A.J.





10:40 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude               Music from Liza & A.J.

Call to Worship

Leader:
I lift my eyes
from world to sky,
from where will I find help?

People:
My help will come
from the Holy One,
the maker of earth and sky.

Leader:
Beneath our feet
the ground may tremble,
but we will never fall;

People:
The Lord God slumbers not,
and is ever watchful.

Leader: The Holy One will keep us,
People: The Holy One will hold us;
our life is precious to God.

~ from a piece written by Reverend Sarah Agnew. Posted on pray the story.  http://praythestory.blogspot.ca/  


Praise Hymn#637 "For All the Saints" (verses 1 & 3)

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 


Lord of our richest encounters
you heard the hidden cry of Zacchaeus
to welcome you into his home.
Teach us too hear the whispers of the world,
to feel its pain, and then bravely voice
so may cries for justice, and for peace.

~ posted on Us. (the new name for USPG). http://www.weareus.org.uk/churchresources/sunday/


Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn#546 "Amazing Grace" (verses 1 & 4)



We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Song: "Zaccheus"

Sermon


 We Remember All Saints

Litany for All Saints

Reader 1:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the feet of the saints
,
who walked this path long before me
,
who pointed out this path to me
,
who cleared the path with me.

Reader 2:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the wisdom of the saints
,
who shared their vision of God’s ways
,
who lived faithfully by God’s ways
,
who loved God all the way.

Reader 3:
With thanksgiving on my tongue,

I sing praise for the cloaks of the saints

that sheltered my weary soul from the dust
,
that marked my life for a new adventure,

that gave me some flair for the dance.

Reader 4:
With thanksgiving on our tongues,

now sing praise for the voices of the saints

who named God within you

who evoked God from you

who gave God to you.

~ written by Rachel Hackenberg, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/author/rachelhackenberg/



Reading of the Names & Placing of Roses       Instrumental usic from Liza & A.J.

Song: "Holy, Holy. Women and Men "             Music from Liza & A.J.



We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#638 "In the Bulb There Is A Flower" (all verses)

Praying Together

We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you

Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals,

Weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses

Where your name was lifted and adored.

We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise:

Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil,

Strong hands and those gnarled with age

Holy hands 
- used in offerings of service across the land.

We thank you, God, for hardworking saints;

Whether hard-hatted or steel-booted,

Head ragged or aproned,

Blue-collared or three-piece-suited

They left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come.

Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.

Bless the memories of your saints, God.

May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/a-prayer-meditation-for-all-saints-day


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#403 "In Remembrance of Me" (all verses)

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation from Liza & A.J.

Prayer of Thanksgiving



We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#635 "Faith of Our Fathers" (verses 1 & 3)

Blessing

Closing Music  Music from Liza & A.J.

October 27, 2019

THEME: A Covenant Imprinted on Our Very Lives

NOTES: Throughout Israel's story of faith that we read in the Old Testament, each generation comes to a moment when it needs to see itself as included in, in fact, a key player in the covenant between God and Israel. It's a moment when the reality of being God's people becomes real and is often marked by a symbolic change or action. In Jeremiah, the new generation finds that the covenant, once written on stone tablets, is now written "on their hearts." In Genesis, Jacob's personal lifelong struggle to trust God rather than make things happen for himself is revealed in a wrestling match that leaves him with a limp and a new name. What can we learn about our own life's work of being God's people? What moments bring us face to face with God? What symbolic items, actions or names express our understanding of our identity and our calling?


Scripture:
 Jeremiah 31:27-34 & Genesis 32:22-31
Jeremiah 31:27-34
 27 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. 28 And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. 29 In those days they shall no longer say:“The parents have eaten sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”

30 But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband,[a] says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Genesis 32:22-31
22 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the man[a] said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,[b] for you have striven with God and with humans,[c] and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[d] saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.





For those who have watched over me,
for those that have protected me,
for those that have shielded me,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

For the roof that shades me from the sun,
for the walls that shield me from the storm,
for the bed that warms me in the night,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

To the one who keeps me from evil,
to the one who preserves my life,
to the one who watches over my coming and going,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer/church-seasons.aspx


8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn #2 "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (verses 1 & 4)

Call to Worship

Leader: We gather here in anticipation,
People: seeking an encounter with our Holy God,
Leader: who comes among us when we least expect it,
People: who invites us to wrestle with our questions and doubts,
Leader: who richly blesses us, and calls us each by name.
People: Let’s worship God together!

-Christine Longhurst. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/call-to-worship-genesis-32.html

Invocation

Holy One, dwell within us.
Whisper in our ears;
Glimmer in our vision;
Write upon our hearts.
We wait
with open ears, open eyes, open hearts.
Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.  http://spaciousfaith.com/2012/01/18/wednesday-worship-piece-isaiah/

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#628 "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (all verses)

Praying Together
For those who have watched over me,
for those that have protected me,
for those that have shielded me,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

For the roof that shades me from the sun,
for the walls that shield me from the storm,
for the bed that warms me in the night,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

To the one who keeps me from evil,
to the one who preserves my life,
to the one who watches over my coming and going,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer/church-seasons.aspx



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn #452 "Here I Am, Lord" (verses 1 & 3)

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#556 "Trust and Obey" (verses 1 &4)

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship
 Leader: We gather here in anticipation,
People: seeking an encounter with our Holy God,
Leader: who comes among us when we least expect it,
People: who invites us to wrestle with our questions and doubts,
Leader: who richly blesses us, and calls us each by name.
People: Let’s worship God together!

-Christine Longhurst. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/call-to-worship-genesis-32.html

Praise Hymn#2 "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (verses 1 & 4)

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 

 Holy One, dwell within us.
Whisper in our ears;
Glimmer in our vision;
Write upon our hearts.
We wait
with open ears, open eyes, open hearts.
Amen

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.  http://spaciousfaith.com/2012/01/18/wednesday-worship-piece-isaiah/

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn#113 "Jesus Loves Me" (all verses)


We Contemplate God's Word

Presentation of Bibles

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#628 "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (all verses)

Praying Together

For those who have watched over me,
for those that have protected me,
for those that have shielded me,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

For the roof that shades me from the sun,
for the walls that shield me from the storm,
for the bed that warms me in the night,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

To the one who keeps me from evil,
to the one who preserves my life,
to the one who watches over my coming and going,
thanks be to the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer/church-seasons.aspx

We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#452 "Here I Am, Lord" (verses 1 & 3)

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#556 "Trust and Obey" (verses 1 &4)

Blessing

Closing Hymn #439 "God, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing" (verse 2)

October 20, 2019

THEME: Gratitude- Offering Our Best to God

NOTES: In the Jewish tradition of Deuteronomy, thanksgiving is expressed as an offering. The offering is given to acknowledge that God provides richly for us. It is also given to sustain the community of God's people. How does this affect our understanding of gratitude? Is thanksgiving a concrete expression of our awareness that the good produce and sustenance we gather from the earth come from the creative work of God? We work hard. But even our work is  possible because of the provisions God has made for us in creation. When we consider the "first fruits" of our labors, what will we have to offer God and the community of God's people?


Scripture:
 Deuteronomy 26:1-11When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. 3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, 5 you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. 6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, 7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; 9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. 11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.







8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn

Call to Worship

Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.

~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/

Invocation

Great God accept our gratitude,

For the great gifts on us bestowed–

For rainment, shelter and for food.

Great God accept our gratitude.
Great God, our gratitude we bring,

Accept our humble offering,

For all the gifts on us bestowed,

Thy name be evermore adored.

Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard (1861 – c. 1921) was born the daughter of two enslaved parents in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA.  With the end of slavery in the United States, Josephine was able to become a teacher.  She was an accomplished poet and wife of an American Episcopal Chruch minister. https://worshipwords.co.uk/great-god-accept-our-gratitude-josephine-delphine-henderson-heard-usa/

We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together
Congregational Response:
Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

Loving God,
You are our Creator and Sustainer.
When You open Your hand,
You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.

As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,
we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.
Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.

We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.
We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa
who are facing critical food shortages;
    who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;
        and watching helplessly as loved ones die.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

We pray for those who are empty emotionally—
who are lonely and long for companionship and love,
        who are caught in the grip of depression,
            or overwhelmed with grief.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 
We pray for those who are spiritually empty—
who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;
    who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
        who need You, but do not yet know You.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 
God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.
Pour out Your Spirit on us as well.
Fill us with Your compassion and love,
so that we would willingly share some of our abundance
with those who have need.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
who came so that all of humanity might come to know
the abundant life that comes from You.

Amen.

-Christine Longhurst. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/prayers-of-people-july-31-2011.html



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship
 Leader: In deep gratitude we come to worship God.
People: We recognize God as the source of all goodness.
Leader: All good gifts come from the Spirit of God:
People: Love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness are all of God.
Leader: We come with grateful hearts, not for things, but for who God is.
People: We gather to show our gratitude in song and prayer.

~ posted on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website. http://presbyterian.ca/

Praise Hymn

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 

Great God accept our gratitude,

For the great gifts on us bestowed–

For rainment, shelter and for food.

Great God accept our gratitude.
Great God, our gratitude we bring,

Accept our humble offering,

For all the gifts on us bestowed,

Thy name be evermore adored.

Josephine Delphine Henderson Heard (1861 – c. 1921) was born the daughter of two enslaved parents in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA.  With the end of slavery in the United States, Josephine was able to become a teacher.  She was an accomplished poet and wife of an American Episcopal Chruch minister. https://worshipwords.co.uk/great-god-accept-our-gratitude-josephine-delphine-henderson-heard-usa/

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn


We Contemplate God's Word

Presentation of Bibles

Scripture

Choir Anthem

Children's Sermon

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together
Congregational Response:
Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

Loving God,
You are our Creator and Sustainer.
When You open Your hand,
You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.

As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,
we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.


Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 


We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.
We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa
who are facing critical food shortages;
    who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;
        and watching helplessly as loved ones die.


Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 
We pray for those who are empty emotionally—
who are lonely and long for companionship and love,
        who are caught in the grip of depression,
            or overwhelmed with grief.

Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.  

We pray for those who are spiritually empty—
who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;
    who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
        who need You, but do not yet know You.


Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.  

God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.
Pour out Your Spirit on us as well.
Fill us with Your compassion and love,
so that we would willingly share some of our abundance
with those who have need.

Leader: Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.
People: Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.  

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
who came so that all of humanity might come to know
the abundant life that comes from You.

Amen.

-Christine Longhurst. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/07/prayers-of-people-july-31-2011.html


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing


Closing Hymn 

October 13, 2019

THEME: Gratitude: Transformed by Turning Back

NOTES: Thanksgiving is more than a month a way. So we take a moment this week to get our hearts prepared for what the Spirit can do in us this year. We hope for nothing less than a wellspring of gratitude within our selves and our gathering. Like water, the presence of gratitude in the environment refreshes and renews. It instigates growth and supports new life. It freshens up even things that seem wilted and aging. It restores our shape and form. Without gratitude, can we really expect spiritual fruit? With gratitude, can we expect anything other than abundant love,  joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?


Scripture:
 Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”




8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence
Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn

Call to Worship


Leader: Come, and praise God!
In the company of the God’s people,
let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: Great are the works of God,
full of glory and majesty.
Leader: Our God is gracious and compassionate;
People: our God is merciful and forgiving
Leader: our God is faithful and trustworthy,
People: our God is just and good.
Leader: So come, let’s worship God together.
People: God’s praise will last forever!

Invocation

Boundless God,
help us to see the world differently—
not with our own limited vision
but with the gaze of gratitude.

Give us the foolishness to believe that we can change
what the world says is impossible;
and when we lose sight of the power of love,
increase our faith. Amen.

~ posted on the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

 We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Meditation and Choral Reflections: "Amazing Grace and Folk Songs of Praise"
the MusicAlls Guest Choir from Denmark


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together
Ever-present God
you meet us in the borderlands,
in places neither here nor there,
at times when we are well out of our comfort zone;
even if we don't know where we're going,
when we feel most lost,
you are there:
Thank you, God.

You meet each of us where we are,
and many of us in our need,
people marginalized by illness,
not wanting to be a burden,
those who see their poverty or problems as unacceptable –
feeling rejected – with faltering self-worth.

It was in the borderlands that Jesus met a band of lepers,
whose livelihood was begging,
whose status was untouchable,
and touched their lives with hope.

And it was the Samaritan,
the one most of all an outsider,
who turned back to give thanks.

We thank you for all we can learn
from our sisters and brothers who live on the edge,
in poverty, in the borderlands:
about gratitude, grace and healing hope.
Thank you, God. Amen.

~ written by Jan Sutch Pickard, and posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing


10:40 am Order of Service


We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Call to Worship
  Leader: Come, and praise God!
In the company of the God’s people,
let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: Great are the works of God,
full of glory and majesty.
Leader: Our God is gracious and compassionate;
People: our God is merciful and forgiving
Leader: our God is faithful and trustworthy,
People: our God is just and good.
Leader: So come, let’s worship God together.
People: God’s praise will last forever!

Praise Hymn

Lighting of the Candles

Invocation 


Boundless God,
help us to see the world differently—
not with our own limited vision
but with the gaze of gratitude.

Give us the foolishness to believe that we can change
what the world says is impossible;
and when we lose sight of the power of love,
increase our faith. Amen.

~ posted on the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Passing of the Peace

Faith Hymn


We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Children's Sermon

Choral Meditation: "Traditional Danish Folk Music for Communion" by the MusicAlls Guest Choir from Denmark


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn

Praying Together


We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn

Words of Institution
 
The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn

Blessing

Closing Hymn

October 6, 2019

THEME: World Communion Sunday

Second Service at 10:30am at Union Church

NOTES: With Christians around the globe, we share communion and celebrate the shared blessing and call of the Lord's Table. We live in God's abundance and we live to share. We live in God's forgiveness and live to forgive. We live in God's grace and we live grace-full lives. We live in God's love and we live to love.


Scripture:
 II Timothy 1:7-14 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,[a] 12 and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.[b] 13 Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.






8:30 am Order of Service



We Gather in God's Presence

Welcome

Prelude

Lighting the Christ Candles

Praise Hymn#286 "This is the Day"

Call to Worship

Leader: Welcome to this place:
where children and seasoned citizens sit side by side,
People: where heaven and earth embrace in peace,
where God has been, is, and always will be.
Leader: Welcome to this place, as we gather with all of God's children:
where we find God's love,
People: where we hear the tender voice of Jesus,
where the Spirit teaches us new songs.
Leader: Welcome to this place, where all is made ready by our God:
where we bring our hunger, and find food;
People: where we lay down our brokenness, and find healing;
where we bring our very selves, and find acceptance.

Invocation

Spirit of God,
enlighten our hearts to the reality of divine presence in our midst.
Let our worship be pleasing in your sight,
so that our gathering is an experience of deep communion
with you and one another.
In the name of Jesus Christ, this is our prayer. Amen.

~ written by Norman D. Yeater.  Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/10-10-03.htm


We Contemplate God's Word

Scripture

Sermon


We Pray Together

Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn#305 "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying"

Praying Together
Lord as we gather around this wonderful meal
everywhere and in every place;
bless us all your children.

As we eat this bread and drink this cup
linking arms around the world,
pour your grace into us all.

Grace us with your presence
as we quietly and loudly pray to you.

May we see in each other
your light, your love and you.
May it not matter our differences,
our names, our languages,
our looks, and our way of doing things.
May what matter today and everyday be that we are one in you.

And as we pray many we call to mind our brothers and sisters
who are unable to be with us today whether in body or spirit.
May you bring comfort to those who are grieving, lonely,
heartbroken, ill or broken of spirit.

May you strengthen those whose lives feel shattered,
don’t make sense, in crisis, and experiencing  loss.
May you say the healing word to those who need it.
May you bring the human touch of love
to those who have not been touched.
May you love the unloved through us.

May you shine your light
into those whose world is covered in darkness.
May you use us to feed the hungry,
clothe the ones who need clothes,
give a cup of water to those who are thirsty,
shelter the homeless, visit the sick and those in prison.

May lives be awakened to you, Lord,
to your love and to your kingdom
whose door is always open to all.

~ written by Rev Abi and posted on A Place for Prayer. http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.ca/



We Come to the Lord's Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#420 "I Come with Joy" (verses 1, 2, & 3

Elder's Prayer

Words of Institution

The Lord's Supper with instrumental meditation

Prayer of Thanksgiving


We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn#445 "Go in Peace"

Blessing


Second Service at 10:30am at Union Church