HopeUnited.ca
Fourth Sunday after Easter
April 25, 2021 – 11:00am
Congregation of Hope United Church
2550 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rev. Brian Stevens
Welcome everyone to our Sunday on-line Service of Worship from Hope on the Danforth, a United Church of Canada congregation. My name is Suzanne Oryschak and we are so pleased to have you with us today. You can type greetings and comments at any time in the chat. The order of service will appear on your screen and is also available on our Facebook page and at HopeUnited.ca. Our musicians this morning are Sandy, Barb Grenier, Diana Chappell and Rev. Brian
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND ( Marion)
With respect, we acknowledge the world views, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of Scugog, the Hiawatha and the Alderville First Nations, on whose traditional lands our church resides.
We thank and honour the other indigenous peoples who share this land. As followers of the Jesus Way, we affirm our commitment as a people empowered to work in restoring broken relationships.
We begin our celebration with
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” - Voices United # 334 (Sandy)
All hail the power of Jesus' name;
let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem and
crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
O seed of Israel's chosen race,
ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail him who saves you by his grace, and
crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
Crown him, you martyrs of your God,
who from his altar call;
Praise him whose way of pain you trod and
crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
Let every tongue and every tribe,
responsive to the call,
Lift high the universal song, and
crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
O that , with all the sacred throng, à
we at his feet may fall
Join in the everlasting song, and
crown him, crown him, crown him,
crown him Lord of all.
CALL TO WORSHIP
(Church of Scotland)
(Janice and Gavin)
The belief of Mary
is greater than the sentence of Pilate.
The surprise of the disciples
is more telling than the torture of the guards.
The silence of Sunday
is louder than the clamour of Friday
For each is full of alleluias.
And the shout of alleluia
is more enduring than the shout of crucify.
You are alive!
And we are alive in you!
OPENING PRAYER (Church of Scotland
(Marion)
Where have you gone, Lord?
Where have we put you?
Into tight spaces
where we can contain you.
Within the confines of our limitations
where we can control you.
Inside four walls
where we feel safe.
Where have you gone, Lord?
Where have we put you?
Into rule books
where we can claim to understand you.
Inside our churches
where we can claim ownership of you.
Into creeds tailored to the chosen
where we can rest easy.
Where have you gone, Lord?
Where have we put you?
Not, surely, in a garden
where you have free rein
to walk among weeds
and risk getting dirty?
Not, surely, where women weep
and wonder at their foolishness?
Not, surely, where we lie weakened
through pushing stones to keep you
where we want you?
Where have you gone, Lord?
Where have we put you?
Forgive us.
Rescue us.
Set us free.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE (Mahroo)
We light this candle as a symbol of love and light…
Christ’s light in the world.
Christ’s light within us all. Amen.
“Touch us with Your Light” (Sandy)
Light from this candle burning bright…
Light our way through dark of night.
Help us find our way to you…
Guide us, touch us with your Light, O Lord.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(Worship Blogspot)
(Rebekah)
Master, Savior, Shepherd, Messiah—
we know you by many names, Lord.
Your presence fills our lives—
all that we are and all that we have
comes from you;
all that you do declares your love for us.
Yet when trouble comes,
when adversity plagues us,
we wonder where you are;
we even wonder who you are.
How quickly we forget
that you are always with us.
Dispel our gloom and despair.
Change our garments of darkness
into robes of dazzling light.
Spread your table before us,
and feed us from your hand.
Lead us in the paths of righteousness,
for it is in your name that we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Grace
(from The Abingdon Worship Annual)
( Rev. Brian)
Even in the darkest valley,
though death’s shadow may threaten us,
we need not fear, for the Lord is with us.
God will comfort and shelter us.
No harm will come to us.
No one can snatch us out of the Lord’s hand.
God will wipe away every tear from our eyes
In response, we sing “Gloria”
Voices United # 37 ( Sandy)
Gloria, Gloria…
In excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria
Alleluia, alleluia!
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
(Rev. Brian)
May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
(Please unmute and greet one another!)
FIRST READING Acts 4:5-12 ( Gavin)
The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
Jesus is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Voices United # 749 (Sandy – Refrain - Suzanne and Marion- Text)
Refrain: My Shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.
God is my shepherd
There is nothing I shall lack.
You, God make me lie down in green pastures,
You lead me beside peaceful waters
You revive my spirit
You guide me in right pathways for your name’s sake.
Refrain: My Shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me,
Your rod and your staff are my comfort.
You spread a table for me in the sight of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil, my cup is overflowing,
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in God’s house my whole life long.
Refrain: My Shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.
GOSPEL READING John 15:1-8 (Bruce)
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
“ Are You A Shepherd”
More Voices # 126 (Sandy)
Are you a shepherd, good shepherd who leads us
safely through danger, while calming our fears?
Are you a father who shelters and feeds us,
shares in our laughter and wipes away tears?
Chorus:
Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,
but you are greater than all that we know.
Holy and living, loving and giving,
God, you are with us wherever we go.
Are you a mother, good mother who bears us,
comforts, protects us and helps us to rest?
Are you a teacher who daily prepares us,
challenging students to offer their best?
Chorus:
Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,
but you are greater than all that we know.
Holy and living, loving and giving,
God, you are with us wherever we go.
Great, gentle shepherd, forever beside us,
lead all your children in paths that are right.
Great, loving parent, wise teacher, you guide us.
We want to love you and bring you delight.
Chorus:
Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,
but you are greater than all that we know.
Holy and living, loving and giving,
God, you are with us wherever we go.
Sermon – “Christ is Our Cornerstone”
Rev. Brian Stevens
MUSIC MINISTRY – “The Lord is my Shepherd” – Music by Brian Stevens - Sung by Barb Grenier, Diana Chappell & Brian Stevens
MORNING OFFERING (Janice)
( David S. Bell)
Glorious God, we know that your capacity to love is infinitely greater than our own ability. Indeed, you call us to love one another in truth and in action.
We yearn to be active disciples, so that our hearts truly abide with you. Use these gifts to increase our ability to be your followers. In the name of the One who laid down his life for us, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Our doxology is “What Can I Do”
More Voices # 191 (Sandy)
What can I do?
What can I bring?
What can I say?
What Can I Sing?
I’ll sing with joy!
I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love…
I’ll do my share!
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD (Janice)
For all who are searching: may the Good Shepherd find them and lead them to a fuller life with purpose and a sense of belonging…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Sandra Cox)
For all doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals: may they be permitted to function according to their conscience and may God fill them with energy and love…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Mahroo)
For all who are ill and those with Covid-19: may the Good Shepherd’s heart heal them. Let us pray especially for those whose names have been placed on our altar.
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Rebekah)
For our planet…good stewards we have not been. Yet there is hope as governments struggle to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Guide us, and grant us the courage to make the bold moves needed to keep our planet safe and increase our awareness of creation and its fragility…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Suzanne)
For all those who are in need…may their voices be heard… May all hearts be stirred with such grate compassion for the vulnerable, that they are moved to action…for if each takes care of one other soul… all will be well.
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Marion)
For all those we now name aloud or hold in the silence of our hearts…
(please unmute to offer your intentions)
For all those so named…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord hear our prayer!
(Marion)
Most sacred heart of creation, hear our prayers this day. Bless and heal those we have named aloud or hold in the quiet space within our hearts. This is our earnest prayer as we lift our voices in song with the words our Saviour taught us…
“The Lord’s Prayer” - Voices United # 959 (Sandy)
Our Father, in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your name;
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us;
Save us, from our time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
Now and forever. Amen.
Online Worship next Sunday, May 2at 11:00am.
Yoga! - Yoga Classes (on-line) continue with a new class each week. The links are available on our web-site and our Facebook page.
Donations to support the ongoing mission work of our congregation may be made on-line at the CanadaHelps.org website. The link is also on our website Hope United.ca Cheques can also be mailed to Hope United Church , 2550 Danforth Ave. Toronto, On M4C 1L2
Today we will offer an Italian Spring Lunch following our service. As we are still under stay-at-home order, meals will be delivered. The menu is spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, cesar salad and desert.
Vegetarian option is also available (gluten free tomato sauce) Meals will be delivered to Hope centre 12:15 – 12:45, then in the community 1:00-3:00pm. If you would like a meal, but have not called or emailed, please remain after service to chat to provide an address and numbers of meals required.
Our first “Tuesday Tea at Two” took place this past Tuesday. We will meet again this Tuesday at 2:00pm. Same link and dial in as our Sunday worship. It is lead by Ali Chappell
CLOSING PRAYER (Sandra Cox)
(Daily Office)
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our closing hymn is “For the Fruit of All Creation” Voices United # 227 ( Sandy)
For the fruit of all creation,
thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation,
thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labor,
God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor,
God’s will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
(Rev. Brian)
May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ
Be with you this day and ever more.
Go in peace
Be the Light of Christ
As you love and serve the Lord!
CHORAL BLESSING “Walk in Love” (Sandy)
Walk in love as you go into the world,
Walk in peace with everyone you meet,
May God’s grace touch your heart, mind and soul…
This day and evermore,
Amen. Amen, Alleluia and Amen!
POSTLUDE (Sandy)
Please stay with us following the service for a few moments to chat.
Thank you to everyone who assisted with our Service of Worship.
Blessings to all and keep safe!
Hope United.ca
