Third Sunday After Pentecost
Union Sunday
HopeUnited.ca
June 13, 2021 – 11:00am
Congregation of Hope United Church
2550 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Christopher Slusar – Student Minister
Sandy Thorburn – Music Director
Rev. Brian Stevens
Welcome everyone to our Sunday on-line Service of Worship from Hope on the Danforth in Toronto, Canada. Today we celebrate the 96th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada. The first service took place on Sunday, June 10th 1925, at the Mutal Street Arena here in Toronto. My name is Marion Burt 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 musician this morning is Sandy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND (Sylvia)
Noval Morriseau – The Gift 1975
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:
VU 331 “The Church's One Foundation”
The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ Our Lord;
we are his new creation by water and the word; from Heaven he came and sought us
that we might ever be
his living servant people,
by his own death set free
Called forth from every nation
yet one o'er all the earth
one charter of salvation:
one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name professing
and at one table fed
to one hope always pressing,
by Christ's own Spirit led.
Though with a scornful wonder
The world sees us oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder
by heresies distressed
yet saints their watch are keeping
their cry goes up "How long?"
But soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song
Mid toil and tribulation
and tumult of our war
We wait the consummation of
Peace forever more;
till with the vision glorious our
longing eyes are blessed,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
We now on earth have union
with God the Three and One,
and share through faith communion
with those whose rest is won.
Oh, happy ones and holy!
Lord give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high made well with thee.
(Mahroo and Bruce)
It is good to give God thanks, to sing praises to the Most High!
We will sing for joy to God who has made us glad.
Let us declare God’s steadfast love in the morning,
and God’s faithfulness by night.
So come to worship God with thankful, joyful hearts!
Let us praise God’s holy name together.
INTOIT HYMN (Sandy)
MV 82 “Bathe me in Your Light”
Bathe me in your light,
O God of All, Creator;
let it shine upon my soul
with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright
through shadows of life's wounding,
showing me the way to live in faith,
in your embrace
Bathe me in your love,
O Source of Awe and Wonder;
help me walk the sacred path
of harmony and peace.
May I be attentive to the
musings of your presence,
drinking from the well of hope
that brings the heart release.
Bathe me in your grace,
O One of Spirit's longing:
teach me of your gentle ways
that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage
that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a
love that knows no length.
OPENING PRAYER
(Suzanne)
Living God,
From you comes love and joy.
Your peace is our companion your Son is our hope
We bring you our prayers and praise this day,
trusting that your Spirit
will bring us the gifts we need
to serve you in faithfulness,
renewed by your love,
through Jesus our Lord. Amen
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE (Janice)
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 (Christopher)
Holy God the parable of the mustard seed teaches us that a little faith can make a great work in your kingdom. Yet we are too afraid to bear the fruit of your grace.
Too often we don’t trust your gentle and powerful word and don’t pay attention to the ways you are at
work restoring creation as you promised.
Renew us with the love of Christ so that we may no longer live for just ourselves but for Christ Jesus who became the seed of righteousness in us.
Assurance of Grace (Rev. Brian)
We who walk by faith and not by sight believe the good news if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation: everything old has passed away see everything old has become new! Praise be to God for the mercy and grace that forgives our sins. Alleluia!
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!)
PRAYER FOR SPIRIT’S WISDOM (Mahroo)
God of patience ….
Scripture tells us your people have not always listened for your leading. So send your Spirit to open our minds and hearts to your Living Word. Speak through the scriptures, and inspire our growth and gratitude, so that we may be changed by what we hear. Amen.
FIRST READING Corinthians 5.6-17
(Bruce)
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 20
(Sandy – Refrain – Sheldon & Gavin-Text)
Refrain: Not a word shall fail of the
promise God has made
May God answer you in the day of trouble,
And the name of God defend you.
May God send you help from the sanctuary
And give you support from the holy mountain
May God remember all of your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifices.
May God grant you your heart’s desire,
And give success to all your plans
May we rejoice in your victory
And triumph in the name of our God
May God fulfill your every wish
Refrain: Not a word shall fail of the
promise God has made
Now I know O God that you help your anointed
And I will answer from your holy heaven
And with the victorious might of your right hand
Some put their trust in chariot
And some horses
But we will trust in the name of our God
They will totter and fall;
But we shall rise and stand upright.
God save those who rule
And answer us when we call
Refrain: Not a word shall fail of the
promise God has made
GOSPEL READING Mark 4.26-34 (Sandra Cox)
Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvest time.”
He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”
With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
“MV 27 “Creator God you Gave us Life” (Sandy)
Creator God you gave us life
your image formed within our souls,
yet through the mists of time and space we search for what makes us whole.
Through hands that paint majestic skies and voices chanting melody,
with words that reach beyond the page we comprehend your mystery.
In every flower and every tree
we see your great diversity
yet greater still we see your love,
expressed in our humanity
Through hands that paint majestic skies and voices chanting melody,
with words that reach beyond the page we comprehend your mystery.
When with our hearts our hands our minds we share our gifts with all the world Our spirits soar
beyond the veil to touch the very face of God Through hands that paint majestic skies and voices chanting melody,
with words that reach beyond the page
we comprehend your mystery.
– Sermon –
“Possibilities…”
Rev. Brian Stevens
“Blowin’ in the Wind”
by Bob Dylan
Vocal & Piano
– Sandy Thorburn
MORNING OFFERING
( Janice)
God of small seeds and secret growth, we bring our gifts to you, trusting that you will bless them. Use them as seeds of new life in our community and in your world. Grow results we cannot even imagine—within us, among us, because of us and beyond us, for the sake of Jesus, our Living Lord.
Amen.
Our doxology is
MV191 What Can I Do?
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
R: Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity. (Gavin)
(Gavin)
Gracious God, you hold all things in your hands.
We may plant seeds, but it is your mysterious power that brings forth the plant. We do our small parts, but you bring growth and new life.
Thank you for our place in your purposes.
Guide our plans for ministry in the days ahead.
Come in your wisdom and plant seeds of your kingdom.
Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity.
(Marion)
We pray for the troubled places of our world,
especially those countries and communities still struggling with COVID-19 and those marked by violence and injustice...
Come in your wisdom and plant seeds of your kingdom.
Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity.
(Rebekah)
We pray for our community and province
as we rebuild common life and recover from the pandemic.
We pray for those seeking work or rebuilding businesses,
for those exhausted by months of service,
and those still suffering the effects of COVID-19.
Come in your wisdom and plant seeds of your kingdom.
Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity.
(Sheldon)
We pray for those who feel empty or lonely,
who fear the future or mourn the past.
We pray for those who suffer pain or grief,
and for all whose lives have been on hold during these months of pandemic. (Hold pause)
Come in your wisdom and plant seeds of your kingdom.
Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity.
We pray for the United Church of Canada who celebrates its 95th anniversary of Church Union. Strengthen our national church as well as our community on the Danforth. As we learn new ways to reach out after months of distancing
(Hold pause)
Come in your wisdom and plant seeds of your kingdom.
Watch over tender new life unfolding and bring it to maturity.
(Rev. Brian)
For all those we name aloud or hold in the quiet of our hearts…
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Gracious God, you hold all things in your hand, including us.
Keep us open to your Spirit’s leading.
In all that we do, help us embody the love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Hear us now as we pray in the words that Jesus taught us:
“The Lord’s Prayer” (Christopher)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
Online Worship next Sunday, June 20 at 11:00am. It will be a communion service.
Yoga! - Yoga Classes (on-line) continue with a new class each week. The links are available on our website 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
Our June Picnic Lunch, held yesterday Saturday June 12th, was greatly appreciated. Thanks to Suzanne and her team of volunteers who spent the last couple of days getting everything ready.
Our July event will be a barbecue style meal on Saturday July 24th rom 1:00-2:00pm
Our eighth “Tuesday Tea at Two” will take place this Tuesday at 2:00pm. Same link and dial in as our Sunday worship. It is a time to chat, connect, share stories and a little bit of music. Hope you can join us!
CLOSING PRAYER
(Mahroo)
God you are the gardener of all creation
You planted this world with the seeds of your love And growth them with your faithfulness
We are your harvest our meaning is found in you May our ears hear and see your promise
May our hearts be turned to your will
May our feet follow you
Through Jesus the word made flesh
Amen
VU # 642 Be Thou my Vision
Be thou my vision O joy of my heart;
naught be all else to me save that thou art, thou my best thought by day or by night
waking or sleeping
thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom my calm in all strife; I ever with thee and thou in my life;
thou loving parent thy child may I be
thou in me dwelling and I one with thee
Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight; be thou my dignity thou my delight, thou my souls shelter
thou my high tower raise thou me heavenward
O power of my power.
Riches I heed not nor vain empty praise;
thou my inheritance now and always
thou and thou only the first in my heart
great God Of heaven
my treasure thou art
Great God of heaven after victory one, may I reach heaven's joys
O bright heaven sun
Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
still be my vision, a ruler of all
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
(Rev. Brian)
Everything old has passed away everything has become new! Go forth knowing that you are a new creation in Jesus
May God grant your hearts desire
And fulfill your pls
According to God’s goodwill. Amen
CHORAL BLESSING
“Walk in Love” (Sandy)
Composed by Rev. Brian Stevens
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 & Amen!
Postlude
“All Good Gifts”
From Godspell