2023-17-09-HUC 16th sunday.docx

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Creation Time 2 in the Season of Pentecost

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Ruslan Kurt

September 17, 2023 – 11:00am

Congregation of Hope United Church

2550 Danforth Ave.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Worship Leadership - Rev. Brian Stevens

Interim Music Director – Marc Michalak

Forgiveness by Jim Oskineegish Indigenous Art Print First ...

PRELUDE

Forgiveness by Jim Oskineegish

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND

With respect, we acknowledge the world views, spirituality, history, and stewardship of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Wendat, Haudenshonee and Anishnaabe, on whose traditional lands our church resides.

We thank and honor 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.

GATHERING HYMN

MV # 179 “Sister Let Us Walk Together”

(by the Rev. Leslie Penrose)

At God’s table of justice, everyone has a place and none are turned away.

Here strangers are welcomed as friends, the poor sit alongside the rich, and the upside-down kin-dom of God is revealed.

At God’s table of abundance, a banquet of righteousness and liberation is set for all.

Here the powerless are heard; the outcast are showered with honor, and the inside-out kin-dom of God is revealed.

At God’s table of life, all peoples know peace and creation flourishes.

Here the hopeless are nourished with possibility, the complacent are transformed into advocates for change. Here in our very midst the kin-dom of God is revealed. Amen

VU # 581 “When we are living”

OPENING PRAYER A group of hands holding each other

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(adapted from the United Church of Christ)

God who calls, it is you who gathers us together and forms us as a community. It is you who makes us uniquely individual and who designs us for companionship. Let us journey together this day in your presence reminded of our interdependence with one another. Remind us O Lord of the vital importance of forgiveness as we journey. The forgiveness of self and others is a life-giving gesture; one which opens the door of transformation and reconciliation. Teach us of the value of forgiveness. May we see your glory and be inspired to demonstrate your goodness and care through our lives. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

We light this candle…

a symbol of peace…

a symbol of Christ’s light in the world

a symbol that love is more powerful than the darkest of nights.

May it burn brightly within us all. Amen.

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Touch Us With Your Light”

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

(United Church of Christ)

God of grace, we need your strength in our weakness. We confess that we can be judgemental and hyper-critical of our neighbors, family, and friends. We project our own shortcomings on others in order to deflect attention from our mistakes. We withhold and condition forgiveness, mercy, and grace from those who wrong us at the same time we seek it for the wrongs we have done. Even still, we struggle to forgive ourselves. You have shown us the better way. Help us to follow your path–receiving and extending forgiveness in a world in need of an infusion of grace for transformation. In your mercy, O God, hear our prayer, and let us forgive as you forgive. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

(United Church of Christ)

Beloved, grace has always been part of God’s relationship with humanity. God does not want you condemned or held captive by unresolved anger leading to bitterness. Rather, Creator desires you to be released as both forgiven and forgiver so that all may live a life that is whole, free, and flourishing.

VU # 37 – “Gloria” A picture containing design, typography

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Gloria! Gloria!

In excelsis Deo!

Gloria! Gloria!

Alleluia, alleluia!

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

May the Peace of Christ

be with you always.

And also with you.

Exodus 12:1-14

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Icon of the Prophet Moses Crossing the Red Sea - (1MO38

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward[b] it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Refrain: How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you how to me!

I love you God, because you heard my voice when I made supplication,
because you turned you ear to me,

When I called upon your name.

The cords of death entangled me

And the pangs of the grave laid hold of me;
I suffered distress and anguish.

Then I called upon the name of God,

O God, I pray, save my life.

Refrain: How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you how to me!

How can I repay you god,

For all the good things you have done for me!

I will take up the cup of salvation

And call upon the name of God

I will pay my vows in the presence of all God’s people

Refrain: How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you how to me!

Precious in the sight of God is the death of the saints.

O God, I am your servant,

I am your servant, the child of your maidservant.

You have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

And will call upon the name of God.

I will pay my vows to God in the presence of all god’s people;

In the courts of the house of God, in your midst, O Jerusalem

Refrain: How can I repay you God, for all the goodness you how to me!

GOSPEL READING Matthew 18:21-35 PPT - Forgiveness Matthew 18:21-35 PowerPoint Presentation, free download - ID:6591720

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold] was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Hear the Good News of Christ!

Praise to you, O Christ.

VU #266 “Amazing Grace”

SERMON - "Our Capacity to Forgive…”

By Rev. Brian Stevens

MUSIC MINISTRY - “Like a Healing Stream" – by Bruce Harding

OFFERING PRAYER

(adapted form: United Church of Christ)

Merciful God, receive our humble offerings as a testimony to your provision and a demonstration of our love. May they be magnified and multiplied for the benefit of our community and all creation. We are in covenant with God and joined in community with one another. The resources we offer on this fall morning, are laid before you O God, for the good and well-being of all. Amen

Doxology: MV #191 – “What Can I Do?” (sing through twice)

What can I do? (What can I do?)

What can I bring? (What can I bring?)

What can I say? (What can I say?)

What can I sing? (What can I sing?)

I’ll sing with joy (I’ll sing with joy!)

I’ll say a prayer… (I’ll say a prayer…)

I’ll bring my love! (I’ll bring my love!)

I’ll do my share! (I’ll do my share!)

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD Psalm 116:12 Paying God Back | Insights From Tom

How might we best pray, that our thoughts and intentions reach across the universe and fall upon your ear O Lord? This is a question often posed, yet the answer is rested before us, each and every day. Pray simply from the heart and you will find your connection to the divine.

We offer our thoughts and prayer to the people of Libya. The city of Derna has been devasted, with blocks washed to the sea. Help us to hear the plea for help, and draw the courage to help in meaningful ways. The country remains in state of civil war, roads and infrastructure and with roads washed away, the challenges are huge…yet we know and hear the your call O Lord, and we know we must reach with hearts, prayers and resources to care for your all of your children.

Lord in your mercy…