HopeUnited.ca

May 16, 2021 – 11:00am

Ascension Sunday

Seventh Sunday after Easter

Congregation of Hope United Church

2550 Danforth Ave.

 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Rev. Brian Stevens

WELCOME!

Welcome everyone to our Sunday on-line Service of Worship from Hope on the Danforth, a United Church of Canada congregation in Toronto, Canada. My name is Bruce Chown 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: Janice, Sandy 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 

 “I Have Called You by Your Name”

 More Voices  # 161(Sandy)

I have called you by your name, you are mine

I have gifted you and ask you now to shine

I will not abandon you: all my promises are true.

You are gifted, called and chosen; you are mine.

I will help you learn my name as you go;

Read it written in my people, help them grow.

Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim

Offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

I know you will need my touch as you go.

Feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.

Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,

Go and tell my precious people they are mine.

I have given you a name, it is mine

I have given you my Spirit as a sign

With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole

Go and tell my precious people they are mine.

CALL TO WORSHIP (Gavin and Marion)

"Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com

God of heaven and earth,

we long to be truly free.
In this hour of worship,

help us to grasp the freedom that comes 
from seeing you more clearly,
loving you more dearly,
and following you more nearly.
Day by day, give us strength and courage
That we may be your people in this time,

 in this place.  Amen.

INTROIT HYMN

“The Church is Wherever God’s People are Praising” (Sandy)

Voices United # 579

The church is wherever God’s people are praising,

Singing God’s goodness for joy on this day.

The church is wherever disciples of Jesus,

Remember his story and walk in his way.

The church is wherever God’s people are helping,

Caring for neighbours in sickness and need.

The church is wherever God’s people are sharing

The words of the Bible in gift and in deed.

OPENING PRAYER

        (from “The United Church of Christ”)

(Marion)

Creating Spirit, we join with the chorus of all of creation to celebrate your wonderous deeds.

Fill us with your joy and train our ears for harmony,
so that we may contribute to the world You are already creating.

All this we pray in the name of Jesus,
who revealed what is possible through love. 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 (Sheldon)

(The Presbyterian Church in Canada)

Lord Jesus Christ, you have called all your followers

to carry the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness to the ends of the earth.

Yet we confess we cannot always find the words to tell others of our faith.

We are often silent when others criticize the church that bears your name.

We try to act out your love

but it’s hard to tell others why we do what we do for you.

Forgive our hesitation to share the gift you have given us,

and renew our courage to speak of our commitment to you.

Assurance of Grace  ( Rev. Brian)

(The Presbyterian Church in Canada)

Friends, remember the promise St. Paul declares:

What will separate us from the love of Christ?

 Hardship? Distress? Peril or sword?

Neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come

can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us rejoice that, no matter what is happening around us,

no matter what we have done,

God’s deep love will never let us go. Amen

“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 1:15–17, 21–26 (Rebekah)

 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)  and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.  He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,  beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”  Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

                        This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.        

Voices United #724

(Sandy – Refrain  - Janice and Sheldon-Text)

Refrain: Blessed are those who follow the law of God

Blessed are those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked

Or linger in the ways of sinners

Or sit down amongst those who mock.

        But their delight is in the law of God

        And on that law they mediate day and night.

They are like trees planted beside a stream of water.

Yielding their fruit in due season.

Their leaves do not wither,

And whatever they produce shall prosper.

Refrain: Blessed are those who follow the law of God.

As for the wicked it is not so with them,

But they are like the chaff,

Driven away by the wind

Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand

When judgment comes

Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous

        For God watches over the way of the righteous

        But the way of the wicked will perish.

Refrain: Blessed are those who follow the law of God.

GOSPEL READING John 17-6-19 (Bruce)

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.  I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[ your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.  While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.  I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Hear the Good News of Christ!

Praise to you, O Christ.

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”

Voices United # 509 (Rev. Brian) 

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in deepest sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord…Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord…If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of snow and rain

I have borne my people’s pain

I have wept for love of them,

They turn away. 

I will break their hearts of stone

Give them hearts for love alone

I will speak my word to them

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord…Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord…If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save 
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord…Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord…If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

Sermon – “Delight in God’s Law…”   -   Rev. Brian Stevens

 “In You There is a Refuge” –

  by Keri Wehlander and Linnea Good

  Vocal- Janice Peters-Gibson

  Piano - Rev. Brian Stevens

MORNING OFFERING (Sheldon) 

(“The Presbyterian Church” in Canada)

Our gifts to God tell of our gratitude for these blessings and our commitment to share them with the whole world. The season of Easter comes to a close this Sunday. Yet we will continue to receive the blessings God pours out for us in Christ and in creation, for you God, are so good to us.

Eternal and ever-present God bless the gifts we offer you today with the power of your Holy Spirit. Use them and us to witness to the love of Jesus Christ and bring healing and hope to the world in his name. Amen.

Our doxology is “I’m Gonna Shout, Shout”

More Voices  # 183 (Sandy)

I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for Jesus,

I’m gonna shout, shout, shout out my love for God’s most holy child!

For whatever I might do today,

At home, at school, at work, at play

I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down inside of me!

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

(Marion)

For peace in the middle east…Lord once again the people of Israel and the people of Palestine are unhappy and have lost the words need to talk to one another. We pray that you might touch their hearts, touch them and inspire them to quiet the rockets and think about the rights to safety of person, the right to express one’s faith, the right to live in peace. May they find ways to respect and ensure that each life in valued, for then there will be true, heart centred conversation about how to be good neighbours.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord hear our prayer!

(Sheldon)

For the people of Columbia...as they raise their voices in protest, may the response be words and not increased military presence. May ears remain open to hear the concerns of those who march in the street streets.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord hear our prayer!

(Gavin)

For the people of Syria… The worries of the pandemia have pushed back the news of the plight of so many who still remain in desperate conditions in Syria. Let us continue to support efforts to rescue and care for those in danger. Keep our borders open to the most vulnerable who flee for safety

We pray to the Lord…

Lord hear our prayer!

(Rebekah)

For the people of India and Brazil… as the third wave deepens… medical supplies are in such short supply…hospitals unable to cope…let us gather our courage to all that we can. We must remind ourselves and our politicians of the blessed abundance that is ours…it is our only to share, for we are only as well as our most vulnerable neighbour. Open hearts and minds…

We pray to the Lord…

Lord hear our prayer!

(Rev. Brian)

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!

(Bruce)

Lord 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. We now lift our voices in song with the words you taught your disciples… 

“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 25 at 11:00am.  

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

Today, after service, we will offer a “Maritime Lunch” of Fish and Chips. We will deliver to Hope Centre 12:00-12:30… Then meals may be picked up 1:00- 2:00pm at the Danforth entrance to the church.

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Our fifth “Tuesday Tea at Two” took place this past week We will meet again this Tuesday at 2:00pm. Same link and dial in as our Sunday worship. The program is led by Ali Chappell. It is a time to chat, connect, share stories and a little bit of music. Hope you can join us!

CLOSING PRAYER (Janice)

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

“Sent Out in Jesus Name”

  More Voices #212

(Sandy)

Sent out in Jesus' name,
our hands are ready now
to make the earth the place
in which the kingdom comes.

The angels cannot change        

a world of hurt and pain                        

into a world of love,                
of justice and of peace.                                                 

The task is ours to do,

    to set it really free.

  O help us to obey

and carry out your will.

BLESSING AND BENEDICTION 

(Rev. Brian)

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May God look upon you with kindness

and give you peace. Amen.

                                                                                                CHORAL BLESSING        

 “Walk in Love”

Composed by Rev. Brian Stevens

 (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 & Amen!

POSTLUDE  (Sandy)

"I Am a Pilgrim" by Merle Travis

                        Thank you to everyone who assisted

 with our Service of Worship this morning.

Please stay with us to say hello.

Blessings to all and keep safe!

Hope United.ca