Creation Time 4 in the Season of Pentecost
October 1, 2023 – 11:00am
Congregation of Hope United Church
2550 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Worship Leadership – Glen Greenwood
Music Director – Marc Michalak
PRELUDE: “Cromorne sur la Taille” - By F. Couperin Anishinaabe Tale of Creation
Philip Cote
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 # 104 - “Know That God Is Good” (3X)
Know that God is good, Know that God is good,
Know that God is good, God is good, God is good!
(adapted from Ministry Matters)
Our world is so divided, fragmented by anger
and hate.
Lord, draw us together at the table of our
Lord.
Heal our wounds and build bridges of help
and hope for all people.
Lord, meet us at the table and feed us with your healing words.. Lord, call us together to feast on your mercy and goodness. Nourish us with words of peace
That we may move in your world with love and compassion for all your people.
Make us one, O Lord…make us one.
OPENING HYMN
VU # 242 - “Let All Things Now Living”
OPENING PRAYER
(from Ministry Matters)
God of hope and peace, you are with us in all our days and in all our ways. As you walked with the Israelites in the desert, when they had given up hope, you came to them with nourishment and your steadfast love. As Jesus walked through Jerusalem, healing the sick and those afflicted, your love was made abundantly clear through acts of love and mercy. Be with us this day as we gather to hear your word. Inspire and encourage us in all that we do, that we may serve you faithfully, bringing hope and your message of love to your thirsting world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
(from Ministry Matters)
God of mercy, your love has never been far from us. Even when we turn our backs on people in need, when we seek our own comfort and neglect opportunities to help others, when we, by our thoughts and actions, betray you, you always are with us. Forgive us for all those acts of cowardice and self-centeredness that have drawn us away from you. Heal our spirits and rebuild our lives. You have placed us in a global community in which illness, oppression, greed, fear and anger abound. You ask us to proclaim your words of hope and love, of healing mercy for all your people. Place us again on the path of peace for all your children. For we ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Words of Assurance
Hear the good news, friends! While we wandered in fear, God was with us, offering us hope and courage. God is with you this day, this very minute, lifting you from despair to hope. This is the good news! God is always with us. 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.
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.
VU # 37 – “Gloria”
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.
Psalm 25:1-9
Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance Of David. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches the humble his way.
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Imitating Christ’s Humility
If then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God exalted him even more highly
and gave him the name
that is above every other name,
so that at the name given to Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Shining as Lights in the World
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
VU # 371 - “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
SERMON - By Glen Greenwood
OFFERING PRAYER
("Copyright © 2023 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.")
Faithful God, we gratefully acknowledge that you are the giver of all things. You call us to share these gifts so that we may experience the joy and humility of giving to others. We pray that this very act of offering our gifts to you will enable us to be obedient disciples of your work. We are blessed to receive and to offer the message of salvation. Jesus Christ is Lord. Praise your holy name! Amen.
Doxology: VU # 540 - “Grant Us, God The Grace”
Grant us, God the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, That ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD
(Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.
Pause:
Hear our prayers, God of power,
and through the ministry of your Son
free us from the grip of the tomb,
that we may desire you as the fullness of life
and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.
VU # 959 – “The Lord’s Prayer”
Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us this today our daily bread, forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us, from the time of trial and deliver us from evil, For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory, are yours
Now and forever.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Marc Michalak…has accepted our offer to become our new Music Director and Organist. Welcome Marc!
Our work continues on the Danforth Window. All of the lower sections of thermopanes have been installed in the large Danforth window. Once the rounded moldings have been restored, the last sections of thermopane windows will be installed.
Three stone sills, two on the Danforth façade and one on the Main St. façade. The anticipated cost will be $7,500. They should be ready for installation before the end of October.
Thank you to everyone who assisted with Messy Church and our Seniors Lunch…You are greatly appreciated!
Seniors Community Lunch this Thursday, October at 12:30pm. To assist with expenses, we are suggesting a $5.00 donation.
Danforth Village Children’s Choir, for ages 6 – 12 rehearses here at Hope United every Thursday at 4:15. The choir is directed by Sarah Isles.
October 28th Jazz Vespers will be a fundraising.
Rev. Brian Stevens is on medical leave and will return to lead Worship Service on November 12th. John Lee will lead worship on October 8th.
Closing Prayer
We thank you O Lord for your presence in our lives. Encourage us, nudge us, guide us to live with you rested upon our hearts. As we journey, may compassion be our guiding light. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
VU # 651 - “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
BENEDICTION
(Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
May the love of God embrace us
May the grace of Jesus challenge us
The power of the Holy Spirit renew us. Amen
(WCC Assembly 2022)
May God the Great Creator,
go on creating within us,
Christ Jesus be our company
and the Holy Spirit surround us
with eternal grace. Amen.
CHORAL BLESSING - “Walk In Love”
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: “Deo Gratias” - By F. Couperin
Please join us downstairs for Hospitality & Fellowship!
Hope United.ca
Church Administrator
Megan Stone - 416-691-9682
Office Hours
Wednesday &Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm
Email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com