Creation Time 3
Hope United.ca
September 26, 2021 – 11:00am
2550 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rev. Brian Stevens – Minister
Lay Worship Leader – Marion Burt
Sandy Thorburn - Music Director
Good Morning everyone. My name is Sheldon Webb everyone to our Sunday on-line Service of Worship from Hope on the Danforth in Toronto, Canada. Our service this morning will be lead by Marion Burt.
Our music ministry today is offered by Sandy. For a bit of a change in our usual format, our hymns will be lead by various musicians and choirs from around the world via YouTube. The order of service will appear on your screen and is also available on our Facebook page and at HopeUnited.ca. I would invite everyone to mute. as we begin our time of prayer and worship.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
(Rebekah)
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
“In Loving Partnership We Come”
Voices United # 603
Peninsula United Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diSW5n55mXo
(Janice and Sheldon)
By Rev Richard Bott
All creation is made of star-stuff. From the basic building blocks of the universe, come fire, air, earth, and water.
All creation sings praise to the Creator
Baptized by the waters of the sky, standing firm on the earth, breathing deep the breath of life…
All creation sings praise to the Creator.
Warmed by this flame...we go where Christ’s light shines!
And all creation sings praise to the Creator of all.
Alleluia!
Alleluia… Amen and Amen!
INTROIT HYMN
“Our of the Depths, O God We Call
Voices United # 611
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fk25aZr1fI
OPENING PRAYER (Marion)
(Christ Church - Dartmouth)
Creator of all, stir in us the passion to share the living water of the gospel as we also protect and share the waters of your creation to nourish all creatures; this we ask through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE (Bruce)
With the lighting of this candle, we welcome your light and love into our hearts. May it shine so brightly that all will recognize the compassion and care that is Jesus: a seal upon our hearts! Amen.
“Shine Jesus Shine”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UIR0VJlK6k
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(Voices United # 302)
(Gavin)
All merciful tender God, you have given birth to our world, conceiving and bearing all that lives and breathes. We come to you as your daughters and sons, aware of our aggression and our drive to manipulate others. We ask you to forgive us, and by the gentle touch of your Spirit help us to find a renewed sense of compassion, that we may truly live as your people. Amen
Assurance of Grace and Pardon (Marion)
God is tender-hearted and gracious to all and has forgiven you in Christ Jesus. Trust in God’s grace and be kind to one another, forgiving others as God has forgiven you. Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xtVOie0pAg
(Marion)
May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
(Please unmute and greet one another!)
FIRST READING
James 5: 13-20 (Rebekah)
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.
If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(Sheldon & Bruce-Text)
(Spoken)
If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
the raging waters
would have swept us away.
Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
GOSPEL READING(Janice)
Mark 9: 38-50
Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life”
(Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0l_ND_XSks
Reflection: Marion Burt
“Speak O Lord”
Sandy Thorburn
________________________________________________
MORNING
OFFERING
(Rebekah)
For the abundance of creation Lord, we are ever thankful. May our gifts this day remind us of the joy of giving, the soulful smile that emanates from within, when gifts are from the heart. Sharing care with the world around us is our call from Christ. Amen.
Our doxology is
“For the Fruit of All Creation”
Voices United # 227
The choir of St Michael and All Angels, Bassett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7k
Prayers of the People
(from prayers “ Awe in the Time of Creation)
(Janice)
In a time of creation awareness we pause to give thanks for the wonders that surround us. We celebrate the blessings of Earth, nestled like a speck of dust in the great universe and at the same time home to life and beauty: from the amoeba to the antelope, from plankton to great whale, from newborn infant to wizened elder.
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Rebekah)
We lament the desecration of the sacred gifts: the impact we and our habits have on Earth and environment. We mourn the species now extinct from over hunting or loss of habitat. Move us to repent of our ways and live in harmony with Earth, our mother, and sun and moon, our sister and brother.
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Sheldon)
We give thanks for the breath of life, and pray that we may use our breath, our voices, and our lives to stand in solidarity with those places and peoples under threat or siege due to climate change or any other violence, which we name at this time… Strengthen us to keep solidarity.
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Gavin)
Finally, we turn back to our own circles and community, rejoicing at the love of friends, family, and congregation and, at the same time, calling to mind all who cannot be in this circle today and those who are in any particular need, whom we name at this time…. Keep us in communion with the sick, the dying, the lonely and the bereaved.
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Marion)
Today we pray for all who need the healing touch of Jesus, especially... ...and any others who we may wish to name either silently or aloud...
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Marion)
Finally in a moment of quiet, let each of us bring our own cares and needs
before our loving God...
O Lord, our Redeemer…
Guide our words, hearts and deeds.
(Marion)
God our Creator, we thank you that you know our needs before we ask, and you also know all the circumstances that are hidden from us. Grant our
prayers as may be best for us according to your will. All these things we ask through the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us join our voices in the Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer(Rebekah)
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
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 “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.
If everyone is available, our church board will meet on Wednesday, September 29 at 6:30 pm. Same link as our Sunday Service.
_________________________________________
CLOSING PRAYER
(Marion)
We have gathered in worship, we have shared a meal, we have reminded ourselves that you journey with us O Lord, each and everyday. For Jesus is a seal of light and love upon our hearts. The living and true bread of life. Amen
“Go Make a Difference”
More Voices # 209
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDjQEoItGzQ
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
(Ralph Carl Wushke
(Marion)
May the blessing of Jesus, who announced God’s righteousness, of the Creator, who fills Earth with beauty, and of the Spirit, who nurtures awe, bless, inspire, and empower you. Amen.
Go from this place,
letting your anxious worries cease.
May the lilies of the field and birds of the air
inspire you to see God in all you do. Amen.
CHORAL BLESSING
“The Lord Bless You And Keep You” (Lutkin) Virtual Choir performed by Santa Rosa High School Alumni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuNMl_Kq4oY
HopeUnited.CA
