EleventhSunday After Pentecost Hymn Sing Sunday
August 13, 2023 – 11:00am
Congregation of Hope United Church 2550 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Worship Leadership
John Lee
Music Leadership
Marc Michalak
PRELUDE – “Preambule” - By L. Vierne
“SUMMER MOON" - MAXINE NOEL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
With respect, we acknowledge the world views, spirituality, history, and stewardship of the Mississaugas of the New 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 # 14 - “Where Two Or Three Are Gathered”
We offer our praise God!
We’re gathered to give thanks to the Lord!
Sing and rejoice! We’ve come to seek God and celebrate God’s strength! We remember all the wonderful work God has done.
Let’s call on the name of the Lord so that we remember and acknowledge.. How God continues to seek and save, each and every day… As we journey our way in the world
Thanks be to God
HYMN SING
VU # 245 - “Praise The Lord With The Sound Of Trumpet” VU #675 - “Will Your Anchor Hold”
Congregational Selection
OPENING PRAYER
(Liturgy Ritual Prayer)
Do not be afraid, for Jesus is here. Listen to
his living word and respond to his call. Look
to him and step out in confidence and faith.
Reach out for his outstretched hand and be
held in his love.
Holy God, you speak to us in a voice unexpected and come to us in ways we do not recognize. Never leaving us to our devices or defenses, you are the ever-present, all-powerful God. Call us out in faith again and again, until we learn to walk with you in steadfast love and faithfulness, and in peace. Touch our hearts this morn as we join our voices in song. In the name of him who comes to us upon the waters, Jesus the Christ. 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.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(United Church of Christ)
Creator God, you made us to be neighbors, members of one family blessed with great diversity. You created us to be helpers and friends to one another, entrusting to us your justice and your joy. Yet we have denied justice and joy to many, creating worlds of poverty, pain, lost opportunities, and absence of hope. In so many ways, we break each other’s hearts. Still, you do not reject us. We ask your forgiveness and pray to be transformed.
Brief period of silence
Loving God, you restore us to each other and to you, mending our hearts and repairing the world. Through the power of your Spirit, you shape us to be for others what Christ is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We give you thanks for your love, forgiveness, and constant presence. Amen.
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.
HYMN SING
“I’ve Got Peace Like A River”
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul
I've got peace, love and joy like a river I've got peace, love and joy like a river I've got peace, love and joy like a river in my soul I've got peace, love and joy like a river I've got peace, love and joy like a river I've got peace, love and joy like a river in my soul
VU #670 - “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
MV #138 - “My Love Colours Outside The Lines” Congregational Selection
FIRST READING Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28 Joseph’s Dreams
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.”
“Very well,” he replied. So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.
When Joseph arrived at Shechem, a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”
He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”
“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’”
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Music Ministry – “Any Dream Will Do” – John Lee SECOND READING – Romans 10:5-15
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
HYMN SING
VU # 299 - “Teach Me God To Wonder”
Congregational Selection
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat
and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he
dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he
went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that
night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a
considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves
because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN SING
“Down By The Riverside”
“I’m Gonna Lay Down My Burden”
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside.
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I aint’ gonna study war no more
Aint gonna study war no more… study war no more
I aint’ gonna study war no more
Aint’ gonna study war no more… study war no more.
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside.
MV # 3 - “River”
Congregational Selection
OFFERING PRAYER
(Adapted from: Lord-Prayer-Words.com)
Lord, we thank you at this time, in this moment, for the many blessings in our lives. Knowing that we can always trust in You, gives us a steadfast anchor and helps us navigate the stormy seas of life.. You are an abundant God and out of Your great mercy you have given us so much. Bless this offering today as we offer our whole selves to You.. Extend and multiple its reach and influence we pray. May it be a great blessing to many. We ask all this in the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
Doxology: MV # 191 - “What Can I Do?”
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
“A Four Directions Prayer”
We close our time of prayer with the
singing of the Lord’s Prayer
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
Our work continues on the Danforth Window. Work has commenced on the three venting windows in the narthex. This will enable greater usage of the room for a variety of activities, and provide fresh air to the sanctuary!
We welcome your creative ideas and input to our campaign. If you would like to help with the counting of the rectangle panes of glass, that would be great. With a donation of $50.00 for each rectangle of leaded glass, we can cover a significant portion of the cost. You will find more information on the table by the entrance.
Thank you to those who stayed after church last Sunday to assist with a deep cleaning of the stage in the auditorium. Your work helped us to get ready to host a community concert which took place on Sunday evening. Hosting events like this keeps us connected to our community and the rentals in turn
support our activities and mission. Thanks for a job well done!
Rev. Brian will be on holiday from August 7 – 20, 2023. For pastoral emergencies, please contact Rev Daniel at Kimbourne Park United Church.
Worship Schedule – August - September
August 20 Worship Leadership - Linda Levin
Guest Musician- Miguel Britto
August 27 Worship Leadership – Rev. Brian
Guest Musician – Gerald Martindale
September 3 Worship Leadership – Michelle Voss
Guest Musician – Gerald Martindale
Closing Prayer
(Adapted from: Rev Babett Chatmen -Ausberg Chaplaincy)
God of all creation, we thank you today for your gift of musicians. We know that every good and perfect gift comes from you. Music transcends barriers that divide race, class, gender, ethnicity or geography and denominationalism. May the songs sung today inspire and heal all touched by these vibrations.
Fill musicians with your light and love as they generously share with the world. Lord let all creation sing your praise and the host make music in your presence. Bless musicians as only you can. In your name we pray.
CLOSING HYMN
VU # 232 – “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You”
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 – “Fantasia And Fugue” - By D. Zipoli
Hope United.ca
Church Administrator
– Megan Stone -
416-691-9682
Office Hours:
-Wednesdays &Thursdays
9:30am – 4:30pm
Email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com