Sunday, November 2, 2014 - 21st Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

Junior Choir: "Join Hands and Sing" (John D Miller)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #672VU (verse 3)

Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,

each thought and each motive beneath God’s control.

Thus led by the spirit to fountains of love,

you soon shall be fitted for service above

Coming Together:

#918VU “A New Creed”

Singing:  #222VU    “Come Let Us Sing”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Singing With the Saints:

Singing:  #705VU    “For All the Saints”

Reading from Scripture:

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 107:^1-7              HB pg 559

Singing With the Saints:

Singing:  #62MV      “There is Room for All”

Reading from Scripture:

1^st Thessalonians 2:^9-13         NT pg 203

Singing With the Saints:

Singing:  #580VU    “Faith of Our Fathers”

Reading from Scripture:

Psalm 107:^33-37          HB pg 559

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#537VU) and Prayer:

Your work, O God, needs many hands

to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve

unless our gifts we share.

Because we love you and your work,

our offering now we make:

be pleased to use it as your own,

we ask for Jesus' sake.

Let us pray...

O God, we look at our gifts and see unfolding possibilities and a future of compassion.  We look into our hearts and see the love of Christ.  Amen.

Singing:  #195VU    “Fill the Cup”

(Sunday School participants return from their learning circle)

Sharing Communion:

Singing:  #193VU    “God Bless to Us Our Bread”

... these are gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God!

Junior Choir: "Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace)"

Singing:  #481VU    “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”

Sending Out and Sung Response:  #581VU (verse 2)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

we belong to God, we belong to God.

Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 20th Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

Hymn Sing: 

                  #842VU “Unto the Hills”

                  #163MV “River run Deep”

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #88MV

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

There must be a God somewhere.

Coming Together:

Here we are in our newness, in our oldness

Carrying our baggage, our discoveries and our treasures.

Here we are in our anticipation and trepidation

Wondering and worrying about what is ahead.

Here we are on the boundary of the past and the future. 

Let us pray...

Guiding god, through joy-filled and sorrowful stories, you shape a people to live and to love. When we least expect it, you open us to new possibilities. We praise and honour you in our worship this morning. Amen.

Singing:  #145MV    “Draw the Circle Wide”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Storytelling:

Singing:  #649VU    “Walk With Me”

(Greeters will pick up prayer request cards)

Welcoming with Baptism:

People are asked not to take pictures during the service.

Introduction

Statement of Faith:  #918VU  "A New Creed"

Parents' Promises

Godparents' Promise

Congregation's Promise

All:  As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.  May God grant us all grace to live out our baptismal promises!

Prayer (together):  Gracious and Holy God, Mother and Father of us all, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water.  We recall how your Spirit hovered over creation's unshaped waters and how, by water, comes the growth of the earth.  It was through water that you led the children of Israel to freedom.  It was in the waters of the Jordan, your child, Jesus, was baptized.  Now, may your Spirit be upon us and work through this day's water to link us with Jesus' baptism and with Christians in every time and place.  May what we do here be a sign for all of new life in Christ!  Amen.

Music for Movement:  #649VU (rfn)

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

Walk with me, I will walk with you

and build the land that God has planned

where love shines through.

Choir:  “Come Home”

Readings from Scripture:

Deuteronomy 34:^1-8                 HB pg 191

Matthew 22:^36-40                          NT pg 35

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Message:                  “One More Mountain”

Singing:  #161MV    “I Have Called You By Your Name”

Giving Our Offerings: see announcement for info.

Minute for Mission

Offering Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant us God the grace of giving

with a spirit large and free

that ourselves and all our living,

we may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

O God, we are your people. We are all on the journey of life you give us. We choose to follow you guiding wisdom in the new beginnings these gifts can bring.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

Blessing of Prayer Shawls

Our Lord’s Prayer (#921VU):

Singing:  #642VU    “Be Thou My Vision”

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #374VU (v3)

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other’s pain.

Let our love and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain.

There’s a place for deepest dreaming.

There’s a time for heart to care.

In the Spirit’s lively scheming,

there is always room to spare.

Sunday, October 19, 2014 - 19th Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #88MV

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

There must be a God somewhere.

Coming Together:

We come together as one family of God.

Friends and strangers, worshiping together.

This morning we hunger for more than just food,

We thirst for more than water.

We search to nourish our spirits

Come and worship together as one family of God

Let us pray...

Loving God, open our eyes and hearts this morning.  Nourish us with your word.  Feed our souls so that we are prepared to

go out into your world and make a difference. Amen

Singing: #603VU In Loving Partnership We Come

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Special Music

Storytelling:

Music for Movement:  #649VU (rfn)

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

Walk with me, I will walk with you

and build the land that God has planned

where love shines through.

Singing: #460VU All Who Hunger

Message:  “Food for Thought”

Readings from Scripture:

Exodus 16:2-15                          HB pg 62

Matthew 14:13-21                     NT pg 16

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Singing:  #209MV Go Make a Difference

Giving Our Offerings:

Minute for Mission

Offering Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant us God the grace of giving

with a spirit large and free

that ourselves and all our living,

we may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

O God, you bless each of us with all that we need to live in this world. Take these gifts, which we bring today, and use to them to help others in your world.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

Our Lord’s Prayer (#921VU):

Singing:  #481VU    Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #374VU (v3)

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other’s pain.

Let our love and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain.

There’s a place for deepest dreaming.

There’s a time for heart to care.

In the Spirit’s lively scheming,

there is always room to spare.

Sunday, October 12, 2014 - 18th Sunday of Pentecost (Year A)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #88MV

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

There must be a God somewhere.

Coming Together and Lord's Prayer:

We are each on a journey, a journey of faith.

And we are on the journey together.

We have set out in faith.

We will risk letting go and step out on the journey.

We will look for God’s leading as the path unravels.

We will trust God on the journey.

Let us pray...

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed 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

and the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Singing:  #185MV    “Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Storytelling:  Exodus 32:^1-14     HB pg 78

Singing:  #182MV    “Grateful”

Reading from Scripture:

Philippians 4:^1-9          NT pg 198

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Choir:  “Prayer of Thanksgiving”

Message:                             “Results”

Singing:  #245VU    “Praise the Lord with Sound of Trumpet”

Giving Our Offerings: see announcement for info.

Offering Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant us God the grace of giving

with a spirit large and free

that ourselves and all our living,

we may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

Gracious God, we bring what we have and who we are that we may be a life-bringing voice, and a sign of hope and peace for a world in need. Amen.

Prayers of the People:  #662VU

As we sing, pray meditatively your own prayers to God.

If you like, you may come and light a candle as an act of prayer as well.

Lead me God,

lead me in your righteousness;

make your way plain

before my face.

For it is you, and you, God only,

who makes me to dwell in safety.

Singing:  #519VU    “Sing To the Lord of Harvest”

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #374VU (v3)

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other’s pain.

Let our love and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain.

There’s a place for deepest dreaming.

There’s a time for heart to care.

In the Spirit’s lively scheming,

there is always room to spare.

Sunday, October 5, 2014 - 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #88MV

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

Over my head, there is music in the air.

There must be a God somewhere.

Coming Together:

We are wonderfully made - there is mystery about this life.  There must be a God somewhere.

We honour this God with praise and service.

We are made to be connected - the scriptures call us to mutual compassion.

We honour God by respecting each other.

Let us pray...

Holy God, we seek to be faithful to our call to love you with our whole heart and to love our neighbours as ourselves.  Amen

Singing:  #226VU    “For the Beauty of the Earth”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And also with you!"

Reading from Scripture:

Psalm 19:^1-10               HB pg 498

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Singing:  #30MV      “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”

Message:             “The Long Arm of the Law”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#540VU) and Prayer:

Grant us God the grace of giving

with a spirit large and free

that ourselves and all our living,

we may offer faithfully.

Let us pray...

O God, take what we offer and give us the guidance to use it to live out your commandments.  Amen.

Singing:  #95MV      “Bread of Life”

(Sunday School participants return from their learning circle)

Sharing Communion:

Statement of Faith  #918   "A New Creed"

Prayer of Thanksgiving

May the God, who has created and is creating, be with us.

Let us lift up our hearts, open to being reconciled and made new by our Christ.

We pray, in thanksgiving, for The Spirit, who works in us and others.

Holy One ... to share this worship and this meal.

What we are doing, we do in remembrance of Jesus: his life, his sufferings and his resurrection.  We recall the everyday stories and experiences, which expressed your love for all creation, O God.

The potential and promise of a small seed ... The ability to share a kiss, even at the moment of betrayal.

Through his life and examples, Jesus reminds us of the ancient rules for faithful living:

- To love you, God, with our whole being, and

- To love our neighbor as ourselves.

We desire to be part of this story.  And so, we find a sense of unity in repeating the experience of Jesus' last supper.

Bread:  staple of daily life; food for a liberating journey.  The loaf must be broken to be shared!

Wine ... New life, renewed spirit emerged on Easter Sunday.

"Do this in remembrance of me", Jesus said.

Holy One, bless this meal as nourishment for our Body and Spirit.  In our brokenness, in our renewal, be with us, O God.

Be among us and work through us, as we come to this table and move beyond to share in the work of our Christ.

As learners and followers of Jesus, we pray to you, O God, who is our Mother who loves us and

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed 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 that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Invitation to the Table

In the name of the One ... These are the gifts of God, for all of the people of God.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

Sharing the Loaf and Cup

Communion will be served at three stations at the front of the church. 

Gluten-free bread will be served by the piano. 

If you prefer not to come to a station, a team of servers will come down the aisle and serve communion to you in your seat.

Sr. Choir:  “So Said the Lord That Night”

Prayer After Communion

Thank you for this meal and for this company, O God.  May we know that we are connected by this loaf and cup to be the body of Christ in the world.  Amen.

Singing:  #457VU    “The Day you Gave Us”

Sending Out and  Sung Response:  #374VU (v3)

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other’s pain.

Let our love and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain.

There’s a place for deepest dreaming.

There’s a time for heart to care.

In the Spirit’s lively scheming,

there is always room to spare.