August 18th, 2024

13th Sunday after Pentecost

Music Sunday

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
      Worship Leader: Dr. Christopher Burton
      Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
      Lay Leader: Mary Lou Gignac

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather 

PRELUDE
Organ Improvisation on a Hymn - C. Burton

GREETING (2 Cor. 13:13)     
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all!
And also with you!

WELCOME

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFE SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND  
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect.  At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community.  We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Petun, Huron-Wendat, and Mississauga peoples, located within the boundary of the region of Treaty 18 of 1818. We humbly acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada as traditional stewards of the land on which we work and worship and are committed to working actively toward genuine restitution and reconciliation.

LIGHTING of the CHRIST CANDLE
This beautiful summer Sunday is shrouded with mystery and awe. Breaking into this is the holy light of Christ. Let us light our Christ candle as a reminder that even in inexplicable times and circumstances, the Christ light illumines our path.

CALL to WORSHIP
Praise the Lord this new day.
In worship, let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice.
In worship, seek the Lord and his strength
Beyond worship, seek God’s presence continually.
Remember God’s wonderful works.
Praise the Lord this new day.

OPENING PRAYER
Precious Lord, God of Creation, welcome to
our morning! It is your morning, really—you
made it, and you made us.
But today, we have taken time to join with
each other to celebrate! We join our prayers
to the prayers of the world: birds singing,
flowers bold with colour, summer laughing
with delight.
Receive our prayers as we turn to you, seeking
time—quality time—with you.
Feed our minds with your word.
Break through our resistances with your Holy Spirit.
Sharpen our awareness of our presence so we
may be refreshed and renewed and ready to serve you.
As we open ourselves in this time of reflection
and praise, we remember the people who are
hurting in our world.

(pause for silent prayer)

Holy One, mingle our spirit with yours so
our world may recognize your love in us and
through us, as we meet, in your name, in the
power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

*OPENING HYMN:  MV #10 
“Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom”

1. Come and seek the ways of Wisdom,
she who danced when earth was new.
Follow closely what she teaches,
for her words are right and true.
Wisdom clears the path to justice,
showing us what love must do.

2. Listen to the voice of Wisdom,
crying in the market-place.
Hear the Word made flesh among us,
full of glory, truth, and grace.
When the word takes root and ripens,
peace and righteousness embrace.

3. Sister Wisdom, come, assist us;
nurture all who seek rebirth.
Spirit guide and close companion,
bring to light our sacred worth.
Free us to become your people,
holy friends of God and earth.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Forgiving God, we turn to you aware of our shortcomings and dependent on your mercy. Through the example of Jesus Christ, we have come to know freedom and hope. We seek the autonomy that Christ brings. Forgive us when we fail to live as liberated and liberating people. May our faith flourish with the seeds of your love. We pray with hope. Amen.

WORDS of ASSURANCE
The Good News is this:
God loves all of creation, not just some of it.
The Good News is that God loves all people, not just some.
The Good News is that this love results in an abundance of mercy and grace.
Thanks be to God!

We Listen 

PRAYER for ILLUMINATION
Creator God, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have given us deep and meaningful stories to guide us and to show us the path you wish us to follow. We are most grateful for this season of Ordinary Time when we can digest all you are calling us to learn and live. Thank you for this time of pausing to receive and reflect upon your story so we can truly work on understanding your plan for us and for the world. Amen

SCRIPTURE READINGS
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Ephesians 5: 15-20                                       
Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

RESPONSE
The word of God for the people of God.  
Thanks be to God.

SPECIAL MUSIC
1. Vocal Solo TBA C. Burton
2. from Johannes Brahms’ opus 118
     - Intermezzo in A minor
     - Intermezzo in A Major
     - Ballade in G minor

*HYMN:  VU #657
“He Leadeth Me”

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me!
His faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me!

2. Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
by waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
still ‘tis his hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me!
His faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me!

3. Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
nor ever murmur nor repine,
content, whatever lot I see,
since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me!
His faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me!

4. And when my task on earth is done,
when by thy grace the victory’s won,
even death’s cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me! He leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me!
His faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me!

We Respond 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Generous and loving God,
we thank you for the many gifts that you have given us.
We thank you for the sunshine and the rain,
            the mountains and the valleys,
            the challenges and the gifts,
            the snow and the flowers.
We are grateful to live in your grace.
We remember those who are struggling this day,
            those close to our hearts,
            those we learn about through the news,
            those we pass on the street and do not know,
            our neighbours sitting beside us this day.
Be with each of them. Help them to know your love and grace.
Help us to recognize your presence among us.
Help us to hear your voice in the busyness of our lives.
Help us to pay attention to your words all week long.
As we make plans, work hard, and enjoy friends and family,
            help us to remember that we have purpose,
            your purpose.
Help us to always be building up your church, Christ’s body in the world.
Help us to support, foster, and create faith communities that love the world.

Asserting that we love our neighbours as we love ourselves,
let us recite A New Creed together as a community of faith…

We are not alone,
      We live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
      who has created and is creating,
      who has come in Jesus,
      the Word made flesh,
      to reconcile and make new,
      who works in us and others
           by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church: 
     to celebrate God’s presence,
     to live with respect in Creation,
     to love and serve others,
     to seek justice and resist evil,
     to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
          our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, 
     God is with us.
     We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken, traditional words, VU 921)
We lift this prayer in the words that Jesus gave his disciples to pray together, and so, together, we say: heavenly parent, our mother…
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
Forever and ever. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you. 
And also with you.

MUSIC for PASSING the PEACE
Improvisation on a Hymn - C. Burton

INVITATION to the OFFERING
God has given to us—beyond our imagining.
We have received new life and new hope.
Let us offer our gifts and ourselves in service of God’s mercy and grace.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF
Giver of Life, today we dedicate this offering to your work throughout the world. May it find the places desperately in need of love. May it be a beacon of hope for all. Amen.

Donate online:   www.graceunitedthornbury.ca,  select “Give”
     or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
     or  phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
     Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
     or  Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church through CanadaHelps.org.   Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register.  Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving.                                        Care, Prayer, Share

What’s Up at Grace?  

We Go Out 

*CLOSING HYMN: VU #884                                 
“You Shall Go Out with Joy”

You shall go out with joy
and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills
will break forth before you;
there’ll be shouts of joy,
and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!

And all the trees of the field
will clap their hands,
the trees of the field
will clap their hands,
the trees of the field
will clap their hands
while you go out with joy.

*COMMISSIONING
God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you day by day.
May God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s presence be with you in every stage of your life’s journey.
Amen.

*SUNG BLESSING
“GO NOW IN PEACE”

Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day,
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, within, around, above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen, Amen, Amen.

POSTLUDE
“Fantasia in D minor, k. 397” - W.A. Mozart

*****

LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission: