August 25th, 2024

14th Sunday after Pentecost

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
     Worship Leader: Ingrid Remkins
     Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
     Lay Leader: Carol Clarke

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

We Gather 

PRELUDE
“Sonata in E flat Major 2nd Mov’t” - J. Haydn

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!

The CHRIST CANDLE  
The light of Christ is with us always!
The light of Christ is in this place!
The light of Christ fills us with hope and courage
and gives us strength for the journey ahead!
(the candle is lit)
Thanks be to God for the light of Christ!

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

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.

A GATHERING CALL
Open our stories to any chapter:
A friend will have a page there.
Look closely at our vigorous roots:
Companions nourished us.
Listen to the cadence of our song:
A symphony of lives soars through each note.
Ask about our migrations, our paths:
Strangers became neighbours became loved ones.
Discover our tables set with bread, tears, and laughter:
For we share what we received.
At this place and time,
We come.
With loved ones and strangers,
We gather.
Come, let us worship…

OPENING PRAYER
Holy One, Holy Love,
You breathed out and every possibility that ever was and would be was loved into being. .
To be washed in that knowing, we give you thanks.
In the expectation of the morning, life stirs.
Awaken us fully to the morning.
Awaken our senses – to your creation that springs forth. Again and again and again.
In earth, sea and sky. In the seen and unseen world.
In the wind that inspires. The rain that renews.
The light that rouses.
Awaken us to the day,
That we might always know your gift of abundance, Holy One. That we might wholly love. Amen.

*HYMN: VU #409
“Morning Has Broken”

1. Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2. Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

3. Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day! 

PRAYER for WHOLENESS
Holy One, Holy Mystery,
Your generosity is extravagant.
Your love and presence so graciously offered,
Your Spirit and strength so reliable.
We are so grateful for all of these blessings that we enjoy,
and for the goodness they bring into our lives;
we praise you for your always coming Kingdom,
and the abundant life it offers.
But, we are also fearful…
That your gifts may not be enough.
That things may change.
That your gifts may not be enough.
And so, we hoard and hide your goodness. There on a shelf where we think it might be safe. And sound.
Because your gifts may not be enough.
Forgive us for our impoverished faith,
and our selfish grasping.
Forgive us for our failure to understand
that your blessings are meant to be shared.
Teach us to stay awake to your in-breaking,
and always be ready to invite others in
to the blessings you so freely share with us.
In the name of the One reminds us of Abundance.
Amen.

WORDS of ASSURANCE
Enough is a feast. Abundance flourishes. Grace is given. To be received and also shared. Ever and always.
Thanks be to God.

We Listen 

PRAYER for ILLUMINATION  
Let grace, let love, let hope flow through your word to us, O God. Let new life and possibility jump from the page.
Let the word we need to hear leap into our hearts.
Let your word transform us today and always. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Responsive Psalm:  Psalm 112  VU #834

Refrain:
The just shall trust in God alone.

Blessed are those who fear God,
who greatly delight in God’s commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land,
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Riches and plenty shall be in their house,
their righteousness enduring forever.
They are a light in the darkness for the upright,
being gracious, compassionate and just.
It goes well with those who lend generously,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
Refrain:
The just shall trust in God alone.

For the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be kept in remembrance forever.
They will not live in fear of bad news;
with resolute heart they trust in God.
Their heart is steady, they do not fear;
in the end they will see their enemies’ downfall.
They distribute freely to the poor,
their righteousness enduring forever;
they will hold up their heads in honour.
Refrain:
The just shall trust in God alone.

Matthew 25: 35-40
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

Mark 12:41-44
He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.  A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

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

MUSICAL INTERLUDE
“Prelude #2” -  G. Gershwin

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

A STORY:  “A Tale of Two Coins”

*HYMN: VU #600
“When I Needed a Neighbour”

1. When I needed a neighbour, were you there,
were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
were you there?

2. I was hungry and thirsty, were you there,
were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
were you there?

3. I was cold, I was naked, were you there,
were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
were you there?

4. When I needed a healer, were you there,
were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
were you there?

5. Wherever you travel I’ll be there,
I’ll be there,
wherever you travel I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.

We Respond

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER:  (VU 910)
As a child turns to a loving caregiver who watches over them, we turn in prayer to you O God, our heavenly parent..
Our Father, who art in Heaven…

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

PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF
Nurturing God, we are gathered as your family of faith, diverse and difficult, wondering and wonderful, challenged and challenging. Bless the gifts we offer this morning that they may do the work of your shalom. That our beating hearts may join with our human and creature family everywhere.
In the name of the One who continues to show us the Way, 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 

*HYMN: VU #639
“One More Step Along the World I Go”

1. One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

2. Round the corners of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me. 
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

3. As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you'll be telling me the way, I know. 
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

4. Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you. 
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

5. You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new,
keep me travelling along with you. 
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

*COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION
To wake from sleep into this day…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To hear a child’s delight in laughter…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To sip a glass of clean cold water…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To watch the sunset at the end of the day…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To share a moment with a friend…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To smell the fragrance of moist soil…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
To form the words that make a prayer…
     Is gift enough for thanks.
May we go from this place with grateful hearts.

*SUNG BLESSING:  VU #298
“When You Walk from Here”

When you walk from here,
when you walk from here,
walk with justice, walk with mercy,
and with God’s humble care

POSTLUDE
“Courante” from English Suite #4” - J.S. Bach

*****

LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission: