November 17th, 2024
26th Sunday after Pentecost
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith,
Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Norine Baron
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.
We Gather
PRELUDE
“Ave verum corpus” - W.A. Mozart/C. Burton
Trusting in God’s abundance by sharing generously helps generate a culture of love and good deeds.
WELCOME
THE LIGHTING of the CHRIST CANDLE
As the days get shorter, the nighttime gathers in around us.
The light of Christ however, does not go out;
It cannot be extinguished.
It cannot be diminished.
So in our worship, may this light be a sign of God’s presence,
God’s love, and God’s gifts among us.
May it be so!
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.
CALL to WORSHIP
A Poem by Jonathan Ellerby
God approaches like sunrise.
As the light draws near,
Life awakens.
In the pale and flowing blue light of dawn,
Birds prepare the day.
It is impossible to sleep now
With the promise of light so near.
I stay awake, waiting for the arrival.
I’d give my life just to wait for You;
Every step a prayer for You;
Every step a moment closer to You.
I am so lost now,
I cannot distinguish my love for You
From my love for the path that leads to You:
In and through the beauty of nature’s colour
And dancing energy,
Into a force and presences to be found within All.
Each is illumined, one by one,
And our lights merge into radiant beams.
I become the love and clear blue light that You are.
I seek you until nothing is left…
But You.
And then, only Love and Light remain.
*SONG: VU #381
“Spirit of Life”
1. Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
2. Spirit of Life, come unto us.
Sing in our hearts, all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in our hands, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold us close, wings set us free,
Spirit of Life, come to us, come to us.
OPENING PRAYER
Friends, Let us place ourselves in the hands of God in our prayer, and in our worship.
Let us place ourselves inside the energy of God’s love,
inside the energy of God’s gracious light,
inside the energy of God’s compassionate regard for all beings.
Let us know we are loved.
Let us know we are light.
Let us know we are held in highest regard.
God is awesome, amazing, astounding;
God’s love fills us, holds us, completes us, and moves us
toward fulfillment of God’s dreams for humanity.
In our worship, let us seek the path and learn to follow
In the footsteps of Jesus,
While creating the pathway that works for us.
Let us be kind with others and ourselves,
For we are all on different paths, yet seeking the same goal.
Let us be open to the teaching of others.
Let us be open to the teaching of Jesus.
Let us be willing to dance unfamiliar steps
And sing unfamiliar tunes
As we follow the path before us.
In this moment, the whole world dances within us.
In this place, the fires that lit the hearts of our ancestors still glow within.
In our hearts, may the blessings of Christ’s light and love
transform us, and turn us into gold.
We pray in Christ’s name, AMEN.
*HYMN: MV #12
“Come Touch our Hearts"
1. Come touch our hearts that we may know compassion,
from failing embers build a blazing fire;
love strong enough to overturn injustice,
to seek a world more gracious, come touch and bless our hearts.
2. Come touch our souls that we may know and love you,
your quiet presence all our fears dispel;
create a space for spirit to grow in us,
let life and beauty fill us, come touch and bless our souls.
3. Come touch our minds and teach us how to reason,
set free our thoughts to wonder and to dream;
help us to open doors of understanding,
to welcome truth and wisdom, come touch and bless our minds.
4. Come touch us in the moments we are fragile,
and in our weakness your great strength reveal;
that we may rise to follow and to serve,
steady now our nerve, come touch and bless our wills.
5. Come touch us now, this people who are gathered,
to break the bread and share the cup of peace;
that we may love you with our heart, our soul,
our mind, our strength, our all, come touch us with your grace.
Theme Conversation
*SONG: VU # 412
“This is the Day”
1. This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made, that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice,
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made.
2. Open to us, open to us
your gates, O God, your gates, O God;
we will go in, we will go in,
to your holy place, to your holy place.
Open to us your gates, O God,
we will go in to your holy place.
Open to us, open to us
your gates, O God.
3. You are our God, you are our God,
we will praise your name, we will praise your name;
we will give thanks, we will give thanks,
for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.
You are our God, we will praise your name,
we will give thanks for your faithfulness.
You are our God, you are our God,
we will praise your name.
4. This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made, that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice,
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made.
We Listen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Matthew 5: 13 – 16, 43-48 and 7: 7-12
(New International Version)
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!
MINISTRY of MUSIC
Selected Preludes and a Waltz - F. Chopin
SERMON: “Key Teaching: How to Turn Your Heart into Gold”
We Respond
PRAYER CANDLES
THE LORD’S PRAYER (VU #910)
INVITATION to the OFFERING
We are in this place to celebrate God together. Let the gifts we give and all that we do be part of that celebration. I invite you at this time to share God’s abundance—in person, online at Grace United Thornbury, through PAR, or in any way that you feel called to do so.
PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
Gracious and loving God, thank you for giving us this opportunity to share. Thank you for helping us to love and do good deeds. May our gifts and our giving help us to grow in love and care for the world. 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 #375 vs 1, 3 & 4
“Spirit of Gentleness”
Refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
1. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.
Refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
3. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind.
Refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
4. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions your people arise.
Refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
*COMMISSIONING
*SUNG BENEDICTION
“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.
*alternate words: watching from above
POSTLUDE
Theme and Variations - G.F. Handel and J. Brahms, arr. by C. Burton
*****
SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Lighting the Christ Candle Prayer is written by Rev. Dr. John Greg. Smith
Call to Worship: Poem by Jonathan Ellerby, Understanding Spirituality, from Return to the Sacred: Pathways to Spiritual Awakening, Jonathan H. Ellerby, © 2009 Hay House Publishing, California.)
Prayers are written by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
- “Spirit of Life:” Words, Music: Carolyn McDade © 1981 Carolyn McDade, 76 Everett Skinner Rd., Plainville, MA 02762, USA. Harmony: © 1992 Unitarian Universalist Association, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108-2892 USA. Words, Music: Carolyn McDade. Harmony: Unitarian Universalist Association. One License #608577
- Come Touch our Hearts:” Words and music: Gordon Light, 2002; arr. Andrew Donaldson, 2002. Words and music copyright © 2002 Common Cup Company, www.commoncup.com. Arrangement copyright © 2002 by Andrew Donaldson One License #608577
- “This is the Day:” Words (v. 1): unknown. Words (v 2 and 3) Gerald Hobbs 1987, 1995. Music: Fijian folk melody. Arrangement: © 1987 Songs for a Gospel People. Words (v. 1), Music: Public Domain. Words (v 2 and 3), Arrangement: Songs for a Gospel People. One License #608577
- “Spirit of Gentleness:” Words, Music: James K. Manley © 1978 James K. Manley, 747 Plymouth Rd., Claremont, CA 91711, USA. French Translation: © 1995 Andrew Donaldson, Seraph Music, 14 Hambly Ave., Toronto, ON M4E 2R6. Words, Music: J. Manley Publishing. French Translation: Andrew Donaldson, Seraph Music. One License #608577
- “Go Now in Peace” - Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, Inc. Alternate words used with permission. Reproduced with permission. One License # 608507
Scripture Readings:
New International Version Holy Bible, ®, NIV ® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prelude: “Ave verum corpus” - W.A. Mozart/C. Burton
Ministry of Music: Selected Preludes and a Waltz - F. Chopin
Postlude: Theme and Variations - G.F. Handel and J. Brahms, arr. by C. Burton
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