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February 2, 2025 Sunday Service - 4th Sunday of Epiphany

Rev Dr John Smith

Sunday, February 2, 2025

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February 2nd, 2025

4^th Sunday after Epiphany

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: 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
“The Gentle Waltz” - Oscar Peterson

A Stewardship Second
Giving becomes a spiritual practice when it is done with love. When we share ourselves not to boast or out of guilt, we are engaging in holy work.

WELCOME

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle, a sacred symbol of divine light.
May the divine light dance in our worship today.
May the divine light ignite our hearts and souls.
May the divine light lift us up and give us peace.
Thanks be to God for this divine light!

SONG
Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts,
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church, gathered today. (2X)

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER 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
Good morning everyone!
May the Light, and Space, and Zest of God’s spirit
Be your light, and your joy this day!
With God in our hearts and by our side,
We can stand strong and secure in the love of Love Eternal.
We can lift our own little lights
And hold them up to be ignited with the power of Love Eternal!
God fills our hearts and our mouths with praise.
We gather to raise the roof with our anthems and songs.
We gather to make music in this place
So that when we go, we will take the music of Love Eternal with us.
The love of God lives in us, will not abandon us, will never lead us astray.
So let our own lights shine!
May our spirits be filled with God’s light!
May our hearts be filled with God’s light!
May our world be filled with God’s light!
May our children be filled with God’s light!
May our families be filled with God’s light!
May our days be filled with God’s light!
May our hopes be filled with God’s light!
May our church be filled with God’s light!
For the Light of God is our beacon of hope;
Through us, it will bring peace to the earth.
Amen! May it be so! Amen!

*HYMN: VU #626 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”
1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was,
weary and worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down, and drink, and live.’
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright.’
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till travelling days are done.

OPENING PRAYER

A Divine Light Invocation
I am created by you Divine Light
I am surrounded by you Divine Light
I am protected by you Divine Light
I am sustained by you Divine Light
I am ever growing into you, Divine Light

(a moment of silent prayer)

A Prayer of Intention
May I be a source of love today.
May my words and actions bring love to others.
May my heart be always in the right place.

May I be a source of peace today.
May my thoughts and prayers lead to calm waters.
May my own peace bring peace to others.

May I be a source of joy today.
May my attitude of joy lift the spirits of others.
May my own heart bubble up with joy.

May I be a source of joy, peace and love,
This day and every day. Amen.

*HYMN: MV #2 “Come All You People”
(To be sung through 3X)
Come all you people, come and praise your Maker, (3x)
Come now and worship the Lord.

Theme Conversation: Black History Month

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Jeremiah 1: 4 – 10     Contemporary English Version
The Lord said:
“Jeremiah, I am your Creator,
    and before you were born,
I chose you to speak for me
    to the nations.”
I replied, “I'm not a good speaker, Lord, and I'm too young.
“Don't say you're too young,” the Lord answered. “If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word! I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid.”
The Lord reached out his hand, then he touched my mouth and said, “I am giving you the words to say, and I am sending you with authority to speak to the nations for me. You will tell them of doom and destruction, and of rising and rebuilding again.”

Luke 4: 31 – 37 Contemporary English Version
Jesus went to the town of Capernaum in Galilee and taught the people on the Sabbath. His teaching amazed them because he spoke with power. There in the synagogue was a man with an evil spirit. He yelled out,“Hey, Jesus of Nazareth, what do you want with us? Are you here to get rid of us? I know who you are! You are God's Holy One.”
Jesus ordered the evil spirit to be quiet and come out. The demon threw the man to the ground in front of everyone and left without harming him.
They all were amazed and kept saying to each other, “What kind of teaching is this? He has power to order evil spirits out of people!” News about Jesus spread all over that part of the country.

RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM
“The Lord Is My Light”

SERMON: “How to Repair the Hole in the World”

*HYMN: VU #619 “Healer of Our Every Ill”
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

1. You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

2. In the pain and joy beholding,
how your grace is still unfolding.
Give us all your vision, God of love.
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

3. Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

4. You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
We have come to the time where we worship with our gifts. You are invited to generously share what you have for the healing of the world. Offering is collected in an offering plate at the entry to the church, through PAR, e transfer, Canada Helps. The act of giving not only helps this community and its many ministries but is also an act of self-care—we connect to our sacred selves when we share with generous hearts.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
God, thank you for our church, for the ways we are called to be church to a world in pain. Help us to continue to share with those in need and with each other through these gifts and those already given for ministries of this church and those of Mission and Service. Amen.

Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate”
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 Thornbury 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

PRAYERS & the LORD’S PRAYER

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*HYMN: VU #691 “Though Ancient Walls” vss. 1, 3 & 5
1. Though ancient walls may still stand proud
and racial strife be fact,
though boundaries may be lines of hate,
proclaim God’s saving act!
Refrain:
Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!

3. The truth we seek in varied scheme,
the life that we pursue,
unites us in a common quest
for self and world made new.
Refrain:
Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!

5. This broken world seeks lasting health
and vital unity.
God’s people by God’s Word renewed,
cast off all slavery!
Refrain:
Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty

*COMMISSIONING
(Irish traditional)
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun rise warm upon your face,
May the rains fall gently on your fields,
And until we meet again,
may God hold us in the palm of his hand.

*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