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Oct 3, 2021 - World Communion Sunday
Rev. Christine Smaller
Rev. Christine Smaller
Sunday, October 3, 2021
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October 3rd, 2021 World Communion Sunday

Watch this Service at:  www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in worship:
Minister:                              Rev. Christine Smaller
Music Director:                  Dr. Christopher Burton
Scripture Reader:              Carol Clarke  

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung Words: bold italic font   

Prelude:
Song Without Words - F. Mendelssohn        

Greeting:     
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 & Announcements:  

Call to Worship:
Around the world people gather to break bread and pour wine.
We gather with them in heart and mind.
Around the world the broken body is made whole.
As part of that body we join in its unity.
Around the world the Banquet of God is prepared for the table.
We, who share in the banquet, come eagerly to be fed.
Let us worship together, let us share God’s bounty.  

Let us pray:
Abba, our God, whom the heavens disclose,
may your name be held holy,
your authority come.
May your longing be fulfilled as in heaven,
as on earth
Give us today the bread of tomorrow,
and cancel our debts
as we have already forgiven our debtors.
Do not draw us in to sinful enticement,
but set us free from the grip of evil;
for authority and power and glory
are yours alone, forever.
Amen.  

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance
God, we believe you have called us to unity,
but often we have isolated ourselves from others,
God, forgive us for the times we have turned our backs on those who are different.
God, we believe you have called us to live together as one body. 
God, forgive us for the times we have created division within your worldwide church.
God, we believe you ask us to look, listen, and learn from others,
God, forgive us for the times we have ridiculed and attacked those with different viewpoints.
God, we believe you ask us to accept and seek to understand all who are called by your name.
Forgive us for the times we have offended you by failing to love others as we do ourselves.
God, we believe you call us to be one even as you are one,
Forgive us for the disunity we have harbored and make us one.  

A moment of silence  

God and Creator of all humankind,
your son Jesus Christ prayed that your church might be one
even as you our God are one.
May you renew our minds and rekindle your love in our hearts,
so that by the power of the Spirit,
we might find the Oneness that you intend for us.  

Opening HymnVU 218  We Praise You, O God
1. We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.  

2. We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o'ertake us, you will not forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.  

3. With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!   

Prayer for Illumination:
God of extravagant grace,
may your Spirit refresh our hearts
through the reading of the scriptures
that we may perceive all the good we can do for Christ
and so grow in our faith. Amen.  

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29
For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.  And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

1 Corinthians 11:17-26
Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.  For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it.  Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine.  When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper.  For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk.  What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Response:   
The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.  

Musical Interlude
Fantasy on a Hymn - C. Burton  

Sermon                     

Hymn:   VU 456  Now to Your Table Spread
1.  Now to your table spread
we come, each one in faith
that you alone provide the words of life and death:
in wine and bread, in promised food
we find your loving heart, O God.  

2.  Hands of the world stretch out
your mystery to touch
in longing to believe a truth beyond our reach,
to sing in joy, to cry in grief,
to know your meaning for our life.  

3.  Here is our common wealth
in sharing what is good,
as though all humankind around one table stood,
this bread to break, this wine to taste:
one people in the name of Christ.               

Profession of Faith:          Affirmation of Unity    

We share one faith,
have one calling,
are of one soul and one mind;
have one God,
are filled with one Spirit,
are baptized with one baptism,
eat of one bread and
drink of one cup,

confess one Name,
are obedient Love,
work for one cause,
and share one hope.  

Together we come to know
the height and the breadth
and the depth of the love of Christ;

are built up to the stature
of Christ, to the new humanity;

know and bear one another’s burdens,
thereby fulfilling the law of Christ
that we need one another
and up build one another,

admonishing and comforting one another;
that we suffer with one another
for the sake of righteousness.
   

Together we pray;
together we serve God in this world. 
   

Passing the Peace:
During the Last Supper Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”.  In this spirit of sharing we take time each week to pass the peace of Christ with each other, with the one next to you, in the chat box, by text, or phone call later today.
The Peace of Christ be with you.        
And also with you.  

Everyone is invited to share the peace of Christ by offering a message in the chat box. 
You may also wish to think of someone you would like to pass the peace to this week.
 

Music while we share the Peace of Christ
Bist du bei mir - J.S. Bach  

Invitation and Dedication of the Offering:
With your donations on line by using the GIVE icon, on your screen, by cheque, e-transfer and PAR... your donations support the ministries of this church and reach worldwide. May each gift be used to its fullest by following the open mindedness of Jesus.         

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

Care, Prayer, Share

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation to the Great Thanksgiving:
With our siblings around the world,
those who profess faith in Christ,
and those who live other paths,
we celebrate Life!
For we, who follow the Way of Jesus,
this is a day we remember all who gather
to eat the bread and drink from the cup.
We come together to re-member,
that we are Christ’s people,
all around the world.
We are Christ’s people – no matter what!
We shout ALLELUIA!
We sing AMEN!

Prayers for the World:
Generous God,
We look at how you sustain and nurture the world,
   and we are awed at the beauty.
We see the love of friend and neighbour,
   discovering it is your love we receive.
We hear the sounds of creation, birds, children, music,
   laughter, and it fills us with much joy.

Thank you for the wonder that surrounds us and stirs our hearts.  

Ever-present God,
we thank you for offering the Bread of Life.
   How it sustains and nurtures your children!
Help us hear the call of the world,
   that we all may serve and eat together.
We pray for the places in our world that are broken.
We hear the cries of people who are suffering.
We feel the hearts that ache for justice.
Be with all peoples working to sustain the beauty and health of the world.  

Nurturing God,
your land is abundant with stories and peoples.
Thank you for the richness of creation,
   from the mountains to the sea,
   for the first peoples of the land and all who now call it home.
Remind us to listen to the wisdom of all stories;
   they fill us and sustain our lives together.
Let every soul be fed by your Presence.  

Loving God,
we pray for your church.
Continue to guide us in our discipleship.
Challenge us to serve; sustain us by your love.
Be with those who suffer in body, mind, and spirit.
Strengthen them.
Help us to live more wholly as the Body of Christ in the world.  

Litany :
God be with you all.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God!
It is right to give God our thanks and praise!  

Though creation sometimes weeps,
we wait lovingly for you, God.
For you created the heavens, earth, and all that is in them:
you cast sunbeams, open flowers, and feed insects.
You are beyond the galaxies, under the oceans, and inside each grain of wheat.
You could sustain all of your creation,
but you will not, without us.
Thank you for the wonders of creation and for your great trust in us.  

Though humanity sometimes weeps,
we wait lovingly for you, God.
For you smiled on an outcasted Hagar, blessing her descendants,
you guided the doubtful Israelites, leading them to freedom,
you spoke through the Judges and the Prophets,
providing words of wisdom,
you lived among us as a teacher, healer, and friend,
giving us a sacred path to follow.
You could have made us self-sustaining,
but you did not, your love sustains us.
Thank you for the worldwide fellowship of disciples,
     who faithfully attempt to share your love with all of creation.  

Sanctus (sung):
VU  944 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of earth and God of heaven.
Holy holy is our God.
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of all, and God of history.
Holy holy is our God.
Who accompanies our people,
who lives within our struggles,
of all the earth and heaven the one and only God.
Blessed those who in our God’s name
announce the holy Gospel,
proclaiming forth the good news:
our liberation comes.    

In Jesus, love incarnate,
you provide all we need for each day:
   his words comfort the weary;
   his actions challenge the contented;
   his touch heals the sick;
   his presence feeds the deepest hunger in our souls.
In Jesus and in his feast
you provide for us the sustenance we need to respond to the cries of creation.           
   The bread of life           
   nourishes our deprived bodies.
          
   The cup of blessings           
   revives our thirsty souls.           
   The gathered community           
   strengthens our growing faith.
 

Memorial Acclamation
Christ has died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again!  

Though the church sometimes weeps,
we wait lovingly for you, God.
For centuries Christians of different customs have gathered to commune with you and each other through the sharing of this feast.
In their partaking you have been with them,
just as you are with us now.
And so we join with our siblings around the world by remembering that
on the night in which Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with his disciples, saying:
“Take eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”  

God, we remember and give thanks for your son,
and we ask that you bless and pour your spirit on these simple things, bread and wine:
Make this broken bread whole in our taking.
Make this full cup overflow in our sharing.
With these elements nourish and sustain us,
our way, our truth, our life;
our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer.
Praise be to you, now, tomorrow, and forever.  

“Amen”  MV 225
Amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen.  

Distribution of the Elements          

Closing Hymn:  MV 1 Let Us Build a House
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.  

2. Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God's children dare to seek
to dream God's reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God's grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.  

3. Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat;
a banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.  

4. Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they've known. 
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God's face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.  

5. Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace;
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.  

Benediction:
As people who have been fed,
We go now to feed the world.
As those who have been given hope,
We bring hope in place of despair.
May God help us to do so.
And always remember
that we are never cut off from the Source.
The Bread of Life, the True Vine is with us always.
And so we always share in Hope’s Banquet.
Thanks be to the One who hosts the banquet! 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.         

* alternate words: watching from above

Postlude: Le Coucou - C. Daquin                     

*****

RESOURCES USED (all with permission):
Prayers and Liturgies:
-  Call to Worship & Opening Prayer: from the 1980 Alternative Service Book (1980), Church of England
-  Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance: from the Lenten series Journey into Wholeness written by Christine Sine
-  Prayer for Illumination: from a collection of prayers posted on the Worship@North website.
-  Passing of the Peace.: Orleen Anderson
-  Invitation to and Dedication of the Offering: Orleen Anderson
-  Communion Liturgy:  © 2013 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons
-  Affirmation of Faith:  Written by Nolan Palsma, and printed in “Prayerful Preparation: Living God, Renew Us.” -         

Hymns and Sung Responses:
- “We Praise You, O God:” Words: Julia Cory 1902, alt. Music: Netherlands melody 1626, harm. Edward Kremser 1877, desc. Scott Withrow 1980 Descant copyright © 1980 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. One License #608577
- “Now to Your Table Spread:” Words:  Shirley Erena Murray 1986 Music: John Ireland 1918 Words copyright © 1987 Hope Publishing Company, Music copyright © The John Ireland Trust One License #608577.
- “Let Us Build a House:” Words and music: Marty Haugen Words and music copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved One License #608577.
- “Holy, Holy, Holy:” Words: Guillarmo Joaquin Cuellar 1980, Misa Popular Salvadorena; trans. Linda McCrae. Music: Guillermo Joaquin Cuellar, Misa Popular Salvadorena. Words and music copyright © 1980 Guillarmo Joaquin Cuellar. One License # 608577
- “Amen:” Words: traditional liturgical text. Music: traditional melody, China: arrangement: Puqi Jiang, China. Music arrangement copyright ©  Christioan Conference of Asia. Used by permission. 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, #608577.

- Prelude: Song Without Words   F. Mendelssohn
- Interlude: Fantasy on a Hymn   C. Burton
- Passing of the Peace: Bist du bei mir   J.S. Bach
(All Public Domain)