Sunday, November 21, 2021
Reign of Christ & Stewardship Sunday
“Sailing on the Wind”
Watch this Service at: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in worship:
Minister: Rev. Christine Smaller
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Scripture Reader: Orleen Anderson
Stewardship Team: George, Orleen, Les
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung Words: bold italic font
You are welcome to respond in prayers and to sing the hymns throughout the service while wearing a mask at all times.
Prelude:
Fitzwilliam Virginal Book: Selections
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 & Territorial Acknowledgment
Call to Worship:
Our world offers many tempting avenues and flashy roads to walk;
Our God invites us to walk the road of service and sacrifice.
Our society suggests we put down our roots in the shallow soil of pleasure and greed.
Our God seeks to plant us on the banks of hope, watered by the rivers of joy and grace.
Our culture promotes achievement, success, climbing to the top, ringing the bell.
Our God tells us if we want to be first we need to go to the end of the line.
A Few Words about Sailing on the Wind
Opening Prayer:
Money talks and power makes the world go around,
or so they would have us believe;
And we, forgetting that other voice,
join the march in hopes that we may find a place among the rich and strong.
But, you, O God, feel no shame, fear no harm,
as you walk among the poorest and weakest
feeling completely at home.
Thank you for the voice of your love
that keeps singing of the power in weakness,
the wealth in simplicity,
and the freedom and safety that is found
in walking your humble, serving way. Amen.
Opening Hymn: VU 625 I feel the Winds of God
1. I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift,
though heavy oft with drenching spray
and torn with many a rift;
if hope but light the water's crest,
and Christ my bark will use,
I'll seek the seas at his behest, and brave another cruise.
2. It is the wind of God that dries my vain regretful tears,
until with braver thoughts shall rise
the purer, brighter years;
if cast on shores of selfish ease
or pleasure I should be,
O let me feel your freshening breeze, and I'll put back to sea.
3. If ever I forget your love and how that love was shown,
lift high the blood-red flag above;
it bears your name alone.
Great pilot of my onward way, you will not let me drift.
I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift.
Readings:
Malachi 3:10 (NRSV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Acts 20:35
In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Spirituality of Money Rev. Christine
Hymn: VU 380 She Comes Sailing on the Wind V 1 &2
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
1. Silent waters rocking on the morning of our birth,
like an empty cradle waiting to be filled.
And from the heart of God
the Spirit moved up on the earth,
like a mother breathing life into her child.
2. Many were the dreamers whose eyes were given sight
when the Spirit filled their dreams with life and form.
Deserts turned to gardens,
broken hearts found new delight,
and then down the ages still she flew on.
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
Sailing on the Wind: Conversation #1
Hymn: VU 380 She Comes Sailing on the Wind V 3
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
3. To a gentle girl in Galilee, a gentle breeze she came,
a whisper softly calling in the dark,
the promise of a child of peace
whose reign would never end,
Mary sang the Spirit song within her heart.
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her fight
her song rings out through the night
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
Sailing on the Wind: Conversation #2
Hymn: VU 380 She Comes Sailing on the Wind V 4
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
4. Flying to the river, she waited circling high
above the child now grown so full of grace.
As he rose up from the water,
she swept down from the sky,
and she carried him away in her embrace.
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
Sailing on the Wind: Conversation #3
Hymn: VU 380 She Comes Sailing on the Wind V 5
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
5. Long after the deep darkness that fell upon the world,
after dawn returned in flame of rising sun,
the Spirit touched the earth again,
again her wings unfurled,
bringing life in wind and fire as she flew on.
Refrain:
She comes sailing on the wind,
her wings flashing in the sun;
on a journey just begun, she flies on.
And in the passage of her flight,
her song rings out through the night,
full of laughter, full of light, she flies on.
Prayers of the People
Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
we your people acclaim you,
we praise you, we exalt you,
we bless your holy name.
It is your love that is revealed
in the life and death of Jesus,
it is your power that is seen in his resurrection,
and it is your majesty that is made known
by his ascension into heaven to be at your side.
Help us, O God, to always keep
your power and your authority
and your love and your majesty in our minds
and to never neglect the doing of your will.
Help us to be obedient to the word you place
in our hearts and our minds...
Lord, hear our prayer...
Father and Mother of us all,
we believe that Christ Jesus should rule within our worship
and our life together as your people.
We believe too that he should rule
over our work in the world
and within our family life.
Indeed we profess that he wants to be Lord of our lives,
the one who is supreme in deciding how we should relate
to our friends and our neighbours.
Help us make this manifest in what we do each and every day—
in how we make decisions about how we spend our time and our money,
in how we employ our hands and in how we direct our feet,
in how we speak and in how we think,
in how we rest and in how we work...
Lord, hear our prayer...
O God, in his time with us
Christ has shown his authority over wind and wave.
We pray that he may bring peace and calm to those who lives are troubled....
We especially pray today for…
(Prayers may be said out loud or in the quiet of our hearts)
Lord, hear our prayer....
Thank you, God most Holy, for hearing our prayers.
All these things we ask of you in the name of Christ Jesus,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, both now and forevermore. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
As a child turns to a loving caregiver who watches over them, we turn in prayer to you O god, who are our 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,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Passing the Peace:
The Peace of Christ be with you all.
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:
Improvisation on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
Invitation to the Offering
Prayer of Dedication:
Money talks.
The money we give to you today
speaks of our identity as your children,
tells of our commitment to follow Jesus,
proclaims your Spirit’s generous presence here.
God of all good gifts,
hear our thankfulness in these offerings.
Amen.
Offerings may be placed in the offering plate at the back of the sanctuary as you leave the service.
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
Announcements:
“Bubble Up”- as numbers in attendance increase... if you choose, you are welcome to sit with others in your bubble giving us greater capacity.
Closing Hymn: VU 563 Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore
1. Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
2. You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
you will find there my nets and labour.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
3. You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
4. You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting;
my loving friend, as thus you call me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
Commissioning and Benediction
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:
Nocturne in E minor ~ F. Chopin
*****
RESOURCES USED (all with permission):
Prayers and Liturgies:
- Call to Worship: Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies
- Opening Prayer: https://sacredise.com/weak-and-poor-god/
- Prayer of Dedication: Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com
- Prayers of the People: written by Rev. Richard Fairchild, and posted on the Kir-shalom website
Hymns and Sung Responses:
- “I Feel the Winds of God:” Words: Jessie Adams 1907, alt. Music: English and Irish traditional melody arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906. Words copyright 1933 National Adult School Organization. Arrangement by permission of Oxford University Press. Used by Permission One License #608577
- “She Comes Sailing in the Wind:” Words: Gordon Light 1985. Music: Gordon Light 1985; arr. Andrew Donaldson 1994. Words and music copyright © 1987 Common Cup Company. Arrangement © 1994 Andrew Donaldson. One License #608577
- “Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore:” Words: Cesáreo Gabaráin 1979, trans. Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, Raquel Gutiérrez-Achón 1987 Music: Cesáreo Gabaráin 1979; harm. Skinner Chávez-Melo 1987 Words and music copyright 1979 Cesáreo Gabaráin, administered by Oregon Catholic Press. Translation copyright © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Harmony copyright © 1987 Skinner Chávez-Melo. Used by permission of Juan Francisco Chávez. 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.
Scripture Passages from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
Prelude: Fitzwilliam Virginal Book: Selections
Music for the Passing of the Peace: Improvisation on a Hymn C. Burton
Postlude: Nocturne in E minor F. Chopin
All Public Domain
