AUGUST 21st, 2022
11th Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 16
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Guest Minister: Rev. Hugh MacDonald
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Leader: Jim Dolmer
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able. ______________________________________________________
PRELUDE:
Prelude in D Major ~ J.S. Bach
GREETING: (2 Cor. 13:13)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
WELCOME:
INTRODUCTION:
Acknowledgement of the Traditional Territory:
We acknowledge with gratitude that we gather on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation: The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibway, Odawa, and Pottawatomie Nations. This territory is covered by Treaty 18 of 1818, and we are all treaty people.We give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and the Chippewas of Nawash, now known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, as the traditional keepers of this land. We honour them for having lived here and cared for this land from time immemorial, and that they continue this caring in our time. We appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play in this beautiful place. (Phyllis Fleming)
CALL TO WORSHIP:
We gather to praise you O God,
Even though we don’t fully understand you.
You are a fire we cannot touch.
You are a song we cannot sing.
You are a sea whose bottom we cannot search and a sky clouded over in endlessly changing patterns.
But even so…
Your fire warms us,
Your song stirs us,
Your waters wash us clean and quench our thirst.
Shine upon us Gracious God as we approach you in worship.
OPENING PRAYER:
Each day the same routine…
The same faces that we meet at work or doing our errands…
The same places we go and the same assumptions.
We get used to going to the same places, doing the same things, and thinking the same thoughts. We are comfortable and a bit bored…Shake us up creator God.
In this time of worship, break into our patterns and our routines. Shine your light of love, healing and hope into what we believe cannot be changed.Release us from the confinement we find ourselves in so that the future you are blessing dawns upon us. Fill us with joy! Amen.
*OPENING HYMN: VU #217 – All Creatures of Our God and King
1. All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing:
hallelujah, hallelujah!
Bright burning sun with golden beam,
soft shining moon with silver gleam,
sing praises, sing praises,
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
2. O rushing winds and breezes soft,
O clouds that ride the winds aloft,
sing praises, hallelujah!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice;
O lights of evening, find a voice:
sing praises, sing praises,
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
3. Earth, ever fertile, day by day
brings forth rich blessing on our way:
sing praises, hallelujah!
The flowers and fruits that verdant grow,
let them God’s glory also show:
sing praises, Hallelujah!
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
4. And everyone of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part:
sing praises, hallelujah!
All who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and yield up all your care:
sing praises, hallelujah!
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
5. Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship God in humbleness:
sing praises, hallelujah!
Praise God eternal, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one:
sing praises, hallelujah!
hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
INVITATION TO CONFESSION: (CGP, p. 26)
Sometimes we hurt our friends.
Sometimes we hurt ourselves.
Sometimes we hurt God.
Our prayer of confession is a chance to say “We’re sorry.”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Gracious one, there are so many shortcomings that we the human race are capable of… they cannot be numbered. But on this day, we lift up the human frailty of short-sightedness… lack of hope.
We ask that you forgive our unwillingness to look forward to the future with hope… our unwillingness to dream dreams and see visions.
More than that, we ask that you liberate us – lift us up to stand up straight, to see visions and dream dreams.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
God is merciful and gracious… slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Trust in God’s love. Amen.
PRAYER OF ALLUMINATION: (CGP, p. 36)
Eternal God, who caused all scriptures to be written for our learning:
grant that we may so hear them,
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that by patience and comfort of your holy Word,
we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of eternal life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
READINGS:
Scripture (NRSVUE)
Jeremiah 1: 4-10 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”
But the Lord said to me,“Do not say, ‘I am only a boy,’
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me,
“Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Psalm: 71:1-6 (VU #789, part 1)
Refrain:
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing.
Part One (1-6)
In you, O God, I seek refuge;
may I never be disappointed.
In your righteousness, save and rescue me;
incline your ear and deliver me.
Be a sheltering rock for me,
a fortress where I may find safety;
for you are my rock and my stronghold.
Rescue me, O God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you are my hope my trust from my youth;
from the time of my birth I have leaned on you.
Refrain:
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing.
Luke 13 :10-17
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.
When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Musical Interlude:
Improvisation on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
SERMON: The Narrow line of vision, but seeing a vision of God’s grace…
*HYMN: MV #120 – My Soul Cries Out
(Canticle of the Turning)
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
2. Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
4. Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘til the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
PASTORAL PRAYER: (CGP, p. 47)
God, giver of all good,
you continually pour your benefits upon us.
Age after age the living wait upon you and find that your faithfulness has no end,
that your care is unfailing.
We praise you that the mystery of life is a mystery of infinite goodness.
We praise you for the order and constancy of nature;
for the beauty and bounty of the earth;
for day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest;
for the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings.
We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life,
for our homes, for our friends,
and for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people.
Amen.
The LORD’S PRAYER:
As a child turns to a loving care-giver who watches over them, we turn in prayer to You, oh God, who are our heavenly parent, our mother…
Our Father,
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
We share the peace of Christ by typing in the chat box..
You may also think of one person with whom you would like to share the peace of Christ.
MUSIC FOR PASSING THE PEACE:
Little Litanies of Jesus ~ G. Grovlez
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING :
PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF:
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:
Coffee Hour after the service
*HYMN: MV #134 – There Was a Child in Galilee
1. There was a child in Galilee
who wandered wild along the sea.
A holy child, alone was she,
and they called her Dreaming Mary.
And she dreamed, rejoicing in her saviour;
she dreamed of justice for the poor.
She dreamed that kings oppressed no more
when she dreamed, that Dreaming Mary.
2. One holy day an angel came
with voice of wind and eyes of flame.
He promised blessed would be her name
when he spoke to Dreaming Mary.
Then she spoke, rejoicing in her saviour.
She spoke of justice for the poor.
She spoke that kings oppressed no more
when she spoke, that Dreaming Mary.
3. And did she dream about a son?
And did he speak, the angel one?
We only know God’s will was done
in the son of Dreaming Mary.
Then she prayed, rejoicing in her saviour.
She taught him justice for the poor.
She taught that kings oppressed no more
when she taught, that Dreaming Mary.
4. Then Jesus grew in Galilee,
they wandered wild along the sea.
Now he calls to you and me
to dream with Dreaming Mary.
And we dream, rejoicing in our saviour.
We dream of justice for the poor.
We dream that kings oppress no more
as we dream with Dreaming Mary.
*COMMISSIONING & 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:
Sonata in E Flat Major 1st Movement ~ J. Haydn
*****
LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
- Acknowledgement of Traditional Territory written by Phyllis Fleming
- Invitation to Confession, Prayer of Illumination and Pastoral Prayer from Celebrate God’s Presence. P. 26,36,&47.
- Other Prayers: Rev. Hugh MacDonald
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
- Psalm Response: Music: Martin Luther 1529. harm. The New Hymnal for American Youth 1930. Public Domain
- “All Creatures of Our God and King:” Words: St. Francis of Assisi 1225, English trans. William Henry Draper ca. 1919, alt., Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Cologne 1623; harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906. English translation copyright © G. Schirmer, Inc. Harmony by permission of Oxford U. Press
- “My Soul Cries Out:” Words: Rory Cooney, 1990. Music: traditional melody, Ireland: arr. Rory Cooney 1990. Words and arrangement copyright © 1990 by GIA Publications, Inc.One License #608577
- “There Was a Child in Galilee:” Words and music: Janet Gadeski, 2005; arr Patricia Wright, 2006. Words and music copyright © Janet Gadeski, The United Church of Canada Foundation. Used by permission. Arrangement copyright © 2006 by Patricia Wright. Used by Permission.
- Sung Blessing:”Go Now in Peace:” Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. Copyright © 1988 Harold Flammere. Music: Inc. Alternate words used with permission. One License #608577
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Scripture Passage from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) 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: Prelude in D Major ~ J.S. Bach
Interlude: Improvisation on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
Music for Passing the Peace: Little Litanies of Jesus ~ G. Grovlez
Postlude: Sonata in E Flat Major 1st Movement ~ J. Haydn
All Public Domain
