September 4th, 2022
13th Sunday after Pentecost
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Worship Leader: Robert Murdock
Guest Music Director: Saundra Lake
Lay Leader: Debbie Potts
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able. __________________________________________________
PRELUDE:
“Pastorale in B Flat” ~ Charles Vincent
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:
This is the day that God has made.
This is a day of wonder and grace.
This is a day to praise God.
This is a day to marvel and God’s handiwork.
This is a day for seeking God’s will.
This is a day to join our hearts in prayer and praise.
Let us worship together.
OPENING PRAYER:
*HYMN: VU #264 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise;
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2. Unresting, unhasting and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
then wither and parish; but naught changeth thee!
4. Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee!
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
WORDS of ASSURANCE:
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Readings:
Psalm 1 VU #724
Refrain :
Blessed are those who follow the law of God.
Blessed are those who do not follow the council of the wicked,
or linger in the way of sinners,
or sit down amomg those who mock.
But their delight is in the law of God,
and on that law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted beside streams of water,
yielding their fruit in due season.
Their leaves do not wither,
and whatever they produce shall prosper.
Refrain :
Blessed are those who follow the law of God.
As for the wicked, it is not so for them,
but they are like the chaff,
driven away by the wind.
Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand
when judgement comes,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For God watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Refrain:
Blessed are those who follow the law of God.
Scripture: Philemon:1:1-21 (NRSV)
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To our beloved coworker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your house:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
“I see the Love of God in Every River” ~ David Ouchterlony
SERMON: “We Are All Set Free”
*HYMN: VU # 232 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
1. Joyful, joyful we adore you, God of glory, life and love;
hearts unfold like flowers before you,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away,
giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
2. All your works with joy surround you, earth and heaven reflect your rays,
stars and angels sing around you,
centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain, sound their praise eternally.
3. You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing ever blest,
well spring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Source of grace and fount of blessing,
let your light upon us shine;
teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
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:
“Heart Divine” ~ Antonin Dvorak
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: VU #245 Praise the Lord with The Sound of Trumpet
1. Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
Praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
Praise the Lord with the gentle sounding flute.
Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
Praise the lord in the city square,
Praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.
Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
Praise the Lord in the dark of night,
Praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light.
Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
Praise the Lord on the highest hill,
Praise the Lord never let your voice be still.
2. Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
Praise the Lord with the pipe and string,
Praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.
Praise the Lord on a weekday morning
Praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
Praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.
Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
Praise the Lord in the time of joy,
Praise the Lord every moment, nothing let your praise destroy.
Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
Praise the Lord in your work or play,
Praise the Lord everywhere in every way.
*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:
“Jerusalem” ~ Sir Chubert H. Parry.
*****
RESOURCES USED
LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
- Call to Worship: Beth W. Johnston, Bridging Waters P.C. Nepawin, Sask. The Gathering 1, Year C. Used by permission
- Prayers: Robert Murdock.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
- Psalm Refrain: T. Barrett Armstrong. Copyright © 1979 T. Barrett Armsstrong.
- “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise:” Words Walter Chalmers Smith 1867, alt 1987Music: Welsh folk song arr. John Roberts Hanllan in Caniadau yCyssegr1839. Public domain.
- Joyful, Joyful We AdoreThee:” Words. Henry van Dyke. 1907 alt. Music, Ludwig van Beethoven 1825,adapt. Edward Hodges 1864 desc. Hal Hopson 1979. Descant copyright ©1979 G.I.A. Publications. Public domain.
- “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet:” Words: Natalie Sleeth. Music: Natalie Sleeth. 1975. Words and music copyright@1976 Hinshaw Music Inc. One License #608577
- “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 (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: “Pastorale” in B Flat by Charles Vincent
Musical Interlude: “I see the Love of God in Every River” by David Ouchterlony
Passing of the Peace: “Heart Divine” by Antonin Dvorak
Postlude: “Jerusalem” by Sir Chubert .H. Parry.
All in public domain
