January 22nd, 2023
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Worship Leader: Heather Dickson
Guest Speaker: Maidah Ahmad
Scripture Reader: Carol Clarke
~ Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
PRELUDE:
Improvisation on “Creator God You Gave Us Life” ~ J. Snowdon /C. Burton
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You. Great and wonderful are Your works, wondrous are Your ways.
Thank You for the many-splendored variety of Your creation.
Thank You for the many ways we affirm Your presence and purpose,
and the freedom to do so.
Call us now to be fully present with You in this time of worship, so we may hear Your Word for us today.
WELCOME & DECLARATION OF SAFE SPACE
Here at Grace, we strive to show true hospitality and offer welcome to all who come through our doors. We know that each of us is made in God's image and that God calls us to different faiths and different ways of being in the world. We celebrate individuals and communities in all their diverse beauty.
PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION:
Creator, as we come together,
gathered on this land,
keep us mindful of the covenants that have been broken with Indigenous Peoples.
Be with us as we strive to make right
with all our relations.
And hear our thanks to live and work and worship here on Treaty 18 Land, home of the Anishinabek, Six Nations of the Grand River, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat-Wyandot-Wyandotte peoples.
Amen.
*OPENING HYMN:
VU 374 Come and Find the Quiet Centre
1. Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace and simply be.
2. Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, face to face,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we’re shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
3. In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other’s pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there’s a place for deepest dreaming,
there’s a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit’s lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit of truth, of enthusiasm, of gentleness,
stir us on this day of the renewal of the school year.
Open our ears to hear your Word,
and our eyes to discover Your world.
As we long to gather in town squares to celebrate or demonstrate,
as imagine sitting on park benches and dreaming of a world of peace and plenty,
shake us, enliven us, mould us;
help us to embody Your Spirit.
Make us Your loving and lively people.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Quran 2:177
It is not piety that you turn your faces to the East or the West. But the pious is he who believes in God and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the prophets; and gives wealth in spite of love for it, to kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and performs prayer, and gives offerings, and who keeps pledges when they make a pledge, and who are patient in misfortune and hardship, and in times of conflict. They are the ones who are true, they are the ones who are pious.
Romans 8:26-28
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groaning too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Quran 49:13
We made you diverse peoples and tribes so that you may come to know one another.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM: “True Faith Needs No Defense”
REFLECTION
*HYMN:
MV159 In Star and Crescent V. 1&2
1. In star and crescent, wheel and flame,
in rugged cross and empty tomb,
we image forth one matchless name,
one holy matrix, fount, and womb.
Though different cultures tribes, and lands
use lenses ground to differing sight,
each colour of the prism’s bands
refracts from one all-dazzling light.
2. In burning incense, tithing gifts,
in breaking bread and pouring wine,
each act of ardent worship lifts
our human hearts to Love Divine.
In Buddhist chant and Muslim prayer,
in shofar, drum and sacred song,
the music thankful spirits share
give praise in voices millions strong.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
In the spirit of love and compassion, let us pray.
Spirit of Life, God of many names, be in our hearts and minds as we come together today to pray for our world. We come today as people of privilege, grateful for this blessing, and hopeful for our future.
Let us know that each from our own tradition comes today to lift our spirit in unity.
Knowing that we are part of an interconnected web of life, let us acknowledge and embrace our oneness.
We pray that we may be loving and able stewards of this world.
We pray that we acknowledge our differences as we seek out our common ground, each of us working toward the good of all.
We recognize that there is hurt and sorrow, deeds that confound us, and actions for which we can find no justification. Yet, we also know that there is untold good, folks that work every day for the benefit of all people. Let us stand with them.
We pray that we have the strength to recognize the inconvenience of our soul work and to overcome the inertia that invades us during these difficult times.
We pray that while we recognize the occasional tiredness in our bones and in our hearts, that we call upon the strength of our higher power that we might be the best person that we are called to be.
Yes, let us be the good we want to see in others. Let us work to be the change that we seek. As we renew these goals in our hearts, let us say, Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE OF GOD:
The Peace of God be with you all.
And also with you.
Everyone is invited to share the peace of God 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 FOR PASSING THE PEACE:
Fantasy on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
DEDICATION of OFFERING:
God we give you thanks for the opportunity to share with one another. Help us be truly thankful for the privilege of both giving and receiving. Amen.
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Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Care, Prayer, Share
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GOOD NEWS CANDLE
*CLOSING HYMN:
MV 145 Draw the Circle Wide
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side; draw the circle wide.
1. God the still-point of the circle.
‘round whom all creation turns;
nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms.
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side; draw the circle wide.
2. Let our hearts touch far horizons,
so encompass great and small;
let our loving know no borders,
faithful to God’s call.
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side; draw the circle wide.
3. Let the dreams we dream be larger,
than we’ve ever dreamed before;
let the dream of God be in us,
open every door.
Refrain:
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
standing side by side; draw the circle wide.
*COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION:
May the God of every grace and blessing grant you joy and peace. May you rejoice in God’s protection, now and forever. 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:
“For the Beauty of the Earth” ~ J. Rutter/C. Burton
*****
RESOURCES USED
LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
PRAYERS:
Interfaith Worship Service at Glebe Road United Church, 2018.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
“Come and Find the Quiet Centre.” Words: Shirley Erena Murray, alt 1989. Music: attrib. Benjamin Franklin White 1844. Harm. Ronald A. Nelson 1978. Words copyright© 1992 Hope Publishing Co. Harmony copyright © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress. One License #608577
“In Star and Crescent” Words: Mary Louise Bringle, 2001, Music: Jane Best, 2 006, Words copyright © 2002 by GIA Publications, Used by permission. Music Copyright © 2006, Jane Best, Used by permission.
“Draw the Circle Wide:” Words and music: Gordon Light, 1994; arrangement: Michael Bloss, 1998. Words and music copyright©1994 Common Cup Company, www.commoncup.com. Used by permission.
“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:
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.
Quran
Prelude: Improvisation on “Creator God You Gave Us Life” MV 27 ~ J.Snowdon /C. Burton
Anthem: “True Faith Needs No Defense”. Words: Daniel Charles Damon, 1994, rev 2004 Music: Daniel Charles Damon 2004. Words and music copyright © 2006 Hope Publishing Company
Music for Passing the Peace: Fantasy on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
Postlude: “For the Beauty of The Earth“ ~ J. Rutter/C. Burton
