September 3rd, 2023
Proper 17 – 14th Sunday After Pentecost
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Worship Leader: Rev. Hugh MacDonald
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Leader: Shirley Woolner
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.
We Gather
PRELUDE:
“Little Preludes” (selections) ~ 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 & Safe Space
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Petun, Huron-Wendat, and Mississauga peoples, located within the boundary of the region of Treaty 18 of 1818. We humbly acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada as traditional stewards of the land on which we work and worship and are committed to working actively toward genuine restitution and reconciliation.
At Grace, we strive to make all of our spaces - including oursanctuary during worship - as safe a place as possible. We celebrate and honour the holy truth that all people are made in the image of God and are innately entitled to dignity and respect. Any practice, religious or otherwise, which explicitly or implicitly indicates that some people are more beloved than others, goes against our core beliefs here at Grace. We join together in an ongoing commitment to learning how we can live out genuinely welcoming and inclusive behaviour in all ways and at all times.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Ever-present God, this day enfolds us and surrounds us. We ask that you be in our speaking and in our thinking. Be in our life and on our lips. Be in our hearts and in our souls, today and forever. Amen
OPENING PRAYER
*OPENING 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 perish; 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:
God the Creator brings you new life, forgives and redeems you. Take hold of this forgiveness, and live your life in the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
We Listen
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
O God, open our hearts and minds
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that as the scriptures are read
and your Word is proclaimed,
we may hear what you are saying to us today. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament: Exodus 3: 1-15
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:
This is my name forever,
and this my title for all generations.
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE:
Theme and Variations ~ F. Mendelssohn
SERMON:
I will be with you…
*HYMN: MV # 135
Called by Earth and Sky
Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.
1. Precious these waters, endless seas,
deep ocean’s dream,
waters of healing, rivers of rain,
the wash of love again.
Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.
2. Precious this gift, the air we breathe;
wind born and free.
Breath of the Spirit, blow through this place,
our gathering and our grace.
Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.
3. Precious these mountains, ancient sands;
vast fragile land.
Seeds of our wakening, rooted and strong,
Creation’s faithful song.
Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.
4. Precious the fire that lights our way,
bright dawning day.
Fire of passion, sorrows undone,
our faith and justice one.
Refrain:
Called by earth and sky,
promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust,
treasure of life sanctified,
called by earth and sky.
We Respond
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken, traditional words, VU 921)
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…
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:
Improvisation on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
INVITATION to the OFFERING
PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF:
We bring our gifts to you, God.
Here is the work of our hands,
and here is the love of our hearts.
Accept them and use them,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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
We Go Out
WHAT’S UP AT GRACE?
*CLOSING HYMN: VU # 713
I See a New Heaven
Refrain
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
1. There, there on the banks of a river bright and free,
yielding her fruit, firm in her root,
the Tree of Life will be.
Refrain
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
2. There, there where death dies and our lives are born again,
body and soul, struggling but whole
like flowers after the rain.
Refrain
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
3. There, there where the darkness brings visions from above.
There where the night, bearing new light,
reveals the promise of love.
Refrain
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
4. There, there where we work with the love of healing hands.
Labour we must, true to our trust
to build a promised new land.
Refrain
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
*COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm on your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in gentle embrace.
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:
Fantasia in D Minor ~ G.P. Telemann
*****
RESOURCES USED
LITURGY SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Call to Woship, Opening Prayer, Prayer of Confession, Invitation to the Offering, Prayer of Dedication, Commissioning and Benediction written by Rev. Hugh MacDonald.
Words of Assurance& Prayer of Illumination From Celebrate God’s Presence.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
- Immortal Invisible, God Only Wise: Words: Walter Chalmers Smith 1867, alt. 1987
Music: Welsh folk song, arr. John Roberts (Henllan) in Canidau y Cyssegr 1839
Public Domain
- “Called by Earth and Sky:” Words and music: Pat Mayberry, 2005. Arr. Margaret Stubington, 2005. Words and music copyright © 2005 Pat Mayberry. Used by permission.
Arrangement copyright © 2005 by Margaret Stubington. One License #608577
- "I See a New Heaven:” Words: Carolyn McDade 1979. Music: Carolyn McDade, harm. Janet McGaughey ca. 1981, alt. Words and music copyright © cx1991 Carolyn McDade. Used by permission. OneLicense #608577
- Sung Blessing:”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 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: “Little Preludes” (selections) ~ J.S. Bach
Musical Interlude: Theme and Variations ~ F. Mendelssohn
Music for Passing the Peace: Improvisation on a Hymn ~ C. Burton
Postlude: “Fantasia in D Minor” ~ G.P. Telemann
