September 24, 2023
Proper 20, Creation Time 3
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Worship Leader: Phyllis Fleming
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Leader: Norine Baron
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.
We Gather to Worship God
PRELUDE: "Pavana" T. Morley
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 & DECLARATION of SAFE SPACE
CALL TO WORSHIP:
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
God is good. The fruit-laden trees proclaim the wonder of God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
God is good. The autumn rain declares the nurture of God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
God is good. The mountains and hills reflect our awesome God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
God is good. The gathered crops make evident our caring God.
LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
OPENING PRAYER:
Holy God of All Creation, you are awesome indeed.
You have made an amazing and beautiful universe!
We praise you for the incredible and beautiful cycles:
of abundant, harmonious living.
May we come to understand the divine law:
of constant renewal, of continuous growth,
of eternal life.
Enfold us in your love.
Fill us with energy for your sacred work.
Guide us to eternal life with you. 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 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 blessings on our way:
sing praises, hallelujah!
The flowers and fruits that verdant grow, let them God’s glories also show:
sing praises, sing praises, 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, sing praises, 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, sing praises, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
PRAYER of CONFESSION:
The sun's glorious rays bring life and light to the world,
yet we can't forget our sunblock, for the ozone layer no longer protects us.
Out of the oceans, life emerged, and we still carry that water in our veins and in our cells,
yet the oceans hide centuries of debris,
becoming the final garbage heap of civilization.
Water is life itself, essential, elemental, and expensive,
for we have considered it expendable in our greed.
With a word, you, O God, brought creation into healthy being, providing us with everything necessary to life and declaring it “very good”,
yet we have ignored the complexities of that creation, exploiting instead of living in sustainable harmony.
Forgive us, O God, and lead us into full relationship with all creation.
Forgive us, O God, and make us wholly open to an understanding of creation that inspires us to care for the earth, as you care for it.
(a time of silent prayer)
Amen.
WORDS of ASSURANCE:
Our great creator God always has compassion for us, and forgives our failings as we seek to live with respect in Creation.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Psalm 105: 1-11, 37-45 (VU p. 828-829, Parts One and Four)
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
Give thanks and call on God's name.
Make known to the nations what God has done.
Sing, O sing the songs of praise; tell of all God's wonderful deeds.
Exult in God's holy name;
let those who seek God be joyful in heart.
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
Turn for help to the one who is your strength; seek God's presence continually.
Remember the marvels the Most High has done,
the wonders and judgements God has given,
O children of Abraham and Sarah, God's servants,
O offspring of Israel, chosen of God.
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
You are the eternal God,
your justice reaches every corner of the earth.
You are ever mindful of your covenant,
the promise you gave to a thousand generations,
the covenant you made with Sarah and Abraham, the oath you gave to Isaac.
You confirmed it for Jacob as binding.
To Israel your everlasting covenant you declared,
“To you I give the land of Canaan, as your appointed inheritance.”
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
You led Israel out, with spoil of silver and gold. Among the tribes not one fell behind.
The Egyptians were glad when they went, for dread of Israel had fallen upon them.
You spread cloud as a screen,
and fire as light by night.
The people asked, and you sent them quail; you filled them with bread from heaven.
You opened a rock and water gushed out; it flowed like a river through the arid land.
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
For you remembered the sacred promise you made
to Abraham and Sarah, your servants.
You led out your people rejoicing, your chosen ones with songs of gladness.
You gave them the lands of nations;
they took possession where others had toiled,
that they might keep your laws and obey your teachings.
Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!
Philippians 1:21-30 (NIV)
Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV)
RESPONSE:
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM: “We Bring Our Thanks” Williams/Schram
MESSAGE:
*HYMN: MV 126 Are You a Shepherd?
1. I saw the rich ones I saw what they gave
the widow who offered two pennies she’d saved
and I saw she was smiling I knew she was glad
and I wondered because she gave all that she had
But with God the world is turned upside down
the poor are embraced and the lost they are found
Let’s work for a world where all people are free
where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me.
2. I saw Zacheus, a sinner they said
but to his house I saw Jesus go to break bread
and I knew something special had happened that day
when Zacheus gave half of his riches away
But with God the world is turned upside down
the poor are embraced and the lost they are found
Let’s work for a world where all people are free
where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me.
3. The men in the vineyards were grumbling one day
I knew they weren’t happy with what they’d been paid
for the ones who came later were paid just the same
as the workers who greeted the dawn when they came
But with God the world is turned upside down
the poor are embraced and the lost they are found
Let’s work for a world where all people are free
where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me.
PROFESSION OF FAITH A New Creed
|
We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created who has come in Jesus, who works in us and others We trust in God. |
We are called to be the Church: In life, in death, in life beyond death, We are not alone. Thanks be to God. |
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
Inspire us, O God, to be among those who will not rest
until your just and sharing kingdom comes.
We pray for fair treatment and justice, O God, in our troubled world, ( … )
so that journalists covering a conflict are not harmed.
Inspire us, O God, to be among those who will not rest
until your just and sharing kingdom comes.
We pray for fair treatment and justice, O God, among those who suffer. ( … )
We pray in silence for those who have suffered loss.
Inspire us, O God, to be among those who will not rest
until your just and sharing kingdom comes.
We pray for fair treatment and justice within the church. ( … )
especially those who are our teachers and leaders.
Inspire us, O God, to be among those who will not rest
until your just and sharing kingdom comes.
And, O God, we pray that we will be just followers of Jesus Christ. ( … )
Give us the way of Christ so that we are aware of the superficial, and ready to laugh at ourselves and our inconsistencies.
Inspire us, O God, to be among those who will not rest
until your just and sharing kingdom comes.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken, traditional words, VU 921)
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
MUSIC for PASSING the PEACE:
Improvisation on a Hymn C. Burton
INVITATION to the OFFERING :
PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF:
In every way, O God, you paint us all with the rainbow colours of giving.
Take these gifts of relationship, of money, of time and space, of truth, of wellness, and of gracious leadership as the collection of diverse paintbrushes with which we wish to transform the world.
Bless our artistry of generosity for your purpose in Jesus’ name. 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
WHAT’S UP at GRACE?
*HYMN: VU 227 For the Fruit of All Creation
1. For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.
2. In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
3. For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.
*COMMISSIONING:
May the love of God be with you as you leave this time of worship.
May we continue to marvel at the wonder of creation, and may we strive to take care of it and each other and all who live in creation.
Take Christ’s love and compassion out into our world and be the church outside these walls.
God is good,
all the time. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*BENEDICTION:
*SUNG BLESSING: MV 95 “How Deep the Peace”
How deep the peace, the confidence,
of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence,
of those whose hearts are healed. (2x)
POSTLUDE:
“Sonata Opus 10 #1 1st Mov't” L. van Beethoven
RESOURCES USED
Liturgy Sources: The following are used with permission:
- Call to Worship: written by David Sparks, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2023, page 26
- Lighting the Christ Candle: written by Jessica Knoyle, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2023, page 30, alt.
- Opening Prayer: written by Jani Francis, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2023, page 27
- Prayer of Confession written by Gord Dunbar, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2021, page 28
- Words of Assurance and Benediction: written by Phyllis Fleming 2023
- Prayer for Illumination: written by Cheryl Henry, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2023, page 37
- Affirmation of Faith: “A New Creed,” The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998
- Prayers of the People: prayer for Proper 20 from Pastoral Prayers to Share, Year A, by David Sparks, alt.
- Invitation to Offering: written by Bob Root, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2021, page 29, alt.
- Prayer of Dedication: written by Gord Dunbar, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2021, page 38
- Commissioning: written by Tony Tuck, Gathering, Pentecost-2 2021, page 30, alt.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES
- Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King" VU 217: words by St. Francis of Assisi 1225, English trans. William Henry Draper ca. 1919, alt. Music from Geistliche Kirchengesaenge, Cologne 1623, harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams 1906, English translation copyright © G. Schirmer, Inc. Harmony by permission of Oxford University Press. Used by permission One License # 608577.
- Psalm 105 response, VU 828: music by John Medley, arr. Willis Noble 1995; arrangement © 1995 Willis Noble, used by permission of Dr. Willis Noble
- Hymn: "I Saw the Rich Ones" MV 127: words and music by Pat Mayberry 2000, arr. Margaret Stubington 2006. Words and music copyright © 2000 Pat Mayberry. Arrangement copyright © 2006 Margaret Stubington. Used by permission One License # 608577.
- Hymn: "For the Fruit of All Creation" VU 227: words by Fred Pratt Green 1970; music Welsh folk melody ca. 1784. Words copyright © 1970 Hope Publishing Company. Used by permission One License # 608577.
- Sung Blessing: “How Deep the Peace:” Words: Lynn Bauman, 2000. Music: Linnea Good, 2004. Words copyright © 2000 Lynn Bauman, from Ancient Songs Sung Anew: the Psalms as Poetry. Used by permission. Music copyright © 2004 Borealis Music, www. Linnea Good.com . Used by permission One License # 608577.
Prelude: "Pavana" T. Morley
Anthem: “We Bring Our Thanks” Williams/Schram . Copyright © Harold Flammer . Music a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc. One License #698577
Music for Passing the Peace: Improvisation on a Hymn C. Burton
Postlude: “Sonata Opus 10 #1 1st Mov't” L. van Beethoven
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES
