Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 Leading us today in Worship Lay Leaders: Orleen Anderson and guests Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton Minister: Rev. Thérèse Samuel Special Musical Guests Join us for this service online at: https://www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/livestreams/33
PRELUDE Medley of Today's Hymns arranged by Christopher Burton
WELCOME Carol Clarke -Chair of the Church Board
GREETING and CALL TO WORSHIP God greets us this morning Come, let us worship
OPENING PRAYER
You, Creator, source of notes and silence; You, O Christ, our melody and harmony; You, Holy Spirit, our inspiration to sing along; we praise you this morning. In you, every song has been sung since the beginning of time. In you, every day brings a new song, Receive our ages-old and ever new songs of praise: songs celebrating people and events, songs remembering your faithfulness to us, songs promising our faithfulness to you. Receive our songs, and in our singing may we receive you whom we praise: Creator, Word and Spirit. Amen.
Written by Thérèse Samuel, 2020
Hymn VU 409 Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word! Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden; sprung in completeness where God's feet pass. Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's recreation of the new day!
Words: Eleanor Fargeon 1931 Music: Gaelic melody, harm. Alec Wyton Words used by permission of David Higham Associates Harmony from The Hymnal 1982 © 1982 The Church Pension Fund. Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
Hymn VU 226 For the Beauty of the Earth
Soloist Kelly Adams - Piano Christopher Burton
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Refrain: God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light.
Refrain For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Refrain For each perfect gift sublime to our race so freely given, graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Refrain
Words: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint 1864 Music: Conrad Kocher 1838; adapt. William H. Monk 1861 Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
SCRIPTURE VU 808 On Eagle's Wings
Duet - Thérèse Samuel , Phyllis Fleming ~ Piano - Christopher Burton
You who dwell in the shelter of our God, who abide in this shadow for life, say to the Lord: "My refuge, my Rock in whom I trust!"
Refrain: "And I will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of my hand."
The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear: under God's wings your refuge, God's faithfulness your shield.
Refrain You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
Refrain For to God's angels is given a command to guard you in all of your ways; upon their hand they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
Words: Michael Joncas © 1979 Music: Michael Joncas © 1979 Words and music © 1979, 1991 New Dawn Music Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
PROFESSION OF FAITH Jean Carscadden, Sandy Eagles, Shauna Eagles and Olivia Eagles A New Creed
We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
- The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998
Hymn VU 352 I Danced in the Morning
Duet - Thérèse Samuel, Phyllis Fleming – Piano and Vocals Christopher Burton
I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth; at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the dance, said he, and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the Scribe and the Pharisee, but they would not dance and they would not follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came with me and the dance went on.
Refrain
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame; the holy people said it was a shame; they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high, and they left me there on a cross to die. I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; it's hard to dance with the devil on your back; they buried my body and they thought I'd gone, but I am the dance and I still go on.
Refrain
They cut me down and I leapt on high; I am the life that will never, never die; I'll live in you if you'll live in me; I am the Lord of the dance, said he.
Refrain
Words: Sydney Carter © 1963 Music: Shaker melody, adapt and harm. Sydney Carter © 1963 Words and harmony © 1963 Stainer & Bell Used by permission of Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
Hymn VU 509 I, The Lord of Sea and Sky
Soloist Marilyn Parkin – violinist Margaret Parkin
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here, I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain, I have wept for love of them; they turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them; my hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Words: Daniel L. Schutte © 1981, alt. Music: Daniel L. Schutte © 1981, harm. Michael Pope, Daniel L. Schutte and John Weissrock 1983 Words © 1981 Daniel L Schutte and New Dawn Music. GIA Publications Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
Hymn I Come to the Garden Alone
Soloist Jennifer Potter – Piano Christopher Burton
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.
Refrain: And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am his own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of his voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
Words and Music: C. Austin Miles, 1913 Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
MUSIC FOR PASSING THE PEACE: Hymn VU 375 Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Music: James K Manley © 1975 Words and music © 1978 James K. Manley Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
Hymn VU 291 All Things Bright and Beautiful
Soloist Shirley Woolner – Piano Christopher Burton
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful: in love God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colours, God made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains, the river running by, the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one.
The rocky mountain splendour, the lone wolf's haunting call, the great lakes and the prairies, the forest in the fall;
God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God our maker, who has made all things well.
Refrain
Words: Cecil Frances Alexander © © 1848, alt. Music: 17th-Century English melody, adapt. and arr. Martin Shaw 1915 Arrangement © 1921 (renewed) J. Curwen & Sons Ltd. (Ltd). All rights for the U.S. and Canada controlled by G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP) Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
SCRIPTURE VU 747 Psalm 23 The Lord's My Shepherd
Soloist John Thompson – Piano Christopher Burton
The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want; he makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me, the quiet waters by. My soul he doth restore again; and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, even for his own name's sake. Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, yet will I fear no ill; for thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still. My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes; my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me, and in God's house for evermore my dwelling place shall be.
Words: Scottish Psalter 1650 Music: Jessie Seymour Irvine 1872 Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
Hymn VU 703 In the Bulb There Is a Flower
Soloist Phyllis Fleming – Piano Christopher Burton
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Words: Natalie Sleeth © 1986 Music: Natalie Sleeth © 1986 Words and music © 1986 Hope Publishing Company Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
OFFERING We honour all the ways that we give as we dedicate our offering.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF
Ever-present and holy God, we offer these gifts in the hope that they will bring justice to those in need; we consecrate these gifts, with the prayer that they will help others learn to love in kindness and to walk in humility. Through these gifts to the world, may those who hunger and thirst for righteousness find blessing, and may those who mourn for the state of the world find peace. Amen
By Karen Clark Ristine, from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2020, © Abingdon Press.
Hymn VU 266 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Soloist John Thompson – Piano Christopher Burton
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, this word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
Words: John Henry Newton 1779, alt., v. 5 anon., from A Collection of Sacred Ballads 1780 Music: from Virginia Harmony 1831, adapt. and harm., Edwin O. Excell 1900 Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS After the service Join us via Zoom for community time. The Zoom call info was sent in the eblast.
Hymn VU 238 How Great Thou Art
Soloist Jennifer Potter – Piano Christopher Burton
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! When through the woods and forest glades I wander, I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Refrain When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” Refrain
Words: Carl Gustav Boberg ca. 1885; English trans. Stuart K Hine ca. 1939, rev. 1949 Music: Swedish melody, arr. Stuart K Hine 1949 English words and arrangement © 1953 [1981] Renewal by Manna Music, Inc. Hope Publishing Company Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #608577. All rights reserved.
SENDING & BLESSING
Go from this time of worship with the old songs in your ears, and a new song in your hearts. Go from this time knowing that every song you need is within you and around you. Go into the world to bring the song that the world longs to sing. Go, and may the everlasting song go with you, now and always. Amen. Written by Thérèse Samuel, 2020
INTERLUDE Consolation by Franz Liszt Public Domain
POST-POSTLUDE: Where in the World is Orleen?