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October 5, 2025: World Communion Sunday
Phyllis Fleming
Phyllis Fleming
Sunday, October 5, 2025
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October 5, 2025

Creation Time 5, Proper 22

World Communion Sunday

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
     Worship Leader: Phyllis Fleming
     Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
     Lay Leader: Sandy Eagles
     Meditation, and presiding at Communion: Rev. Thérèse Samuel

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather 

PRELUDE: A Medley of Hymn Tunes

A Stewardship Second
The power of God’s generosity in your life is stronger than you know. Remember this when you are given the chance to help others.

GREETING: (2 Cor. 13:13)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all!
And also with you!

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
As we light the Christ Candle today on World Communion Sunday, we are mindful of our connection to Christians around the world.
The flame of Christ’s love unites us wherever we may be.
The light of our Christ candle is magnified as it adds to the succession of Christ-lights spreading from east to west.
(the candle is lit)
Thanks be to God for the light of Christ!

SONG: VU #437 “The Day You Gave Us” v. 3
As o’er each continent and island,
the dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect.  At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community.  We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.

CALL to WORSHIP
Welcome, people of God, to this special service.
What is so special about the service today?
Today is World Communion Sunday, so we will be celebrating communion with people all over the world!
How can we celebrate with people in other places?
The table of Jesus Christ connects us all.
What a wonderful way to join our hearts together in love.
Come, let us worship.

OPENING PRAYER (RB)
As young and old,
we come at Christ’s invitation, O God.
As siblings in Christ,
we come.
From varied contexts and life situations,
we come.
From the corners of the earth,
we come.
We come to the table
at Christ’s invitation.
We come to worship
to pay attention to and to live out the Good News.
We come
to worship you, our God!
We come
joining at the table with our siblings in Christ around the world.
Alleluia! Amen!

We Listen 

ANTHEM:  Remember Him”
Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig
Music by Don Besig

THEME CONVERSATION: The biggest table in the world!

*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, called by earth and sky.

CREATION TIME MEDITATION

PRAYER for ILLUMINATION (LJT)
Loving God, you nourish us with timeless truths. Empower us to pay attention with inquisitiveness. Guide us to draw ever closer to you. Free us to respond with conviction. In the name of the one who feeds us with truth and love, Jesus the Christ. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 137 VU #858
By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept
when we remembered Zion.
There on the willows we hung up our harps
when our captors asked us for songs.
Our tormentors called for entertainment, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
How could we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my hands wither!
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.
Chorus:
By the waters, the waters of Babylon,
We sat down and wept, and wept, for Zion.
We remember, we remember, we remember Zion.

Second Timothy 1:1-14 - reading from The Message
I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God’s plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!
Every time I say your name in prayer - which is practically all the time - I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith - and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed - keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground - the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

Luke 17:5-6 - reading from Contemporary English Version
The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith stronger!”
Jesus replied: If you had faith no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would!

RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!

MESSAGE:  Connections

We Respond 

*HYMN: VU #460 – “All Who Hunger”
1.  
All who hunger, gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

2. All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

3. All who hunger, sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table
live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Believe it or not, you are the answer to someone’s prayers. When you share your gifts, today and every day, you bring hope and comfort to people. Thank you for giving generously.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
Generous and loving God, help us to see where there is a need and to fill it. Bless these gifts in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Donate online:   www.graceunitedthornbury.ca,  select “DONATE”
     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
     or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, and Donate to Grace United Church through CanadaHelps.org.   Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register.  Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving.                                Care, Prayer, Share

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ be with you.         
And also with you.
Those online may 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.

COMMUNION PRAYER

Invitation to Worldwide Communion   (Rev. Thérèse Samuel)

The Great Thanksgiving

Call to Give Thanks      Thérèse Samuel, 2009, with Trad. African-American response
God is good
All the time
All the time
God is good.
Repeated several times

Let us give God thanks
Let us give God praise.

Thanksgiving      CGP p. 277, alt. by Thérèse Samuel
Blessed are you, gracious God…
…Therefore we join with all creation,
and all the heavenly hosts
who dwell in glory, to sing:

Song of Creation     MV #206
Holy, holy, holy
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full,
are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blest is the one who comes,
who comes in God’s name.
Hosanna in the highest!

Affirmation of Memory and Hope        CGP p. 290
God of majesty,
with reverent hearts we name you also
God of self-giving love.
We give thanks, blessing above blessing,
for Jesus Christ,
son of Mary, Word of life.
We remember Jesus,
faithful friend and living hope:
attesting truth before the powers;
seeking the forgotten and abused;
setting the prodigal and the righteous
at the one feast of forgiveness.
We remember Jesus,
risen and eternal One,
Christ who comes to meet us.
Therefore we proclaim our hope, singing: MV #207        
     Christ has died.
     Christ is risen.
     Christ will come again.

Prayer for Transformation   Thérèse Samuel, 2022

Remembering the Community     CGP p. 295
At this time, we also remember all those
with whom you would have us share your feast.
We pray for all who are in sorrow or in pain . . .
all who are ill or alone . . .
all who live with fear, oppression, or hunger . . .
all whom the world counts as last and least . . . .
We pray for your church and its varied ministries . . .
for the nations as they strive for peace and justice . . .
for the earth, and the fragile web of life we share . . .
for our families and friends . . . .

Concluding Praise     CGP p. 297
Praise be to God,
the Source of love!
Praise be to Christ,
Love incarnate!
Praise be to the Spirit,
Love’s power!
Praise be to God!
And we sing:
SINGING:  MV #208: Amen, amen, amen, amen!

Prayer of Jesus    The Lord’s Prayer

Remembering Jesus at Table and Sharing of Communion              CGP p. 286, alt. Thérèse Samuel

Prayer after Communion      CGP p. 303
Eternal and gracious One,
though we live in a world of need,
here we have tasted your goodness
and hungered for a world more just.
Though afflicted by brokenness and division,
here we have heard your call
to be a people of healing community.
Though daily we touch our limits,
here we have received
the fullness of your grace.
Send us forth, O God,
in faith, in hope, and in love.
Amen.

WHAT’S UP AT GRACE?

We Go Out

*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 Christ 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
As we leave this time of worship,
let us remember our connection to all of Creation.
We have been fed with the bread of life on this World Communion Sunday.
Let us remember our connection to Christians everywhere.
Let us go and share God’s love with the world.

*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:

 "Gigue" -  J.S. Bach

 *****

LITURGY SOURCES:           The following are used with permission:
Stewardship Second, invitation to the Offering, and Prayer of Dedication of our Offerings: © 2025 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Opening Prayer: written by Richard Bott (RB), Gathering, Pentecost-2 2025, page 42.
Prayer for Illumination: written by Laura J. Turnbull (LJT), from gatheringworship.ca
Scripture Response: written by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith.
Communion Liturgy: Celebrate God’s Presence (CGP) and Rev. Thérèse Samuel as indicated
Lighting the Christ Candle, Call to Worship, Commissioning and Benediction: written by Phyllis Fleming
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES  (all copyrighted music by permission One License #608577)
- “The Day You Gave Us, God, Is Ended (v. 3)” Words by John Ellerton 1870, alt. 1994; music by Clement Cotterill Scholefield; both Public Domain.
- “Called by Earth and Sky” Words and music by Pat Mayberry 2005.; arrangement by Margaret Stubington 2005; Words and music copyright © 2005 Pat Mayberry. www.patmayberry.com. Arrangement copyright © 2005 by Margaret Stubington.
- Psalm 137 chorus: words traditional, Israeli melody; both Public Domain
-  “All Who Hunger” Words Sylvia G Dunstan 1990, copyright © 1991, GIA Publications, Inc.;  music by William Moore 1825, arr. David Kai 1994, alt.; arrangement copyright © 1994 by David Kai.
- Patriquin Communion Set, MV 206, 207, 208: traditional liturgical text, Public Domain; music by Donald Patriquin, © 1998/1999 Donald Patriquin.
-Draw the Circle Wide” Words and music: Gordon Light, 1994; arrangement: Michael Bloss, 1998. Words and music copyright © 1994 Common Cup Company. Arrangement copyright © 1998 Wood Lake Books.
- “Go Now in Peace” Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, Inc.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:
Scripture Passage from The Message Bible, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson.
Scripture Passage from Contemporary English Version (CEV), copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society.
Prelude: A Medley of Hymn Tunes
Anthem:  “Remember Him.” Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig Music by Don Besig Copyright © 1999 Harold Flammer Music, A Division of Shawnee Press. OneLicense #608577
Postlude:   "Gigue" -  J.S. Bach