July 18th, 2021– 8th Sunday after Pentecost
Watch this Service at: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in worship:
Minister: Rev. Christine Smaller
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Scripture Reader: Barb Thompson
Music: John Thompson
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung Words: bold italic font
Prelude:
Sheep May Safely Graze J.S. Bach
Greeting:
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
Memorial Candle:
Today we light a candle in memory Doug Pittet.
Call to Worship:
We are one flock,
we are called to be one in community.
We have boldness before God
because we know we are loved and known
and so, in the same, way let us love each other, siblings and cousins.
not only in word or speech
but in truth and action—let us join together as one flock to worship the one God.
Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Life-Giving God, you put out the ‘Welcome’ mat for us as we gather to worship you. You nourish our souls and bodies through your goodness and tender mercies; you heal our life’s wounds; and your generous love fills us to overflowing. You give us an honoured place at your table, and invite us to stay with you as your guest forever. You have promised that your unfailing love will stay with us always, and for this, we give you our thanks.
Opening Hymn: VU 147 What Wondrous Love is This
1. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
2. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of life
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
3. To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am,
while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme I will sing.
4. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.
Prayer for Illumination:
God of wisdom and compassion refresh our hearts with your living Word here today. May we hear fresh insights and gain new inspiration as we listen together to this ancient text. Amen.
Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Response:
The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Musical Interlude:
Fantasia on a Hymn C. Burton
Saying Goodbye:
A Few Words about the Thompsons: Chris Burton
Sending On:
The Scriptures are filled with stories of people who have been called to move to new places: Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Joseph, Paul and Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquilla. Filled with uncertainty about what lay ahead, these people of God could not have found their moves easy.
Yet they were also filled with excitement, trusting that God was calling them and guiding them to a new place.
And now you, our beloved friends, are preparing to leave us and go to a new place, a new home, and a new church. As a part of this body of Christ over the past years, you have given of yourselves in ways that we have appreciated and will miss.
We ask God’s blessing upon you as we lift our hearts in prayer. Let us pray:
Blessed are you, O God, for you have created the wide and wonderful world in which we live.
We praise you for your constant care for those who have trusted you in ages past, who journeyed in faith to new lands of promise.
We trust that now you will hold John and Barb securely in your hands as they, too, follow your call to a new place.
May they take with them hearts filled with your love and grace, that those with whom they live and work may see in them the face of Jesus Christ.
Bless them that they may be a blessing.
Guide them to a new church home, where they may continue to grow in grace, in Spirit, and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn: VU 563 Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore
1. Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
2. You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
-- you will find there my nets and labour.
Refrain
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
3. You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving.
Refrain
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
4. You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting;
my loving friend, as thus you call me.
Refrain
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Psalm 23
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer: 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:
The Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Everyone is invited to share the peace of Christ 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 while we share the Peace of Christ:
Sonata #3, 2nd Mov’t S. Prokofieff
Invitation to the Offering:
Do you remember when, as if by sheer miracle, another met your need with kindness? Can you recall a time when you were able to offer what you had to ease another’s suffering or to welcome their delight? What relief, what peace, what a sense of “this is why we are here.” In this spirit of miraculous interdependence, we bring our offerings to each other and God.
Prayer of Dedication:
Generous One, bless our shared resources to the rejuvenation of our healers and to the creation of new ways that honour You and your beloved planet. Amen.
A single stone placed in the offering plate honours all our gifts.
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
Announcements:
Closing Hymn: VU 651 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (public domain)
1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
Commissioning and Benediction
Sung Blessing:
The Lord bless you and keep you John Rutter
John Thompson, baritone
Postlude:
Ballade. Opus 118 #3 J. Brahms
*****
RESOURCES USED (all with permission):
Prayers and Liturgies:
Call to Worship: From United Church Truth and Action service
Opening Prayer: Adapted from: Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A
Hymns and Sung Responses:
Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore: Words: Cesáreo Gabaráin 1979, trans. Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, Raquel Gutiérrez-Achón 1987 Music: Cesáreo Gabaráin 1979; harm. Skinner Chávez-Melo 1987 Words and music copyright 1979 Cesáreo Gabaráin, administered by Oregon Catholic Press. Translation copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Harmony copyright 1987 Skinner Chávez-Melo. Used by permission of Juan Francisco Chávez.
Prelude: Sheep May Safely Graze J.S. Bach
Interlude: Fantasia on a Hymn C. Burton
During Passing of the Peace: Sonata #3, 2nd Mov’t S. Prokofieff
Sung Blessing: The Lord Bless and Keep You ~ Oxford University Press, 2010, One License
Postlude: Ballade. Opus 118 #3 J. Brahms
All Public Domain
