August 22nd – 13th 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: Carol Clarke
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung Words: bold italic font
Prelude:
Prelude in D Major 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:
Call to Worship:
We are pulled in many directions.
Many duties and tasks seek to lay claim on our lives.
This day, in this place, let service to God be your choice.
This day, in this place, we open our hearts and spirits to God.
Blessed be the God of creation who has called us here.
Praise be to God who sustains and nurtures our lives. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
You let us choose, O God,
between you and the false gods of this world.
In the midst of the night of sin and death, wake us from our slumber
and call us forth to greet Christ,
so that with eyes and hearts fixed on him,
we may follow to eternal light. Amen.
Opening Hymn: MV 1 Let us Build a House
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God's children dare to seek
to dream God's reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God's grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat;
a banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they've known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God's face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
5. Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace;
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
Prayer for Illumination: (Lay Reader)
Holy One, we know that you constantly breathe new life into every word of scripture. Help us hear the Living Word you desire to share with us today.
Scripture: (Lay Reader)
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (NRSV)
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.
“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore, we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”
Psalm 84 (VU 800)
Refrain
How lovely is your dwelling place, O God of hosts, to me!
How lovely is your dwelling place, God of hosts!
My soul longs, even faints for the courts of God;
my heart and my flesh cry for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a house,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young,
at your altars, god of hosts, my sovereign, my God.
Refrain
How lovely is your dwelling place, O God of hosts, to me!
Happy are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise.
Happy are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their heart on pilgrimage.
Going through the valley of Baca
they find a spring from which also to drink;
the early rain also covers it with pools of water.
They go from strength to strength,
to appear before God in Zion.
Refrain
How lovely is your dwelling place, O God of hosts, to me!
O God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.
Behold, O God, our shield,
look on the face of your anointed.
Truly a day in your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For you, God, are a sun and shield,
you will give grace and honour.
No good thing will you withhold
from those who live the upright life.
O God of hosts,
happy are those who put their trust in you.
Refrain
How lovely is your dwelling place, O God of hosts, to me!
John 6:56-69 (NRSV)
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So, Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Response:
The Word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Musical Interlude:
Improvisation on a Hymn C. Burton
Sermon
Hymn: MV 8 And on this Path
1. And on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide,
and on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide,
And on this path, the gates of holiness are open wide!
Open wide! Open wide! Open wide!
The gates are open wide!
2. So enter in the gates of holiness are open wide,
so enter in the gates of holiness are open wide,
so enter in the gates of holiness are open wide!
Open wide! Open wide! Open wide!
The gates are open wide!
PROFESSION OF FAITH 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
and in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
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:
Little litanies of Jesus G. Grovlez
Invitation to the Offering:
Prayer of Dedication:
Creating God, guide us to put first things first in our lives.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Christ our Lord, enable us to follow your example.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Spirit Alive, shine your light that our choices may be a reflection.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
A single stone placed in the offering plate honours all our gifts.
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Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
Care, Prayer, Share
Announcements: (Lay Reader)
Closing Hymn: VU 250 O God of Matchless Glory
1. O God of matchless glory,
of all surpassing worth,
you fill the world with wonder;
you bring the stars to birth.
To whom shall we sing praises?
To whom, O God, but you? (but you?)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
You are our God; we belong to you.
2. With Wisdom as your partner
you formed the earth and sea;
and still she calls the simple,
"Be wise and learn from me."
Who else gives rest in labour?
Who else, O God, but you? (but you?)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We share your yoke; we belong to you.
3. Your word gives life forever;
our fear of death is stilled.
With living bread and water
our deepest need is filled.
To whom shall we go seeking?
To whom, O God, but you? (but you?)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
You are our God; we belong to you.
Commissioning and Benediction: 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:
Sonata in E Flat Major 1st Movement J. Hayden
*****
RESOURCES USED (all with permission):
Prayers and Liturgies:
- Call to Worship: written by Nancy C. Townley
- Opening Prayer: Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002
- Prayer of Illumination: written by Rev. Christine Smaller
- Prayer of Dedication: Copyright c Katherine Hawker, from Liturgies Outside the Box
- Prayers of the People: Written by Rev. Christine Smaller
- Commissioning and Benediction: Written by Rev. Christine Smaller.
Hymns and Sung Responses:
- Psalm Sung Response: Words: copyright © 1986. Music: copyright © 1983 Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission One License.
- Let Us Build a House: Words and music: Marty Haugen. Words and music copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. One License.
- And On This Path: Words: Lynn Bauman. Music: Linnea Good, 2003. Words copyright © 2000 Lyn Bauman, from Ancient Songs Sung Anew: The Psalms as Poetry Used by Permission. Music copyright © 2003 Borealis Music. Used by permission. One License.
- O God of Matchless Glory-Words: Ruth Duck 1989. Music: Ruth Watson Henderson 1995. Words copyright © 1992 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. One License. Music copyright © 1993 Ruth Watson Henderson.
- Go Now in Peace: Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. Copyright © 1988 Harold Flammere. Music: Inc. Alternate words used with permission. One License #608577.
Scripture Passage from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 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: Prelude in D Major J.S. Bach
Interlude: Improvisation on a Hymn C. Burton
Passing of the Peace: Little Litanies of Jesus G. Grovlez
Postlude: Sonata in E Flat Major 1st Movement J. Hayden
All Public Domain
