October 9, 2022 – Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost and Communion Sunday
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Introit by Choir
Call to Worship
One: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
All: We will worship the LORD with gladness and come into God’s presence with song.
One: Know that it is the LORD God who made us, and we are God’s people.
All: We will enter God’s gates with praise and thanksgiving.
One: Let us give thanks to God this day and bless God’s holy name.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Opening Hymn
“Can a little child like me” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 441). Words by American author and editor Mary Mapes Dodge (1931–1905). Alternate words used in the hymnbook (1997) by The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Music (19th century; tune: “Thanksgiving”) by American composer William Kipp Bassford (1839–1902). Original words and music in the public domain. Alternate words copyright © 1997 The Presbyterian Church in Canada; used by permission.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Gracious and Loving God, we gather in this season of thanksgiving, struck by the colours of the leaves, the last warm breezes, birds flying south in formation. Such beauty speaks to us of your goodness, and your desire to provide what each of your creatures needs. As we gather, renew our sense of gratitude for every good gift you offer us. Especially we praise you for the gift of Christ Jesus who teaches us how to walk in the world you love and offers us grace and compassion to share with those we meet. Receive our love and gratitude in his name, and by your Spirit, empower us to live gratefully each and every day.
Living and loving God, We acknowledge we enjoy life with an abundance many nations cannot imagine. Yet we confess, we do not always recognize the blessings we share. We worry about our futures, and ignore the present needs of those around us. Forgive us our fears and narrow vision and our failure to care for creation as you intended.We pray in Jesus’ name, and continue to pray as he taught:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
The mercy of our God is from everlasting to everlasting. Hear and believe the good news of the Gospel: In Christ Jesus, we are forgiven and set free to begin again. At this time of Thanksgiving, let us give special thanks for God’s most generous love. Thanks be to God!
The Peace
The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Fun with the young at heart (Children’s story)
Bells of Guildwood Presents
“Give thanks”. Composed (1978) by Henry Smith, arranged (2010) by Susan E. Geschke. Music copyright © 1978 and arrangement copyright © 2010 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Guildwood Choir presents
Scripture Reading
Luke 17: 11–19 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Sermon
German philosopher Martin Heidegger said, “It is only when a hammer does not work that you suddenly realize that it is a hammer.”
Isn’t it so true that we don’t always know what we have, until it is gone. We tend to take many things for granted? Sometimes we are so busy pursuing our plans and ambition for tomorrow that we don’t pay enough attention to what we are given today.
Today we read the story of the ten lepers in the gospel of Luke. This story teaches us about the power of thanksgiving. The story tells us our gratitude and our thanksgiving to God can transform our lives, faith, and relationship. The gospel of Luke invites us to experience the kind of transformation our thanksgiving to God can offer us.
I am going to read verses 15 to 19,
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’s feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? 18 Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
In the story, Jesus heals ten people with leprosy, but only one person, a Samaritan, a foreigner, turns back to Jesus and thanks God and Jesus.
This is what Jesus says when he comes, I will highlight verse 19, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
For turning back and giving thanks to God, this foreigner experiences something more than physical healing; he receives the transformation of his life and faith.
All ten people received and experienced the healing of their bodies, but only one experienced the transformation of his faith. According to the scripture we read today, the transformation of his life and this saving grace this foreigner received has something to do with his turning back and giving thanks to God and thanks to Jesus.
And this is what I have witnessed this week: ……
(will elaborate on my experience at the service)
Musical Reflection
Offertory
We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.
Dedication of our Gifts
Prayer of dedication
Gracious and generous God, we offer our gifts in gratitude for all we receive from your hand. Bless and multiply them, just as Jesus multiplied a few loaves and fishes to bless others. Use them so others can taste your love in our community and in your world, through the grace of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bells of Guildwood Presents
“10,000 (Bless the Lord)”. Composed and written (2011) by English Christian singer-songwriter Matt Redman and Swedish songwriter Jonas Myrin. This arrangement (2014) by Peggy Bettcher. Music copyright © 2011 and arrangement copyright © 2014 Shout! Publishing admin US, Canada and worldwide excluding Europe by Capitol CMG Publishing. Used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
The Sacrament of Communion
Invitation of the table
Communion Prayer/Prayer of Great Thanksgiving
Communion Hymn
“Let Us Break Bread Together” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 548). Words African-American spiritual. Music (tune: “Let Us Break Bread”) African-American spiritual. Arrangement (1971) by Canadian composer F. R. C. Clarke (1931–2009). Words and music in the public domain. Arrangement copyright © 1971 Anglican Church of Canada and United Church of Canada; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
Fraction and Distribution
Closing Hymn
“Now thank we all our God” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 457). Original German words (c. 1636) by German Lutheran clergyman Martin Rinkart (1586–1649); English words (19th century) by English hymnwriter Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878). Music (1647; tune: “Nun Danket”) by German composer Johann Crüger (1898–1662). Music, German words and English translation all in the public domain.
Changing the Light
Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Choral Amen
- Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
- Performed by Rachelle Risling (keyboard) and the GCPC Senior Choir. Audio and video production by Rachelle Risling.
- Audio and video recording copyright © 2021 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Postlude
Copyright © 2022 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2022-10-11 20:25 – Corrected lack of livestream; added Sermon, Bells of Guildwood pieces.