Worship Service for May 28, 2023 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

May 28, 2023 – Pentecost Sunday

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, May 28, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, May 28.

Introit

Prelude

Call to Worship

One: Breathe upon us, Holy Spirit,
All: and inspire our thoughts and actions.

One: Stir in our hearts, Holy Spirit,
All: and fill us with energy to spread joy in the world.

One: Breathe upon us, Holy Spirit,
All: and refresh our commitment to serve.

One: Stir in our hearts, Holy Spirit,
All: as we worship and witness to God’s coming reign.

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

“In the bulb there is a flower” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 674). Words and music (both 1986; tune: “Promise”) by American composer Natalie Sleeth (1930–1992). Words and music © copyright 1986 Hope Publishing Co; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Spirit of God, your energy moves in us and through us to face each new day. You are as close to us as our breath, giving us life. You refresh us like the breeze on a warm afternoon. You challenge us like a strong wind, rousing our attention. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to the wonder of God’s mystery, and open our hearts to the warmth of Christ’s mercy. To you, with God our Creator and Christ our Redeemer, we offer our prayers and praise in love and loyalty. Make us one in worship and witness by your grace and power.

God of wind and flame, at Pentecost your Spirit inspired Jesus’ followers to dare great things in his name. But we confess that we lack daring and ignore the flame of your Spirit among us. Forgive us for the sins we have committed by our actions and the sins we have committed by failing to act. Send the Spirit to blow on the embers of our faith and reignite us for mission and ministry.

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

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ — and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free to love more fully by God’s generous grace. Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

Introduction of our special guest musician

Tetiana Cherneta is a Doctor of Philosophy, a bandura player and a vocalist, a teacher, a researcher, a reviewer, and an expert of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation. She is also a member of the jury and the organizing committee of art competitions and festivals, a member of the vocal ensemble “Rozmaria”, and the Associate Professor of the Vocal Department of the Faculty of Musical Art and Choreography at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. She is the author of four books and 40 articles.

Special Musical Presentation

“Melody” (1982) by Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk (1968–2020).

Fun with the young at heart (children’s story)

(Practicing faith)

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Hymn

“Take time to be holy” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 638). Words (ca. 1882) by English minister and hymnwriter William Dunn Longstaff (1882–1894). Music (1890; tune “Take Time to be Holy”, also called “Holiness (Stebbins)”) by American gospel songwriter George Coles Stebbins (1846–1945). Words and music in the public domain.

Scripture Reading

1 John 3: 17–18 <– 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.

1 John 3: 17–18

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

The scripture reading is followed by:

One: The Word of God.
People: Thanks be to God.

Introduction of the guest speaker by the Mission and Outreach Committee

Presented by Don MacOdrum, Chairman of the Mission and Outreach Committee.

John Popiel is the Program Coordinator for Latin America and the Middle East with PWS&D. He has a B.A. from the University of Toronto, with a specialist in International Development Studies and a Major in Geography. John Popiel lives in Toronto with his wife and two children.

Message

Presented by John Popiel from PWS&D.

Musical Reflection

Offering

May we present our gifts to God in response to what we have received from God?

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

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th” with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Spirit of grace and power, bless these gifts today so that they accomplish surprising things in Jesus’ name. We offer ourselves, too, so that our lives may proclaim the Good News with your grace and power. Amen.

Special Musical Presentation

“Prayer for Ukraine”. Original Ukrainian words (1885) by Ukrainian writer and poet Oleksandr Konysky (1836–1900). Music (1885) by Ukrainian composer, conductor and ethnomusicologist Mykola Lysenko (1842–1912). English text by Ukrainian poet and translator Dmytro Shostak (1986–).

Lord, oh the Great and Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Bless her with freedom and light
Of your holy rays.

With learning and knowledge enlighten
Us, your children small,
In love pure and everlasting
Let us, oh Lord, grow.

We pray, oh Lord Almighty,
Protect our beloved Ukraine,
Grant our people and country
All your kindness and grace.

Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,
Guide into kind world,
Bless us, oh Lord, with good fortune
For ever and evermore

Responsive Prayer of Peace

Written by the Scottish Episcopal Church.

One: Living God, Creator and giver of life to all people: we ask that you would hear our prayer for peace amongst the nations and for ending of conflict in Ukraine. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.

One: Living God, who shall judge between the nations: we ask that that you would lead the nations in the paths of peace and that the dividing wall of hostility would be broken down. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.

One: Living God, who has inspired faith across the ages: grant peace in the midst of war and bring harmony to the commonwealth of nations. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.

One: Living God, who gave his only Son that we might have life: we ask that you would pour out your Holy Spirit and inspire in us hope that peace will be renewed. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.

Closing hymn

“O Lord my God / How great thou art” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 332). Words (1885) by Swedish poet Carl Boberg (1859–1940); English text by English missionary Stuart K. Hine (1899–1989). Music (tune: “O Store Gud”) based on a traditional Swedish folk melody; arrangement (1955) by Hine. English text and arrangement copyright © 1955, 1981 Manna Music, Inc.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

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

Postlude

Last updated 2023-05-28 22:55 – Updated Choral Amen.