Worship Service for October 8, 2023

October 8, 2023 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Introit

Prelude

Call to Worship

One: Give thanks to the LORD, for God is good;
All: God’s steadfast love endures for ever.

One: God crowns the year with bounty;
All: Pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy.

One: Valleys deck themselves with grain, and sing together for joy.
All: So let us all praise God for all God’s goodness to us.

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

“All people that on earth do dwell” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 65). Words Psalm 100, paraphrase by European churchman and translator William Kethe (ca. 1535–1594) as in the Scottish Psalter 1650. Music from the Genevan Psalter 1551; last line from Ravencroft’s Psalter 1621. Tune (1551; “Old 100^th”) usually attributed to French composer Louis Bourgeois (c.?1510 – c. 1560). Words and music in the public domain.

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

God of abundant love,
when we hunger for fulfillment, you offer us the Bread of Life. When we thirst for your presence, you fill our cup to overflowing. You draw near to us in every place, at any time. Holy One, in you our deepest desires are fulfilled. So to you, O God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, we offer thanksgiving, honour and praise with all your people, here and everywhere, now and always.

God of abundant mercy,
you see our failures to keep your law of love. We have not always loved our neighbours as you taught. We find it impossible to love our enemies as Jesus asked. Forgive us all the times we failed to live out your love. Renew in us the courage to offer others the generosity of heart you have shown us in Jesus.

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

Friends, believe the good news! Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; the old life is fading, the new life has started to emerge – in us. Know that you are forgiven, and so have the courage to forgive one another.

Thanks be to God!

The Peace

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

Guildwood Choir Presents

Mission Moment (ARISE ministry- Video)

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

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

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 (19^th 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.

Scripture Reading

Luke 17:11–19 <– this links to on-line texts 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.

Luke 17:11–19

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 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.”

The scripture reading is followed by:

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

Sermon

The story we read today in the gospel of Luke chapter 17 (vs 11–19) is the story of healing. The story invites us to ponder the kind of healing our faith in Christ extends to us. Obviously, it involves much more than our physical well being.  The Gospel of Luke focuses less on the healing itself and more on the events that transpire before and after the healing.

Let us look at the verse 11. This is how the story of healing begins: “On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.”

In the story we read today, Jesus takes his disciples to the place typically shunned and avoided by people. It pertains to the fractured relationship between the people in Samaria and those in the rest of Israel.

During the New Testament era, ordinary Jewish individuals preferred to go around the region of Samaria rather than going through it, even if it would take it longer.

The ruptured and deeply resented relationship between Samaria and Israelites resulted directly from the political divide between the North and South, a division that was further damaged by invasions from Assyria and Babylon. This bitterness and hostility among them were passed down through generations.

The story of healing begins when Jesus brings his disciples into this unwanted, abandoned, forsaken, avoided, and broken place. The story of healing begins when Jesus connects his disciples with people who live in this place of abandonment, hostility, anger, and isolation.

The Gospel of Luke presents us with a question: Where does the journey of healing commence?  I don’t think it offers us a simple answer, but I believe it has something do with not being afraid to confront our fear and hostility, and allowing Jesus to lead us to whom we need to meet.

May we look at verses 12 to 14, they tell us how the story of healing continues:
“12 As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ 14 When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.”

I would like to highlight verse 14, “When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.” Healing doesn’t occur when Jesus says, “Go and show yourselves to the priests…” It doesn’t happen when those ten individuals listened to Jesus. Healing comes when they take action, when they put into practice what they believe and what they heard.

The healing from God persists when our faith and our actions are in harmony. In fact, one could argue that the healing that our faith extends to us is wholeness, where our words, deeds, hearts, beliefs, choices, and prayers become unified. We with God. Abraham Joshua Heschel writes in “God in Search of Man“ (pg. 296) “The world needs more than the secret holiness of individual inwardness. It needs more than sacred sentiments and good intentions. God asks for the heart because He needs the lives. It is by lives that the world will be redeemed, by the lives that beat in concordance with God, by deeds that outbeat the finite charity of the human heart.”

God seeks those who don’t just speak the right words, believe the right things, or have good intentions to do good deeds, but those who truly live — where their entire being aligns with their actions.

However, that is not where the story of healing ends. It continues… I would like to read verses 18 and 19, “Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’”

I would like to highlight the verse 18… “Jesus said, ‘Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” Jesus could have said, “Did none of them return to give glory to God except this Samaritan?”

Jesus chose to use the Greek word, allogenos (allos: another, genos: genes) which can be translated into foreigner or stranger…. Here the Samaritan becomes a stranger and foreigner…., He is no longer a Samarian or a Jew…. When this Samaritan comes back to Jesus, Jesus renames him, he redefines him. I understand the negative connotation the word foreigner portrays in many societies… I begin to appreciate the word and what the word reveals today than ever…. That word, stranger and foreigner reflects my life journey….

What does the Bible tell us about being a foreigner and a stranger? What about the story of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel and Leah, Joseph leaving home becoming a stranger…. Hebrews 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. We are, in essence, strangers and foreigners on earth because we also belong to heaven.

When faith becomes serious, when God becomes the center of our lives, the familiar can become unfamiliar. What we consider ours becomes no longer ours. The life we think we deserve transforms into a gift from God.

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

Our offering will now be received.

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

Gracious God, we offer our gifts as tokens of our gratitude for what we have to share in these challenging times. Bless our gifts and our energy so they will bless others in need in our community and around your world, for the sake of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Responsive Prayers of Thanksgiving

Leader: We give you thanks, O God, for all things that make life good, and pray that all people will share in the blessings we know. For the world, for the wonders of earth, sea and sky; for beauty in nature and wildlife; and for the rhythm of the days and seasons;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For waters that refresh and sustain life; for soil that is fertile and rich; for those who tend crops and care for harvests; for those who produce, deliver and market our food; and for those who make sure the hungry are fed;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For days to work and strength to do it; for the many different gifts and talents you have given us; for those whose work is dangerous and demanding, for those whose positions are necessary for communities to flourish; and for moments of leisure and rest when you restore us;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For human life; for talking and thinking together, working on problems and plans; for burdens and joys shared; for relationships that give life meaning; and for the wisdom exchanged between old and young in mutual support:
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For our circle of family and friends; for children and their curiosity and joy; for the insight that comes with patience and experience; and for events shared and memories cherished;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For your grace in times of anxiety, doubt and grief; for healing in times of illness, confusion, and distress; for rejuvenating strength and renewed purpose; for scientific knowledge and discovery to confront disease and improve health;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: For the trust that you hear each prayer and know every need; that you love and care for each soul and body; and that you walk with us through all our days and seasons;
All: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Leader: We offer our prayers, spoken and unspoken, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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 (19^th 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.

Postlude

Copyright © 2023 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

Last updated 2023-10-09 23:55 – Added Sermon text.