October 15, 2023 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost and Memorial Service
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, October 15, 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, October 15.
Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.
Introit
Prelude
Call to Worship
One: We gather in God’s holy presence, where God embraces us with grace.
All: Here God will transform us into disciples.
One: We glorify God, who yearns for justice for the last and the least.
All: Here God will write compassion on our hearts.
One: We give thanks to God for God’s persistent love that seeks us out.
All: Here God will breathe the Word of Life into our lives, and so we will praise our God!
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
“What a friend we have in Jesus” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 746). Words (1855) by Irish-Canadian poet Joseph M. Scriven (1819–1886). Music (1868; tune: “What a friend”) by American lawyer and composer Charles Crozat Converse (1832–1918). Words and music in the public domain.
Prayer of the day
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Presentation by the Mission & Outreach Committee regarding the 2023 Mission Project
Guildwood Choir presents
Scripture Reading
Luke 23: 39–43 <– 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 23: 39–43
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The scripture reading is followed by:
One: The Word of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Meditation
Title: “Re-Membering”
Musical Reflection
Litany of Remembrance
Hymn
“Jesus, remember me” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 206). Words Luke 23:42. Music (1978; tune: “Remember me”) by French composer Jacques Berthier (1923–1994), Taizé Community, France. Words public domain. Music copyright © 1981 Les Presses de Taizé (France), exclusive agent G.I.A. Publications Inc; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
(Sing four times), “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom, Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Dedication of the Flowers
Presentation of Flowers
Reading of the Names
Prayer of Awareness
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 100th” 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
Accept this offering, which we bring with our gratitude for all you have done for us. We long to be part of your good news to the world and we pray that you will call us on in our commitment to that hope. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“Be still, my soul!” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 749). Original German text (18th century) by German hymnwriter Catharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel (1697–after 1768). English translation (1855) by Scottish hymnwriter and translator Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-1897). Music (1899–1900; tune: Finlandia) by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957). Arrangement (1933) by the The Hymnal 1933, Presbyterian Board of Christian Education. Words, music and arrangement 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 2023-10-12 22:25 – First version.