Worship Service for November 5, 2023

November 5, 2023 – Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost and Remembrance Sunday

Introit

Prelude

Call to Worship

One:   On this day of memories, we gather to sing and to pray;
All:      we remember the past and look to the future.

One:   On this day when the guns and canons fell silent,
All:      we come before you, God, seeking your peace.

One:   On this day of hope in the face of terror,
All:      we come before you, God, believing in your promise.

One:   Let us worship God together, in peace.

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

“Amazing Grace” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 670). Words (1772) by English composer and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807). Music (1835; tune “New Britain”) by American composer William Walker (1809–1875). Words and music in the public domain.

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

God of might and mercy, we come to you today, proclaiming your power and your promise  in a world where there are many things which frighten us. Today we proclaim your power to defeat the forces that work against your hope for the world. We proclaim your love that cracks open our hearts and draws us to you and to one another. We proclaim your promise in Jesus Christ that nothing can separate from your love.

Strengthen us in this hour of worship to live out our trust in your power and promise in friendship with Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of grace, We are sorry for times when anger or bitterness made us resentful. We are sorry that the desire to get even turns us from your mercy. Forgive us, O God, and shine the light of Christ on us, so that we can know his peace and his purposes for us.

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

Sisters and brothers, not because we deserve it, but because our God is a God of mercy, we have been forgiven. And so, as God has forgiven us, let us now forgive one another, and let us now forgive ourselves. You are forgiven, set free to worship and serve your Lord who called us to this time and place of praise and prayer. Thanks be to God!

The Peace

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

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Guildwood Choir Presents

“Flying Free”. Words and music by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–). Words and music copyright © 1979, 1980 Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Interim Choir Director: Brooks Gorst
Guest Accompanist: Kunle Akingbola
Guest Flautists Amanda Yuka Koba Andrade & Kajahni Piragalathiswaran

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”

“Jesus loves me, this I know” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions and music in the public domain.

Scripture Readings

Psalm 34:4–6 <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Micah 4:1?5
Matthew 5:4

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Psalm 34:4–6

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord and was saved from every trouble.

Micah 4:1?5

1 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s temple shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, 2 and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more; 4 but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

5 For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

Matthew 5:4

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Hymn

“The Lord’s my shepherd (Psalm 23)”. (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 11). Words Psalm 23; paraphrase, Scottish Psalter, 1650. Music (1872; tune: “Crimond”) by Scottish amateur hymn composer Jessie Seymour Irvine (1836–1887). Harmony by Thomas Cuthbertson Leithead Pritchard (1885–1960). Descant by W. Baird Ross (1871–1950). Words, music, harmony and descant all public domain.

Reflection

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The Act of Remembrance

“In Flanders fields”

Poem (1915) by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Al Harris – Remembering

Responsive Prayer of Remembrance

One: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
All: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

One: At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
All: We will remember them.

Minute of Silence

Presentation of a poppy

Please, place a poppy on the communion table as our symbol of remembrance.

Prayer of Peace

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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.

Musical Reflection

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

God of justice and generosity, when we consider that Christ gave his very life for our sakes, we are humbled to offer our gifts. We are also humbled by the memory of those who gave up their youth, their families, and their very lives in conflict so that justice and truth would prevail. Bless our small gifts with the possibilities your Spirit can create, so that justice and truth continue to prevail in the world you love, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

“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.

“O Canada”

“O Canada”. English words (1908) by Canada judge and poet Robert Stanley Weir (1856–1926), modified by various acts of parliament since. Music by Canadian-American composer Calixa Lavallée (1842–1891). Words and music in the public domain.

Postlude

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Last updated 2023-11-03 17:50 – First version.