August 11, 2024 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
There will be no livestream of this service, thus there will there be no video recording of the live stream. 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.
We welcome Rev. Wally Hong (Clerk of the Presbytery of Niagara) as guest preacher this week, and we continue to welcome Dr. Hanné Becker as our summer guest organist. Cindy Similas is the Duty Elder and will read the scriptures. The ushers/greeters are provided and the Coffee Hour is hosted by the Care Team.
Introit
Prelude
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.
Call to Worship
One: Let us bless God at all times;
All: We will praise God’s holy name.
One: Let us look to God, and be radiant;
All: For God has delivered us from all our fears.
One: Jesus has promised whoever comes to him will never be hungry, those who believe in him will never thirst.
All: Let us taste the Bread of Life in scripture and song as we worship God!
Opening Hymn
“Through all the changing scenes of life” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 18). Words are a paraphrase of Psalm 34, first published in Tate and Brady’s New Version, (1696). Music (1797; tune “Wiltshire (Smart)”) by English musician George Thomas Smart (1776–1867). Words and music public domain.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
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
All: 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)
Music Ministry
Presented by Dr. Hanné Becker.
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
John 6:35, 41–51 <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Ephesians 4:25–5:2
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
John 6:35, 41–51
Christ, the bread of life
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Ephesians 4:25–5:2
Put away evil, live in love
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Sermon
“What it means to be a Christian”
Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person, to hear the full version of the sermon.
Hymn
“I’m gonna live so God can use me” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 648). Words African-American spiritual. Music (tune “I’m gonna live”) African-American spiritual. This arrangement by American minister and gospel musician Dr. Wendell P. Whalum, Sr. (1931–1987). Words and music in the public domain. Arrangement copyright © the estate of Wendell Whalum.
Offering
As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.
Offering – Musical Reflection
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
The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope
Closing Hymn
“With the Lord as my guide” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 574). Words and music (both 1977; tune: “Ridgecrest”) by American composer Jim Strathdee (1941–). Words and music copyright © 1977 Desert Flower Music; 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.
Blessing
“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.
Postlude
Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2024-08-10 18:50 – First version.