Worship Service for August 25, 2024

August 25, 2024 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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: God hears our cries and rescues us from trouble.
All: Let us praise God’s holy name.

One: God draws near the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
All: Let us praise God’s holy name.

One: Let us worship the One brings new life and praise God’s holy name forever.

Opening Hymn

“Love divine, all loves excelling” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 371). Words (1747) by English Methodist leader and hymnwriter Charles Wesley (1707–1788). Music (1844; tune: “Hyfrydol”) by Welsh composer Rowland Prichard (1811–1887). Words and music public domain.

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

God of majesty and mystery, we come before you in wonder and gratitude. Source of all that is, you are beyond our imagining; your creation astounds us with its beauty and power. Word of hope and healing, you embrace us with tender care, drawing near in every situation. Spirit of purpose and possibility, you show us which way to turn when we trust our choices to you. Receive our praise and prayer this day, Source, Word, and Spirit of Life, ever Three and ever One.

God of mercy, we face many choices each day and we confess we often choose with no thought of you. Forgive the choices we’ve made that hurt others, those that ignored our own wellbeing, and those that betrayed your love. Guide us in all our choices, simple or complicated, so we express our faithfulness to you day by day.

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

Jesus said, Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gift to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day.
All: Thanks be to God!

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Music Ministry

“Ave Verum Corpus” (1791) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), 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

Ephesians 6:10–20  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
John 6:56–69

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

Ephesians 6:10–20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; 11 put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 12 for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness 15 and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

John 6:56–69

56 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which the ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in a synagogue at Capernaum.

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones who did not believe and who was the one who would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“Simply trusting every day” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 689). Words (1876) by American missionary and river pilot Edgar Page Stites (1836–1921). Music (1876; tune: “Trusting Jesus”) by American gospel singer and composer Ira David Sankey (1840–1908). Words and music public domain.

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 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 growth and goodness, we offer what we have to share, knowing that others have lost their crops and worry for the future. Bless our gifts and use them to spread seeds of hope and wellbeing among those whose future is uncertain, for the sake of Christ, the Bread of Life. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

God in whom we live and move and have our being: As we gather in your presence today, we are aware of many challenges in our own lives, in the lives of those we care about, and in the world around us. Thank you for your faithfulness to each of us and to your whole creation, given all the different situations we face. Show us how our concern for the world and for each other can respond to the needs we name before you today.

We pray for those who have been in the headlines lately, for those situations in the world and in our county that concern us deeply, and for all whose lives cry out to you and to us for help…

We pray for those who are suffering, thinking today of those who are ill and those who are bereaved; those struggling to make ends meet; and those whose homes have been upended for any reason:

We pray for those looking forward to a new beginning the Fall: those starting at new schools or in new training programs; those beginning new jobs or new activities; those welcoming new members into the family through birth or marriage those beginning life in a new home or community.

We pray for our congregation as we look to a new season of activities. Help us see where you call us to reach out with your love and generosity. Renew our faith and our friendships in Christ. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“You who dwell in the shelter / On Eagle’s Wings” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 57). Words (paraphrase) and music (1979; tune: “On Eagle’s Wings”) by American priest and composer Michael Joncas (1951–). Words based on Psalm 91, Exodus 19, and Matthew 13. Words and music copyright © 1979, 1991 New Dawn 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

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Last updated 2024-08-24 21:50 – First version.