Worship Service for September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024 – Fifteenth 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: Holy God, you call us to worship.
All: In your presence, we seek truth and forgiveness.

One: Holy God, you call us to worship you.
All: In your presence, we seek the grace to forgive one another.

One: Holy God, you call us to worship you, heart, body, mind and soul.
All: So we gather to offer you our prayer and praise with joyful thanks.

Opening Hymn

“Unto the hills around” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 81). Words (1877, 1909) by English nobleman John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll (1845–1914), better known as the Marquess of Lorne, the Governor-General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The words are a paraphrasing of Psalm 121. Music (1860; tune: “Sandon”) by Scottish composer Charles Henry Purday (1799–1885). Words and music in the public domain.

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

Faithful God, in your creation, you have made the seasons to change, the sun to shine and the rain to fall, the vines to bear fruit and the fields to produce good things. You alone are our strength and security;  you alone bring us rest and comfort. We turn to you as the source of all life, marvelling at your wisdom, seeking to learn your purpose for our lives.  We offer you our praise and thanksgiving, for you are the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and the Spirit who brings us life.

Faithful God, even though we know you are the Source of our lives, we confess we often turn our backs on you. We hear your Word but follow our own ways. We see others in need but prefer to meet our own needs first. We harbor anger and say things that cause others pain. In your mercy, forgive us, and restore us to right relationship with you and with one another.

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

While it is true that we have all sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ. When we seek the mercy of God in humility, God will grant us grace. Be at peace with God, with yourself, and with one another.
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

Dr. Hanné Becker will perform a new song called “Father of Lights” inspired by the scripture reading.

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

James 1:17–27  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

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

James 1:17–27

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

26 If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

7 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders, 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash, and there are also many other traditions that they observe: the washing of cups and pots and bronze kettles and beds.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat with defiled hands?” 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me,  teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ 8 “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Precious Lord, take my hand” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 675). Words (1938) by American composer and evangelist Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1899–1993). Music (1938; tune “Precious Lord”) also by Dorsey, drawing upon an 1844 hymn tune, “Maitland”. Words and music copyright © 1938 Unichappell Music Inc; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

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

Great is your faithfulness, O God, and so we offer to you a portion of what we have received through your unfailing goodness. Bless these gifts and our lives, so that your love is proclaimed to the world through all we accomplish in the name of Jesus Christ, our Friend and Saviour. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

God whose Word created life,
we give you thanks for the abundance we enjoy from earth’s goodness. Make us wise caretakers of the earth’s fragile balance, so vulnerable to drought and disaster. May your world become a place of abundance for all your creatures, for we know all our lives depend on you.

God of transforming love,
we are grateful to live in a land which is mostly peaceful, with leaders accountable for their decisions. We pray for those who face racism, violence and greed in our communities and in many other nations. Open hearts and minds to recognize such harm, and help us build a common life where all people find dignity in their work, are rewarded fairly, and respected fully.

God of vigilant care,
thank you for the strength and comfort you offer us in times of sorrow and stress. We pray for those who do not know security in their lives day by day, for those facing financial pressures, for the vulnerable who must depend on others for their care, and for those who feel exhausted by the responsibilities they carry. Guide us to shape a society where the weak are protected, where the elderly are honored for their experience, and children are cherished for their potential.

God of all times and places,
as the summer moves toward autumn, and activities reorganize for another season, we pray for families who face decisions about schooling, and for churches and organizations planning programs. Equip us all with the wisdom to plan well, and act with understanding for those eager to get things going and for those anxious about moving too quickly.

God who hears our desires even in the silence of our hearts, listen now as we name before you the people and situations on our minds today: …

Receive all our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Closing 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.

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 2024-08-31 23:50 – First version.