Worship Service for September 8, 2024

September 8, 2024 – Sixteenth 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: Put your confidence in God.
All: We have God as our helper and so we rejoice.

One: God gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.
All: God frees the prisoners and opens the eyes of the blind.

One: So put your trust in God’s goodness.
All: May God’s goodness endure forever! Let us worship God.

Opening Hymn

“God of mercy, God of grace” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 39). Words (1834, paraphrase of Psalm 67) by English Anglican divine and hymnwriter Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847). Music (1838; tune: “Dix”) by German composer Conrad Kocher (1786–1872). This arrangement (1861) by English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889). Words, music and arrangement public domain.

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

Eternal God, You are our beginning and our end. You gave breath to all living things. By your Spirit, you come among us this day, breathing new life into our familiar patterns, as the gift you offer us through Christ Jesus. By your grace, you open new possibilities for the world you love. So we offer you our lives in worship and in service, joining our voices with all your creatures, to offer you honour and blessing, glory and gratitude, now and always.

God of mercy, you keep an eye out for those who dwell on the margins of life. We confess we fail to keep our eyes open for those on the margins. We have been silent when we should have spoken up in the face of injustice. Our generosity to others does not match what you offer us. Forgive us for thinking of ourselves first. Renew our commitment to show others the kindness we meet in Jesus Christ.

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

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn us? Only Christ —
and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us; Christ reigns in power for us; Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. So be renewed to live according to God’s generous grace.
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)

Guildwood Senior Choir Presents

“O day of peace that dimly shines”. Words (1982) by American Anglican priest Carl P. Daw Jr. (1944–); additional words (2024) by Brooks Gorst. Music (1916; tune: “Jerusalem (Parry)”) composed as the hymn “Jerusalem” by English composer Charles Hubert Parry (1848–1918).  Words copyright © 1982 Hope Publishing Company; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Additional words copyright © 2024 Brooks Gorst; used by permission. Music public domain.

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 2:1–10, 14–17  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Mark 7:24–37

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 2:1–10, 14–17

2 My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor person. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into the courts? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Mark 7:24–37

24 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And when she went home, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone.

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went by way of Sidon toward the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Come to us, beloved Stranger” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 262). Words (1993) by American hymnwriter Edith Sinclair Downing (1922–2016). Music (tune: “Beach Spring”) attributed to American singing master Benjamin Franklin White (1800–1879), from the tune book “The Sacred Harp” (published 1844) that he compiled. Harmony by James H. Wood. Words copyright © 1993 Edith Sinclair Downing, published by Selah Publishing; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain. Harmony copyright © 1958, renewed 1986 Broadman Press.

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

Generous God, you call us to reach out to those in need in kindness rather than judgment; and with generosity, not just good intentions. Bless our gifts and our actions for Christ’s sake, so that our faith in his love will show in the work of the Church that bears his name. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

O God in whom we live and move and have our being:
We come to you in prayer as the summer season draws nearer to its close: We give you thanks for the occasions we have enjoyed to catch up with family and friends; to travel for recreation and restoration and let our worries go. We are grateful for each moment to savour the beauty of creation. Refresh us for the season ahead we pray, and renew our commitment to serve you.

O God, Jesus faced many demands wherever he went, and pressure from critics, whatever he did. We pray for all those who have not found rest this summer: for those whose work is stressful, exhausting or unappreciated; and for those whose livelihoods remain uncertain because of circumstances beyond their control. We pray for those with hard choices to make, about work or school or what comes next, about relationships and priorities, or about social policy and community leadership.

May each one know your strength and guidance day by day.

Today we remember those for whom this summer has been touched by suffering:

We pray for those who have lost loved ones, and those facing an uncertain future or a difficult diagnosis. We pray for those who have lost their homes, for whatever reason, and for those who despair about the climate crisis and what can be done to repair the suffering earth.

We pray for all those who join efforts to relieve suffering of any kind. May each one find courage to face tomorrow in your company.

O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way. As we prepare to leave this service, walk with us, and show us how to live each day as those who follow Jesus, Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Happy the home when God is there” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 703). Words (1846) by American theologian Henry Ware Jr. (or “the younger”; 1794–1843). Music (1866; tune: “St. Agnes, Durham” or “St. Agnes (Dykes)”) by English hymnwriter and clergyman John Bacchus Dykes (1823–1876). Words and music 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

Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

Last updated 2024-09-07 23:50 – First version.