Worship Service for September 22, 2024

September 22, 2024 – Eighteenth 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: From sunrise to sunset,
All: Let us praise God’s holy name.

One: With the wisdom of the aged and the energy of the young,
All: Let us praise God’s holy name.

One: In our work, in our homes, and in all we do,
All: Let us praise God’s holy name.

One: Let us praise the Lord with all our hearts!
All: We will worship God now and always.

Opening Hymn

“All things bright and beautiful” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 435). Words (1848) by Anglo-Irish hymnwriter and poet Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895). Music (tune: “Royal Oak”) 17th-century folk melody, adapted (1916) by English conductor and composer Martin Shaw (1875–1958). Harmony (published in “The Hymnbook”, 1953) by John Ribble. Words and music public domain. Harmony copyright © 1955, 1983 John Ribble, admin Westminster / John Knox Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

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

God of all creation,
you have opened the world around us and filled it with beauty and purpose. Each creature declares your praise – the mountain states your majesty; the ripened field, your generosity. Birds flying aloft sing of your freedom; the tiny ant works with your persistence. We pray that all our work will honour your justice and mercy. May all our relationships speak of your compassion. So may we praise you, O God, not just in this hour of worship but in all the hours you grant us, as we follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Friend.

God of all creation,
you opened the world around us and filled it with wonder, yet we confess we look away from its harsher realities. Our ears can be deaf to cries of need. Our minds ignore opinions which differ from our own. Forgive us when we seek greatness instead of goodness, and miss the wisdom you intend us to embrace.

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

The prophet Micah reminds us that God requires of us three things: to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. To all who truly repent and seek reconciliation with God and neighbour in kindness and humility, God offers forgiveness and peace.
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)

Musical Presentation

Vocal Solo by Kam Adams:   “Panis Angelicus”, from the hymn “Sacris solemniis”. Words by Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), set to music (1859) by French composer César Franck (1822–1890). Words and 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

Psalm 1  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Mark 9:30–37

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

Psalm 1

The Two Ways

1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, 6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Mark 9:30–37

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.5

Who Is the Greatest?

33 Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Brother, sister, let me serve you” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 635). Words and music (tune: “Servant Song”) by Anglo-New Zealand composer Richard Gillard (1953–). Words and music copyright © 1977 Scripture in Song, administered by Integrity Music; 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

Wise and faithful God, we offer our gifts to you in thanksgiving for your gifts to us in Christ and in creation. Bless these gifts and the good works they will support, so that the world may know your wisdom and faithfulness through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

God of all people and places, we come to you in prayer, giving thanks that you are with us in all situations. You bring us strength and courage when we are anxious or afraid. You provide wisdom and direction when we face choices and challenges. Thank you for your faithfulness to us. In our prayers, enlarge our love and sharpen our vision so that we may serve the world you love more faithfully.

We pray for those who dwell on the margins of the economy, facing the challenges of unemployment, financial insecurity and rising costs. Give leaders in government, business and labour a mutual vision that reflects the values of your kingdom, so that everyone has enough resources and respect to live well and wisely.

We pray for all those facing famine and drought this year, and for those who have lost everything through fire, storm or conflict. Bring support to those people and agencies who work to alleviate suffering and help them rebuild lives and communities.

We give you thanks for those who work for peace and mercy in a world divided by bitter conflicts, and for those who keep peace and lead negotiations in international disputes. Give them wisdom and perseverance. We remember those who face violence, persecution, or discrimination daily. Send your Spirit to protect the vulnerable and shame the vicious so that justice and wellbeing will prevail.

We pray for teachers, students, educational administrators and support staff as another school year begins. Thank you for the gifts of education, for deepening insight into this ever-changing world and the ability to distinguish truth from error. Grant all those in education this year mutual respect and commitment to the shared venture of learning. Help each of us bring the benefits of our education to our life of faith and give us all a teachable spirit.

We pray for all those struggling with pain or illness, disability or daunting diagnosis. Stay by their side. Be with those who face death this day, and those who weep for loved ones who have died. Unite us in love, whatever we are facing, and grant us the peace and hope you have promised us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Christ, of all my hopes the ground” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 680). Words (1817) by Scottish Presbyterian minister Ralph Wardlaw (1779–1853). Music (tune: “Mozart” or “Nottingham (Mozart)”) originally attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) as part of the “Twelfth Mass, K. Anh. 232”. Now generally attributed to Austrian composer and conductor Wenzel Müller (1767–1835) and thought to have been composed between 1791 and 1803. 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

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Last updated 2024-09-20 22:50 – First version.