Worship Service for October 6, 2024

October 6, 2024 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost and Communion Sunday

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, October 6, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, October 6.

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.

Brooks Gorst is Music Director. Carolyn Glasgow is the Duty Elder. The ushers/greeters are lead by Niki Aleong. The scripture reading is by Bonnie Horton.

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: O Lord, open our lips,
All: And our mouths shall declare your praise.

One: O Lord, open our eyes,
All: That we may behold your presence.

One: O Lord, open our ears,
All: That we may hear your call.

One: O Lord, open our hearts,
All: That we may respond to your love in worship.

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)

Eternal God,
as we come to your table today, we recognize that, here, heaven and earth join hands. Around this holy table, we join with your Church which stretches around the world, and across many generations, to meet you in our midst. As we remember Jesus this day, unite us to those who have served you over the centuries, and to all who serve you in so many different situations today. We praise you for your amazing love which embraces this countless congregation and invites us into a future you are creating.

Ever present God,
When you invite us to your table, you ask us to come with clean hands and clean hearts. You ask us to come in peace, seeking reconciliation with you and with one another. We confess that the Church has not always sought reconciliation within or beyond its walls. In this silence, we hand over to you the broken relationships, disagreements and disappointments that keep us from living in your peace.

Free us from the burdens we carry, so that we may be a source of peace in this troubled world in the name of Christ who is our peace.

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

From now on, St Paul declared, we regard no one from a human point of view. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Know that you are forgiven and have the courage to forgive 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)

GCPC Senior Choir presents

“The Lord’s Prayer”. Words from The Lord’s Prayer. Music (2000) by American composer and conductor Bradley Ellingboe (1958–). Words public domain. Music copyright © 2000 Neil A. Kjos Music Company; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Message from Music Director Brooks Gorst

“The Lord’s Prayer” by Bradley Ellingboe is one of the many interpretations of “The Lord’s Prayer.” A shorter anthem but no less salient, sometimes there is sanctity found in the brevity of a prayerful melody — leaving us wanting more but simultaneously knowing that it is enough… which reminds me of my favourite chiasmuses:  “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music”.

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 Reading

Mark 10:13–16  <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

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

Mark 10:13–16

13 People were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Help us accept each other” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 632). Words (1975) by Anglo-Dutch clergyman Fred Kaan (1929–2009). Music (1975: tune: “Baronita”) by Anglo-Jamaican violinist, choir director, and composer Doreen Potter (1925–1980). Words and music copyright © 1975 Hope Publishing Co.; 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 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

Gracious and generous God, we offer you our gifts with humble thanks for all you have provided. Bless them with your Spirit and use them to bless those in deepest need with love they can taste and justice they can celebrate in Jesus’ name. Amen.


The Sacrament of Communion

Invitation

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In the name of Jesus, I invite to this table any who name him as their Saviour and desire to follow in his way, whether you are members of his congregation or communion or not. This is not our table but his, and in his name I bid you welcome.

Great Prayer Of Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And with you also.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The prayer opens with thanksgiving for creation and for God’s mighty acts throughout salvation history. The people join in the ancient song after these or similar words;
“… we join with the whole creation to lift our hearts in joyful praise.”

Holy, holy, holy Lord
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Prayers of thanksgiving continue for the work of Jesus Christ, his life, death, and resurrection and for the institution of the Lord’s Supper. The people are invited to “proclaim the mystery of faith:”

Christ has died,
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.

Thanksgiving continues for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit is invoked followed by a doxology and the people say:

Amen.

“Great Prayer Of Thanksgiving”. Words traditional liturgical text; this version by The Worship Committee of the Board of Congregational Life, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and printed (1991) in The Book of Common Worship. Reprinted in the Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 564. Words copyright © 1991 The Presbyterian Church in Canada; used by permission.

Communion Hymn

(remain seated as the elders come forward)

“We come as guests invited” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 524). Words (1975) by English Church of England bishop and hymnwriter Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926–2024). Music (tune: “Nyland”, also known as “Kuortane”) first published with a Finnish hymn in 1909 in Suomen Evankelis Luterilaisen Kirken Koraalikirja. First adapted for use in English by Welsh composer and professor David Evans (1874–1948) as a setting for the hymn “In Heavenly Love Abiding” by Welsh poet and hymnwriter Anna Laetitia Waring (1823–1910). Words copyright © 1984 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Fraction and Distribution

On the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and said
“this is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way after supper he took the cup and said,
“This cup is the new covenant sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes.”

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

The bread of life.

The cup of salvation.

Prayer After Communion


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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