October 13, 2024 – Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost and Communion Sunday
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, October 13, 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 13.
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. Jonathan Roth is the Duty Elder. The ushers/greeters are lead by Kay Galbraith. The scripture reading is by Bob.
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 blesses us with gifts of love,
All: In relationships that bring joy and gratitude.
One: God blesses us with talents and opportunities to serve,
All: All we need for faithful living.
One: God protects us in times of danger,
All: And guards us from the time of trial.
One: So we gather to offer thanksgiving to the Lord our God.
All: Praise be to God for all good things, now and always!
Opening Hymn
“Now thank we all our God“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 457). Original German words (c. 1636) by German Lutheran clergyman Martin Rinkart (1586–1649); English words (19th century) by English hymnwriter Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878). Music (1647; tune: “Nun Danket”) by German composer Johann Crüger (1898–1662). Music, German words and English translation all in the public domain.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
God of all creation,
in this season of harvest thanksgiving, we are struck by the beauties of autumn, leaves in bright colours, birds flying south in formation, fields ripe with produce. Such beauty speaks of your goodness that provides what each beloved creature needs. On this Thanksgiving weekend, renew our gratitude for what you give to us in the fruitfulness of creation, and in Christ Jesus who teaches us how to walk wisely on the earth you made. For all your good gifts we honour you with thanks and praise, now and always.
God of our lives,
even in these challenging times, we know we enjoy an abundance many cannot imagine. Yet we confess we do not always recognize these blessings. We worry about the future, and whether our families can flourish. Forgive our fears of going without, and show us how to share the goodness that is already ours.
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
Be at peace this day. Jesus, our High Priest, knows the temptations of the human heart. From the throne of grace, he offers us mercy in our weakness, to renew us in faithfulness. Thanks be to God.
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
“Away from the Roll of the Sea”. Words, music and arrangement (1986) by Canadian singer-songwriter Allister MacGillivray (1948–). Piano arrangement by American-Canadian choirmaster (“Men of the Deeps”) and academic John Clark “Jack” O’Donnell (1935–2018). Words, music, arrangement, accompaniment copyright © 1986 Cabot Trail Music.
Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst
It is always amazing to see how one artist’s spark of creativity can ignite another. Internationally-acclaimed Cape Breton photographer Warren Gordon’s image of working boats at rest in Glace Bay Harbour moved Allister MacGillivray to compose “Away From The Roll Of The Sea”. MacGillivray has said that he wanted “a song with no people in it.” Its haunting beauty has been recognized worldwide in performances by over 130 recording artists. MacGillivray particularly credits its wide international circulation to the choral conductor Elmer Iseler and to the famed Irish tenor, Frank Patterson. MacGillivray himself arranged the song for voices, while Jack O’Donnell provided the beautiful piano accompaniment. The image of working boats at rest in the harbour gives me images of workers having brought “harvests” of fish to feed the local communities— but now it is a much-needed time of rest for them to be at home with their families during Thanksgiving. We give thanks to all people, whether directly connected to the food service industry or a food bank providing food for those in need. It is a time to be thankful to God for his abundant harvest— whether by the roll of the sea— or around the dining room with our loved ones.
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
Matthew 6:25–33 <– 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.
Matthew 6:25–33
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Sermon
Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.
Hymn
“Seek ye first“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 625). Words and music (1971; tune: “Seek ye first”) by American musician Karen Lafferty (1948–). Words and music copyright © 1972 Maranatha! Music, distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group; 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
Generous God, we offer you our thanks for all the goodness we enjoy in Christ and in creation. Bless the gifts we bring, and use them to relieve the need and anxiety many feel these days. May anxious lives see signs of your love and joy in what we can offer them in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and friend. Amen.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope
Kind and Generous God,
as we give thanks for the harvest, we pause to praise you for all those things, both great and small, which fill our lives with meaning and offer us a sense of well-being.
Merciful and Generous God,
as we give thanks for the harvests of the earth, show us how to live respectfully in creation and protect all that is precious to you. In a year when harvests vary across our country, show us how to share what has been produced so that no one goes hungry:
Just and Generous God,
we pray for the wellbeing of your world and our own community. Where there is hostility between nations or neighbours, inspire leaders to show wisdom and courage in decision making. We pray for areas hard hit by flood, storm, fire or earthquake, and for all those struggling in an uncertain economy. May neighbours with resources maintain generosity and compassion for the long work of reconstructing lives and livelihoods.
Healing and Generous God,
we pray for those facing health challenges or difficult times for any reason, and we pray for family and friends under stress or in sorrow whom we name in silence before you
Give us patience and understanding as we draw near to them and help us reach out with compassion.
O God, in Jesus Christ we have met your generous love and mercy. Through our lives and by our prayers, reveal his love and mercy in this generation, for it is in his name we offer our prayer. 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
Copyright © 2024 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2024-10-11 22:30– First version.