Worship Service for October 27, 2024

October 27, 2024 – Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost and Reformation Sunday

There will be no livestream available for this week’s service. 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.

We welcome our own Rev. Bob Smith to preach. Brooks Gorst is Music Director. Sandra Robertson is the Duty Elder. The ushers/greeters are lead by Jonathon Roth. The scripture reading is by Bruce Morrison.

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: Praise the Lord in every time and place.
All: We will tell of God’s goodness each day.

One: Boast only in the Lord.
All: We will praise God’s wonderful deeds.

One: Spread the news of God’s greatness.
All: We will give God glory everywhere we go. So let us worship God together here and now, now and always.

Opening Hymn

“As pants the heart” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 26). Words Psalm 42 paraphrased, published in “Tate and Brady’s New Version”, 1696; alternate words in hymnbook. Music (tune: Martyrdom) originally an eighteenth-century Scottish folk melody, adapted ca. 1800 by Scottish polymath and musician Hugh Wilson (1766–1824). Words and music public domain.

A Word about Reformation Sunday

We celebrate today the birth of the protestant branch of the church back in the 16th century, and remembering the courage and faithfulness of our forebears like Martin Luther and John Calvin. It is reflected today in the involvement of lay people in leadership, the shape of our worship and hymns, and our abiding focus on the grace of God. Selections from resources from the World Communion of Reformed Churches will be used in our worship today.

Prayers of Adoration and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer

Loving God, we gather as your servants, shaped by the faithfulness of those who went before us, shaping and building up your church, and teaching us the life and ministry of your son, Jesus. In Christ, you call us together to praise your name and serve your world in his name. With the presence of your Spirit, you feed the roots of our faith, and renew our vision for the church in this generation. Lord of love and mercy, fill us with courage and confidence to reach out to others with your mercy and grace, for you are our God, ever faithful to your people.

Gracious God, you are the source of every good and perfect gift, but we confess our gifts to you are less than perfect. We honour you when it fits into our schedules. We forget that your love should set our priorities, and pursue our own desires. Forgive our wavering hearts and reawaken our commitment to you, to make us your faithful servants, for we ask it in Jesus’ name, and continue to pray in the words that he taught us:

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

Friends, we are promised that those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Claim your hope in this Good News: God’s perfect love abides in you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God for such great mercy.
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

Fun with the young at heart (Children may join the Sunday School Class)

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

Luke 10: 38–42  <– 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.

Luke 10: 38–42

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Word of God across the ages” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 497). Words (1953) by American minister Ferdinand Q. Blanchard (1876–1968). Music (1797; tune “Austria”) by Austrian composer Joseph Haydn (1732–1809). Words and music in the public domain.

Offering

From the richness with which God has blessed us, we bring our gifts for the building up of the church in its mission in the world. Our offerings will now be received.

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

Good and gracious God, we bring our offerings in gratitude for all that makes our lives good, even in uncertain times. Bless these gifts with your Spirit and use them through the ministry and mission of our Church to touch lives in need of your goodness, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

In the midst of deadly wars and destruction, you are the God who cares for all of creation. So we pray for your endangered world and all who suffer.

Living God, help us to re-form the world. In the midst of the division of the church, you are the God who brings us together in unity. We pray for all who suffer because of the brokenness of your communion.

In the midst of hatred and prejudice, you are the God who lives in us in all our diversity. We pray for all who suffer because they are excluded.

In the midst of a materialism and selfish arrogance, you are the living God over all other gods. We pray for all who suffer from economic injustice.            In our vision and daily lives, you are the living God who sends us to do your will. We pray for those who defend nature, those who work for reconciliation, those who break down barriers, those who fight for equality, those who make peace.

Living God, help us to be your people agents in reforming the world. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“I greet thee, who my sure redeemer art” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 678). Words attributed to John Calvin (1509–1564). Translation (1868) by American hymnwriter Elizabeth Lee Smith (1817–1898). Music (tune: “Toulon”) adapted by French composer Louis Bourgeois (c. 1510–1559) from a tune in the Genevan Psalter, 1551. Words, translation 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.

Commissioning and Benediction

May God, the source of life, maker of heaven and earth, graciously re-form our lives; may Jesus Christ, the way, and the truth, and the life, enable us to live in fullness; may the Holy Spirit, the breath of life, empower us to live for others; so we may continuously sing the song of life to the glory of the living God

Go in peace,
And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The love of God
And the communion of the Holy Spirit,
But with you, now and forever. 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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