Worship Service for November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024 – Twenty-fourth 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: Bless the Lord at all times;
All: God’s praise will always be on our lips.

One: Make great the name of God;
All: We will lift up God’s holy name together.

One: For the Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
All: We will love the Lord with heart, mind, strength and soul, and praise God now and always.

Opening Hymn

“Love divine, all loves excelling” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 371). Words (1747) by English Methodist leader and hymnwriter Charles Wesley (1707–1788). Music (1844; tune: “Hyfrydol”) by Welsh composer Rowland Prichard (1811–1887). Words and music public domain.

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

God of promise and purpose,
in you we live and move and have our being. You are the Fountain of life, and you refresh us. You are the Light of the world, and you show us the way. You are the Spirit of life, and you move in us each new day. So we join our voices with the angels and archangels, with the saints and disciples of every time and place, to worship you as Creator, Healer, and Source of our hope and our joy. Praise be to you, God most holy, ever Three and ever One, world without end. Amen.

God of goodness and mercy,
We have heard your call to put our faith into action, but fear holds us back. We stay silent rather than speak up when things go wrong. There is work to be done in Jesus’ name, but we often seek an easier way. Forgive us, O God, and give us courage and commitment to serve as your saints in this time and this place, whatever the challenges may be.

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 saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Know that you are forgiven by God’s great mercy, and have the grace to forgive each other, just as you have been forgiven.
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 Reflection

“Kiss the Rain” (2003) by South-Korean composer and pianist Yiruma (1978–).

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

Yiruma is a South Korean pianist and composer and has written a plethora of solo piano music that is reflective and ethereal in nature. In “Kiss the Rain”, I suggest an interpretation through deepening our connection to God’s wonderful creation of our world, and in this case, the water from the skies. Perhaps the rain is God’s tears; perhaps it is a symbol of cleansing and renewal; perhaps it is the calming sound it brings as it hits the leaves on the plants or the metal roof on the house. In this music, may we experience the different emotions as we listen presently to God’s creation of both rain — and 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 12:28–34  <– 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 12:28–34

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

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

God of all the generations, we offer our gifts in gratitude for the inheritance of faithfulness we have received as followers of Jesus. Bless these gifts so that today’s ministries may flourish and provide an inheritance for those who come after us, as you guide us all into a future only you can see. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

Eternal God,
On this Sunday marking the faithfulness of all your saints, we give you thanks for people in our lives who have shown us your loving kindness through their witness to Christ. Inspire us by their examples and show us how we too can live out our faith in the midst of challenging times.

Loving God,
You keep calling us to care for neighbours in need and show hospitality to strangers in our midst. Thank you for your persistent love which continues to comfort and challenge us. Open our hearts and our eyes so that we can see how to offer that love to others as we follow Jesus’ example.

Living God,
You bring new life to the discouraged and those facing danger and death. Thank you for signs of hope which break into this troubled world and defy the powers that stand against you. With your Spirit, work for peace in areas of conflict and reconciliation between enemies. Show us how to stand up for compassion and mutual respect in the face of so much anger and ridicule.

Creating God,
we praise you for the beauty of this world and the rhythms of nature which sustain us. Give us courage to act on behalf of your creation wherever it is under stress. Nurture our commitment to act as your stewards of the earth and give voice to the suffering of voiceless creatures. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“I, the Lord of sea and sky” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 592). Words (1981) by American composer and Christian songwriter Daniel Laurent Schutte (1947–), based on Isaiah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 3:4. Music (1983; tune: “Here I am, Lord”) by Schutte with harmony by Michael Pope and John Weissrock. Words copyright © 1981 and music copyright © 1983 by Daniel L. Schutte and 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

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Last updated 2024-11-01 21:40 – First version.