February 9, 2025 – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany and Communion Sunday
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, February 9, 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, February 9.
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.
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: Let us sing and pray in God’s presence.
All: Praise be to God!
One: For God has created the world and called it good.
All: Praise be to God!
One: In Christ, God has redeemed the world and defeated the powers of death.
All: Praise be to God!
One: The Holy Spirit is at work in the world, calling us to follow Jesus.
All: All praise and glory to God, Holy One and Holy Three!
Opening Hymn
“Holy, Holy, Holy” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 299). Words (early 1800s) by English Anglican bishop and hymnwriter Reginald Heber (1783–1826). Music (1861; tune: “Nicaea”) by English hymnwriter and clergyman John Bacchus Dykes (1823–1876). Words, music and descant public domain. Descant by New-Zealand born British organist and composer Craig Sellar Lang (1891–1971).
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
God ever creating, ever loving, ever leading:
your presence is peace when we are frantic; your Word is truth when we face deception; your Spirit offers freedom when we are paralyzed by fear. You give purpose in confusing times; You call for justice when the world settles for inequality. For all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be, we worship you as the source of life, the promise of redemption, and the spirit of love in action, One God, now and always.
Merciful God,
you call us to fullness of life, but we confess our shortcomings. We have wandered from your ways and wasted your gifts; we have ignored your grace at work among us, and focused on loss and complaint. We have been suspicious of the motives of others, too quick to judge and too slow to forgive. Give us the courage to see clearly who and what we are. With your forgiveness, cleanse us from all our faults and failings, and inspire us to walk a new way.
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
Do not be afraid, for Christ has redeemed you. Baptized in the deep waters of death, he has washed away your sins. Risen from death, he invites you to be washed in the cleansing tide of God’s mercy. Your sins are forgiven; be at peace with God, with yourself, and with each other.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Peace
One: May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: And also with you.
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
GCPC Senior Choir presents
“We Are the World” (1985). Words and music by American singer songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Arrangement by American choral composer Roger Emerson. Words and music copyright © 1985 Mijac Music and Brockman Music.
Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst
“We Are the World” is a 1985 charity song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, performed by USA for Africa. Featuring a supergroup of famous artists like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Tina Turner, etc., it aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Africa. The song became a massive commercial and humanitarian success, raising millions for mission aid efforts. Today, we have a beautiful presentation (with a beautifully read introduction) of this very salient and timely anthem. Nothing has quite been presented like this before to our congregation as our children and adults “stand together as one!”
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
The First Commandment
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.
Mission Moments
Introduction of the speaker
Don MacOdrum, the chair of the Mission and Outreach Committee
Speaker
Heather MacDonald, CEO, LOFT Community Services
Hymn
“More love to thee” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 707). Words verse 1 (1856) by American author Elizabeth Payson Prentiss (1856–1878). Words verse 2 (1990) by Canadian educator, author and hymnwriter Edith Margaret Clarkson (1915–2008). Music (1868; tune: “More love to thee”) by American manufacturer, hymnwriter and philanthropist William Howard Doane (1832–1915). Words v.1 and music public domain. Words v.2 copyright © 1990 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A
Offering
The season of Epiphany begins January 6, the day celebrating the journey of the Magi to greet Christ, the new-born king. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Our gifts are not so exotic, but what we offer today and throughout the year honours Jesus as Lord of our lives and Saviour of the world.
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
God of surprising generosity, Jesus encouraged his disciples to keep fishing when they thought their nets were empty. Encourage us to keep giving even when needs seem overwhelming and resources scarce. We entrust our gifts to you with the faith you can surprise us and others through all they can accomplish 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.
Communion Hymn
(remain seated as the elders come forward)
“Lord, Jesus, you shall be my song” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 665; V 1 & 4). English words (1970; translated from the original French words of 1961) by Anglo-Canadian priest, musician and theologian Stephen Sommerville (1931–); music (1961; tune: “Les Petities Soeurs”) by Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus. English words copyright © 1970 Stephen Sommerville. Music copyright © 1987 Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus.
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.
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
“O Lord my God / How great thou art” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 332). Words (1885) by Swedish poet Carl Boberg (1859–1940); English text by English missionary Stuart K. Hine (1899–1989). Music (tune: “O Store Gud”) based on a traditional Swedish folk melody; arrangement (1955) by Hine. English text and arrangement copyright © 1955, 1981 Manna Music, Inc.; 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 love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Blessing
“Celtic Blessing”. Words Irish traditional. Music by former GCPC Music Director Carmen Lappano. Words public domain. Music copyright © Carmen Lappano; used by permission.
Postlude
Copyright © 2025 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2025-02-06 17:15 – First version.