Worship Service for February 23, 2025 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

February 23, 2025 – Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, February 23, 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 23.

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: Take delight in the Lord;
All: For God will give us the desires of our hearts.

One: Trust in the Lord;
All: For God will give us security and strength.

One: Come, let us commit our ways to the Lord.
All: Let us worship the One who is our refuge in any time of trouble.

Opening Hymn

“In the bulb there is a flower” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 674). Words and music (both 1986; tune: “Promise”) by American composer Natalie Sleeth (1930–1992). Words and music © copyright 1986 Hope Publishing Co; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

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

Faithful God,
you have gathered your people in faithfulness throughout many generations. You have offered your blessing to us through their examples, and led the Church through many changes and challenges by your Spirit. Draw near to us this day to guide us in these uncertain times. Root our faithfulness in the compassion and courage we meet in Jesus. Renew us through your steadfast love so that we may dare to trust our future to you. All praise and honour are yours, O God, Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life.

Gracious God,
you test the mind and search the heart, so you know the thoughts and intentions we keep hidden. Trusting in your wisdom and mercy, we confess the ways we have failed to love one another, the times we looked the other way when someone needed help, and the ways our actions betrayed your goodness.

Forgive us for missing opportunities to share your love, and carrying grudges that keep us from offering the forgiveness we hope for. Renew us with your mercy to become more merciful to others we meet, in the example of Christ our Lord.

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

Hear and believe the good news: anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone, and new life has begun. Trust that you are forgiven by God’s generous love, and have the courage to forgive one another for Christ’s sake.
All: Thanks be to God.

The Peace

One: May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: And also with you.

GCPC Senior Choir presents

“Walk Dem Bones!” Music composed (1928) by American author and civil-rights activist James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954). This arrangement (1990) by American composer and music educator Saundra Jeanne Berry Musser (1937–). Words and music public domain. Arrangement copyright © 1990 Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

“Walk Dem Bones” (also known as “Dem Bones” or “Dry Bones”) is a traditional African American spiritual rooted in biblical imagery from the Book of Ezekiel. The song references the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1–14), where the prophet sees lifeless bones come together and gain flesh, symbolizing resurrection and spiritual renewal. With a rhythmic and repetitive structure, the song has been widely performed in gospel and folk traditions, often emphasizing themes of faith, hope, and divine restoration.

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

Luke 6:27–38 <– 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 6:27–38

27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Sermon

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

Hymn

“Make me a Channel of Your Peace” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 740). Words and music (1967; tune: “Make Me a Channel”) by South-African songwriter Sebastian Temple (1928–1997). Words and music copyright © 1967 OCP Publications; 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 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 generous love, we bring our gifts with grateful hearts, for we have received so much through your kindness. Bless our gifts, and use them to touch lives in situations we cannot even imagine with your love. Make us a blessing in our community for the sake of Christ, our Friend and Saviour. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

God of all life and each life:
you created us and set us in relationship with each other in families and neighbourhoods, in communities and countries, in cultures and nations. Today we give you thanks for all the gifts of home life and community celebration that bring meaning and encouragement to our lives. Thank you for the blessings we know through the contributions of those who have gone before us. Help us offer what we can to sustain the wellbeing of our community and country, so that all who make it their home will find security and dignity.

God of our faith and our future,
there are so many pressures we face today, so many problems without simple solutions. Draw near to anyone who is struggling in economic difficulty, and all those burdened by challenges to their health and happiness. Ease any conflict in homes and workplaces and inspire solutions that express mutual respect and deeper understanding. Help us share with others the hope we find in your presence.

God of mercy and forgiveness,
You call us to live together in peace and unity. We pray for our neighbourhoods and the nations of this world. Where people are divided and bitterness turns into resentment, show us how to work for reconciliation. Where violence and fear turn neighbour against neighbour, or nation against nation. equip leaders to work for justice that will bring peace. Help us build a world where children enjoy a future filled with good health and happiness.

God, our hope and our help,
send your Spirit to equip our congregation with skill and resilience to weather whatever challenges and opportunities lie before us. Strengthen friendships, new and old, and make us a source of encouragement and connection to each other. Help each one find a place and a purpose in our mission and ministry. In your name, we pray. 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 love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

Postlude

Last updated 2025-02-22 22:20– First version.