Worship Service for March 2, 2025 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

March 2, 2025 – Transfiguration Sunday

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, March 2, 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, March 2.

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: It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord, to sing praises to you, O God most high,
All: to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.

One: For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work,
All: at the work of your hands I sing for joy.

Opening Hymn

“All people that on earth do dwell” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 65). Words Psalm 100, paraphrase by European churchman and translator William Kethe (ca. 1535–1594) as in the Scottish Psalter 1650. Music from the Genevan Psalter 1551; last line from Ravencroft’s Psalter 1621. Tune (1551; “Old 100^th”) usually attributed to French composer Louis Bourgeois (c. 1510 – c. 1560). Words and music public domain.

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

God of grace and God of glory,
you reveal your presence to the world in radiant glory and gentle whispers, on mountain tops and lowly plains, in classrooms and hospital beds, in homes and churches, in the silence of nature and the sounds of cities. Yours is the presence that pushes past our fears, yours is the touch that transforms our doubts. We come before you to celebrate your goodness, to focus on your light, and offer you all praise, honour and thanksgiving, for you are our God and we are your people, now and always.

God of mercy and forgiveness,
facing the light of your goodness, we confess all that keeps us from sharing that goodness. We are distracted by the desire to have more than we need. We focus on our own disappointments rather than trust the future you create. We feel discouraged by the pandemic and fail to claim the hope you hold out to us in Christ. Transfigure us by your grace, and shape us into disciples who follow Christ’s leading each day.

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. God’s forgiveness shines into the world. The morning star rises in our hearts and we are made new. Know that you are forgiven and forgive one another in Christ’s name.
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)

Musical presentation

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

While the designated month for Black History Month may be behind us, it certainly does not mean that we cease learning and connecting with one another — every day of the year we must strive to learn and do things better, improve the art of governance, and make things more equitable than in the past. To put a little “bow” on what has been a month of celebration and reflection, it seemed fitting to bring it all together in a very “Canadian” way — even more fitting it seems these days!

Oscar Peterson is arguably the world’s greatest jazz pianist that ever lived, and his primary address for his latter years was actually in Mississauga! “Hymn to Freedom”, composed by Peterson and first released in 1963 on Night Train, later had lyrics added by Harriette Hamilton. The piece became an anthem for the civil rights movement. Its soulful, gospel-influenced melody and uplifting spirit convey themes of unity, hope, and freedom. Today you will hear the piece in its original form, without lyrics. God willing, next year you will hear the GCPC Choir sing it for you. Though Peterson left us in 2007, we can be a very proud nation that he was ours and what he stood for.

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

2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 <– 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.

2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2

Chapter 3 verse 12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with complete frankness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, the same veil is still there; it is not unveiled since in Christ it is set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Chapter 4 Verse 1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Sermon

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

Hymn

“The church’s one foundation” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 479). Words (1866) by English Anglican priest and hymnwriter Samuel John Stone (1839–1900). Music (1864; tune: “Aurelia”) by English organist and composer Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810–1876). Words and music in the public domain.

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

Gracious God, you have given us life and blessed us in Christ with new life. Bless the gifts we offer today, and bless our lives, so that others may see his grace at work in us and what we offer the world in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

Revealing God,
you bless us with your presence and wisdom, and we marvel at the wonders of your love. You created a beautiful world that reveals your majesty. You sent your Son to show us how to live with compassion. Your Holy Spirit guides us on our way. Thank you for opening our eyes to your presence each day. Help us to recognize you not only in mountaintop experiences, but also in everyday tasks and in times of great challenge.

Loving God,
Much in this world needs the transformation only you can provide. Where there is violence, bring calm; where there is poverty, send sustenance; where there is confusion, bring wisdom; where there is chaos, create order; where minds and hearts are troubled, bring comfort; where pain is crippling, grant release. Move the hearts of the rich to share with those in need; and call the powerful to act with justice for those at risk. Give us all the will to work for the wellbeing of the earth and to live with respect for the fragile balances within your creation. Hear us now in this time of silence as we raise to you the names and situations on our hearts this day: Hear the cries of all who suffer and bring each one hope of new life with you.

Eternal God,
we pray for your church around the world and for our congregation. Give your people the energy to shine wherever there is persecution, despair or discouragement. Bless each congregation with wisdom and vision, as we face the changes that we see around us. Renew our imagination and commitment to develop new forms of ministry and mission for the days ahead. Inspire us with greater delight in your mystery, and greater joy in seeking your presence. We ask all these things through Christ Jesus, Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Christ, of all my hopes the ground” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 680). Words (1817) by Scottish Presbyterian minister Ralph Wardlaw (1779–1853). Music (tune: “Mozart” or “Nottingham (Mozart)”) originally attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) as part of the “Twelfth Mass, K. Anh. 232”. Now generally attributed to Austrian composer and conductor Wenzel Müller (1767–1835) and thought to have been composed between 1791 and 1803. Words 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.

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 2025-03-01 15:40 – First version.