South Stormont Pastoral Charge

 In today’s reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Those who heard him questioned what he said because they believed they were not slaves to anyone. But Jesus pointed to a deeper problem. “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” The freedom Jesus speaks about is more than freedom from outside control or oppression. When sin rules our lives, we are held captive by its power. Even today, there are things within us that can hold us back. Often, fear and anxiety lie beneath them. Anxiety itself is not a sin. We all experience it. But fear of the future and the constant pressure to prove our worth can damage our sense of self-worth and even lead us to hate ourselves. When fear controls us, we may begin to see others as competitors and ignore their suffering to protect ourselves. In this way, fear can lead us into sin, and we may become trapped by its power....

  # Gathering Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory (#686 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: God is our refuge, a stronghold to keep us safe.   All: God is indeed our rock and fortress. God leads us and guides us for righteousness’ sake. One: Into God’s hands, we commend our spirits, for God has redeemed us, our God of truth.   All: Our times are in God’s hands, and so we pray to be delivered from the hands of our enemies, from those who pursue us. One: God is our refuge and rock. Let us worship. *Wanda Winfield. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 46. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#262 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) God of grace, our world is changing quickly. Sometimes we hold on to familiar ways because we are afraid. Sometimes we welcome change without asking who might be hurt or left behind. We protect our own comfort and fail to hear those who need help. Forgive u...

       In today’s first reading, Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers.” Paul sees how God’s grace is at work in their lives. The gospel of Christ is shaping their daily choices and relationships. The church in Thessalonica was still young. The members faced opposition and hardship, and they still had much to learn as they grew in faith. Paul was concerned about them. He could not visit them himself, so he sent Timothy to see how they were doing. Thankfully, Timothy returned with good news about their faith and love. When Paul heard this, he wrote to them with gratitude. In this letter, Paul connects faith with action, love with labour, and hope with endurance. Their faith moved them to act. Their love led them to help others. Their hope encouraged them to keep going through difficult times. The gospel was changing the way they spoke and thought, how they lived, and how they faced ha...

# Gathering Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation (#227 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: From soil and seed, from rain and sun, life rises around us.   All: We gather to worship the God who gives life to all creation. One: Around the world, hands plant and harvest, prepare and share, yet many still wait for enough to eat.   All: God calls us to notice, to care, and to seek a world where all may flourish. One: So let us bring our gratitude, our hunger for justice, and our hope for the world.   All: Together, we worship God and open ourselves to the work of love. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Come, Let Us Sing (#222 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) God of life and love, you have entrusted us with a world where the earth brings forth food and every living being depends on the gifts of creation. Yet we confess that we have not always cared for these gifts wisely. We have grown comfortable with ha...

Today is Thanksgiving Sunday. It is a time to look back on our lives. What are you thankful for? Who has brought you joy or helped you through a difficult time? Perhaps you remember your family, a friendship, work you enjoyed, or a place that still makes you smile. Today’s first scripture reading invites us to think about the meaning of gratitude. Jesus was travelling toward Jerusalem and passed through the region between Samaria and Galilee. Jews and Samaritans had a long history of religious and political conflict, yet Jesus travelled through this region, crossing a boundary that had divided people for generations. There Jesus met ten people with a skin disease. According to the Law, they had to keep their distance from others and live apart from their families and communities. As a result, they suffered not only physically but also socially. Their condition had become another boundary. Then they saw a sign of hope. It was Jesus who was passing by. The ten could not come close to him...

  # Gathering Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation (#227 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Welcome, family of God!   All: God has visited the earth and watered it. One: God has provided the people with grain and crowned the year with overflowing bounty.   All: The earth has yielded its increase, God; our God has blessed us! One: Let us give thanks and praise to God! *Anne Mathewson. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 42. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn As Those of Old Their First-fruits Brought (#518 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Forgive us, Gracious God, for our reluctance to share and our easy acceptance of the way things are. Forgive us for the irreverent ways we treat your gifts and the way we take what we have for granted. We trust in your mercy as we seek to be merciful to others. We trust in your forgiveness as we seek to forgive others. We trust in your love as we seek to love others. In s...