South Stormont Pastoral Charge

In the Bible, sin does not mean only wrong actions or illegal behaviour. Scripture uses several different words for sin, but what they all have in common is that they point to a state of being distant from God. It might sound a little abstract. Simply put, sin is when we fail to keep what truly matters at the centre of our lives. Sometimes we forget what is most important in our lives. We lose gratitude for a meal that nourishes us. We overlook the gift of clean water and fresh air. We fail to notice the people who care for us and walk alongside us. We forget the gift of a home where we can rest and recover. Most of all, we forget that we ourselves are precious, God’s beloved. This kind of forgetting often happens more easily in times of plenty than in times of need. When resources are scarce, we know how much we depend on daily bread, safe shelter, and one another. But when we have more than enough, the gifts that sustain us can slip from our attention. Gratitude grows weak, and compa...

Invitation Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: We gather carrying dust and breath, aware of our limits and our longing.  All: We pause before the One who meets us with mercy. One: We come with stories unfinished, with regrets, hopes, and open hands.  All: We turn toward the promise of forgiveness and renewal. One: This is a time to listen, to release, and to begin again.  All: We enter this season together, seeking grace that reshapes our lives and love that leads us forward. Opening Prayer *Hymn Dust and Ashes Touch Our Face (#VU 105) Scripture Reading 1 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10 We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now...

Today is Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday of the Season of Epiphany. Throughout this season, we have been reflecting on the mystery of God revealed like light. We began with the journey of the wise men who followed the star. We remembered Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan and the beginning of his ministry in Galilee. We listened to his teachings about the Beatitudes and being salt and light. And now we arrive at the mountain where Jesus is transfigured. Yet as we have walked through this season of light, we have also seen deep darkness in the world. We have heard terrible news of violence, fear, and sorrow. In Iran, the government used force against people who were calling for freedom and human rights, and thousands of people were killed. In the United States, there has been turmoil because of violent actions by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The killing of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis has shocked many people. Moreover, over the past week, Canada has bee...

  *Gathering Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#288 VU | vs. 1&3) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come. Let us go up the mountain with Jesus.    All: We come to worship, listening for God’s voice. One: Christ is revealed in glory.   All: Our hearts awaken to wonder and praise. One: The light of Christ shines in the world. All: We open our lives to that light. One: Let us worship God. All: With joy, with reverence, with hope. Amen. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn God Is Here (#389 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Loving God, you enable us to make changes that matter. With your love, you transform our sadness into joy and our defeat into hope. With your love, you transform our apathy into commitment and our selfishness into thanksgiving. With your love, you transform our indifference into praise and our shyness into laughter. Transforming God, by your presence you restore us to become the faithful o...