Order of Sunday Service on September 17, 2023

Sunday Service on the Second Sunday in Creation Time, 2023

South Stormon Pastoral Charge 
(Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church)

Led by Rev. Min Hwang

*Gathering Hymn This Is God’s Wondrous World (#296 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship
We come with praise for the beauty around us,
  for prairie, for seas, for mountains, for tree.
We come as stewards, partners in care
  of the universe and the earth and all creatures there.
We come in gratitude for God’s graciousness.
  in our songs and worship, may our thanks be expressed!
*Karen Coogan. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 25. 

Opening Prayer (Unison)
Loving God, who created and is creating the world as your artistic masterpiece, we gather before you as your faithful stewards during this Creation Time. Grant us the ability to recognize your Word in every living being and your image in our fellow human beings. Just as a tree unfolds its branches to embrace the sunlight, may we open our hearts, minds, and souls to your divine presence, feeling your love, grace, and hope surrounding us. Amen.

*Opening Hymn Come In, Come In and Sit Down (#395 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)
Holy God, you spoke and creation was formed; you breathed out and life came into the world; you moved and the land became holy. Yet we walk upon it as if it is nothing. We poison it as if it is worthless. Today we beg for your mercy and pray that your Spirit will empower us to walk gently upon this ground, inspire us to care for the earth, and remind us that deep within the soil beats the heart of the One who created us, the One who loves us. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.
*Nora Vedress. Gathering Pentecost 2 2017, page 27.

Words of Assurance
Pouring out of rock and hill and spring
comes the grace of God like many waters,
drenching you in mercy, love, and peace.
Tip back your head, open your spirit, and receive forgiveness.
    Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Robin Wardlaw. Gathering Pentecost 2 2021, page 29.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

God Children’s Time (Hymn - Know that God is Good, #104 MV)

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures
Exodus 14:19-31 God parts the sea for the Hebrews.
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 (VU p.876) Miriam and Moses sing the Song of the Sea.
Romans 14:7-9 Whether we live or whether we die, we are God’s.
This is the Good News from the Bible. 
  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon The Sea as God's Sanctuary

*Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory (#686 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#540 VU, Grant Us, God, the Grace)
Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
Holy One, as first you gave to us, so now we give to you. Take our gifts and use them to support, maintain, and bring about the harmony you so keenly desire for all our world. Amen.
* Seasons of the Spirit, Pentecost 2. 2019. page 44.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn We Have This Ministry (#510 VU)

*Commissioning
Go from here, not as owners of the sunlit sky, but as those who share it with all creatures.
  Go from here, not as owners of creation, but as those who live in a caring, respectful relationship with creation.
Go from here to celebrate life’s goodness.
  Work for the new world that beckons in the promise of Christ, the promise of love and abundant life for all. Amen.
* Robin Wardlaw. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023. page 28.

*Commissioning Song Peace Be With You (#215 MV)
Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you my friends.
Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All hymns that appear in videos on this page are licensed under OneLicense, #A-611268


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