Order of Sunday Service on September 10th, 2023

Sunday Service on the First Sunday in Creation Time

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 rejoicing in God’s creation.
  God is good. The fruit-laden trees proclaim the wonder of God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
  God is good. The autumn rain declares the nurture of God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
  God is good. The mountains and hills reflect our awesome God.
We come rejoicing in God’s creation.
  God is good. The gathered crops make evident our caring God.
*David Sparks. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 26. 

Opening Prayer (Unison)
Creating God, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and anticipation on the first Sunday in Creation Time. We thank you for your magnificent works as we witness the beauty of the world around us. We also thank you for the gift of this day, for the new beginnings that lie before us. We ask for your blessings upon our new minister, Rev. Min Hwang, as he embarks on this journey with us. Fill us with your Spirit, that this service may be a source of inspiration, renewal, and unity for our community of faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, our saviour and foundation, we pray. Amen.

*Opening Hymn God Is Here (#389 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)
We cannot change the past, Creator, but with you, we are co-creating our future. We cannot change our past, but we can discover new ways and come to new understandings. Forgive us our trespasses, and deliver us from the evil of arrogance and ignorance. Humbly we face our limitations. We are a small part of the great web of creation. In the turning of the season, may we be like the trees: as leaves fall, so also may we let go of everything that keeps us bound to ways that block your love: fear, addiction, prejudice, self- importance. By your grace and with confidence in your goodness, we offer our prayers, for ourselves and others, for our shared future, and for the world’s healing. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.
*Wendy MacLean. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 28.

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

Children’s Time

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures
Romans 13:8-14 Owe no one anything but love
Psalm 149 (VU p.873) Sing to God a new song
Matthew 18:15-20 Where two or three are gathered in my name

Anthem

*Hymn Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation (#325 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
        Gracious and loving Creator, we come before you in awe and gratitude for the gift of life and the privilege of being in this community of faith. We thank you for the relationships that define our lives, both with one another and with you. May we continue to nurture our connections with one another, recognizing that no one can exist alone. Help us to build respectful relationships with God, our fellow humans, and all living creatures, so that we may truly understand who we are, why we live, and what we are meant to do.
We acknowledge that love is the fulfilling of the Law, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul. Just as your love transformed the world, we pray that our love may mend broken relationships and be the cornerstone of our fellowship with Christ and one another. May love guide us in living out our covenant with you.
 We pray that this faith community, united by your love, may be a source of hope and refuge for all who seek a home, a family, or a friend. With your guidance, may we extend our care to those in need, share hope with the despairing, and offer comfort to the hurting. Empower us to be faithful stewards of your creation, working together to address the pressing issues of our time.
 As the new school year begins, we especially pray for the students, teachers, and all those starting on the educational journey. Please remember the students in our local community and our children and grandchildren, and give them the courage to face challenges, the curiosity to seek knowledge, and the compassion to care for one another. Bless the teachers with patience, wisdom, and a nurturing spirit.
 We also remember those who are suffering in our world — those affected by natural disasters, conflicts, poverty, and injustice. We pray for peace, healing, and justice in our broken world. May your love and mercy flow like a river, bringing hope and restoration to all who are in need.
 We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

*Closing Hymn I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (#509 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.

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