Order of Service / Reformation Sunday / Oct 29, 2023

   South Stormon Pastoral Charge 

(Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church)

Led by Rev. Min Hwang

*Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (#232 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

Let us affirm our commitment to seek truth and embrace the light of God's grace.

  We gather as a community, rooted in the history of those who sought to renew and reform our understanding of faith.

Let us stand firm in our conviction to be a beacon of hope and love in our world.

  We affirm our dedication to live out the values of justice, compassion, and unity, as we embrace the diversity that enriches our spiritual journey.

Let us celebrate the heritage that has shaped our faith and continues to inspire us to this day.

  With hearts united, we embrace the transformative power of God's love, as we dedicate ourselves to honour the spirit of the Reformation in all that we do.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Creative and Creating God, you continue to do new things among us, calling us to new ministries, to new ways of being your church. Rooted in your love and grounded in your gospel, may we be attentive to your call and aware of your Spirit, remembering our ancestors in the faith and preparing the path for those yet to follow the Way of Jesus. Continue your reformation and renewal in us, O God. Amen

*Susan Lukey. Gathering Pentecost 2 2018, page 46.

*Opening Hymn Maker, in Whom We Live (#321 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Living God, You are the One who is always on the move, always creating and re-creating, always doing a new thing. And yet, we confess, O Lord, that our lives can become static, routinely paralyzed by doubt and fear. We remain ossified in patterns of greed, covetousness, and self-interest. We doubt your promises of abundant, everlasting life and so we live in dread of our neighbours, our friends, and our enemies. Forgive us, O God. Renew us by your Spirit, and reform us with your compassion, remaking us more fully in to the image of Christ, and as nimble servants of your reign. (a time of silent prayer). Amen

*Ryan Slifka. God Reforms Us: A Service for Reformation Sunday of United Church of Canada, page 2.

Words of Assurance

You are safe in God’s love and grace

We are forgiven and born anew every time we pray. Thanks be to God.

*Sandra Litt. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 34.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

God Children’s Time (Hymn – Like a Rock, #92 MV)

Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet

Like the starry night sky, God is over our head

Like the sun on the horizon, God is ever before

Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 We care for you like a nurse tenderly cares for her own children.

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 (VU p.805 P 1&3) O God, our help in ages past.

Matthew 22:34-46 Love God; love your neighbour as yourself.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon: Rediscovering the Essence of Christianity (Click Here)

*Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#262 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

praise God, all creatures high and low,

give thanks to God in love made known.

Creator, Word and Sprit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Receive these gifts O God,

use them to reform this community of faith

as you remake the world in your image.

We ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Ryan Slifka. God Reforms Us: A Service for Reformation Sunday of United Church of Canada, page 5.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness (#260 VU)

*Commissioning

Go out into the world, living in the light of Christ!

  By the power of the Spirit

  do all the good we can

  by all the means we can

  in all the ways we can

  in all the places we can

  at all the times we can

  to all the people we can

as long as ever we can.

The grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with us all. Amen.

*attributed to John Wesley

*Commissioning Song I Am Walking a Path of Peace (#221 MV)

I am walking a path of peace, I am walking a path of peace, I am walking a path of peace,

Lead me home, lead me home. (x2)


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