Order of Service / Thanksgiving Sunday / Oct. 8, 2023

 South Stormon Pastoral Charge 

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

Led by Rev. Min Hwang

*Gathering Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation (#227 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

In the songs of birds and the warmth of sunshine,

  we welcome the presence of God.

In fields of grain, growing gardens, and flowers blooming,

we welcome the presence of God.

In the wave of a neighbour and the phone call of a friend,

we welcome the presence of God.

In the bustle of the day and the quiet of the evening,

we welcome the presence of God.

In the work we do and the games we play,

we welcome the presence of God.

In the lessons we’ve learned and the opportunities to come,

we welcome the presence of God.

In the memories we hold and the love we have known,

we give thanks for the presence of God.

Come, let us worship in the presence of God.

*Wetaskinwin Writers.Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 43.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Holy One, as we gather together on thisthanksgiving Sunday, our hearts overflow with gratitude. As we reflect on the blessings of the past year, we are reminded of Your faithfulness, grace, and love that sustains us through every season of life. We thank You for the gift of this community, where we find fellowship and support. Thank You for the gift of family and friends, for the warmth of their love, and for the strength they provide in times of need. Open our eyes to see the many reasons we have to be thankful and to express our gratitude not only in words but also in our actions. Be with us, O God, that this service may be a time of reflection, praise, and thanksgiving, drawing us closer to You, our loving Creator. Amen.

*Opening Hymn Come, O Fount of Every Blessing (#559 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. (a time of silent prayer). Amen

*Robin Wardlaw. Gathering Pentecost 2 2017, page 44.

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 - Know that God is Good, #104 MV)

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Deuteronomy 8:7-18God brings you to a bountiful land.

Psalm 65 (VU pp.782)God provides; the valleys shout and sing.

2 Corinthians 9:11-15 God loves a cheerful giver.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon: Abundant Blessings (Click Here)

*HymnAs Those of Old Their First-Fruits Brought (#518 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)

Generous God, remembering that you love a cheerful giver, knowing all that we have is yours, with joy and thanksgiving we give back to you our time, our talents, and our monetary gifts. May we be faithful, joyful stewards of all we are given.

* Dora White.Gathering Pentecost 2 2023. page 44.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*ClosingHymn May the God of Hope Go with Us (#424 VU)

*Commissioning

We may have arrived here today consumed with worries.

Let us leave with gratitude for our blessings.

We may have arrived filled with sorrows.

   Let us leave with joy for the gifts of our lives.

We may have arrived spiritually hungry.

Let us leave ready to live thanksgiving for God’s abundant creation.

Go in gratitude, in joy, and with thanksgiving!

* Marie Slivocka. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023.page 44.

*Commissioning Song Peace Be With You (#215 MV) x2

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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