Order of Service / November 12

  South Stormon Pastoral Charge 

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

Led by Rev. Min Hwang

*Gathering Hymn Let Us Build a House (#1 MV | vs. 1,2,4)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

Come in from the cold after being teased by a taste of winter this week.

  We come into the warmth and into the shelter of this building.

Come in from the anxieties and challenges of our ever-changing world.

  We come hoping for the comfort of grace abounding as we shelter with people we know and love, and who know and love us.

Come in as those sent out by Christ to transform the world with good news.

  We come to recharge, to renew, and to re-engage with the Spirit’s power.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 32.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We come, O God, on this day of rest and prayer, to be re-energized and recreated in your image and for your purpose. Fill the lamps of our lives with oil, and light the fire of your Spirit within each of us, we pray, that our minds, our hearts, and our bodies may be aflame with your love and grace, that we may reach out to friend and neighbour in your name and with your promise. Through Christ, and in Christ, we pray. Amen

*George Allan. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 33.

*Opening Hymn Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpets (#245 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, we confess our sins of thought, word, and deed, those we have committed and those we have overlooked. We have not loved you with our whole heart, nor have we loved our neighbours as we should. We are deeply sorry for our transgressions, and we seek your gracious forgiveness. Help us to change our ways, that we may rejoice in your will and follow in your footsteps. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.

Words of Assurance

This is the Good News in Jesus Christ:

  God loves us more than we love ourselves.  God set us free to love others.  Thanks be to God. 

* Celebrate God’s Presence. page 43.

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

Joshua 24:22-25 Joshua challenges the people to choose God.

Psalm 78:1-7 (VU p.792 P 1) We will teach the next generation.

Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the ten bridesmaids and the lamps.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Jesus Bids Us Shine (#585 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#542 VU, We Give You But Your Own)

We give you but your own,

whate’er the gift may be;

all that we have is yours alone,

we give it gratefully.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, you have given us all that we need. We offer these gifts today with open hearts, recognizing that we are called to be agents of justice, peace, and transformation. May our offerings be used to uplift the marginalized, heal the wounded, and strive for a more just and loving world. Amen.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn When We Are Living (#581 VU)

*Commissioning

God’s great gift to us is free. Take with us the unfailing love of Christ.

  We take with us the love of Christ, and give to others as freely as we have received.

May we extend that love to all we meet, bringing unity and peace to a divided world. Go in the name of the Creator, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Adapted from Robin Wardlaw. Gathering Pentecost 2 2023, page 39.

*Commissioning Song When You Walk From Here (#298 VU)

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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