Order of Service / November 19, 2023

   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. 1,2,3)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

Come as people who have the gifts that our loving Creator has given each of us.

  May we be open to the gifts of grace.

Come as people who are called to use our gifts for the flourishing of God’s Kingdom.

  May our lives reflect faithfulness and stewardship.

Come as people who celebrate our gifts to proclaim the gospel of hope.

  May our worship be a joyful response to our gifts.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Gracious God, who has given each of us unique talents and abilities, we come before you with hearts open to your presence. As we worship together, help us to discern the purpose for which you have entrusted the gifts to us, and guide us to align our actions with your divine will. Amen.

*Opening Hymn Open My Eyes, That I May See (#371 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Good and generous God, you have given us an abundance of gifts, but we do not see ourselves as a gifted people. We are more likely to complain about what we lack than to rejoice in what blesses our lives. We regret the good we cannot do and leave undone what is within our reach. We are always afraid that there will not be enough to good around, that your supply of blessings will be exhausted, or that you will tire of giving. Forgive our lack of trust, our smallness of heart, our narrowness of imagination. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.

*John Moses. Gathering Pentecost 2 2017, page 36.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 9-11 The day of God will come as a thief in the night.

Psalm 123 (VU p.847) We will teach the next generation.

Matthew 25:14-30 The Parable of the talents.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn If You Will Trust in God to Guide You (#286 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)

God of hope, You have entrusted each of us with resources, and today, we respond in gratitude for the abundance of your blessings. May the resources we offer be used with wisdom and purpose, spreading your love and grace to those in need. Amen.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn O Master, Let Me Walk Thee (#560 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 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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