Order of Service / Fourth Sunday after Epiphany / January 28, 2024

 *Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come (#79 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: God created light in the beginning.

  All: God calls us to be the light of the world.

One: Christ reveals God’s light to us

  All: God calls us to be the light of the world.

One: The Spirit reveals God’s light in others.

All: God calls us to be the light of the world.

One: Come you who are light for the world, let us worship God.

*Sandy Ferguson,. Gathering ACE 2022-2023, page 43.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Holy One, as we gather together before you, help us focus on celebrating your presence, not ours. Turn our attention to you, your word, and your people. Everything depends on you. Praise to you forever! Amen.

*Opening Hymn We Praise You, O God (#218 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

It is intimidating, O God, to open our hearts completely to you. We feel vulnerable, with no defenses, with no explanation. Yet, in trust, in faith, we open ourselves to you, praying for the courageous joy to turn back to your way of loving. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering ACE 2023-2024, page 46.

Words of Assurance

One: God purifies our spirits and cleanses our souls. God makes us whole.

  All: We know that our worth to God is much more than our worst mistake. We are forgiven by God. Thanks be to God!

*attributed to Aaron Palmer. Gathering ACE 2023-2024, page 44.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (You Are Holy, MV 45)

You are freedom, you show us the way. (x4)

You show us, you show us, you show us the way (x4)

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 God will raise up a prophet after Moses.

Psalm 111 (VU 833) The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom

Mark 1:21-28 A man with an unclean spirit is healed in Capernaum.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (#333 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, bless all that we offer: our time and finances, our energy and ideas, our care and compassion, our praise and prayers. Together may we create a community of faith, hope, and love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Catherine Elsdon. Gathering ACE 2023/2024. Page 48.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn He Leadeth Me (#657 VU)

*Commissioning

One: God created light in the beginning.

  All: God sends us to be the light of the world.

One: Christ reveals God’s light to us

  All: God sends us to be the light of the world.

One: The Spirit reveals God’s light in others.

All: God sends us to be the light of the world.

One: Go and live as the light for the world. God the Creator, Christ the Saviour, and the Holy Spirit the Protector will be with us forever and ever. Amen.

*attributed to Sandy Ferguson. Gathering ACE 2022-2023, page 43.

*Commissioning Song Walk with Me (#649 VU | Refrain)

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through (x2)

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