Order of Service / Thanksgiving Sunday / October 13, 2024

*Gathering Hymn Come, You Thankful People Come (#516 VU | vs. 1,2)

Welcome& Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One:The leaves are changing colour as the fall season unfolds.

All: We gather to give thanks to God.

One:The harvest is in. Some tables are full, yet some are empty.

All: We bring our yearnings for a just sharing to God.

One: The community gathers to worship, to celebrate, and to give thanks to our Creator.

All: We give thanks to God for this community offaith.

*Catherine Tovell. Gathering Pentecost 2, 2024. Page 45.

Opening Prayer

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

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Loving God, help us to stop trying to force our willin your world. Help us to catch ourselves when weare unkind and judgmental, when we complainabout everything out of habit, and when we takepeople and blessings for granted. Forgive us forbeing careless with the world’s abundance. Weknow better. Help us to do better. Give us strengthto follow the Way of Jesus.(a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Jani Francis. Gathering Pentecost 2, 2024. Page 46.

Words of Assurance

One: We belong to God, created with love and wonder.

All: Though imperfect, we are embraced by God’s healing and grace.

One: Know that we are never alone, no matter where we are.

All: God is with us always, offering comfort and strength.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Know that God is Good / MV #104)

Know that God is peace, know that God is peace,

know that God is peace, God is peace, God is peace.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Joel 2:21-24 Do not fear, O soil, for God will provide.

Psalm 126 (VU p.850) Those who sow in tears reap in joy.

Matthew 6:25-33 Do not worry about what you will eat or drink.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn As Those of Old Their First-fruits Brought (#518 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (Tune: #374VU)

Acts of kindness, times for sharing; bringing Christ to human need.

Caring for the least among us; simple actions plant the seed.

By our giving and forgiving, work a miracle of love.

Holy presence to us offered; Praise the One who reigns above.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Thank you, Gracious God. Gratitude is thefoundation of our giving. And so we thank you forall you have entrusted to each of us individually.We thank you for this church you have entrustedto us together. Thank you for leading us to giveourselves away through the sharing of time,talents, and resources to your glory always. Amen.

*Elaine Bidgood Sveet. Gathering Pentecost 2, 2024. Page 46.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Let All Things Now Living(#272 VU)

*Commissioning

One:As the leaves change and fall surrounds us, we are sent into the world with hearts full of gratitude.

All: We go, carrying our thanks to God into our daily lives.

One:The harvest has come, yet we know there is still work to be done to ensure all are fed and cared for.

All: We go, committed to justice, sharing, and compassion for all.

One: We have gathered in community to worship and give thanks; now we are sent to live out God’s love.

All: We go, strengthened by God’s grace, to be a light in the world.

*Commissioning Song Peace be with You(#215 MV)

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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