South Stormont Pastoral Charge

*Gathering Hymn Let All Things Now Living (#242 VU) Welcome& Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: We are a community called by grace. All: We are a community summoned to pray andpraise. One: We are a community commissioned to compassion and mercy. All: We are the Body of Christ. One: Let us worship and live as God’s faithful people. * Frances Flook, Gathering ACE 2024-2025. Page 53. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding(#104 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Loving God, we confess that though we call ourselves your people, we often fail to live as faithful disciples. We speak of making a difference, yet we turn away from the needs of those around us. We claim to care for your creation, but our actions harm the world you have entrusted to us. We say we love our neighbours, yet we overlook those in need of kindness and compassion. Forgive us, O God, and awaken in us a renewed commitm...

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.   “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merc...

  * Gathering Hymn Let All Things Now Living (#242 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! All: And also with you. One: Our Lord has called us to worship and now greets us. All: Welcome, Jesus, to our worship today. *Sue Webb . Gathering ACE 2024-2025. Page 46. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love (#574 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Merciful One, we are not what we wish we were; we are often only what we desire. We are love, when we love one another. We are strife, when we judge the other as less worthy than ourselves. We are how we consider the other. Help us, O God, to be so much more. More in who we are. More in how we act. More in what we dream. More in how we love. Let us become the more that you intended in your divine image. a time of silent confession) Amen. Words of Assurance One: God is the salvation of the righteous. All: Ou...

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.  Then he looked up at his disciples and said:      “Blessed are you who are poor,      for yours is the kingdom of God.      “Blessed are you who are hungry now,      for you will be filled.      “Blessed are you who weep now,      for you will laugh.  “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the...

*This is for the online service on February 16, 2025.  Welcome & Announcements  Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Opening Prayer Opening Hymn There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (#271 VU|vs. 1,2,5) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal Holy and loving God, we come before you knowing that we do not always live as Jesus teaches. We seek comfort more than kindness, power more than justice, and approval more than truth. Forgive us and help us turn our hearts back to you, so that we may live with love, generosity, and trust. In your mercy, renew us to walk in the way of Jesus. (a time of silent confession) Amen. Words of Assurance God is gracious and full of mercy, always ready to renew us in love. Trust in this good news: we are forgiven, we are loved, and we are made new. Thanks be to God! Amen. Scripture Reading Luke 6:17-26 The Beatitudes upon the plain. Sermon Like Mom’s Food Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer Closing Hymn Lead On, O Cloud of Presence (#421 V...

Many people find our current political and economic situation uncertain and chaotic. While we are not here to analyze these issues in detail, one thing is clear: we are living in a crucial time of change. Canada will soon have a new Prime Minister, and at the end of this month, Ontario will hold elections. Most significantly, with a new President taking office in our neighbouring country, we are facing new challenges and shifts. Because of these changes, some may feel overwhelmed, upset, or even powerless. In times like these, what hope can we find in our Christian faith? Today’s Scripture readings present two wonderful stories of calling. The first is in Isaiah 6:1-8, where the prophet Isaiah receives his call from God. It begins with the words, “In the year that King Uzziah died.” This simple phrase gives us important context. In Isaiah’s time, Israel was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Isaiah served as a prophet in Jerusalem, the capita...

  *Gathering Hymn See the Morning Sun Ascending (#406 VU|vs. 1&2) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come and listen! Christ is speaking today. All: We are here to listen and follow. One: Christ invites us to trust, even when the way is uncertain. All: With faith, we take the next step. One: There is nothing to fear—Christ goes before us. All: We move forward with hope. One: Let us worship the One who calls us into new life. All: With open hearts, we worship with joy! Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness (#288 VU|1&2) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) God of love and peace, be with us today. We come with the burdens of the stress and difficulties we know in our lives and with the cares of the world on our shoulders. We bring to you our fears and our worries, and we pray for your healing for ourselves and our world. God of hope, we confess that we let the events and demands of our day-to-day lives cr...