South Stormont Pastoral Charge

    If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.      Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.      Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will c...

*Gathering Hymn See the Morning Sun Ascending (#406 VU|vs. 1&4) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come, let us worship God, whose love never fails. All: We come to praise the God who loves us always. One: Love is patient and kind. Love is not proud or rude. All: God calls us to love one another as God loves us. One: Love never gives up. Love never ends. All: Let us worship with hearts full of love! Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Let There Be Light (#679 VU|1,2,5) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Loving God, as Your people, we are called to love, but we do not always get it right. Sometimes we are impatient with one another. We speak without kindness and act without grace. We hold onto hurt instead of seeking peace. Forgive us, God. Renew us as a community of love. Teach us to be patient and kind, to trust and forgive. Help us to reflect Your love in all we do. ( a time of silent confession) Amen. Words of Assurance One: God...

         When you read the Old Testament, you might notice what seems like conflicting views about wealth and poverty. The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs often describes wealth as a blessing from God and poverty as a result of failing to follow God’s teachings. For example, it is written, "Whoever trusts in the LORD will be enriched" (Proverbs 28:5) and "Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction" (Proverbs 13:18). On the other hand, the prophetic literature, written in the names of the prophets, often describes wealth as coming from injustice and God as the liberator of the poor and oppressed. Isaiah says, “Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case” (Isaiah 1:23 / Good News Bible). Micah shares a similar message: “Your rich people exploit the poor, and all of you are liars” (Micah 6:12). These contrasting voices mi...

*Gathering Hymn See the Morning Sun Ascending (#406 VU |vs. 1&3) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: It is good to gather with friends All: who know and accept us as people of faith. One: It is good to gather with friends All: who seek the meaning and purpose of life. One: It is good to gather with friends All: who wish to make a difference in our world. One: Friends, let us worship! *Karen Boivin . Gathering ACE 2024-2025. Page 47. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Come, Let Us Sing (#222 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Loving God, we confess that we have not always lived as one body in Christ. Sometimes we focus too much on ourselves and forget to value the gifts of others. Forgive us and help us to work together in unity and love. Teach us to support and encourage each other for Your kingdom. Make us one in Your Spirit, so we can serve You faithfully. ( a time of silent confession) Amen. Words of Assurance One: God loves...