Bulletin – October 20, 2019

Sunday, October 20, 2019
First Sunday of Ordinary Time
Celebrating The Life and Work of
Windsor Park United Church

Approach

Gathering Song – VU #579–“The Church is Wherever God’s People”

Welcome, lighting the candle and announcements

Call to Worship

One: We have gathered in God’s holy presence, the One who etches grace on our hearts.

All: This is the place where God will transform us into disciples.

One: We glorify our God, who yearns for justice, not just for a favoured few, but for the least of our world.

All: This is the place where God will write compassion on our souls.

One: We give thanks to God for unceasing grace; we remember God’s persistence in saving us.

All: This is the place where God will breathe the Word into our lives.

One: Let us then open our hearts and minds to God this day.

All: Let us worship God.

(adapted from Thom Shuman)

Opening Hymn – VU #389 – “God is Here”

Prayer of Approach and Confession

God of love and justice, we gather together to worship you: to offer our thanks and praise and to proclaim your goodness and mercy. Meet us here. Breathe Your word into our souls; engrave your covenant of love upon our hearts. Teach us faithfulness and compassion so that our lives may reflect your love and justice to the world. You have set before us the path but we have wandered on our own to try to find our way.

At times we are like toddlers and we hear Your call and come back. Other times, we are children testing boundaries, ignoring Your call until fear finally makes us look back. And still other times we are full of youthful rebellion, demanding to be cut loose and set free, not knowing how much we still need to seek Your wisdom and guidance. But most of all, too often we think we are adults and have figured it all out and know our own way, only to stumble and stray so far.

Remind us God, that we always have much to learn. Help us to seek You every day, to acknowledge that we need Your wisdom and guidance, and help us return to the path and walk with You. In the name of Christ, who is our companion on this journey of faith, we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Passing the Peace

Time for All Ages

Anthem – “Song of Fellowship”

The Word

Scripture Reading:

1 John 3:16-24
Luke 18:1-8

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Called to be the Church:”

Hymn – VU #918 – “A New Creed”

The Response

Offering / Response: “In Gratitude and Humble Trust” (VU #544)

In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
To serve your cause and share your love with all along life’s way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
Teach us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn – “As We Chart Our Course”

Commissioning / Benediction Response

With a vision of hope, we move along.
Empowered by faith we carry on.
Reaching out far and wide, moving forward, reaching high.
Filled with hope, filled with dreams, we journey on.