Bulletin – Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Third Sunday of Creation / Communion
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Third Sunday of Creation / Communion
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Announcements
Lighting the Christ Candle
One: As the hours of morning turn, light gradually opens the day to us.
All: With the rising sun, we open our eyes to the light that shines on the world – enabling us to see creation – the trees, the colours of autumn, the reminder that time is turning.
One: We light this candle to remind us of the light of Jesus – and the light that brings hope to Creation.
All: We look to the light – a light for our lives and a light for all life.
Call to Worship
One: Like a tree by living streams of water, we trust that God is present to offer nourishment and life.
All: Receiving nourishment in this time of worship, may we bear the fruit of justice and hope for our world.
One: May we be strengthened to do the work we are called to do.
All: May we fill the world with praise and love. Let us join in worship.
Hymn – “Called by Earth and Sky” (MV #135)
Called by earth and sky, promise of hope held high,
This is our sacred living trust,
Treasure of life sanctified,
Called by earth and sky.
Precious these waters, endless seas,
Deep ocean’s dream,
Waters of healing, rivers of rain,
The wash of love again,
Precious this gift, the air we breathe;
Wind born and free.
Breath of the Spirit, blow through this place,
Our gathering and our grace.
Precious these mountains, ancient sands;
Vast fragile land.
Seeds of our wakening, rooted and strong,
Creation’s faithful song.
Precious the fire that lights our way,
Bright dawning day.
Fire of passion, sorrows undone,
Our faith and justice one.
Called by earth and sky, promise of hope held high,
This is our sacred living trust,
Treasure of life sanctified,
Called by earth and sky.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
We come with the dust of the world on our feet, acutely aware of strife, both within and without. We seek your cleaning power, your presence, your promptings, your peace. We come in response to your invitation, knowing that you will work within and among us. We offer you ourselves, open, expectant, ready for new life to take root within us.
Forgive us for our straying. We know there are times when we have harboured resentment and jealousy, when we have been consumed by ambition. We have not always paused to recall your values, nor to ask for guidance. Our negligence often leaves us weary. Forgive and renew us. Bring us ever closer to you. Plant your wisdom within us. Amen.
(Roberta Ritson, URC minister, Bellingham and Wark Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Horsley Village, adapted)
Words of Assurance
One: Godly wisdom is pure, peaceful, full of mercy and ready to yield. There is no room for partiality or hypocrisy. When God’s wisdom is desired wholeheartedly we will start to bear good fruit.
All: Let us begin afresh in the power of God.
(Roberta Ritson, URC minister, Bellingham and Wark Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Horsley Village, adapted)
Sung Response – “O Beautiful Gaia” (MV #41)
O beautiful Gaia,
O Gaia, calling us home.
O beautiful Gaia,
Calling us on.
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1
There is a quieter voice than that of your appetite; a deeper way than getting what you want; greater wisdom than your cynicism. Follow the deeper way and you’ll discover happiness: find delight in each moment as a word spoken by God. Be mindful of the simple path; every breath, be mindful. You will be like a tree rooted near flowing streams. Your fruitful life will nourish the world; your leaves will never wither; your living will be always rich. The oblivious heart does not survive; it is chaff blown away in the wind. It cannot stand up to scrutiny. Its babbling is silenced in the congregation of your heart. God is your path. Stay on it. Any other gradually fades and goes nowhere.
Scripture Reading: Mark 9:30-37
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!
Hymn – “Who is Greatest in the Kingdom?”
“Who is greatest in the kingdom? Who among us is the best?”
The disciples were debating: “In God’s reign, who will be blest?”
Jesus, had those twelve forgotten? Faithful living has a cost –
And to journey where you’d lead them, they would journey to the cross.
“Who is greatest in the kingdom?” The disciples heard your call:
“If you want to be the first one, you must be the last of all.”
Do not think that high position is a thing that you deserve!
“If you want to be the first, then, be the first to humbly serve.”
“Who is greatest in the kingdom? Who will take the throne and reign?”
Christ, you put a child among them, and you told them once again:
“If you give a child a welcome, then you also welcome me.”
Faithful service, not ambition, builds up God’s community.
Meditation
A New Creed
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn – “Like a Tree Beside the Waters”
Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care,
We, O God, your sons and daughters, your enduring witness bear.
In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard.
Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.
Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams,
Fill us with your love forever, recreate our hopes and dreams.
Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace.
May the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.
We, beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life.
Give to all, your sons and daughters, faith that rises over strife.
O Living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today.
By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.
We Respond to God’s Word
Invitation to Share
Offering Response – “For the Gift of Creation” (VU #538)
For the gift creation, the gift of your love,
And the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Offering Prayer
Communion
One: The earth and everything in it is sacred,
All: God’s wonder covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.
One: The trees of the field clap their hands, the birds of the air sing songs of praise.
All: And if we should fail to notice these wonders and forget to give thanks, the rocks and stones would cry out!
One: And so, we lift up our hearts, and we lift up our voices.
All: And we offer thanksgiving and adoration to the Creator of all.
Prayers for the World and the Community
The Prayer of Jesus
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Blessing of the Meal
One: Blessed are you, Holy One, for from seeds sown into the earth, you have given us the gift of bread to feed and nourish us. And at his last meal with his friends, before facing the cross, Jesus took…
One: At that same meal, Jesus took…
One: As we join in sharing this meal, may the Spirit of all that is sacred work in us and all who are children of the earth, so that we may carry life to every corner of the world, to every creature and every living element.
All: Amen.
Partaking of the Elements
Prayer after Communion
One: In this moment and in this meal, we have remembered.
All: That the whole creation is held in love,
One: And the whole creation is filled with precious life, flooded with Spirit; and will reflect the wonders of the Sacred. And for this we give thanks.
We Go Into God’s World
Hymn – “Deep in Our Hearts” (MV #154)
Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling creation that we are one.
Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.
Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.
Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling creation that we are one.
Benediction
One: We go from this place to proclaim love and life, in word and action, in challenge and compassion, to all creation.
All: We go in grace, in love, and in companionship. Amen.
Response – “When You Walk from Here” (VU #298)
When you walk from here, when you walk from here,
Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
