Saturday 3 November 2012

ORDER OF SERVICE NOVEMBER 4TH 2012 STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

23^rd after Pentecost-Stewardship Sunday

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship: Jesus declares the answer simply: Love God with every fibre of your being and love your neighbour as yourself. There is no rule, theory, ambition, or new year’s resolution that is greater than this. The answer is clear. The follow-though is where the real dedication comes in.

Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2012

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.

One: The peace of Christ be with you.

Response: And with your spirit.

* Introit Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love refrain, VU 593

Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve

the neighbours we have from you. (Pronunciation “Yay-soo”)

* Call to Worship

One: We gather asking God’s wisdom for our lives.

All: We gather seeking wisdom that we may walk in God’s way.

One: We gather seeking hope for a broken world.

All: We gather seeking justice for all people.

One: We gather seeking to be generous people.

All: Come let us worship God,

in whose word we find abundant life.

* Hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness VU 288

* Opening Prayer

Loving God, at times we struggle with life and faith because we feel we are all alone in this world. Yet, you reveal yourself to us in surprising ways, even in unexpected places in life. Open us to the subtle signs with which you reveal your grace, your blessings, and your comforting presence. May this time of worship also be a time when we go deeper into your presence. May we be blessed as we sing your praises, give thanks, listen to your word and offer our gifts. Through our worship, may our hearts be transformed and our faith be committed to the way Jesus revealed to us. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Joshua 24: 1-3a, 14-25 Choose this day whom you will serve

Psalm 78 We will tell new generations of the wonders Pt. 1VU 792

*Hymn Teach Me God to Wonder VU299

Opening the Word/Time with Children & The Lord's Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 12:28-34 Which commandment is the first of all?

One: We give thanks for these readings.

All: May the Spirit bless us with wisdom and wonder,

as we ponder the meaning of these words for our lives.

Reflection We Will Serve the Lord A Dialogue

Mary Jess and Nan share a dialogue as women in prophet Joshua's household. What does it mean for these women that Joshua declared "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"?

Anna: Oh yes, it’s simple really… the message is still the same… share what you have… look after the earth and all that inhabit it, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, welcome the stranger… Love God, and love your neighbour as yourself. Serve the Lord.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn Come to My Heart VU 661

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Song/Doxology Grant Us, God, the Grace VU540

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Take My Life and Let It Be VU 506

* Commissioning and Benediction

One: Loving God, be in our mind and in our thinking.

Be in our bodies and in our breathing.

Be in our hearts and in our being.

Spirit of Love,

All: may we go out into the world to love and to be loved,

with our minds, with our bodies, with our hearts, with our smiles.

* Choral Amen