November 18th, 2012
25th after Pentecost-Children’s Sunday
Thoughts around which to gather as we worship:
Parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle
A child is watching you today
What will they learn?
Teacher, preacher, prime minister
A child is depending on you
How will you repay their trust?
Coach, celebrity, citizen, neighbour
A child is emulating you today
What kind of human being
will they be?
Adapted from the poem “Role Model”
from The Children’s Defense Fund’s publication Hold My Hand
by Marian Wright Edelman
Announcements The Work of Church and CommunityWE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.
* Introit All Are Welcome verse 1 MV1
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live.
A place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace.
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
Refrain: All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
Words and Music: Marty Haugen. Copyright © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc.
* Call to Worship (back of bulletin)
* Opening Prayer (back of bulletin)
* Hymn My Lord, What a Morning VU 708
Prayer for Wholeness
We seek to come into loving relationship with you, our Living God.
Right Side: As a parent holds in close embrace a child
who is cherished and loved,
All: so we are aware of your
compassion to us, most caring God.
Centre/Choir: As a grandparent models patience
and generosity to a grandchild,
All: so we are aware of your graciousness
to us and all humankind, most giving God.
Left Side: As a best friend is able to listen
to the deepest longings of heart and soul,
All: so we are aware of your
heartfelt concern for us, O ever-present God.
Right Side: Deepen our relationship with you, Loving God,
Centre/Choir: that created in your image
and empowered by the example of Jesus Christ,
Left Side: we may be enabled to change
our small corner of the world, for good. All: Amen.
Prayers to Share by David Sparks. © 2003 Wood Lake Books. Used by permission.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
1 Samuel 1:4–20 Samuel is born to Hannah and Elkanah.
One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.
Holy is Your Name
*Hymn (St. D) Walk with Me VU 649
Verses 1, 2, 1 as children and those to be baptized come forward
Sacrament of Baptism (insert) (St. M) Time with young people
The Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 25:31-40 Just as you did it to one of the least of these…
One: This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection on the Word
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Blest Are They
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Song/Doxology VU 538
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
One: Holy God All: hear our prayer.
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn May the God of Hope Go with Us VU 424
* Commissioning
Let us go from here in hope—
to proclaim the message of God’s love for all God’s children,
to proclaim God’s call for justice for all God’s children,
to proclaim God’s peace offered to all God’s children,
to proclaim God’s vision of shalom—peace and wholeness—for all children.
Let us go trusting God to go with us.
* Choral Amen
