ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 22ND 2017-3RD AFTER EPIPHANY

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s

United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God  Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

January 22nd, 2017-3rd Sunday after Epiphany

A thought around which to gather as we worship— “’Disciples’ has become a term for church members, so that we often hear it as an instruction to make recruits. That’s not what is meant. It meant: Go and make learners. ‘Disciples’ meant ‘learners,’ people who will join in learning community and carry on learning – lifelong, to the end of the age.” (William Loader)
■■ How might this definition of “disciple” give shape to your work and the work of your community?

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 , p. 11

 Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting 

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit

Introit   Sent Out in Jesus’ Name MV 212

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
to make the world the place in which the kingdom comes. 

Call to Worship 

One: As he walked by a lake, Jesus called fishers to follow him. 
All: And immediately, immediately! they left their work and went with him. 
One: As Jesus journeys through our lives, he asks us to fol­low him. 
All: In this moment, this moment! we have the chance to leave the past behind, and pursue Christ into God’s future. 
One: As Jesus wanders in our world, he invites others to join in. 
All: We would join Jesus in this ministry, reaching out to our neighbours, without delay, without delay!

Opening Prayer      

*Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus VU 341

Call to Reconciliation

Prayer of Confession

We admit, God our light, that we do indeed try to tear Christ apart – a piece of him here to support our politics, a part of him there to undergird our economic views, the rest of him to bolster our fears of others. 
We could leave immediately to follow him, but need to wait until we see where he might lead. We want you to look upon us with favour always, but have no trouble turning our backs on those around us.
Hear us, God our deliverer, as we speak of our failures! Have mercy on us, we appeal to you, have mercy. 
May your love become the core of our hearts, may your compassion become the words we speak, may your hope illuminate the ways in which we serve others, even as we seek to follow the One who calls us to new life, Jesus the Christ.
Silence is kept.

Words of Affirmation

One: God is our help, so why should we be afraid?
God keeps us safe, there is nothing to dread!
This is good news for all of us.
All: Sheltered in God’s gracious heart of mercy and love, we raise shouts of joy: thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 9:1–4 The people have seen a great light.

One: Herein is Wisdom.  All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 27 God is my light and my salvation. VU 754

* Hymn I Am the Light of the World VU  87

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:12–23 Jesus begins his ministry.

One: Herein is Good News.  All: Praise be to God. 

Opening the Word 2  

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     Let There Be Light VU 679

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

We are called to follow, yet are often slow to respond, God
of grace. We are blessed with more than we ever need or can
ever use, yet we are reluctant to part with even a portion of
this abundance. 
As we offer our gifts to you, remind us that learning generosity is part of our call to follow the One who models your gracious nature in every word, every gesture, every day. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

From the Canadian Resources for the

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2017

Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us

(cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

Congregational Response: …hear our prayer. 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn The Church’s One Foundation VU 331

* Commissioning and Benediction   

One: We have received the light of God
All: in the words of scripture,
in the faithful witness of our sisters and brothers,
in the companionship of this shared time,
in the music of our voices.
One: Go now to share this light in words of peace
in a witness of love
in the sharing of wealth
in the joy of good news.      

* Choral Amen