ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17TH 2013-CHILDREN'S SUNDAY

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

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

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

November 17^th, 2013-26^th Sunday after Pentecost

Children’s Sunday

The picture of a believing community where “crawlers, toddlers, walkers, wheelers, and runners all journey together” is a picture of God’s covenant people. At the heart of the covenant is an action of being called or brought together—of being included. It is not an action of separation into individual units, but a bringing together into a whole, the forming of community.

--A Place for You: Toward the Integration of Children into the Life of the Church (The United Church of Canada, 1989), p.7

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           All Are Welcome      verse 1

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 by GIA Publications, Inc.

7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800-442-1358.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

*Call to Worship (back of bulletin)

* Hymn My Lord, What A Morning VU 708

Opening Prayer

One: 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.

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,

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.                   (From Prayers to Share by David Sparks.
                        © 2003 Wood Lake Books. Used by permission.)

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 65:17-25 God shall create joy and delight; the wolf and the lamb.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Isaiah 12      Make God’s deeds known to the nations.      VU 880

Hymn           Jesus Loves Me              VU 365

Opening the Word and the Lord’s Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13            Dealing with differences

This is the witness of the early church. All: Thanks be to God.

Reflection

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn            Lord, Speak to Me            VU 589

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

I bind you to my day, O God.

I bind you through my words to the choices I make.

I bind you through my sight to the people I acknowledge.

I bind you through my hands to the care I offer.

In the name of the Trinity,

I bind to you, myself, my work, my life. Amen.

Adapted from Contemporary Celtic Runes of Daily Work

Prayers of the People A Covenant for the Children

One: May this vision be seen more fully in us.

All: Help us build a better world.

Covenant: All: We, the people of St. …….United Church seek to live in God’s way. We promise before God to work together in building a community of love and faith.

May we build a solid foundation of trust in God

and love for one another.

May we cherish and hold our children close.

And may God bless us and guide us in our growing together. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn    Creating God, We Give You Thanks (tune 372)   VU 292

* Commissioning and Benediction

We have no reason to fear the storms within

nor the storms without for we are bound together

in a strong community of love.

And wherever there is love, there is God.

May we be a people of enduring vision and hope,

building a better place for our children to grow up,

renewing the earth with transforming love. Amen.

* Choral Amen