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
Ministers:
The Whole People of God
Minister:
Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister
of Music: Al Fougere
August
3rd, 2014—8th Sunday after Pentecost
 |
| The Langley children loved the birthday cake today. |
 |
 |
| Jean, Valli, Maxine, and Dorothy |
 |
| Ruth, Bruce, and Patricia |
There are times when we struggle with faith, both in
ourselves and in the world around us. This week’s Genesis reading not only
acknowledges these times, but also marks them as sacred. Jacob is blessed
because he dares to wrestle, because he doesn’t simply give in, and
because he learns he doesn’t need to control or manipulate the world around
him. Jacob is blessed and transformed by this experience. Theologian Matthew
Fox points out that the time of letting go (the via negativa) is
followed by a time of creativity and transformation. In the difficulty of
sacred wrestling we learn to let go of control of God and the world and find
ourselves transformed, blessed, and led out into a deeper life.
Written
by Micol Cottrell,
St. Paul’s U.C., Temaskaming Shores, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2014, page 18. Used with
permission.
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 Spirit
of Life VU
381
*Call to
Worship
One: Gather,
seekers, bring your crayons, smart phones and tablet computers. Bring your
questions, creativity, and wondering.
All: Come
to discover the Holy One.
One: Gather, friends, bring your symbols,
stories, and music.
Bring your
talents, insights, and integrity.
All: Come
to share in the Holy.
One: Gather, followers, bring your bread,
tears, and coffee.
Bring your
skills, resources, and experiences.
All: Come to worship the Holy One!
*Hymn I Feel the Winds
of God VU 625
*Opening
Prayer
Gracious God, in your presence
there is life. Living water springs up, the bread of life appears, and all are
fed, with food to spare. We come to you with hungry hearts waiting to be
filled:
with
a sense of your presence;
with
the touch of your spirit;
with
new energy for service. Amen.
Written
by Fern Gibbard,
Penticton U. C., Penticton, B.C.
Gathering,
Pentecost 1 2014, page 28. Used with permission.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob
wrestles with God.
One: Here is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 17 Guard
me as the apple of your eye. VU
739
*Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful VU
291
Opening the Word & The Lord’s
Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 14:13-21
Feeding more than five thousand.
One: Here is Good News. All:
Praise be to God.
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Spirit, Open My Heart Printed
Minute for Mission & Offering
Our Gifts to God
*Offering Prayer
Gracious God, we ask that you accept these gifts. Some are taken from an abundance of riches, and a scarcity of faith.
Some are shared from an abundance of
faith, and a scarcity of riches. We share what we can, trusting that your
blessing will transform what we give for the sake of your realm. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn God Be with You till We Meet Again VU 422
* Commissioning
God, grant us the serenity
to accept the things we cannot change,
the courage to change the things we can
and the wisdom to know the difference. Attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr*Choral Amen
