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
October
11th,
2015-Creation Time: Thanksgiving Sunday
Thoughts
around which to gather as we worship:
In the dark
green field stands a solemn farm couple, their heads bowed. A church
can be seen in the distance. The man holds his hat and the woman
clasps her hands in prayer. A pitchfork is stuck in the earth nearby,
while a half-full basket of vegetables sits on the ground between
them. The painting is that of the 19th century French painter Jean
Francois Millet, the son of a peasant farmer. Entitled “The
Angelus,” it illustrates an ancient custom of thanksgiving in the
midst of daily life. In 19th century France, church bells rang 3
times each day. When they heard the bells, people would stop whatever
they were doing to give God thanks. This Thanksgiving, our lectionary
readings – from Joel to Matthew – remind us to use every moment
of our lives, no matter how busy we are, to give thanks to our
Creator.
The
Whole People of God p.1-1 ©
Wood Lake Publishing October 11, 2015
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
O
Great Earth
O Great Earth so
green and so blue, this is the promise that I’ll make to you: To
care for Creation, for Creation can hear the rhythm of your
heartbeat.
Words
unknown, tune Linnea Good.
Copyright
© 1995 Borealis Music. Used by permission.
Call
to Worship
One:
This is a time for giving thanks; a time to be mindful of the good
that encircles us.
All:
Thank you, God, for all you have given us!
One:
Friends and family encourage and care, and this community shows us
God’s loving ways.
All:
Thank you, God, for all you have given us!
One:
We find a home in God’s creation and the earth gives us good food
to make us grow.
All:
Thank you, God, for all you have given us!
One:
The seasons change. Sunshine comes and goes, yet your loving care for
us is eternal.
All:
Thank you, God, for all you have given us!
Opening
Prayer
God
of the seasons, God of the harvest, you bring forth new life and
sustenance with every breath we breathe. Reaching out into the vast
starry night sky and delving deep into earth’s bounty, you fill the
world with good food and riches. Spirit of Life, we thank you for the
bronzing of the leaves, and the passing of the seasons to make way
for a future filled with possibilities, potential, and hope. Amen.
Text:
Kevin Bourque
*
Hymn Make
a Joyful Noise VU
820
Prayer for
Wholeness
Assurance of Love
One:
God
pours out mercy until our hearts overflow. God’s hope is more than
we can ever imagine.
All:
Thank you, God, for wonder, for joy, for new life, for all good
gifts. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Joel
2:21–27 Do
not fear, O soil, for God will provide.
One: This is
the witness of the Hebrew people. All:
Thanks
be to God.
Psalm
126
Those who sow in tears reap in joy. Ref. 2 VU
850
*Hymn I’ve
Got Peace like a River VU
577
Opening the
Word/The Lord's Prayer
The Gospel
Acclamation
Matthew
6:25–33 Do
not worry about what you will eat or drink.
One: The
gospel of Jesus Christ. All:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Opening the Word
2
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Let
All Things Now Living VU
242
Minute for
Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
*Offering
Prayer
As
you refresh us with all your gifts, God of Joy, we offer our gifts so
that others might be touched by your grace, feed on the gifts of your
creation, be clothed in the graciousness of your compassion, and
embraced by your loving arms. Amen.
Prayers
of Thanksgiving and Concern
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
*
Hymn For
the Fruit of All Creation VU
227
* Commissioning
and Blessing
One: Like the lilies
of the field, we are richly blessed.
All:
So, let us go forth filled with thanksgiving, to love and care for
others and for the world God made. And may the peace of Christ be
with us all.
*Choral Amen
Many thanks to Linda Howlett, Caroline Langley and Eleanor Robichaud for the beautiful Thanksgiving setting at St Mark's for worship today.
