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 29th, 2017-4th Sunday after Epiphany
A thought around which to gather as we worship— During these four weeks, when we immerse ourselves in the Sermon on the Mount – the vision, beauty, wisdom, and anticipation that was and is Jesus’s teaching to the world – it is important to loosen our grip on some of the conventions we hold most dear, in order to see God’s reality and in order to experience the liberating love that God offers. To awaken to Gods’ reality and love, we must be willing to see the world differently and see ourselves in a new light.
Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017
Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 , p. 143
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 spiritIntroit Sent Out in Jesus’ Name MV 212
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready nowto make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.
Call to Worship
One: We are blessed when we hunger for justice and thirst for reconciliation.All: Our souls are nourished by God’s hope and grace.
One: We are blessed when we grieve over the brokenness of the world,
All: choosing, as God does, to be with those who are weak and powerless.
One: We are blessed when we become God’s fools,
All: willing to do what is right and good, not what is easy.
One: Come, let us worship.
Opening Prayer
*Hymn Let Us Build a House MV 1
Call to Reconciliation
Prayer of Confession
What have we done to you, dear God? We dishonour you every time we treat another with disrespect.We shatter your heart when we find it easier to break our word, than to take the risk to keep it. We fill your ears with the gossip, lies, and slander we speak about those around us.
You are wise enough to forgive our foolishness; you are strong enough to overcome our weakness;
you are loving enough to heal the hurt we cause to you and to others. And so you give us new hope and new life in Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Silence is kept.
Words of Affirmation
One: What has God done to us? Shown mercy. What has God done for us? Forgiven us! This is the good news for us.All: We will not boast, for it is not our doing. We will try to do better. We will give thanks to God for such grace and hope. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Micah 6:1–8 What does God require of us?
One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.Psalm 15 Who may be a guest in God’s house? VU 736
* Hymn Make me a Channel of Your Peace VU 684
Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 5:1–12 Blessed are the poor in spirit.
One: Herein is Good News. All: Praise be to God.Opening the Word 2
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Blest Are They VU 896
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
The poor struggle to put food on the table, the meek are bullied in the schoolyards, the mourners find no comfort in hollow words, and peacemakers are publicly ridiculed by those who should be emulating them.So, as we offer our gifts to you, Gracious God, we pray you would use them to bring blessings to all in this world. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Just a Closer Walk with Thee Printed
*Commissioning and Benediction
One: Let us go to seek justice for others, to love kindness more than ever,All: we will go to live as God asks us to live.
One: Let us walk humbly through life;
let us offer mercy to those who hurt us,
All: let us go to be a blessing.
One: Let us be willing to look foolish by following Jesus,
let us choose weakness rather than power,
All: we will reflect the One who has called us to serve others.
