ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY OCTOBER 8TH 2017-THANKSGIVING 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: stmarksuc@gmail.com

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

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: Whole People of God

  Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.        Minister of Music: Al Fougere

The Season after Pentecost-Creation Time 5

October 8th, 2017-Thanksgiving Sunday

‘Your paths overflow with plenty.’  Psalm 65

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship: The people of Israel had wandered for a long time, trusting God’s promise to bring them to a new land. In today’s read­ing, as they prepare to enter the promised land, they are reminded of its bounty, but also are cautioned not to forget that God has brought them to this moment. Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2017 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2013, p. 26

Announcements         The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting 

Let us pause to remember that in this region we live and work and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the Wabanaki peoples—predominantly the lands of the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy. May we live with respect on this land, and live in peace and friendship with its people.
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

*Introit Know That God Is Good   MV 104

Call to Worship 

Let us remember the goodness of God. 
We remember, with thankful hearts.
God gave us the sun, the moon, the earth and all that it contains. 
We remember, with thankful hearts. 
Through the Bible and through history, God gave us children, youth, adults and seniors of faith and courage.
We remember, with thankful hearts. 
God delivered us from slavery in Egypt 
and brought us to the promised land.
We remember, with thankful hearts.
God gave us new hope and new life in Christ.
We remember, with thankful hearts. 
With all creation, let us shout and sing for joy! 

Opening Prayer

We thank you, gracious God, for all that you have given us:
the land and its resources,
freedom and its rights and responsibilities,
the joy of sharing,
the wonders of new life,
and the gift of this day.
Guide us to be ever mindful of all you have done for us
that we might never stop giving thanks
for all things great and small. Amen.

*Hymn   The Church Is Wherever God’s People   VU 579

Prayer for Wholeness

Loving God, we confess that we do not always remember you. 
We forget that all we have and are comes from you. 
We forget how much we owe to those who have gone before us.
We forget to be thankful for a drink of water,
a flower, a breeze, a touch, a smile.
We forget that we are all alive in you. We are one in your love—
all the people, plants, animals, rivers, oceans, and skies.
We forget that we are responsible to care for ourselves and others, and all that is in the earth. 
We forget that following Jesus is the most challenging and joyous journey that we can take in life.
God, forgive us. Help us to remember and respond with love. Amen.

Words of Affirmation 

The good news is that God loves and forgives us, and forever invites us to return to the ways of wholeness. 
We can be new people; we can live with respect for Earth and all her creatures.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Deuteronomy 8:7–18 God will bring you to a bountiful land

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

Psalm 65  God provides; the valleys shout and sing.   VU782

*Hymn Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound VU 266

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Luke 17:11–19 Ten healed; one returns to offer thanks.

One: This is Good News. All: Thanks be to God. 

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet VU 245

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

Generous God, you always give us gifts: gifts of life, of hope, of wholeness. We share our gifts with you and with others. May we always give of ourselves and what we have, with generous 
and loving hearts. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession    

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Praise and Thanksgiving Printed

*Commissioning and Blessing

We have remembered God’s blessings.
We have given thanks.
We will continue to experience and share God’s blessings
as we journey onward in our lives.
We will remember, and we will respond with our love.
May God’s Spirit be with us as we go in the name of Christ.
We go in peace.

*Choral Amen