ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4TH 2018-5TH AFTER EPIPHANY

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

February 4th 2018—5th after Epiphany

A thought around which to gather as we worship— Henri Nouwen offered the image of Jesus as a wounded healer and invites us into this paradigm for our service. “The great illusion of leadership” writes Henri Nouwen, “is to think that [one] can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there” (The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society). What is our role in pro­claiming the gospel and in becoming healers in our time and circumstance?

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2017–2018 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017, p. 154

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting 

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

*Introit When the Wind of Winter Blows     Verse 1 MV 71

Call to Worship 

We offer worship
as an outpouring of gratitude and awe 
and a practice of opening ourselves 
to God’s still, small voice of comfort, 
to God’s rushing whirlwind of challenge.
Through word, music, art, and sacrament, 
in community and in solitude, 
God changes our lives, our relationships, and our world.
We sing with trust.  Come, let us worship God!

Call to Worship excerpted from A Song of Faith:

A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada © 2006

Opening Prayer   Echo Prayer with Actions—Based on Isaiah 40

One: Have you not known? 
(Gesture outward for “you”, to head for “known.”)
Women: Have you not known? 
Men: Have you not known? 
All: Our God is an everlasting God!
One: Have you not heard? 
(Gesture outward for “you,” to ear for “heard.”)
Women: Have you not heard? 
Men: Have you not heard? 
All: God gives power to the faint.
One: Have you not been told? 
(Gesture outward for “you,” to mouth for “told.”)
Women: Have you not been told? 
Men: Have you not been told? 
All: God renews our strength.
One: We praise you, O God, for we can rely on you. 
All: You are the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. Amen.

*Hymn    Come In, Come In and Sit Down VU 395

Prayer for Wholeness

We confess to you, O God, the moments when we do not trust your presence or our own sense of it.
We confess, too, those moments when we pretend we know all things and are in control of everything.
And we confess those moments when we think we can hide our thoughts and our actions from you. 
(a time of silence for personal confession)
Forgive us. Forgive us, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Words of Affirmation

One: In the book of Isaiah we read that all who wait upon God will find a new and wondrous strength: they will run and not be weary, walk and not faint, and even soar with eagles. 
All: So may we find our own faith and strength renewed, as we find ourselves forgiven by our loving God.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 40:21–31 Those who wait upon God shall renew their strength.

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

Psalm 147 God heals the brokenhearted    Pt. 1, VU 869

*Hymn  Tell Me the Stories of Jesus VU 357

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 1:29–39 Simon’s mother-in-law and many others healed.

One: The gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Opening the Word 2  Raised Up to Serve—Diaconeo

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

*Hymn          Precious Lord, Take My Hand  VU 670

Minute for Mission and Offering Our Gifts to God 

*Offering Prayer

We dedicate our gifts and ourselves to your service, O God. May the ministries we support help to heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds. May we provide healing and comfort in your name, food for the hungry, and places for prayer and worship. We are your diakonia, your servants, and we offer ourselves to you. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Times of silence for personal prayer will be offered.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

*Hymn Come Touch Our Hearts MV 12

* Sending Out Traditional Celtic prayer

May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
walk with you on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands
stretch out your hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart
open your hearts to love.
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet
and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you.

*Choral Amen