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
September 16th, 2018-Creation Time: Humanity Sunday
“What are we mortals that you should be mindful of us?” Ps. 8:4
* please stand as able
Announcements The Work of Church and CommunityWE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
GreetingLet 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 Let Us Build a House, verse 1 MV 1
In the name of God, who creates all peoples, in the name of Jesus Christ, who gives new life to all peoples, and in the name of the Spirit, the same breath in all peoples. Amen.
All peoples of our planet!
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Call to Worship
Peoples from every corner of creation
Celebrate with all creatures on Earth!
Young and old across the planet,
Rejoice in the day that God has made!
Indigenous peoples of every land,
Help us sense the spirit deep in each land!
Peoples of all colors and every shade,
Celebrate with us the richness of creation!
Peoples of every orientation and ability,
Celebrate the diversity of creation!
All humanity on Planet Earth,
Praise God for our planet home.
Sing, peoples, sing! Sing, creation, sing!
*Hymn Creator, Spirit, Living Word VU 531
Prayer for Wholeness
Jesus said, “I came not to be served but to be a servant.” We know this is an example we are called to follow and yet we so often find it difficult. We want to be served; we want to be important; we want to have our needs met. Forgive us, loving God. Stretch us. Open our hearts to experience and celebrate the true joy that comes from serving others. Draw out from us a desire to be a part of a serving community, where each of us shares a concern for the needs of each other, and none are forgotten. Amen.
Assurance of Love
One: God has made us – all of us. And God loves us – all of us – as if we were God’s favourite. So be assured that, as you seek to realign your hearts with God’s, you are forgiven, and loved unconditionally.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Genesis 1:26-28 Let us make human beings in our image.One: What are human beings that you think about them?
All: What are human beings that you pay attention to them?
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image,
make them reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds
in the air, the cattle,
And yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves
on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings; he created them godlike
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
All rights reserved.
One: What are human beings that you think about them? All: What are human beings that you pay attention to them?
This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 8 How glorious is your name in all the earth! VU 732
*Hymn When Hands Reach Out and Fingers Trace MV 136
Opening the Word and the Lord's Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Mark 10:41–45 Not to be served but to serve
This is Good News! All: Thanks be to God.
Opening the Word 2
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Will You Come and Follow Me VU 567Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
*Offering Song (Tune: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)
Your love, O God, to all you show. We, gathered here, commit to grow. We offer You these gifts, that we, may celebrate diversity.
Prayers of the People
Prayers are offered, concluding with:
Help all to know all are loved unconditionally by you, who shaped us in your image and breathed your wondrous Spirit deep into our lives.
May we always be mindful of the need to speak out for the rights of any who cannot find or use their voices, and to uplift one another every chance we get. We are wonderfully made, gracious God, and as your humble people we pray. Amen.
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Make Me a Channel of Your Peace VU 684*Commissioning and Blessing from Philippians 2:1–4
One: “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ,
All: “if his love has made any difference in your life,
One: “if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you,
All: “if you have a heart,
One: “if you care –”
All: then let us follow this advice from St. Paul:
One: “Agree with each other, love each other, and be deep-spirited friends.
All: “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.
One: “Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.
All: “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.
One: “Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
All: And know that God will be with you. Always.
The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
