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 23rd, 2018-Creation Time: Sky Sunday
“The sky proclaims the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of God’s hands.” Psalm 19:1
Announcements The Work of Church and Community
WE 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 Called by Earth and Sky, refrain only MV 135
In the name of the Creator, who colours the sky, the name of Christ, who died under dark skies, and the name of the Spirit, the wind in the sky. Amen.
Holy! Holy! Holy! Earth is filled with God’s presence.
Call to Worship
We invite the skies to worship with us:
the subtle orange skies at dawn
and the bold red skies at sunset.
We join the heavens in praising God:
proclaiming God’s glory across the globe
and hailing God’s name with the evening stars.
We join with the atmosphere in worship:
the air, the moisture, the oxygen, the wind,
and all the expressions of God’s Spirit.
We call the clouds to celebrate with storms:
to carry the life-giving drops of rain,
that give hope and healing to Earth.
We invite the winds to join our petitions:
to carry our prayers to God above
and to breathe our hopes to Christ in person.
We celebrate the song of the skies!
Sing! Skies! Sing!
We invite you to name sky creatures to join us in worship.
We name, silently or aloud, other creatures or parts of the sky or atmosphere and we invite them to join us in praising our Creator.
We celebrate the song of the skies!
Sing! Skies! Sing!
*Hymn Called by Earth and Sky MV 135
Prayer for Healing A Remembering
A leaf, cone, seed or some other symbol of remembrance may be given to the people as a reminder of our connection with creation.
As we hold this symbol in our hands we remember times when we have been amazed by the sky, both at night and in daylight.
O God, we thank you for the wonders of the heavens and the splendour of the skies. We remember and confess how we have polluted our skies with toxins. Christ, who ascended into a cloud, hear our cry. Amen.
Assurance of Love
Christ hears your confession and forgives your sins against the atmosphere,
Christ, teach us to love the skies that surround and sustain our planet.
I invite you to come home to Earth by rejoicing under her skies. Shalom! Shalom! We are coming home!
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Jeremiah 4:23-28 ‘When the heavens mourn.’This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 19 ‘The heavens declare the glory of God.’ VU 740
*Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other Printed
Opening the Word and the Lord's Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Mark 15:33-39Jesus hangs on the cross, the sky turns black in sympathy.
This is Good News! All: Thanks be to God.
Reflection in Song Song of Sky
1. Lord of suns and star exploding
Galaxies and swirling skies,
Where you chose to show your glory
Took the heavens by surprise.
Lord of solar winds and wisdom,
Super stars that blow our mind,
Choosing such a fragile planet
Hardly seems a grand design.
2. On this piece of stardust swirling,
On this spinning spot in space,
Life itself was born like music,
When you showed your hidden face.
What an honour to be chosen,
Silent planet blue and green,
Filled with glory, grace and gardens,
Where the breath of God is seen.
3. What is even more amazing
We have poisoned Earth like fools.
Help us change our way of living,
Love the Earth and love her rules.
Help us stem the tide of traders
Leaving Earth an empty store;
Join us now Creator Spirit,
Come renew your Earth once more.
Words: © Norman Habel 1999 Melody: Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Circle of God (Each Blade of Grass) MV 37Minute 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:
Jesus Christ, teach us to empathize with Earth. Make our spirits sensitive to the cries of creation, cries for justice from the air, the clouds, and the sky.
Jesus Christ, make our faith sensitive to the groans of the Spirit in creation, groans of longing for a new creation.
Jesus Christ, make our hearts sensitive to the songs of our kin, songs of celebration from the stars, the rains, and the light.
Christ, teach us to care. Amen
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
*Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other Printed*Commissioning and Blessing
May the Spirit of God, who is above all and in all and through all, fill us with the knowledge of God’s presence in Earth
and with the pulsing of Christ in creation, through whom all things are reconciled and renewed.
Go in peace, serving Christ and loving Earth!
We go in peace, serving Christ and loving Earth.
*Choral Amen
