St. Mark’s United Church 

Port Hawkesbury 

DLM-R/MDiv Student: Barb MacNaughton 

(902-625-0407)

Guest Minister: Jim MacNaughton, DLM-R 

(902-302-5923)

Pianist: Adam Cooke

Greeters/Collectors: Clark Brander, Linda Howlett

Office Administrator: Jane MacKinnon 

Ministry: The Whole Congregation

Sunday June 27, 2021 – 5th after Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle:

Today we light our Christ Candle as a reminder that we are called to be followers of Jesus, to bring light to a darkened world, to help one another in our quest for goodness and justice. May our lights shine forever. Amen. 

 Introit ♫: Rise Up, Rise Up          MV 130(x2)

Call to Worship:

The year of 2020 and to this date in 2021 has been like no other that most of us have ever experienced. Very few of us can ever remember a pandemic that has brought us to our knees such as this one. Even while we see our community and Province recovering rapidly, we know that many folks are still filled with sadness, isolation and pain in the loss of family and friends.

 So, we come here this day, knowing that the life of this community will continue to improve, that our lives will still be filled with the same things we were doing before this pandemic came, but we also know that in our recovering, that our faith can be renewed.

 This isn’t just a miraculous time of the Spirit sweeping through our lives empowering us to do anything we desire, but is a gentle inflowing of the Spirit’s healing and gentle persistence that we are all special and we are all Children of our God.

  So, we come together on this Sunday morning, filled with gratitude for what we have, and in our love for the people of this community, this fellowship and for the families that each of us are a part of, let us Worship together in the places where we are gathered.

Hymn ♫: When pain of the World.  VU 598

 

Prayer of Approach:

Gracious and Loving Spirit of God, we have come together on this day with each of us seeking something different. Some look for healing of physical and mental stress, some come looking for insight into relationships between all people of the earth regardless of race, gender, age or faith, yet all of us come to be united in our unconditional love of humankind and for this amazing relationship that is offered to each of us through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Be with each of us this day as we open our hearts, minds and souls to all that is offered to us, we pray! Amen

Centering Prayer ♫: Lord Listen to your Children Praying  VU 400

The Word: Clark Brander

 

Scriptures:

OT-2 Samuel 1 :1,17-27

RR- Psalm 130; page 853, refrain 1  VU 853 

NT- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

Hymn ♫: God Weeps                       MV 78

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 

L: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church through these words today.

All: Thanks Be to God!

 

Prayer before Message: God of thundering voice and quiet whisper, May the words which I speak, become by your Spirit, the words which you want each of us to hear. May our minds and our ears be quieted as we listen to hear your words of affirmation and acceptance. Amen

Message:   It is Time for the Healing to Begin

Hymn ♫: Like a Healing Stream    144 MV

Minute for Mission:   Yvonne Fox

Offering our gifts

Offering Prayer:

Even as we have brought forward this day’s offering, we know our work within this community is never finished. We continue to share our time, talent and the presence of this fellowship, as an offering and promise that together, with all members of this community, that we can renew our faith and our presence, so that all may be renewed with the Spirit’s power and grace. For all of this we are truly thankful.

Our Joys and Concerns and Lighting the candle of caring:

As one heart is lifted

May we share its celebration

As one heart is burdened

May we share the pain it knows

And so, we take this flame and light our special care candle... in all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful of the present-ness of God among us.

Prayers for the people and Lord’s Prayer

Hymn ♫:   We Shall Go Out with Hope   586 VU

Commissioning/Benediction

Closing ♫: Strathdee Choral Amen (3x) 

      Music Licence # A-401486

BULLETIN DEDICATION 

Today’s bulletin is dedicated In Loving Memory Of

JENNIFER BUTTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jim MacNaughton is on call for us and will be our guest minister, while Barb completes this summer session of her Master of Divinity program virtually from AST from June 14th until July 25th.

OFFICE HOURS: Thursday & Fridays 8-12 noon.  

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

LAY READERS:

July 4^th   – Vida Hood

July 11^th – Joyce Oliver-Snair

July 18^th – Dave Chapman

July 25^th – Jean Mac Person

Minute for Mission Readers:

July 4^th  – Linda Howlett

July 11^th – Larry Evans

July 18^th – Barb Mac Intyre

July 25^th – Anna Marie Langley

Collection Counters/Recorders Needed – Please sign up. The load gets lighter when many helping hands participate.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Sunday June 20, 2021 – 4th after Pentecost

St. Mark’s United Church – Port Hawkesbury

 

DLM-R/MDiv Student – Barb MacNaughton

(902-625-0407)

Guest Minister – Jim MacNaughton, DLM-R 

(902-302-5923)

Pianist – Adam Cooke

Ministry – The Whole Congregation

Sunday June 20, 2021 – 4th after Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Today we light our Christ Candle as a reminder that we are called to be followers of Jesus, to bring light to a darkened world, to help one another in our quest for goodness and justice.  May our lights shine forever. Amen.  

♫Introit♫  Rise Up, Rise Up   MV 130 (x2)

Call to Worship: 

As we come together again in this virtual Church setting, with our entering Phase 2 of our Covid re-opening, we know that we are just that much closer to our lives returning to a sense of normality, both personally and with our Church family. 

Our love for family, country, Church and faith are brought together in our love for one another and all those we walk with on this journey, especially as we approach Canada day on July 1 st.

As we enter into this re-opening time of family reunions and lakeside barbecues, we take our relationship with God with us everywhere we go, sharing with all those we are together with. 

As St. Mark’s enters into a time of a new Pastoral Relationship with Barb, we put aside our fears of the unknown, but opening our eyes and our faith, we look ahead to a future that has the very Spirit of God leading us on to a time and a place where we will once again be united in faith and dreams as we were before. Come let us worship together on this day.  

 ♫Hymn♫  We are One      VU 402

Prayer of Approach:

Gracious and Loving Spirit, we come together in the places we are, seeking you in every facet of our lives. At times we may be a diamond in the rough, but through the guidance of the Spirit and our collective common faith, we cut the facets of who we are until we truly sparkle, as if all of humankind were the most precious thing in the world. We are stepping out in faith as a people who dream big, who practice unconditional love and forgiveness and who always try to take the high road in our relationships with one another and with others in our world. We seek forgiveness from those whom we hurt and we stand up brave, bold and tall for what we believe to be the right thing to do. Be with us through this summer time as we re-charge our spiritual and physical batteries, knowing that we will return to be the people you have asked us to be, we pray. Amen

Centering Prayer 

♫Hymn♫.  Lord Listen to your Children Praying    VU 400  

The Word:

Scriptures: 

Old Testament: Samuel 17: 32-49

RR- Psalm 85; page VU 802                                                                                                                 

New Testament: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

♫Hymn♫ Will Your Anchor hold?    VU 675

Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 

L:  Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church through these words today.

All: Thanks Be to God! 

                                                                                                                 

Prayer before Message: God of thundering voice and quiet whisper, May the words which I speak, become by your Spirit, the words which you want each of us to hear.   May our minds and our ears be quieted as we listen to hear your words of affirmation and acceptance. Amen

Message: Fear is a figment of our imagination in our response to the Danger of the unknown! (Or, Big title for a little sermon!)

♫Hymn♫   It’s a song of Praise to the Maker  MV 30

Minute for Mission

Offering our gifts

Our Joys and Concerns and Lighting the candle of caring:

As one heart is lifted
May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
May we share the pain it knows 

And so, we take this flame and light our special care candle… in all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful of the present-ness of God among us.

Prayers for the people and Lord’s Prayer

♫Hymn♫  O Beautiful Gaia  MV 41 

Commissioning/Benediction

♫Closing♫   Strathdee Choral Amen (3x) VU 974

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jim MacNaughton is on call for us and will be our guest minister, while Barb completes this summer session of her Master of Divinity program virtually from AST, from June 14^th until July 25^th.

Sunday June 13th, 2021 – 3rd after Pentecost - St. Mark’s United Church Anniversary – 55 Years

St. Mark’s United Church – Port Hawkesbury DLM-R/MDiv Student – Barb MacNaughton (Phone# 902-625-0407)

Guest Minister – Jim MacNaughton services/pastoral care June 14-July 25 (Phone # 902-302-5923)

Pianist – Adam Cooke
Ministry – The Whole Congregation

Sunday June 13th, 2021 – 3rd after Pentecost 

St. Mark’s United Church Anniversary – 55 Years

Welcome and Announcements Lighting of the Christ Candle

♫Introit♫: Rise Up, Rise up MV #130
Rise up, Rise up, Rise up O my soul
Rise up and sing this blessing to God’s name. Rise up, Rise up, Rise up O my soul
Rise up and sing this blessing to God’s name.

Gathering Words:

Why have we come to together virtually to worship on this day?

We have come to give thanks and praise for the life of this community; hoping to honour the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future.
In this community of faith, the first Methodist church in Port Hawkesbury – Zion, was established in 1883; the first Presbyterian church was Robertson in 1911, and now, 138 years later, we are still here together in St. Marks. How this church has evolved and changed over time. And so we ask ourselves a hard question.

How will we continue to do all of the work of this community as we look at the reality of how many of us there are and as we age? We will reach out beyond ourselves, opening

Today we light our Christ Candle as a reminder that just as our ancestors were called, we too are called to bring light into our world. May we work to continue the work begun by those who came before us. Amen.

ourselves to the power of the Spirit that empowers us to be far greater than we think we are, far more faithful than we, and with our God beside us, we will fly to heights and places never even heard of before.

Are we willing to work for the Kingdom of God to be seen, felt, and experienced in this church community and in our personal lives?

We rejoice in all that we have received, in all that we are and all that we may become, for our God is an awesome God and we are God’s people! Come, let us worship our God together! Let us pray...

Gracious and Loving God by whose action and Word the universe is being constantly created, by whose brooding presence humankind comes to populate the earth, by whose tender compassion all persons are called and called again, and then recalled through your presence and Word into relationship, we give thanks for all those who before us have lived in faith and through your grace now reside with you. It is by faith that we find the blessings that we hope for and it is the faith of our ancestors that got us this far. We give thanks for those founders of this congregation. With so many witnesses we call on the love, presence and guidance of the spirit that we may be a generation of caring, loving people who will work to enhance your kingdom here in this place and beyond.

As the first service in 1966 ended, we begin today by singing: ♫Hymn: The Church is One Foundation VU#331

1 The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord; we are his new creation by water and the Word;

from heaven he came and sought us that we might ever be

his living servant people, by his own death set free.

2 Called forth from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth;

one charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name professing and at one table fed,

to one hope always pressing, by Christ's own Spirit led.

3 Though with a scornful wonder the world sees us oppressed,

by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,

yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, 'How long?'
But soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.

4 Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of our war,
we wait the consummation of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious our longing eyes are blest,                                                            and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.

5 We now on earth have union with God the Three in One, and share through faith communion with those whose rest is won. Oh, happy ones, and holy! Lord, give us grace that we like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.

Centering Prayer

♫Lord Listen to your Children Praying - VU #400 Lord Listen to your children praying
Lord send your spirit in this place
Lord listen to your children praying

Send us love, send us power, send us grace.

♫Hymn♫: God of the Sparrow VU#229

1 God of the sparrow God of the whale God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe How does the creature say Praise

         2  God of the earthquake God of the storm God of the trumpet blast

2. How does the creature cry Woe How does the creature cry Save

3. 3  God of the rainbow God of the cross God of the empty grave

   How does the creature say Grace How does the creature say Thanks

4. 4  God of the hungry God of the sick God of the prodigal

   How does the creature say Care How does the creature say Life

5. 5  God of the neighbour God of the foe God of the pruning hook

   How does the creature say Love How does the creature say Peace

6. 6  God of the ages God near at hand God of the loving heart

   How do your children say Joy

Scriptures:

Ezekiel 17: 22-24

Psalm 92: 1-4, 12-15 VU #810

Refrain: It is good to sing your praises and to thank you, O Most High.

It is good to give you thanks, O God, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.
To tell of your love in the morning, and your faithfulness during the night,

With a ten-stringed lute and harp, with voice and lyre together,

For you, O God, have made me glad by your work, I shout for joy at the works of your hands. R

The just shall flourish like the date-palm and increase like the cedars of Lebanon.
Planted in God’s house, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

In old age they still produce fruit, thriving and full of vigour.

They will show that God is just, God, our rock, in whom there is no wrong. R

2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

♫Hymn♫: In the Garden
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain: And He walks with me and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing. R

I’d stay in the garden with Him tho’ the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; thro’ the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling. R

Mark 4: 1-2, 26-34

♫Hymn♫: Jesus, You have come to the Lakeshore VU #563

Prayer before Message: Message

1 Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;             you only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have
searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name; now my boat's left on the shoreline ehind me; by your side I will seek other seas.

2  You know so well my possessions;my boat carries no gold and no weapons; you will find there my nets and labour. R

3  You need my hands, full of caring through my labours to give others rest, and constant love that keeps on loving R

4  You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting, my loving friend, as thus you call me. R

Minute for Mission

Offering our gifts

♫Hymn♫: Bread of Life, Feed My Soul MV #194

Bread of life, feed my soul, as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.
Bread of life, fill my heart with the grace and mercy you impart

I have heard your voice calling, come my friend and share In the feast that is laid out for you, to show how much I care.

Bread of life, help me life a life as pure and true as Jesus did. Bread of life, help me see the boundless love of Christ for you and me.

I have heard your voice calling, come my friend and share In the feast that is laid out for you to show how much I care

Bread of life, feed my soul, as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.
Bread of life, fill my heart, with the grace and mercy you impart.

The Sacrament of Communion

As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is not the table of this congregation; nor is it the table of The United Church of Canada; or any particular denomination. It is the table of Jesus Christ, the family feast of the whole people of God. All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith and long to live justly and in peace with their neighbour, are welcome here. Let us eat and drink together for our strengthening in the faith, and for the sake of the world.

At this table we give thanks for justice, love, peace and freedom.

At this table we give thanks for friends and strangers.

At this table we welcome old and young. All are invited.
It is around common tables in our lives that we come to understand nourishment, love, challenge, and caring. We gather around them in our childhood to share our day’s adventures. As adults, it is there that we reconnect with friends and family, grounding ourselves in what is real. In our senior years we share the wisdom we are with those who sit at the table with us. We are cared for there. We face challenge there. We look into one another’s eyes and face truth there. Tables are a powerful part of our lives. Tables are an ordinary part of our lives.
So it is that we gather here today – to be about what is, for us, at once both common and exquisitely beautiful. In this community, we pledge to be strength and encouragement for each other on the spiritual journey, to wrap our hearts around one another as we travel together. And it is here, at this table that we symbolize the power of that pledge. The road is long and, too often, we are weary. When we gather here, as we look into the eyes of those gathered with us, we see the light of love and feel our hope lifted.

So it may have been, that night so long ago, when Jesus along with his disciples, shared a meal, burdened by the realities of life. In that place, perhaps they offered one another care, lifted burdens from each other, and placed possibilities in their over-brimming hearts. So may it be for us.

The morning has awakened the earth and day unfolds its possibilities before us. We stand ready to embrace the options life offers. May we do so with courage and grace as we remember we are wondrously and beautifully made.

We pray there might be within ourselves the wisdom necessary to bring about an age of goodness, an age of truth, an age of love beyond measure. May we, who gather at this table, see and know the humanity of those around us. May we feel their individuality, sense their fears, and believe in the strength of their confidence. May we be nourished by who they are.

We pray that we might, be instruments of grace. May we find within our own hearts, the hope that will light another’s way, the strength that will not fold beneath another’s weight, and the courage to face another’s fears. May all be nourished by who we are.

At this time, may we remember all those with whom we would share this feast. We pray for all who are in sorrow or in pain . .
all who are ill or alone . . .
all who live with fear, oppression, or hunger . .                                                                                all whom the world counts as last and least . . . .

We pray for your church and its varied ministries . . .                                                                      for the nations as they strive for peace and justice . . .                                                                    for the earth, and the fragile web of life we share . . .                                                                                          for our families and friends . . . .

We have on this table, the common things of life – bread to break with each other and wine to quench our thirst. May these common things be for us as they have been for many: strength and faith, nourishment and hope, blessing, and forgiveness. And may we now come to this table, know the presence of that which is beyond all our understanding and yet resides within our own.

The meal has been prepared, let us eat and drink together for our strengthening in the faith, and for the sake of the world.

Prayer after communion: For the bread we have eaten, for the wine we have tasted, for the life we have received, we give thanks. May what we have done and have been given here, may so put its mark on us that it may remain always in our hearts. May we may grow in love and understanding, and that ours may be lives of faithful action. Amen

♫Hymn♫: In the Bulb there is a Flower VU#703

In the bulb there is a flower
In the seed an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise;
Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody,

there’s a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future, what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning,
in our time, infinity, in our doubt, there is believing, in our life eternity. In our death, a resurrection,
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Commissioning/Benediction
♫ Strathdee Choral Amen (3x) VU #974

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE welcome Adam Cooke back to our Piano today as we now have our license to broadcast the music as well as put the words in the bulletins for you. I hope you enjoy the service.

Barb’s six weeks of classes begin tomorrow morning. Jim will be on call for us and his number is at the top of the bulletin.