St. Mark’s United Church – Port Hawkesbury
DLM-R/MDiv Student - Barb MacNaughton
(Phone# 902-625-0407)
Guest Minister - Jim MacNaughton, DLM-R
(902-302-5923)
Pianist - Adam Cooke
Office Administrator - Jane MacKinnon
Ministry – The Whole Congregation
Sunday July 11, 2021 – 7 th 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 darkenedworld, 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:
Sometimes we get so excited about a special moment in our lives, even in our faith life that we become overly exuberant and show that through our actions.
Do you really mean like dancing, waving our arms like people do at sports events, cheering loudly, not caring what others might think of us?
Exactly like that! In most United Churches we barely get our arms up into the air past our shoulders, as we seem to be embarrassed to be that exuberant!
Let us come to this moment and this place on this day, to celebrate the very presence of the Spirit of God with us. Let us break free from being embarrassed or afraid to show what it is we believe in as we gather to Worship together on this morning. Come let us be the people of God!
♫Hymn♫: Dance with the Spirit (x3). - # 156 MV
Prayer of Approach:
Gracious and Loving Spirit of God, we come to you on this day opening ourselves to the joy of being a healed and healing people, who deeply care for one another and are able to show that to the world around us through our actions. We center our lives on trying to live out what we believe as we reach out to the least of all people, trusting that this is the way You would have us be. As we go about our lives this day and in all of the days we have before us guide us, prod us, comfort and challenge us tobe as strong and as compassionate as Christ has been to us and to the world, we pray in His name. Amen
Centering Prayer
Lord Listen to your Children Praying - VU#400
The Word: Joyce Oliver-Snair
Scriptures:
OT-2 Samuel 6:1-5,12-19
RR- Psalm 24; page 751
NT- Ephesians 1:3-14
♫Hymn♫: I have Called you by Your Name - #161 MV
Gospel- Mark 6:14-29
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: Celebrating God’s presence even in the face of opposition and horror.
♫Hymn♫: Praise God for this Holy Ground - 42 MV
Minute for Mission - Larry Evans
Offering our gifts
Offering Prayer:
(our offering will have been brought forward)
Each and every Sunday, we bring forward our offering that is needed to ensure that our ministry in this community remains viable. Our money, our talent and our skills are all part of this offering, that we promise we will use wisely, compassionately and in doing that, these things will be a Blessing for all. Amen
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♫: Praise my soul the God of Heaven - #240 VU
Commissioning/Benediction
♫Closing♫ Strathdee Choral Amen (3x)
Music Licence # A-401486
Ministering through leadership this morning are:
Guest Minister: Jim MacNaughton
Pianist: Adam Cooke
Lay Reader: Joyce Oliver-Snair
Mission Moment: Larry Evans
Greeters:
Collectors: Clark Brander, Linda Howlett
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. 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 18th – Dave Chapman
July 25th – Jean Mac Person
August 1st – Larry Evans
August 8th – Barb Mac Intyre
August 15th – Wayne Simpson
August 22nd – Archie Noseworthy
August 29th – Iaian Langley
Minute for Mission Readers:
July 18th – Barb Mac Intyre
July 25th – Anna Marie Langley
August 1st – Yvonne Fox
August 8th – Linda Howlett
August 15th – Larry Evans
August 22nd – Barb MacIntyre
August 29th – Anna Marie Langley
Collection Counters/Recorders Needed – Please sign up. The load gets lighter when many helping hands participate.
