St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury
DLM-R/MDiv Student – Barb MacNaughton (902-625-0407)
Guest Minister – Jim MacNaughton, DLM-R (902-302-592
Pianist – Adam Cooke
Office Administrator- Jane MacKinnon
Ministry – The Whole Congregation
Sunday July 18 th, 2021 – 8 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 darkened world, to help one another in our quest for goodness and justice. May our lights shine forever. Amen.
♫Introit: Rise Up, Rise Up 130 (x2) MV
Call to Worship: (reading responsively)
There is a time and place in our lives when we find that what we think is our priority in our lives, both secular and in our faith life, may not be the priorities of what God asks of us.
So, that may be true, but how do we know the difference? After all we are mature adults and we know what we want to do!
This morning’s readings challenge us to look for a balance in our lives where we can try to honour what we perceive that God wants from us or for us and balance that perception with what we need for ourselves.
Let each of us come to this time of questioning with honesty for ourselves and for the Ministries that each of us are called to. Come people of God; let us worship together on this beautiful morning!
♫Hymn: I love to tell the story 343 VU
Prayer of Approach: (In Unison)
Gracious and Loving God, we come together in an attempt to discern the priorities that govern our lives of faith and of our living together. For so many of us, especially as we become older, know that this strange dichotomy that is both comfortable and challenging is all about a balanced life. We can be so heavenly minded that we are at times no earthly good, but you O God call us back again and again and remind us that we live in this physical world, that requires us to practice moderation in all things, but centering ourselves in our life of faith as shown us by the Way, the teachings and parables of Jesus Christ. Touch us gently through our prayers, guide us if we falter for You O God are the pivotal center of where we need to be. We pray for your Spirit to be present with us now on this day. Amen
Centering Prayer: Lord Listen to your Children Praying 400 VU
The Word: Dave Chapman
Scriptures:
OT-2 Samuel 7: 1-14a
RR- Psalm 85; page 802 VU
NT- Ephesians 2:11-22
♫Hymn: In Christ there is no east or west 606 VU
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
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: Trying to find the Balance in our lives
♫Hymn: Draw the Circle Wide 145 MV
Minute for Mission: Barb MacIntyre
Offering our gifts
Offering Prayer: (our offering will have been brought forward )
Take all that we offer this day O God: take our caring for our neighbours from a distance, take our phone calls and our texts, and social media greetings with our families, take our actions of physical distancing and now our gathering family carefully together, being conscious of how we keep one another safe and yet welcome, and now in all our donations of time, talent and money, bless us and our giving in Jesus name we pray. 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: Ask me not O gentle Saviour 665 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: Dave Chapman
Mission Moment: Barb Mac Intyre
Collectors: Eric Dawson, 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 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 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.
