St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury
DLM-R/MDiv Student: Barb MacNaughton
(Phone: (902)-625-0407)
Pianist: Adam Cooke
Office Administrator: Jane MacKinnon
Ministry: The Whole Congregation
The Season of Creation:
Creation asks: Learn my stories!
Sunday September 19th, 2021
The Community Gathers
Welcome and Announcements
Lighting of the Christ Candle: This candle represents for us the light of Christ. It reminds us of the colours that paint our lives, it warms us in the cold, and it brightens our paths when all seems dark. May we take this light wherever we go and share it with others! Amen.
♫Introit: Praise God for this Holy Ground MV 42, verse 1
Praise God for this Holy Ground,
Place and People, sight and sound,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
God’s goodness is eternal.
Call to Gather: (Richard Bott, Vancouver, B.C.)
By rivers and streams,
On the water,
Near the ocean
And the seas,
We gather together.
Disciples of Christ.
Children of the Spirit.
People of the Creator.
Sometimes with tears.
Sometimes with excitement.
All the time,
Worshipping the One
Who calls us to be.
Prayer of the Day: (Barbara Johns, Queenswood U.C., Orleans, Ont.)
O Holy One, as we gather in this sacred space, we pause in reverence of your presence amongst us this day. We long to feel your loving touch move within us, shaping our spirits toward your purpose as one community in Christ. Amen.
♫Hymn: For the Fruit of all Creation VU 227
Children’s time (if children are present)
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: I Am a Child of God MV 157
The Community Explores
Prayer for Illumination: We pray, O God, for listening ears and open hearts as we hear the words of our ancient scripture this day. Amen.
Scriptures:
OT: Proverbs 31: 10-31
RR: Psalm 1 VU# 724
NT: James 3: 13-4:3, 7-8a
Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 30-37
Message
♫Hymn: We Are Pilgrims VU 595
The Community Celebrates
Minute for Mission
Offering Hymn: VU 538
For the Gift of Creation, the gift of your love
And the gift of the Spirit by which we live
We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Offering Prayer: Creator God, for all that we have been given, we offer these gifts in return. May they be used to help bring about the kingdom here in this place and beyond. 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: Deep in our Hearts MV 154
The Community Goes Forth
Commissioning/Benediction
♫Closing: Choral Amen
One License A-401486
Ministering through leadership this morning are:
Minister: Barbara MacNaughton
Pianist: Adam Cook
Lay Reader: Joyce Oliver-Snair
Mission Moment: Larry Evans
Collectors: Clark Brander, Linda Howlett
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFICE HOURS: Thursday & Friday 8-12 noon
Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.
St. Mark’s Board Meeting:
Tuesday, September 21
Committees: 6:30 p.m.
Combined Board: 7:30 p.m.
Good Morning Everyone,
It feels strange to begin a new ministry with the restrictions of Covid and masking. I would love to get to know more of you. I am always open to an office visit, so please call if you would like to drop in or just stop by the back office door, if it is unlocked, I am here. If you are open to a visit or to meeting somewhere for a coffee/tea, I would love to get together. Please, if you are not double vaccinated, we can have a conversation by telephone instead of in-person. I respect your right to your decision but I am in contact with too many seniors to ever take a chance. In previous times, I have hosted a coffee/tea time at the church and we all brought our own beverage. This is a way we can gather together and have a chat. If you are open to any of these things, please give me a call and we will set something up. If you are still uncomfortable, I certainly understand and we will find other ways to engage in conversation to get to know one another while we await a new phase in this pandemic. I also would like to learn more about this community, what the church would like me to take part in. Previously we had a ministerial, and lots of community events, but I have never shared in ministry in a town this big so things are a bit different here. Are there things I should join? Learn? Do? I would love all the advice you can share with me!
Thanks all!
Barb
Lay Readers:
September 26th Dave Chapman
October 3rd Jean Mac Pherson
October 10th Larry Evans
October 17th Barb Mac Intyre
October 24th Wayne Simpson
October 31St Archie Noseworthy
Minute for Mission Readers:
September 26th Barb Mac Intyre
October 3rd Anna Marie Langley
October. 10th Yvonne Fox
October 17th Linda Howlett
October 24th Larry Evans
October 31st Barb Mac Intyre
Report on Foster Child for Special Events Group
Special Events Group has had no income during the Pandemic for the last two years. Our Foster Child is Donovan from Sao Luis in Brazil. We have been sponsoring him for many years. He is now a teenager and he and his family rely on our support to improve their standard of living. At the moment our account has enough funds to make payments of $42 per month through to January 2022. Special Events Group asks members of the congregation to sponsor Donovan for a month or part of a month. Please place your donation on the collection plate appropriately marked. You will be receipted for that amount. Once Special Events Group are able to raise more funds they will be able to take over once again. Thanks for your help.
Collection Counters/Recorders Needed – Please sign up. The load gets lighter when many helping hands participate.
The next Prayer Shawl Knitting meeting will be Monday, September 27th in the hall from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Masks must be worn and Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.
Port Hawkesbury Ceilidhs
Tuesdays: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre,
606 Reeves Street Port Hawkesbury, NS
Sponsor: Port Hastings Historical Society www.capebretonceilidh.com
Admission: $15.00 Under 16 - FREE
Season Pass: $50 (2 free Ceilidhs)
Free Tea & Oatcakes...while they last
Nova Scotia Health Protocols will be followed
September 14th: Andrea Beaton, Betty Beaton and Rita Rankin
September 21st: Shelly Campbell, Allan Dewar and Steve MacIntyre
September 28th: Howie MacDonald, Mac Morin, Pat Lamey and Heather Richards
