News and Announcements
Prelude
Lighting of Candle
The Christ candle is lit,
but what does it mean? Why are we here?
The Christ candle is lit,
but does it touch our hearts?
Why do we keep coming?
(a moment of silence)
The Christ candle is lit,
but does it change anything?
It’s a light that flickers.
It’s small and seemingly insignificant.
It’s made of ordinary material.
It’s rather unremarkable.
Yet, still, it speaks to us of Christ.
Singing: MV 28 God of the Bible
Call to Worship
All that we are
is a gift of God!
All that we have
is a gift of God!
Every breath we take...
is a gift of God!
every movement we make...
is a gift of God!
the life in which we partake...
is a gift of God!
And so we gather—
to receive and to give back.
And so we gather—
to listen and to teach,
And so we gather—
to remind ourselves that we are stewards
of all God’s gifts,
blessed sharing!
Alleluia!
Alleluia, amen!
Opening Prayer (NO SLIDE)
Connection Time
Reading from Scripture
Judges 4:1-7
Matthew 25:14-30 from the Message
We respond:
In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.
This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.
Word of God for us today.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon: Called to Go in Challenging Times!
Singing: #VU 598 When Pain of the World
Giving Our Offerings:
#161MV (verse four)
I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
go and tell my precious people they are mine.
Offering Prayer:
Searcher of Hearts, we open ourselves to your grace. Grant us vulnerable spirits so that we might willingly follow the pilgrim way. Enable us to venture beside sojourners and saints who deeply trust you.
May we grow in faith, expand in trust, and broaden in love. Bless all who receive our time, talents and treasurer this week.
Free us to focus our faith on the One who reveals your grace, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Singing: Hymn before Prayer: A Prayer for All Humanity
Prayer of the People
The Lord’s Prayer: Sung version of KJV on VU 960
Singing: As Long as we Follow MV #140
Sending Out
Go from here both challenged and comforted by the Spirit.
We go from here surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses.
Go from here to praise your Maker
We will praise God, while we have breath, and to love our neighbour as ourself.
Today’s prayers were written or inspired by Richard Bott, Ryan McNally, Jani Francis, Robin Wardlaw
and are used with permission from Gathering’s Pentecost 2, 2020 edition.