Sunday, June 6, 2021
Trinity Sunday (last Sunday) marked the beginning of Ordinary Time which
extends to and including Reign of Christ Sunday (Nov. 21/21). It is the longest
season in our Christian calendar and the word "ordinary" comes from the Latin
word "ordo" or "order". It is this time when we manage all the regular, everyday
things in our lives. It is seemingly between the large Christian feast and is a
time when we can take pleasure in the abundance of creation, new life, feeding
the earth with rain, and sun and feeding ourselves with the Word of God.
But I find nothing "ordinary" about "Ordinary" time. It is special to me in that it
allows us all to take that breath and see Jesus ministering to those in need, and
in turn discover how we might minister and serve others.
Come, let us worship the Lord our God, and give thanks for the "ordinary".
Opening Prayer:
Mother-Father God,
uphold us in this time of worship.
Sister-Brother Christ,
gather us in your loving embrace.
Wise, fiery Spirit,
teach us the mysterious nature of relationships
rejected, reclaimed, rewritten, renewed.
May we feel in our very bones, Loving One,
that we are your children, your family, your beloved.
in loving trust, we pray. Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #314, Come Now, Almighty King
Lighting of the Christ Candle
The light and flame of this candle reminds us O God,
of the beauty of a morning sunrise, clear and bright, and
the waning sun in the evening, soft and subtle.
Thank you for this daily reminder of your love given to us in all creation,
especially the light that shows us the way,
the light of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 (NIV)
Appoint a king for Israel.
Hymn: Voices United #595, We Are Pilgrims (The Servant Song)
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:20-35 (NRSV)
Who gives Jesus his power?
and
Sermon: Called to Serve, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
Offering our time, talents and treasure
is a way to serve the Church,
the community,
the broader needs of the people of this world,
and the earth we have been given to
maintain, sustain and ensure it thrives for future generations.
Your offering will now be received.
Our offering is both a practical and symbolic act of our commitment to serve Christ and build His church. Although we can’t actually pass the plate’ online, you are encouraged to continue your gift to the church, as the work of the St Paul’s and the staff continues:
Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
Mail your cheque to the church;
Go on PAR (call the church for details);
Use the Donate button at the top of the page (it will take you to SPUC’s Canada Helps page where you can donate online and get an instant tax receipt).
Donations to St. Paul's United Church have decreased over the past few months and your support is needed to maintain our ministry and mission. Thank you.
Offertory Hymn: Voices United #218, We Praise You, O God
Offering Prayer
Bless these our gifts, O Lord.
All that we have and all that we are, are forever yours.
May they support the ministry and mission of the Church.
Prayers of the People
Almighty God,
We thank you for the beauty of creation, the warmth of sun and heat on our
faces and limbs.
We thank you for our friends and family, that all remain healthy and safe.
This week, our hearts continued to break as services were held for the 215
children who perished at the Residential School in Kamloops, B.C.
We lift up the family and friends of those who died as they fought and continue
to fight to find justice for their loved ones. We cradle and carry them in
their sorrow.
We pray for all people who are lonely, who are ill, who are shut-in, for
those that do not have shelter, or clothing, or food.
Use us to help serve your needs and the needs of all we meet.
We surrender to you, and serve you, in all that we do.
We commit these, our prayers to you in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son.
Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #960, The Lord's Prayer
And of all the prayers silent and spoken, we pray the one prayer that unites us in Your presence, O Lord (you can sing with the video or recite the words below):
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #606, In Christ There is No East or West
Benediction
We have gathered as the family of God,
so now we go forth to be family for the world.
Go to love, go to include, go to embrace.
Go to be generous friends and loving family.
Go to share the presence of God's Spirit
in the ever-widening family of God.
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Food for the Journey
I hope you enjoy this version of The Family Prayer Song. Sit back, relax, and close your eyes.
As for me and my house we will serve the Lord! Indeed we will!
Closing Notes
Don't forget to extinguish your candle(s).
Rev. Debbie Johnson has joined St. Paul's to provide some Pastoral Care to our congregation on a part-time basis. If you would like a call or email from Rev. Debbie, please contact the office at 416-261-4222. More information and a video from Rev. Debbie can be found on our church homepage.
Please join us for Zoom Coffee Time on May 23, 2021 from 11:30 am-12:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
Dial in: +1 647 558 0588
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Opening Prayer and Benediction have been obtained from The Abingdon
Worship Annual 2018. Copyright © 2017 by Abingdon Press, edited by Mary J.
Scifres and B.J. Beau. Copyright © Mary J. Scifres, page 138 and 141
respectively. Used by permission.
Thank you to:
Allison Piercey for reading the Old Testament reading today.
Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
PNGWNG.com, Canva.com, and Pixabay.com websites for the images and backgrounds.
And, thank you to all of the artists whose music and videos were used in the service:
o Heritage United Church
o Ebenezer United Church
o WithTheHolySpirit
o Golden Ears United Church
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
o God Encounters
