Sunday, January 16, 2022
IMPORTANT!
On December 20, 2021, St. Paul's Board decided to cancel public worship and move to online services due to the rising COVID case counts and wanting to keep everyone safe and healthy. This change in how we provide worship services necessitated a schedule change for all those who lead worship. It means that our worship services are recorded a week in advance and a "transition week" was required to accommodate the new recording schedule.
Today is our "transition" Sunday and while you may recall this service (i.e. music, prayers, reflection, etc.) from 2021, there have been some subtle updates that we hope you will enjoy.
With grapes on our mind, and in the lectionary, it supports the service next week led by Guest Minister Rev. Linda Levin, where the scripture lesson will speak to the beginning of Christ's ministry and the wedding in Cana.
Each week we are getting to know Jesus more, and with him and through him, know God better. The good news remains that we are all welcome at the table and will be fed in the worship of God.
Organ Prelude: Minuet (Suite Gothique) - Léon Boëlmann
Call to Worship
God of love, you have invited us to this time and space.
We lift our hearts in thanksgiving and joyful praise
for the gift of your love.
God of life, you have invited us here
to place all that we have and all that we are in you.
Through the power of your Holy Spirit,
guide us to not only lift up our hearts in worship,
but to offer our hearts in love. Amen.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
In lighting this candle, we are reminded of the light and life of Christ
who told the disciples, "I am the vine, and you are the branches."
Joined to Christ in this way is a gift and comfort.
Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always.
Amen.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:25-31, Praise God who has heard our call (CEV)
Hymn: Voices United #371, Open My Eyes, That I May See
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8, Jesus is the true vine (CEV); and
Sermon: Optimal Connectivity, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
O God, as you tend the garden of our lives
and bestow upon us your love and tender care,
we offer you now all that we are, and all that we have
to support and bear more fruit on the vine.
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.
Offertory Hymn: Voices United #236, Now Thank We All Our God
Offering Dedication
Accept these our gifts, O God.
Bless them, for they are fruits of our love for you.
May they be used for your ministry in this church, in this community,
and find their way to support all those in need.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Lord of all,
we thank you for the beauty of winter,
the crisp cold air,
the snow that sparkles brightly in the sun, and
how the snow crunches underneath our feet.
For these things we are thankful.
We come before you today in prayer for,
All leaders at the federal, provincial and municipal levels,
as they continue to coordinate pop-up vaccine locations for those
communities particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, and
as they schedule vaccination appointments for all those that wish a
vaccine.
Thank you for all front-line workers - in health care, in our grocery stores,
in our schools, in our food banks.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and in your love answer.
For friends and family who are grieving the loss of loved ones,
for members of St. Paul's who are grieving the death of Sue Senior,
a beloved member of our church family.
Adonai, grant all solace in their grief and strength for the coming weeks
as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.
May their souls rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and in your love answer.
For all of those who are sick and battling COVID-19 and other perilous
diseases,
those who are depressed, anxious, in pain, grieving, and lonely.
May they know your grace and mercy.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and in your love answer.
We name now others on our mind and in our hearts that need your
tender care and love.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and in your love answer.
Almighty and eternal God, we commit these prayers to you in the name of
Jesus Christ, your Son.
Amen.
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 those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: You Are The Vine; We Are The Branches
You may not be familiar with this hymn, but it is easy to pick-up and follow along lyrically, and is a lovely closing hymn for today's service. If you don't wish to sing it, feel free to close your eyes and listen.
Sending Forth
Piano Postlude: You are the Vine
Food for the Journey
With turkey still on my mind from Christmas, let's get into the kitchen with this recipe from Tasteofhome.com and make some Turkey Salad with Grapes & Cashews.
* Also good with red grapes
Source: Taste of Home website
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
If you would like a call or email from a member of our Pastoral Care Team, please contact the office at 416-261-4222.
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Opening Prayer (p. 102) and Sending Forth (p. 106) are from The
Abingdon Worship Annual 2018, Contemporary and Traditional Resources
for Worship Leaders, Edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu. Copyright
2017 by Abingdon Press. Written by Laura Jaquith Bartlett. Used by
permission.
Thank you to:
Aowyn McLaren for reading Psalm 22:25-31.
Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
PNGWNG.com and Canva.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 Wayne Strongman for the beautiful Organ Prelude and Piano Postlude
o Golden Ears United Church
o Andrian Alfarezel
o Christian Sermons and Audio Books
o Haewook Kim
o Divine Hymns
