Sunday, May 9, 2021
Music was as important in ancient times as it is today. We can find vast imagery and emotion in music lyrics, in the use of specific instruments, and in our voices which can convey our jubilation, our lament, our fears, and our sorrows.
In today's service, we will look at how we 'live the love' that Jesus commands so that these acts of love bear fruit forever.
Let us worship!
Call to Worship:
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Let the mountains quake.
We worship a God of wonder.
Sing praises to our God.
Let the musicians join the heavenly chorus.
We worship a God of saving love.
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth.
Let the seas roar and the rivers clap their hands.
We worship a God of majesty and might.
Come! Worship the Lord.
Hymn: Voices United #415, God, We Praise You for the Morning
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Jesus, Light of the World,
be with us as we worship,
as we lift our voices in word and in song,
in praise and thanksgiving.
May your light help us grow in faith and love,
and know that by keeping your commandments
we glorify You.
Amen.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 98, Sing to God a new song
Hymn: Voices United #382, Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17, Love one another as I have loved you (Amplified Bible)
and
Sermon: Live the Love, 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 the disciples were so purposely planted
to bear fruit and keep on bearing fruit,
we offer all that we are and all that we have
to ensure your ministry of love is everlasting.
Let us now offer to God our gifts.
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 #541, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Offering Prayer
God of love, Spirit of everlasting life,
as we return these gifts to you this day,
may our hearts sing with a new song--
a song of justice for the oppressed,
a song of joy for the broken hearted,
a song of love for those who feel unlovable.
As we live your commandment to love one another,
may our lives bear fruit that lasts--
the fruit of kindness and mercy,
the fruit of friendship and welcome.
Make our prayer manifest throughout the world
in the giving of these gifts--
gifts we share in your name. Amen.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Tender and loving God,
there is much to pray for as we look around this world.
We pray for India and the countless people suffering due to COVID-19.
May they receive enough vaccines and oxygen supplies to help reduce the
terrifying number of deaths from this disease.
We pray for the protection of all their health care workers and their
families as they endeavour to serve and heal such a large population.
God of compassion and mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for the families of the 25 who died and the 52 people injured in
last week's explosion near a school in Kabul, Afghanistan.
May those who died rest in eternal peace and the families and friends find
comfort in one another and in your care.
May the injured recover quickly.
God of compassion and mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for all people in Canada as we struggle to contain the pandemic
and reduce the burden on our health care systems, particularly in
Alberta.
May we begin to see a reduction in case counts soon as vaccination
continues to roll out.
God of compassion and mercy,
hear our prayer.
We pray for all who have experienced or are currently experiencing anti-
Asian assaults and harassment locally here in Toronto but also around
the world.
Help us show our love for all people as you love us - without measure.
God of compassion and mercy,
hear our prayer.
And now we raise up the names of those on our minds and in our hearts
that need your love and continued strength...
God of compassion and mercy,
hear our prayer.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. 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: Voices United #664, What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Sending Forth
On this Christian Family Sunday and Mother's Day,
go into the world this week sharing the love of God, of Jesus Christ
and the music of our faith.
Spread the love, plant the seeds, and watch love grow all around us.
Amen.
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Food for the Journey
Hope you enjoy this More Voices hymn #142, O a Song Must Rise.
Played/sung by Andrea LeBlanc, it prepares us for Ascension Day this Thursday, May 14, 2021. The lyrics are not made available in the video, but the chorus is easy to pick up. Go ahead and sing, or snap your fingers or clap your hands - it's all good with this hymn.
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 today for Zoom Coffee Time starting at 11:30 am.
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 Call to Worship and Offering Prayer 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. Copyright © B.J. Beu. Used by
permission.
Thank you to:
Gwen Farrow for reading Psalm 98 today.
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 Heritage United Church
o Ebenezer United Church
o The Sightseer
o The Vagle Brothers
o Haewook Kim
o Bells Corners United Church Music
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
o Andrea LeBlanc
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