Sunday, April 18, 2021
Today, this Third Sunday of Easter we have two readings written by Luke who was a physician. It might surprise you (or not!) that Luke was not one of the twelve disciples, nor did he witness Christ's death and resurrection. It is believed that he was a traveling companion of Paul who was preaching and teaching about Jesus and at the forefront of establishing the Christian church. Luke's clean and crisp writing style made him a good chronicler of the events.
Let us bring ourselves - mind, body, and spirit before God in worship.
Come to us, God, for we are waiting—
waiting and hoping that your word of peace
will soothe our fearful and doubting souls.
Open our hearts to the message
you would share with us today
through song, prayer, and meditation,
that our souls might reach out, touch you,
and believe.
Help us claim our identity
as your beloved children.
Help us live into this identity, today and always,
that we might radiate your love to others.
Come, beloved One, we are here to listen
and be transformed. Amen.
Hymn: Voices United #264, Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Lighting of the Christ Candle
As I light this candle, please light your candles at home.
This light is a sign of our love and faith to you, O God.
It is a reminder of your Son Jesus Christ
who came to earth and lived among sinful people.
He showed us through his life, death and resurrection
that eternal life through him is possible for those that believe.
His flame became a fire that birthed the Christian faith and early Church.
Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Acts 3:12-19 (CEV) - Peter preaches at Solomon's Portico
Hymn: More Voices #400, Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36b-48 - Jesus invites the disciples to touch his hands and feet (NRSV)
and
Sermon: The Greatest Gift, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
Our eyes and ears have been opened,
to hear and understand your message, O God.
We give you thanks for all that we are
and able to do in the world, in your name.
We gather our gifts now and present them as offering to you.
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).
Offertory Hymn: Voices United #541, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Offering Dedication
Bless these our bounteous gifts, O God.
May we use them to feed, to clothe and sustain all of your beloved
children.
In the name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Mighty Comforter,
Today, in our prayers we ask for your peace;
a peace that passes all understanding,
because it is difficult right now to understand all that is happening in
our world today.
With the death of Prince Philip, be with the royal family and all those
around the world who are grieving his loss,
Grant us peace.
With further provincial restrictions that decrease the number of
people we can meet with, that restrict the use of some outdoor facilities,
that delay some surgeries, and keep our children learning online rather
than face-to-face,
Grant us peace.
With the 1-year anniversary this week of the Portapique mass shooting,
victims' friends and families continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones,
and the country remains shaken,
Grant us peace.
With riots continuing in parts of the US due to racialized violence, and
injustice continues to face black, Indigenous and people of colour in
Canada,
Grant us peace.
We lift silently in our prayers now all those who are ill, awaiting surgery, are
troubled or in pain, who are grieving or experiencing challenges that are
difficult to bear. We ask that your peace and comfort blanket them and
keep them safe.
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 #635, All the Way My Saviour Leads Me
Sending Forth
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Food for the Journey
On this Sunday, closest to Earth Day, I wanted to share with you a video provided by the World Wildlife Foundation. Narrated by David Attenborough, the rich scenes of diversity in our land, oceans and skies are a wonder to behold.
As we lean into Earth Day this week, let us pray,
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
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 the Sending Forth is from The Abingdon Worship
Annual 2018, Contemporary and Traditional Resources for Worship
Leaders (p. 92 and 95), Edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu. Copyright
2017 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
Thank you to:
Lexi Caspersen-Bernardo for reading the Scripture Reading from Acts 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 Haewook Kim
o Ebenezer United Church
o Music Is My Life (on YouTube.com)
o VagleBrothers
o Pacific Spirit United Church
o Tina Vanderpol Melodium75
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