Maynooth – Madawaska Pastoral Charge   

The United Church of Canada

February 12, 2017  

Supervising Minister: Elaine Thompson      Today: Wendy Lavalley, LLWL

 

A special note to our visitors …

The Maynooth-Madawaska church family welcomes you to our worship service. We are currently without a minister, so a variety of worship leaders provide pulpit supply for us, offering a range of worship styles from traditional to unique.

Enjoy the merits of each as we share fellowship together.

Please sign our guest book while you’re here.

St. Paul’s, Lake St. Peter ~ 9:30 a.m.   Keyboardist: Doris Hollingsworth

Smith-Post Memorial at St. Anthony’s, Whitney ~ 11:30 a.m.  Pianist: Erin Morlock

We Gather as God’s People

ANNOUNCEMENTS & COMMUNITY SHARING

We Welcome a New Minister!

On Monday, July 17, 2017, a well-attended meeting of the Maynooth-Madawaska Pastoral Charge in Maynooth approved the recommendation of the Search Committee that The Rev. Marilyn Zehr be appointed minister of the Charge on a half-time basis, commencing September 1, 2017.

 

REMITS: It has been announced that Remits 1, 2, 3 and 4, passed unanimously by Maynooth-Madawaska in February, were passed by overwhelming majorities by pastoral charges and presbyteries across the whole United Church of Canada.  We are on the threshold of major changes in the structure of the United Church.

 

WORDS OF WELCOME

It is a gift to join others in worship.

We worship freely together this day.

United in worship, open to God’s grace, let us indeed sing, pray, and praise God. Alleluia!

 

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Lighting of the Christ Candle

When we arrived, we entered this space as separate people, but now we are the people of God, gathered as one body, lighting the candle that reminds us of the presence of Christ in our midst.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Good Shepherd, you have called, and we have responded.

We are here to hear and to experience the Divine shown to us through many names, and through many incarnations.

Let us celebrate the Presence as we sing.

*HYMN: MV#172, God Says

OPENING PRAYER

Lord, you call us as the sheep of your pasture, and we respond. We hear your voice, and know it is to you that

we belong. When we hunger or thirst, it is your Word

that satisfies us. We follow your paths, seeking right relationships. We need not fear death, for you are with us.

You guide us with love, seeing no distinctions between us, but pouring out your love upon all.

Be with us in our worship now as we seek to live in your presence, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of love, Jesus taught us not to judge others,

but sometimes we do; Jesus taught us not to worry

about the faults of others and ignore our own, but

sometimes we do; Jesus taught us to be people of love,

but sometimes we are not. God, forgive us. Amen.

 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Forgiven, we live in hope. Loved, we live in grace.

Washed, we are renewed. Thanks be to God.

 

*HYMN: #644, I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

 

We Listen for God’s Word

 

YOUTH & YOUNG AT HEART

 

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

FIRST TESTAMENT LESSON: Acts 4:5–12

Peter and John before the Jewish religious leaders

RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 139 p. 861

God, you have searched me and known me

EPISTLE LESSON: 1 John 3:16–24

Love not just with words, but also with actions

GOSPEL LESSON: John 15:12-15

Greater love has no one

For the Truth that holds our living,

For the Truth that challenges and changes us,

For the Truth that sets us free, Thanks be to God!

REFLECTION More than Lip Service

 

*HYMN: #713, I See a New Heaven

We Respond to God’s Word

MINUTE FOR MISSION Our Life Together and in the World

*OFFERING & OFFERING HYMN (#227 vs. 2)

In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done;

In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done;

In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.