Maynooth – Madawaska Pastoral Charge

The United Church of Canada   August 13, 2017  

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

NNOUNCEMENTS & COMMUNITY SHARING

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

You call to us Lord, and in worship we answer.

We wrestle with life and love, with faith and doubt,

and in worship you answer.

Gather us in, Lord, every part of us:

the resistant and the eager, the champion and the underdog, the empty and the full.

Gather us into your presence, your family, your kingdom.

Gather us in this time of worship, as we call to you again.

 *HYMN: MV#145, Draw the Circle Wide

OPENING PRAYER

You touch our lives, God, in many ways—

You raise us up when we feel down and discouraged.

You ground us when we are flighty and on edge.

You inspire us when we have lost a sense of who we are.

You accompany us in the many and varied journeys we undertake day by day. Be with us in this time of worship, and give us the direction we need to face the future with hope and energy.

We pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 INVITATION TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving God, we confess that we often tie ourselves up in knots worrying that we are inadequate,

worrying that we have failed,

worrying that we cannot do what we expect of ourselves. Forgive us and open us to grace. Amen!

 WORDS OF ASSURANCE

Hear this good news: Christ is ever and always alive in this world, calling all people to live lives that are new and renewed. We are loved, we are forgiven, we are free.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

*HYMN: #326, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

 We Listen for God’s Word

 YOUTH & YOUNG AT HEART

 PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

FIRST TESTAMENT LESSON: Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph is reunited with his brothers

 RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 133, pg. 856

How pleasant it is when God’s people are together

EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

God has not rejected the Hebrews

GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 15:10-28

A Canaanite mother challenges Jesus

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 Welcome … Wanted … Worthy … Enough

 *HYMN: #600, When I Needed a Neighbour

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.

*DEDICATION OF OFFERING

Precious God, lay your blessing, we pray, upon each soul present and all those who will be touched by what is given. Bless us so we may be a blessing in your name. Amen.

 

QUIET PREPARATION FOR PRAYER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

RESPONSE (p. 865)

Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God,

incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

We Are Sent Forth

 *HYMN: #567, Will You Come and Follow Me

*COMMISSIONING

Let us go from this place with hearts lifted up!

Let us go with spirits rejoicing!

Let us go with music in the air around us

and a story of love among us. Amen!

 *BENEDICTION

 LIGHT IS EXTINGUISHED & CARRIED IN OUR HEARTS

*PARTING SONG: MV#154, Deep in Our Hearts v. 4

Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;

Deep in our hearts there is a common song;

Deep in our hearts there is a common story

Telling creation that we are one.

We invite you to join us for refreshments after the service at Lake St. Peter.