Sunday, September 17, 2017
We Welcome Our New Minster
9:30 a.m. Maynooth (One service only)
Worship Leader: The Rev. Marilyn Zehr
followed by social hour
“In theological education we are trying to make preparing for ministry in the name of Jesus as difficult as it ought to be. I have thought a great deal about why ministry is so hard—secularity, post-Christendom, multiculturalism, shrinking church, opportunities to golf.
“My friend Will Willimon has persuaded me, however, that it is Jesus’ fault. He is really hard to follow—I mean ‘pray for your enemies, bless those who curse you.’ It is hard to get formed for that for life. But as Tom Hanks, who played a baseball coach in the movie A League of Their Own, said, ‘If baseball was easy, then everyone would do it.’ It’s the same with theological education.
“We want our graduates to be engaged people, folks willing to get involved in the world, not just wait for the next…. Our theological ethos is designed to nurture practitioners who are making a difference in the world for God and the gospel. It is the DNA of VST to get involved in the big challenges the world faces.”
We sing thanksgiving for the gifts of Mission & Service that support students who are discerning their path to ministry through the inspiring guidance of theological schools such as the Vancouver School of Theology.
If Mission & Service is already a regular part of your giving, thank you so much! If you have not given for Mission & Service, please join me in making Mission & Service a regular part of your life of faith. In all our Mission & Service giving, with a willing heart, we sing thanksgiving to God!
Minister: Rev. Marilyn Zehr Today: Rachel McRae, MTS
A special note to our visitors …
The Maynooth-Madawaska church family welcomes you to our worship service. We await welcoming our new minister on September 17th. While we have been without a minister, a variety of worship leaders have continued to 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.
Minute for Mission
“The GO Project has taught me so much about faith and social justice, but I didn’t even notice I was learning because I never thought you could have that much fun while learning!”
Those are the words of a youth who took part in The GO Project youth mission program. For nine years, The GO Project has been offering a vibrant experience of church to youth and children.
The first program happened at Islington United Church in Toronto, and it’s been an adventure ever since. First offered for youth, GO now also offers summer camp programs for children as well as a young adult intentional community.
The GO Project has youth programs in Halifax, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and St. John’s, in addition to the Toronto site. The youth live in community and work alongside volunteers at community ministries in the host city. Youth who have participated in The GO Project leave with a strong sense of community and a passion for leadership.
We sing thanksgiving that, through our gifts for Mission & Service, children and youth continue to grow in faith and community, able to offer leadership that can mend the world!
If Mission & Service is already a regular part of your giving, thank you so much! If you have not given for Mission & Service, please join me in making Mission & Service a regular part of your life of faith. In all our Mission & Service giving, with a willing heart, we sing thanksgiving to God!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
U.C.W. MEETINGS:
Lake St. Peter: Wednesday, September 13th at 1:30p
Madawaska: Monday, September 18th at noon in the Fellowship Rm.
Maynooth: Tuesday, September 19th at noon
MONTHLY POT LUCK SUPPER: Wednesday, September 20th at 6pm at the Lake St. Peter Community Centre. Bring a dish to share and enjoy the company of friends. Hosted by St. Paul’s, Lake St. Peter. Please bring your own plate, cup, & cutlery. EVERYONE WELCOME!
LOONIE LUNCH: Thursday, September 21st 11:30am – 1pm at the Word of Life Outreach, Lake St. Peter. EVERYONE WELCOME!
The new printer is in the office. Please do NOT use the copier. Help us keep track of printer use by marking down when and number of copies made in the blue book on the wall. Thank you.
Maynooth – Madawaska Pastoral Charge
The United Church of Canada Brad Culver is leading worship today
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.
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 WORSHIPLighting 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.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
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