Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow Voices United # 402 verse 1 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

We have set aside this time to gather here in this place. Call to Worship We have set aside this time to gather here in this place. Even though many of you have long lists of things to do, people to see, and places to go, we have set aside this time Even though you may be tempted to laze about in your own homes on this “day of rest” we have chosen to use this time to gather here in this place.

we have chosen to use this time to gather here in this place. Even though you could be sleeping or shopping or sporting or socializing elsewhere we have chosen to use this time to gather here in this place. Why have you chosen to use this time to gather here in this place? Because here we are able to celebrate God’s presence in our lives with friend and stranger alike. Then let it be so. Let us worship God.  

Come In, Come In and Sit Down Voices United # 395 Come In, Come In and Sit Down Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 1 You know the reason why you came, yet no reason can explain; so share in the laughter and cry in the pain, for we are a part of the family.

Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 2 God is with us in this place, like a mother’s warm embrace. We’re all forgiven by God’s grace, for we are a part of the family.

Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 3 There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine; we are the branches, Christ is the vine. This is God’s temple, it’s not yours or mine, but we are a part of the family.

Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 4 There’s rest for the weary and health for us all; there’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small. So come in and worship and answer the call, for we are a part of the family.

Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family.

Opening Prayer Gracious and ever-loving God, we have been taught and believe that you are with us in every place and in every time. And yet we don’t always feel your presence. At times we ache for some sign that assures us that you have not abandoned us. In our time together this day, we hope that we might have one of those moments when we feel especially close to you and, having experienced again your Divine touch, may be re-energized in our faith and purpose when we re-enter the world outside this sanctuary. Amen.

Prayer for Transformation O God, our steadfast source of love and forgiveness, you created us in your image, and yet sometimes we find our hearts hardened by feelings of anger, resentment, hurt, and pride. At those times we find it impossible to forgive … to forgive others… to forgive ourselves… to forgive you. When that happens we are prevented from being whole, from being healthy, from being truly and deeply happy. The distance between us widens.

Take those feelings away from us, O God Take those feelings away from us, O God. Help us to forgive as you forgive so that we can be healed and free again to love as you would have us love and live as you would have us live. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our model of the power of forgiveness. Amen.

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Voices United # 684 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace 1 Make me a channel of your peace; where there is hatred, let me bring your love; where there is injury, your healing power, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you. O Spirit grant, that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand , to be loved as to love with all my soul.

2 Make me a channel of your peace; where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope; where there is injury, your healing power, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you. O Spirit grant, that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand , to be loved as to love with all my soul.

3 Make me a channel of your peace It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving to all that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive Voices United # 364 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive 1 “Forgive our sins as we forgive,” you taught us, Christ, to pray; but you alone can grant us grace to live the words we say. 2 How can your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heat that broods on wrongs, and will not let old bitterness depart?

3 In blazing light your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew; what trivial debts are owed to us, how gret our debt to you! 4 O cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease; then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread your peace.

Announcements

UCW Yard Sale September 24

September 25 Back2Church Sunday Whom will you invite?

Tickets available from any UCW member UCW Take-Out BEAN SUPPER September 26 Tickets available from any UCW member

We Give Thee But Thine Own 1 We give thee but thine own, Offertory Hymn – We Give Thee But Thine Own Voices United # 543 1 We give thee but thine own, what e'er the gift may be; all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O God, from thee. 2 May we thy bounties thus as stewards true receive, and gladly, as thou blessest us, to thee our first-fruits give.

Offertory Prayer Accept our gifts, O God, and with them our desire to make a difference in our hurting world. We ask that your blessing be upon all who are touched by our offerings that they may know your love and forgiveness in the core of their very beings. Amen. 

Prayers of the People We are called on to forgive many in our world. It is hard to forgive. We are called on to forgive many in our world. We want to forgive those who have resorted to violence and warfare to solve problems. We want to forgive those who have oppressed women and children. We want to forgive those who have looked down on persons of another race or colour. We want to forgive those who have stolen from the infirm, the gullible, and the innocent. We are resolved to help bring change. We are resolved to support the process of change.  

Peter asks Jesus, “How often should I forgive, seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven but seventy times seven times.” We are called on to forgive many among the suffering. We know those who have stolen to feed their drug or alcohol habit. We know those who have looked down on persons struggling to make ends meet. We know those who have treated children harshly.

Peter asks Jesus, “How often should I forgive, seven times?” We know those who have treated older persons with a lack of respect. We know those who have discouraged loved ones from seeking the treatment they need. We know those who have told a bereaved person to get over their grief. We remember those who are sick or bereaved (time of silent reflection). We are resolved to help bring change. We are resolved to support the process of change. Peter asks Jesus, “How often should I forgive, seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven but seventy times seven times.”

We are called on to forgive many in the church: members and friends who do not see the need for the careful welcoming of newcomers, members and friends who see young children as a disturbance rather than a joyful opportunity, members and friends who see the practical and financial responsibilities of the church as someone else’s task, members and friends who do not listen to other views on the pattern or style of worship, members and friends who support the local church, but not missions or the wider church. We are resolved to help bring change. We are resolved to support the process of change. Peter asks Jesus, “How often should I forgive, seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven but seventy times seven times.”

We need to forgive and be forgiven: to forgive ourselves for inflicting hurt on another, to forgive ourselves for not venturing out and taking risks, to forgive ourselves for avoiding controversy when we were called to become involved, to forgive ourselves for not saying the words of thanks or encouragement, to forgive others who have gnawed away at our self-confidence, to forgive others who have poured cold water on our enthusiasm, to forgive others for ignoring or disparaging our faith. We will consider fresh insights and be ready for change.  

Peter asks Jesus, “How often should I forgive, seven times?” Jesus replies, “Not seven but seventy times seven times.”

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say More Voices # 626 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say 1 I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

2 I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water, thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

3 I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light; look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.” I looked at Jesus and I found in him my star; my sun; and in that light of life I’ll walk till travelling days are done.

Go with us, Lord, as now we depart, calming the fears that trouble each heart. Keep us all in your grace until we come, again, to this place.  

Go with us, Lord, as now we depart, calming the fears that trouble each heart. Keep us all in your grace until we come, again, to this place.   (candles are extinguished and the Bible closed)

Go with us, Lord, as now we depart, calming the fears that trouble each heart. Keep us all in your grace until we come, again, to this place.   (candles are extinguished and the Bible closed) Now we will walk in peace with the Lord, living in faith and teaching His word. Share His love ev’ry day, for He has surely shown us the way! Amen, Amen.

Please join us in the hall for fellowship and refreshment.