HOPE
UNITED
CHURCH
2550 Danforth Avenue
416-691-9682
November 8, 2020
11:00am
Remembrance Sunday
Worship Leader – Rev. Brian Stevens MDiv
Hope United Church
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open to You!
Sunday, November 8, 2020
________________________________________
A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE
HYMN VU # 436 “Abide with Me”
Remembrance Prayer
God, our Creator and Redeemer,
in this solemn season of Remembrance,
we are aware of how much war has cost the world you love.
In spite of fighting between nations and neighbours,
you have come to us in Jesus Christ, carrying no sword,
calling us to serve as peace makers.
In this time of worship,
renew in us the hope that you will turn
our swords into ploughshares,
and lead the world from the study of war
to the promise of peace
with justice for all your peoples.
O Canada
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Reading of the Roll
Laying of the Wreath
In Flanders Fields
Poem by Dr. John McCrae
Music by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor do years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
We will remember them.
Last Post
Reveille
God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.
Remembrance Day Stories – Female Heroes
O Day of Peace
HYMN VU # 682 “O Day of Peace”
O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
Guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
Till by God's grace our warring world
shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: On this Remembrance Sunday we gather to pray
All: For a world where no one will learn war anymore.
One: On this day when the guns once fell silent,
All: We gather to pray for peace to reign in every heart, home and nation.
One: On this day of hope,
All: We come before you, God,
To remember all those who gave their lives so we could be free.
One: In this time of story, song, and prayer,
help us to catch a vision of how the world could live together.
All: And so, let echo the old prayers—make us channels of your peace.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle as a symbol…
A symbol of Christ’s light in the world.
May it burn brightly within us all. Amen.
Sandy will now lead us in, “Touch us with Your Light”.
The words will appear on your screen.
We will sing it through twice.
“Touch us with Your Light”
Light from this candle burning bright
Light our way through dark of night.
Help us find our way to you
Guide us, touch us with your Light, O Lord.
Remembrance Sunday Prayer of Confession
(Presbyterian Church of Canada)
God of mercy, we confess that the world around us is in a mess. Countries turn arguments over territory into threats of terror. Old enemies stir up conflict within their tribes and nations. The threat of violence keeps us all on edge. Forgive us for not learning from past conflicts what leads to peace with justice. Forgive us when we want to settle our own disagreements by keeping conflict alive.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God of wisdom, we seek insight and understanding from your Word read and proclaimed this day. Move in us by your Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive your message in the scriptures and respond in faithfulness. Amen.
Christ died so that we might live. Through his undying love, we have been forgiven. Rejoice in the forgiveness God offers us. Be at peace with God and yourself, and make peace with your neighbours, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
Voices United # 37
“Gloria”
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
(Un-mute to greet one another!)
SONG FOR THE CHILDREN
MV # 149 “Peace for the Children”
Peace for the children, peace, peace
Peace for the children we pray
Following the path of One of peace
We work for healing
We work for peace
Peace for the children today!
Peace in our families, peace, peace
Peace in our families we pray
Following the path of One of peace
We work for healing
We work for peace
Peace in our families today!
Peace for our planet, peace, peace
Peace for our planet, we pray
Following the path of One of peace
We work for healing
We work for peace
Peace for our planet, today!
FIRST READING 1 Thessalonis 4 :13-18
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
VU # 792 PSALM 78
Refrain: We will tell new generations of the wonders God has done.
Give heed to my teaching, O my people
Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will reveal the hidden meaning of things in the past
What we have heard and known.
What our parents have told us
We will not hide from their grandparents
But declare to the next generation
The testimony that you gave to Jacob
And the law you appointed in Israel
Which you commanded them to teach their children
That the next generation might know them, children yet unborn,
And these in turn should arise, and tell their children
That they should put their trust in you.
And not forget your great deed,
But keep all your commandments.
Refrain: We will tell new generations of the wonders God has done.
GOSPEL READING Matthew 25: 1-13
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.cAs the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaid] came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
Excerpt from the “The War Time Radio Show”
Thanks to: Marion Burt, Sylvia Parrott, Suzanne Oryschak, Gavin Penny, Janice Peters-Gibson, Clair Olanow
OFFERING
On Remembrance Day, we mark the costly offering of lives given for the sake of others. What we offer today is small in comparison, but with God’s blessing, our gifts can also make a difference for the sake of others—in Christ’s name.
Doxology: VU # 541
“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.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Lord, we return a portion of all the gifts you have given to us in remembrance and in gratitude for these blessings. Use these gifts to support ministries that bring healing and hope. This we ask this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
PRAYERS OF THE DAY
Response: Hear our Prayer
On this Remembrance Sunday, let us offer up our call for peace.
Dear Lord, for the worldwide Christian Church and for all people.,
we pray for peace in hearts and homes,
In our nations and our world,
The peace which is your will,
The peace which we so dearly need.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
We remember today O Lord all those who have died in the course of war , soldiers who perished in the horror of battle, innocent people buried beneath the rubble from bomb attacks, men women and children brutally attacked and murdered in their villages.
Today we remember especially those victims of the two world wars including those close to us, or to our parents and grandparents. We remember those who came home with terrible injuries, both physical and psychological and those whose loved ones never returned.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
Remembering the conflicts of the past and the sacrifices which were made, we pray for a world where war is still a grim reality. Lord as we remember those who have lost their lives, help us to renew our fight against cruelty and injustice, against prejudice, tyranny and oppression. Still we cry out to you in the darkness of our divided world. Let not the hope of men and women perish, let not new clouds rain death upon the earth. Lord hear our prayer for the multitudes in every country who do not want war and are ready to walk the path of peace. May their voice be heard and may they not lose heart.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
Lord God, we pray for the leaders of the nations at this time, asking you to pour out your spirit of reconciliation on them. Give them a longing to bring freedom from fear and freedom from want for all peoples. Give strength and courage to those who bear heavy responsibilities for the peace of the world. We pray also for the Christian Church, called to witness to your love in this generation. May Christians work with all men of goodwill to break down the barriers which divide people. May those who profess one faith respect those who sincerely hold another faith and build a community where there is harmony and understanding.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for all who face difficulties in their personal lives - problems in their families, in their friendships, in their neighbourhoods or in their workplace. Help them to be calm in these times of uncertainty and patient with those around them. Show us when we can help and give support to others around us.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
And for intentions now offered, those we now name or hold quietly in our hearts
( mics unmuted)
For all intentions ordered and persons named…
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer
LORD’S PRAYER ( Sung) Voices United # 959
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Sunday – On-line worship at 11:00am
Lasagne Take-A-Way Supper – Today Nov. 8th - 1:00-2:00pm - meals may be picked up at the Danforth entrance of the church.
Hope United Annual General Meeting - Sunday, November 22
This will be a service combined with our meeting. A nomination committee has been struck. If you would like to serve on a committee or church board, please email hopeunitedchurch@gmail.com and the committee will be in touch.
Yoga Class – our Yoga classes will resume in virtual mode on Thursday, November 19 at 11:00am. Once the class has premiered, it may be viewed at anytime on our YouTube channel.
Orchestra Toronto – Sunday, December 6 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm. This will be a virtual concert broadcast/ streamed live from our sanctuary. We will keep you updated.
On-Line Messy Church! - Wednesday, November 11 - 6:00-6:45pm - Theme is Remembrance.
We will do some activities…then offer a mini-version from our War Time Radio Show.
CLOSING PRAYER
(Roots of Prayer)
God of justice and peace,
we pray for those who have been injured
or disabled through war.
For those who have lost homes
and security through conflict;
for those who have lost loved relatives in wars;
for those who face danger and take risks for peace;
for all those, especially children, caught up in current conflicts;
for refugees and all those in need of aid and other help.
God of encouragement
and Saviour of the despairing,
comfort those who remember
past sacrifices
and guide us in building
a just and peaceful community for all.
Amen.
VU # 586 “We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection“
We shall go out with hope of resurrection;
we shall go out, from strength to strength go on;
we shall go out and tell our stories boldly;
tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted;
we'll dream our dream of hurts that can be healed;
we'll weave a cloth of all the world united
within the vision of new life who sets us free.
We'll give a voice to those who have not spoken;
we'll find the words for those whose lips are sealed;
we'll make the tunes for those who sing no longer,
expressive love alive in every heart.
We'll share our joy with those who are still weeping,
raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief,
we'll leap and dance the resurrection story
including all in circles of our love.
BENEDICTION
When we hold back,
We can only wonder what might have been…
Choose God and rejoice with open heart
For you will see, discover and become God’s love at work in the world
May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator God and Spirit be with you.
Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord. AMEN.
CHORAL BLESSING - “Walk In Love”
Walk in love as you go into the world,
Walk in peace with everyone you meet,
May God’s grace touch your heart, mind and soul…
This day and evermore, Amen. Amen,
Alleluia and Amen!
Postlude Music