May 24, 2020 - 11:00am - Easter VII
Ascension Sunday
The Congregation of Hope United Church
Pastoral Charge Supervisor - Brian Stevens BA. MDiv
PRELUDE TIME
Welcome everyone to our online ZOOM Sunday worship. As you arrive mics will be unmuted so that you may say hello. When we begin the service, all the mics, except those who are reading or leading a song.
WELCOME
Welcome everyone. My name is Brian Stevens, I am the minister at Hope United. I am so pleased to have you with us today. Our musicians today are Myself and Sandy. You can type hellos and greetings at anytime in the chat. A copy of the order of service was mailed out with your invitation. It is also available on our website HopeUnited.ca
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND (Marion)
With respect, we acknowledge the worldviews, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of Scugog, the Hiawatha and the Alderville First Nations, on whose traditional lands our church resides. We thank and honor the other indigenous peoples who share this land. As followers of the Jesus Way we affirm our commitment as a people empowered to work in restoring broken relationships.
GREETING (Brian)
I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and welcome you to our service of worship. Let us join together in our opening song “Come in, Come in and Sit Down” The words will also appear on your screen and it is # 395 in Voices United
VU # 395 “Come in, Come in and Sit Down” (Sandy)
Chorus: 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.
Chorus: 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.
Chorus: 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.
Chorus: 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.
Chorus: 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.
CALL TO WORSHIP ( Marion & Verona)
We shout for joy, to God who rides upon the clouds!
We sing praises to our awe-inspiring God,
before whom the earth quakes,
and whose abundant blessings provide for all in need!
God is Sovereign over the earth,
Defender of the defenseless, and Parent to orphans;
God creates families for those who are alone,
Leads captives to freedom and breaks the yoke of oppression.
God goes forth before the people,
bringing forth restoration and justice.
Sing praise to God,
Rider of the ancient skies,
who dwells in holiness.
Proclaim the power of God!
O God, how awesome you are in your sanctuary!
You give power and strength to your people.
Let us worship God! Amen
OPENING PRAYER – (Bruce)
Almighty God,
through Jesus Christ,
you revealed to us a power
that has no parallel.
May the eyes of our heart
be enlightened to this power
and all it has done in our lives.
Pour out your Spirit of power upon us,
that we may proclaim your glory
and your grace. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE (Brian)
We light this candle as a symbol of Christ’s light in the world. May it burn brightly within us all. Amen
Let us sing together, twice through, “Candle of Light”. The words will appear on your screen.
“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
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Tess)
Let us join our hearts as one in our prayer of confession…
Lord Jesus Christ, in you we see awesome power.
Yet, we often fail to acknowledge this power in our lives.
We see violence in the world.
We see injustice in our communities.
We see hunger and need among our neighbors.
We see longing for something more.
We see failures and faults in our lives.
In all these things, we feel powerless.
Forgive our hesitance to call upon you.
Forgive our propensity to rely upon ourselves.
Forgive our reluctance to acknowledge your healing power and unconditional love
May your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen..
ASSURANCE OF GRACE (Brian)
May God grant us the spirit of wisdom and revelation,
that the power and presence of Jesus Christ be visible in your life.
For it is by the grace of Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
We are Your humble servants Lord,
We ask that you touch us with your grace
As we journey these days ahead. Amen
Let us sing together, three times through, the Gloria. The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in Voices United # 37.
VU # 37 “Gloria” (Sandy) (sung three times through)
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
THE PEACE OF CHRIST ( Brian)
May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Let us take a moment to greet one another! Mics will be unmuted.
FIRST READING Acts 1:6-14 ( Marion)
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
VU # 787 PSALM 68 (Gavin and Bruce)
Refrain – God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Arise, O God, and let your enemies be scattered;
Let those who hate you fee before you.
Like drifting smoke disperse them,
Like wax melting in the fire,
Let the wicked perish at your presence, O God.
But let the righteous be glad and exult before you;
Let them rejoice with exceeding joy.
Sing praises to God’s holy name;
Make a highway for the One who rides the clouds,
By joyful and exult in God’s presence R
Refrain – God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Guardian of orphans, protector of widows,
O God, in your holy dwelling,
You give the lonely a home in which to live,
You lead the prisoners out to prosperity,
But the rebels must live in a wasteland.
When you went out at the head of your people
When you marched through the wilderness,
The earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
Before you, God is Sinai, God of Israel.
You sent down a generous rain,
You refreshed your heritage when it languished.
There your people found a home,
Which in your goodness you provided or the poor. R
Refrain – God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Sing to God, dominions of the earth;
Praise the One who has dominion,
The One who rides through the heavens, even the primal heavens,
The One whose voice is the mighty thunder,
Acknowledge the power that is God’s,
Whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies,
You are awesome, O God, as you leave your sanctuary,
Bringing power and strength to your people.
Blessed are you, God of Israel
Blessed are you. R
Refrain – God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
GOSPEL John 17:1-11 ( Brian)
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
MV # 144 “ Like a Healing Stream” (Sandy)
Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives as in a dream unfolding,
Promising revival and rebirth…
Like a healing stream.
Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation,
Yearning for an end to want and need…
Like a gentle rain.
Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel in a new direction,
Calling for an end to hate and war…
Like a river strong.
Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons,
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow;
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a mighty sea,
Like a river strong,
Like a gentle rain,
Like a healing stream.
REFLECTION: “May We be One”
MUSIC MINISTRY
“Family of Friends ” By Brian Stevens
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING ( Tess)
Ever-present and loving God,
your Word tells us to cast our cares on you because you care for us.
In faith and trust we present these gifts, and ourselves, to you.
Bless and multiply them to meet the needs,
both hidden and apparent, of your beloved ones.
Inspire each of us to live as Christ’s witnesses,
today and ever more.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Let us join our voices in thank as we sing “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”. It is the first verse from Voices United # 541 and the words will also appear on the screen.
VU # 541 DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” ( Sandy)
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.
PRAYERS OF THE DAY (Marion & Bruce)
Let us centre ourselves prayer…
Our response to each prayer and intention: Lord, Hear our Prayer
(Marion)
Spring is bursting forth from every corner of our city. May the blooming flowers and the tuneful birds, the greening of the branches, the cherry blossoms in their splendour, refresh our spirits and bring joy to our hearts. For this is the song of creation that is at play once again in the world, renewing our hope, inspiring our souls
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
(Bruce)
Lord, we offer thanks for Your benevolent nature. Your Son has ascended into heaven, yet His blessings here on earth surround and embrace us still . Let us not take for granted the blessings that You have given us, instead let them be received with thankful hearts. On this ascension Sunday, we offer glory, honor and praise because of who You are and because of all that You have done, in Jesus’ Name,…
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
(Marion)
Lord, we offer thanks for the blessings you have bestowed upon this congregation and Brian Stevens our student minister. We ask your constant blessings and guidance upon him as he assumes his new role of Pastoral Charge Supervisor. We offer thanks for the presence of Rev. Karen Dale who has been with us these past two years. May continued blessings rest upon her in her ministry at Beach United Church.
We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer
(Bruce)
And for all that are in need of your healing love…those we name aloud or hold silently in our hearts
(Mics will be unmuted so that you may name a person or offer your prayer intention)
Lord for all those named or held quietly in our hearts…
We pray to the lord
Lord, Hear our Prayer
(Marion)
We conclude our time of prayer with the words Jesus taught us to pray…
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
VU # 402 “We Are One”
We are one, as we come, joyful to be here
In the praise, on our lips
There’s a sense that God is near!
We are one, as we sing
As we seek, we are found,
And we come needful of God’s grace,
As we meet, together in this place.
We are one, as we share,
As we share, brokenness and fear,
In the touch, of a hand
There’s a sense that God is here.
We are one, as we care,
As we heal, we are healed,
And we share warmth in God’s embrace,
As we pray together in this place.
We are one, as we feast
As we feast, peace becomes the sign
In the bread, and the wine
There’s a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come
As we feed, we are fed
And we feel God’s refreshing grace
As we meet at table in this place.
SERVICE OF COMMUNION
God be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift our hearts in prayer
Let us give thanks to God
It is good to give God thanks and praise
Loving God, source of all, we thank you and praise you with our lips and with our lives, that, having created us and all things through your word, you welcome our prayer and praise. For the goodness of creation and the glory of redemption we praise you. For your risen presence on this day we thank you as we are grateful for the law and prophets who came before you.
Therefore, with all that is seen and unseen, and with all the faithful of every time and place, we join in this hymn of praise and thanksgiving…
MV # 203 Holy, Holy, Holy ( Sanctus and Benedictus)
O holy, holy, holy God,
O God of time and space.
All earth and sea and sky above
bear witness to your grace.
Hosanna in the highest heav’n,
creation sings your praise,
And blessed is the One who comes
and bears your name always!
Loving God, Holy one, we offer our praise and thanksgiving over this bread and cup, because in Jesus Christ you have joined yourself forever with us, uniting heaven and earth. Now, therefore, we gratefully remember:
Jesus’ birth into our humanity,
Baptism for our sin,
Compassion for our suffering,
Intimacy with our fragility,
Rebuke of our pride,
Bearing the cross with its death,
And rising from the tomb by the power of God.
On the night before he died, Jesus took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it and said Take, eat, this is my body broken for you. Each time you do this, remember me.
Then Jesus took a cup, and having given thanks, he passed it to his friends saying: Drink. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this in remembrance of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
MV # 204 Memorial Acclamation
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come a-gain!
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come a-gain!
Loving God, come to us and bless these gifts of bread and wine that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ; the sign and seal of our forgiveness in him and our adoption as the children of God.. As we eat and drink together, on this happy day, make us one with Christ and one in Christ, a sign of his eternal reign in the world.
This sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving we offer you, loving God, though Jesus Christ our Saviour, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Life-giving God may we who share in Christ’s body
live his risen life;
We, who drink this cup, bring new life to others;
We, whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world.
MV # 205 Great Amen
Amen, amen O Holy One!
Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen O Holy One!
Hosanna and Amen!
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Brian)
• Online Worship next Sunday, May 31 at 11:00am. Our meeting link and ID will now remain the same for each Sunday . By telephone 647-374- 4685 or 647-558-0588 and Meeting ID is : 831 7846 1579 Or click/enter this link on your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83178461579
• If you are a senior or know of seniors who needs assistance with groceries, you can call 211 for assistance.
• A Special thanks to Rev. Karen Dale who has been our Pastoral Charge Supervisor for the last two years. Blessings in your continued work at Beach United. We are ever thankful for your time with us at Hope United.
• For Pastoral emergencies contact Brian Stevens at 647-825-5136 or by email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com
CLOSING PRAYER (Brian)
As we go back into the world from which we have come
Let love be true and freely given.
Be encouraged and feel the blessings of God, Christ and Spirit
whose love warms and surrounds you like the sun.
For God is with us always,
as close as our beating hearts. Amen.
Let us sing together ““What a Friend We Have in Jesus””
The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in Voices United # 664
VU # 664 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Sandy)
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING (Brian)
Continue to be faithful, remain committed, be witnesses for Christ.
For the God of all grace has called you to eternal glory
through Jesus Christ,
and will fulfill, restore, strengthen, and establish you
through suffering and struggle.
Be empowered by Christ’s love,
keeping Christ’s name on your lips,
the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit in your mind,
God’s love in your hearts,
God’s beloved ones always in your sight, and
God’s still speaking voice in your ear. 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
Please stay with us following the service for a few moments to chat…
Mics will be unmuted so all can say hello
Thank you to everyone who assisted with our Service of Worship.
Blessings to all and keep safe!
Hope United.ca