April 19, 2020

11:00am

Easter II

The Congregation of Hope United Church

Worship Leader - Brian Stevens  BA. MDiv

Supervising Minister – Rev. Karen Dale

PRELUDE  & WELCOME

Welcome everyone to our online ZOOM Sunday worship. My name is Brian Stevens. Our musician today is Sandy Thorburn. Except when you are reading a prayer or leading a song, I would ask that you please keep your mic muted. You can type hello’s and greetings at anytime. 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

With respect, we acknowledge the worldviews, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of the New Credit on whose traditional lands our church resides.  We thank and honour the other indigenous peoples who share this land.  We affirm our commitment as Canadian Treaty people to work in right relation toward reconciliation.

GREETING

I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and welcome you to our service of worship. Our opening song is “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks!”. It is found in Voices United # 178 and the words will also appear on your screen.

VU 178        “HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, GIVE THANKS!”

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Give thanks to the risen Christ

Hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to His name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth

Firstborn of all creation.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Give thanks to the risen Christ

Hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to His name.

Spread the good news o’er all the earth

Jesus has died and is risen.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Give thanks to the risen Christ

Hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to His name.

We have been crucified with Christ

Now we shall live for ever.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Give thanks to the risen Christ

Hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to His name.

Come let us praise the living God

Joyfully sing to our Saviour.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Give thanks to the risen Christ

Hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to His name.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sing a new song!
A springtime shout-out to life!

Sing praise to our joyful Easter God
Whose power brings new life out of death!

Immerse doubt and despair in the fountain of new birth
Find refreshment and strength for a future of hope!

For God has taken ordinary things
And made them extraordinary:

Sing a New Song!

OPENING PRAYER – (TESS)

(United Church of Christ)

Holy God, 
Nothing is beyond your power to transform!
In a gray dawn, you coax songs of Alleluia!
From the tombs of despair we take refuge in
You call us to wake up and work. 
We praise you for this amazing day! 
Come, Risen Christ, 
in newness and hope on this Eastertide morning. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

We light this candle as a symbol of Christ’s light in the world.

May it burn brightly within us all. Amen

“ Candle of Light” by Brian Stevens (sung twice)

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

Redeeming God, 
with you there is always more life, more hope, more joy. 

When doubt assails us, and we fail to recognize you at work in our lives, 
Lord, have mercy!

When fear impairs our faith, and our eyes and ears and hearts 
do not know you, Christ, have mercy! 

When anger and sorrow stop us from doing the risky work of love, 
Lord, have mercy!

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Within every kernel of doubt, there is a spark of life and hope. 
In those times when our faith falters, 
when we cannot recognize the presence of the Holy among us, 
God takes our faith and transforms it, 
patiently showing us the many ways Christ walks among us. 
Look around you: 
as close as your own beating heart, 
and in the eyes of your nearest neighbor, 
grace abounds at the heart of all life. 
You are all God’s children, loved without condition, 
go in that peace. Amen.

VU 37 “GLORIA”   (SUNG THREE TIMES THROUGH)

Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis deo

Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The Peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

FIRST READING          ACTS 2:14A, 22–32

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,  you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.  But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

VU 738                 PSALM  16

Refrain - Psalm 16 - M. Christian T. Strover 1973

“Protect me, God: I trust in you.”

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I have said to God, “You are my God;

from you alone comes all my prosperity.”

All my delight is in the faithful who dwell in the land,

and in those who excel in virtue.

But as for those who run after other gods,

their troubles shall be multiplied.

Libations of blood I will not offer to those gods,

nor will I take their names upon my lips. R

You, God, are my allotted portion and my cup;

you yourself have cast my lot.

My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;

indeed I have a noble heritage.

I will thank you, God, for giving me counsel;

at night also you teach my heart.

I keep you always before me;

you are on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. R

So my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

for my body shall also rest in safety.

For you will not surrender me to the Grave,

nor suffer your beloved to see the Abyss.

You will show me the path of life.

In your presence is fullness of joy;

and from your right hand flow delights for evermore. R

GOSPEL          JOHN 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Hear the Good News of Christ!

Praise to you, O Christ.

MV 84 “IN YOU THERE IS A REFUGE”

In you, there is a refuge; in you we find our peace.

When all we know is chaos may our trust in you increase.

In you there is a silence, in you our minds are clear.

When all we hear is discord may your quiet draw us near

In you there is a vision, in you we learn to dream.

When All we see is desert my you be our living stream

In you there is a future, in you we find our way.

When hope has shed its brightness may you show us a new way.

REFLECTION:  “BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS”     BRIAN STEVENS BA MDIV

MUSIC MINISTRY  “ ALL IN AN APRIL EVENING” SUNG BY MARION BURTG

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.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Loving God, can a  generous prayer be lifted up to you this Eastertide? 
Can these gifts, given with love, 
be further transformed like echoes of grace, 
delighting all who receive their blessings? 
May it be so, through the surprising  power of your Holy Spirit!
May our lives speak of a loving God, 
full of Easter surprises. Amen.

 VU 959 LORD’S PRAYER (SUNG)

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sin,

As we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil,

For the kingdom, the power,

And the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen

PRAYERS OF THE DAY

Response:  Lord, Hear our Prayer

We pray for patience, care and compassion. My they be the cornerstone of how we move in the world each day. Patience to remain at home and keep others safe, care for all those in need, and compassion for all those who struggle

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For the blessing that is spring…..soon to be upon us, the renewal and refreshing of creation , our spirit and our very souls. Stirred by the risen Lord, may we welcome the rebirth of nature into our hearts and minds, every thankful of the incredible abundance that is creation. Looking forward to the buds and leave son the trees and the glorious fruits and vegetables that begin to spout, open and rise again.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

We pray again and cons tartly for all who care for the people of the world, doctors and nurses, social workers, cleaners and caretakers, personal care assistants, cashiers and shelf stockers , police and fire workers, Ambulance attendants, lab technicians and so many more that should also be named. Like Jesus, they place their life upon a cross each day for us…people they may not know nor meet, yet are ready to offer their hands and skills in our care…keep them safe, bless those who have lost their lives and welcome them to your embrace O Lord

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For countries around the world who continue to struggle under the weight of covid 19… for residents and staff of long term care and seniors facilities. The tragic cost to vulnerable has been high…hold the families and caregivers in the palm of your hand O GOD

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For those in need of your healing love O Lord

those we name aloud ( please unmute and say name or intention) or those we hold silently in our hearts.

Moment of Silence

For all those named…For all intentions offered

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

•         Online Worship next Sunday, April 26 at 11:00am

•         For Pastoral emergencies contact Brian Stevens at 647-825-5136

•         We will need to schedule an Online congregational and annual meeting in the coming weeks/month

•         We will need your feedback on our Community of Faith Profile over the next two weeks.  It will be available shortly on our website: HopeUnited.ca . We can email or mail a copy. Please let us know how you would like to receive it

•         If you are a senior or know of a seniors who needs assistance with groceries, you can call 211 for assistance.

CLOSING PRAYER

God of new Life, Christ came speaking words of peace and understanding.

Thank you for strengthening our faith

and empowering us to live with hope and trust in you day by day.

We are grateful that you give us courage to face our fears and struggles, patience to endure moments when the way ahead is not clear,

and resilience in the face of new realities.

MV  212 “SENT OUT IN JESUS’ NAME”      

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now

To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now

To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes

The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain

Into a world of love, of justice and of peace

The task is ours to do,

To set it really free, O help us to obey,

And carry out your will.

The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain

Into a world of love, of justice and of peace

The task is ours to do,

To set it really free, O help us to obey,

And carry out your will.

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING

Go forth into the world

Walking in the light and love

Of the Risen Christ

Moving with compassion and care

Sustained by the unconditional love of Christ

And may the blessing of our

Lord Jesus Christ,

Our Creator God and

Holy Spirit…

Be with you this day and evermore. 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

 

Thank you to everyone who assisted with our  Service of Worship.

Easter Blessings to all and keep safe!

Hope United.ca