May 3, 2020 - 11:00am - Easter IV

The Congregation of Hope United Church

Worship Leader - Brian Stevens  BA. MDiv

Supervising Minister – Rev. Karen Dale

PRELUDE  TIME

Welcome everyone to our online ZOOM Sunday worship. As you arrive I will leave mics unmuted so that you may say hello. When we begin the service, I will mute 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 Sandy and Claire. 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

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. Let us join together in  our opening song “I Have Called You by Your Name” The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in More Voices  # 161.

MV #161       “I Have Called You by Your Name”

I have called you by your name, you are mine

I have gifted you and ask you now to shine

I will not abandon you: all my promises are true.

You are gifted, called and chosen; you are mine.

I will help you learn my name as you go;

Read it written in my people, help them grow.

Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim

Offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

I know you will need my touch as you go.

Feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.

Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,

Go and tell my precious people they are mine.

I have given you a name, it is mine

I have given you my Spirit as a sign

With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole

Go and tell my precious people they are mine.

CALL TO WORSHIP

( Based on Psalm 23)

Jesus, you are our shepherd.  
We shall never want.  

You make us lie down in green pastures; 
you lead us beside the still waters. 
You restore our souls. 

You guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.
Even though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
we fear no evil, for you, Christ, comfort us.

Jesus has prepared a table for us in the presence of our foes; 
Jesus has anointed us with the oil of salvation; 
our cup runs over!  

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives,
And we will dwell in the house of our Holy Savior forever and ever.  Amen.

   

OPENING PRAYER

(from United Church of Christ)

Incarnate God,
You are the one who comes to us in Jesus Christ.
Holy One, 
You are the one who comes to us in the Holy Spirit.
Sovereign of Earth and Heaven, 
You are the one who calls us to recognize you today and every day
As splendid Mystery.
Gather our hearts and minds this day.
Kindle our God-consciousness.
Let us worship you in awe and wonder!!

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

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

Let us join our voices in our prayer of confession…

Merciful and Loving God, we ask forgiveness 
because our consciousness of you 
is dimmed by everyday desires and needs.

Response: Raise our consciousness of you, O God.

We forget that we are a reflection of your image.  
We act as though you are a Sunday-only event.  

Response: Increase our mindfulness of you, O God.

Help us to a greater common awareness 
of your deep mystery and infinite presence.  

Response: Rouse our awareness of you, God.

Open our eyes from surface focus to depth perception.
Turn our heads from shallow concerns to eternal truths.  

Response:  Awaken us from faint-heartedness, O God.

Forgive us for our narrow and selfish ways.  
Save us from cheap grace with your amazing grace.  

Response: Forgive us, O God.  We ask in Jesus’ precious name.  Amen.

 ASSURANCE OF GRACE

Holy, Forgiving God, we are your sheep.  
You keep us awake and aware.  
You can increase our God-consciousness every day of our lives.  
Bless you and praise you for forgiving us 
when we are barely mindful enough to ask.  
Help us to enter by the door 
when we hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.  
We hear your voice of pardon. 
Through Christ’s grace we are forgiven this morning, and we go in. 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”   (sung three times through)

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.

Let us take a moment to greet one another! Please type your greetings into the chat

FIRST READING        Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. 

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

VU #749                 PSALM 23

Refrain – The God of love my shepherd is; what can I want or need.

God is my shepherd

             There is nothing I shall lack.

You, God make me lie down in green pastures,

             You lead me beside the peaceful waters

You revive my spirit:

             You guide me in the right pathways for you name’s sake

Refrain – The God of love my shepherd is; what can I want or need.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.

             Your rod and staff are my comfort.

Your spread a table for me is the sight of my enemies

             You anoint my head with oil, my cup is overflowing.

Surely you goodness and mercy shall; follow me all the days of your life.

             And I will dwell in God’s house, my whole life long.

Refrain – The God of love my shepherd is; what can I want or need.

GOSPEL              John 10:1-10

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”  Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Hear the Good News of Christ!

Praise to you, O Christ.

VU #747        “ The Lord’s My Shepherd”

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished me
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore,
My dwelling place shall be.

REFLECTION:  “A Joyous Entrance through the Shepherd’s Gate”

      

MUSIC MINISTRY

“ In the Garden” Sung by Claire Olanow

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Good Shepherd of the Sheep, 
you have opened the door to new life for us 
through your dedication and your sacrifice.  
May we reflect your love for us 
by opening the doors of our hearts to you and your church 
in the act of giving our offerings.

We thank you, Risen Christ, 
for moving the hearts of the people to give of themselves. 
May our offerings of service and financial support 
give voice to your work for justice and peace in this world. 
May we grow more mindful of you through our giving and our living.  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”

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

Let us centre ourselves prayer…

Our response to each prayer and intention:  Lord, Hear our Prayer

We draw our hearts again to the people of Nova Scotia, family and friends who have lost loved ones in the tragic helicopter crash. Our hearts go our to you. Still reeling from the events of last week, yet another tragedy has been laid upon your hearts. Know that you are embraced by the healing love and grace of Jesus…may it sustain you and hold you in the difficult days and months ahead.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For our seniors, for those living in shelters…for those living in instructional settings…those in oru prisons and jails….we have failed you…we did not ensure that in your vulnerability, you were kept safe….forgive us…now that our eyes and hearts have been opened wide, may we not forget again, that we are only as well and safe as our most vulnerable. Push us to action, for that is our call.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

We pray for our essential workers…those who feed us…those who care for us….those protect us…who keep us safe, yet we do not even  know them by name…they courageously show us each day for work, that we might be safe, be tended to, be protected….let us do our part to keep them safe.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For countries around the world who continue to struggle under the weight of Covid19…Lord touch the hearts of the leaders and politicians, that they make decisions and offer guidance that is the interest of all, unburdened or directed by political aspirations, for it is creation  and your people that need care, not ego, nor ballots in a box…open hearts, eyes, ears and minds that all may work together for the well being of all rather than the few….we also offer thanks for your abundant care and blessing O Lord, in these darkest of days, for you offer hope, light, love and grace to carry us through the night…let us be thankful.

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer

For those in need of your healing love O Lord

those we name aloud) or those we hold silently in our Hearts

(mics will be unmuted, please say name or intention)

Moment of Silence

For all those named…For all intentions offered

We pray to the Lord…

Lord, Hear our Prayer 

Lord, may our prayers and intentions fall gently upon your ear, grant them O Lord, as you see fit in time, in ways, in blessing and care. Amen

Let us join our hearts and voices as we sing The Lord’s Prayer. The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in Voices United # 959

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

•         Online Worship next Sunday, May 10 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.

•         Thank you to everyone who participated in our Congregational Consultation on Thursday. Lots of great ideas and suggestions.

•         We are completing the final edits on our Community of Faith profile. We will hold an on-line Zoom Congregational meeting to approve it on Sunday, May 17,2020 following our service.

•         For Pastoral emergencies contact Brian Stevens at 647-825-5136 or by email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com

CLOSING PRAYER

(Prayer of St. Richard)

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer and friend,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen.

Let us sing together “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”. The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in More Voices # 626

VU #626        “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”

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.

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.

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 to Jesus, and I found

In Him my star, my sun

And in that light of Life I’ll walk

Till traveling days are done.

Let us say together our responsive Benediction

BENEDICTION

You are called for a purpose: 
for the sake of knowing and drawing close toward God
a person bears up under sorrows.
All: We are not here by chance.

You are choice and precious in the sight of God,
and as living stones, your lives are being built up 
into a spiritual sanctuary where the justice and mercy and peace 
of the Risen Christ may dwell. 
All: We are not here by chance.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me; 
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; 
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Jesus, we are the sheep of your pasture.
You have chosen us.
We have chosen you.
We are not here by chance. Amen

BLESSING

May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ

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

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