August 30, 2020 - 11:00am - Pentecost 13
The Congregation of Hope United Church
Worship Leader - Brian Stevens  BA. MDiv

PRELUDE 

WELCOME

Welcome everyone to our online ZOOM Sunday worship. My name is Brian Stevens, I am the Pastoral Charge Supervisor here at Hope United in Toronto and am so pleased to have you with us today.  Our musicians today are Sandy and Marion. You can type hellos and greetings at anytime in the chat. As part of our service today, we will celebrate communion. Please have a small cup of juice and a piece of bread or cracker over which we can offer a communal blessing. 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
We who dwell in the shelter of the Most High
Seek God here.
We who come to be inspired and changed
Seek God’s Spirit here.
We who know how little we know
Seek God’s Word here.

OPENING PRAYER
(from United Church of Christ)

God, you are made known to us in the rustling wind that blows, in the blazing fire that does not consume, in the face of the good, in the deep of the unknown. We meet you here. We accept your greeting. We welcome your inspiration. We await the change you have in store for us. Draw us in to you. Inhabit our spirits. Focus our attention. Bring us to you – you who are already with us. Help us to be as you would have us be. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, here and everywhere, now and always.  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.
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
Our love isn’t always genuine
we see evil and wring our hands instead of resisting it
                we forget to consider more ways to serve you
                        we turn our back on strangers who could benefit from our hospitality
                                we do not pray enough for our enemies
                                        we associate with our own kind, fearing the “other”
                                                we relish in fantasies of revenge.
For all this, and for all that burdens our heart today,
O God, we seek your forgiveness.
Have mercy on us and hear our prayers…

ASSURANCE OF GRACE
God’s mercy extends beyond the bounds of even our collective imagination. God’s love seeps through any wall we could ever put up. God’s goodness holds more power than the sum of all sin. It is because of that extensive, seeping, powerful and bold love I declare to you in the name of the blessed and holy Trinity:
That God forgives us all our sins. 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.

Our mics will be unmuted. Let us take a moment to greet one another!

FIRST READING        Exodus 3:1-15

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.  So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight - why the bush does not burn up.”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.  So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

“This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

VU # 828        PSALM 105

Refrain: Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!

Give thanks and call on God’s name.
Make known to the nations what God has done.
Sing, o sing the songs of praise,
Tell of all God’s wonderful deed.
Exult in God’s holy name
Let those who seek God be joyful in heart!

Refrain: Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah! 

Turn for help to the One who is your strength;
Seek God’s presence continually.
Remember the marvels the Most High has done,
The wonders and judgments God has given,
O children of Abraham and Sarah, God’s servants,
O offspring of Israel, chosen of God.

Refrain: Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!

You are the eternal God,
Your justice reached every corner of the earth.
You are ever mindful of your covenant,
The promise you gave for a thousand generations,
The covenant you made with Sarah and Abraham,
The oath you gave to Isaac.
You confirmed it for Jacob as binding.
To Israel your everlasting covenant you declared,
“To you I give the land of Canaan,
As your appointed inheritance.”

Refrain: Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!

SECOND READING        Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.

 VU # 896      “Blest Are They”

Blest are they the poor in spirit,
Theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow
They shall be consoled.

Rejoice, and be glad
blessed are you, holy are you
Rejoice and be glad
Yours is the kingdom of God.

Blest are they who show mercy
Mercy shall be theirs
Blest are they, the pure of heart,
they shall see God!

Rejoice, and be glad
blessed are you, holy are you
Rejoice and be glad
Yours is the kingdom of God.

REFLECTION:  “Sincere Hearts Love Generously”       Brian Stevens

MUSIC MINISTRY
“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” Sung by Marion Burt
https://youtu.be/cTafR1cICK0

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
In your Creation, O God, we stand on the holiest of ground. May these gifts be a blessing to all that you have made.  May the church, organizations and people that receive them act as your hands.  May needs be seen and met, and may the giving fit the need. Through Christ, who models infinite giving. Amen.

Let us join our voices in thanks 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 in prayer as we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world.
Our response to each prayer and intention:  Lord, Hear our Prayer

Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
Give us courage and strength to love and share boldly.

We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer

Teach us Lord to move and act with care and compassion. To listen and watch with heart, soul, eyes and ears, that we might be more present to the story of each other; that we might not draw guns and fire when words will have more power, and do less harm. We draw our hearts, thoughts and prayers to the family of Jacob, young father shot this week. May your healing love hold him and his family in the days and months ahead…

We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer

For teachers and students as they prepare to figure out how to navigate the return to school. Keep them safe, give them patience as they must find new ways of moving and interacting in familiar places.

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. And with the words that our Saviour taught us….we say….

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art 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.

SERVICE OF COMMUNION

OPENING OF HEARTS

Voices United # 471     “Eat This Bread and Never Hunger”

Eat this bread and never hunger,
drink this cup and never thirst;
Christ invites us to the table
where the last become the first.

 Asking for a cup of water,
Jesus touched forbidden ground;
and the woman, with a question,
told the world what she had found.

Eat this bread and never hunger,
drink this cup and never thirst;
Christ invites us to the table
where the last become the first.

Walking down a desert highway,
Jesus healed a man born blind;
soon the man became a witness
to the truth we seek and find.

Weeping for his friend at graveside,
Jesus felt the pain of death;
yet he knew God's power to waken:
living water, living breath.

Eat this bread and never hunger,
drink this cup and never thirst;
Christ invites us to the table
where the last become the first.

LITURGY 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 (Sandy)
Amen, amen O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

•      Online Worship next Sunday, September 6 at 11:00am

•      In regard to Sunday worship on-site at Hope, the Church Board and trustees have made the decision to wait until schools have reopened, then assess at that time.

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

CLOSING PRAYER
(from Vanderbilt Lectionary)

In the flaming bush
you promised deliverance to your people, O God,
and in the cross of Jesus
you embraced our suffering and pain.
In times of misery,
show us the transforming power of your love
that we may know the hope of your glory. Amen.

Let us sing together “I The Lord of Sea and Sky”. The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in More Voices # 509.

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in deepest sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord
If you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain
I have borne my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone
Give them hearts for love alone
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord
If you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
‘Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord
If you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

BENEDICTION
The blessing of Almighty God: 
Source, Word and Spirit One,
be with us now, as we depart from this gathering.

And may you walk always the path of Christ,
A path filled with care and compassion
For all whom you encounter as you journey on your way.  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