SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 - 11:00am

Creation Time 1 in the Season of Pentecost
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 myself. 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 “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”. The words will also appear on your screen and it is also in  Voices United # 245.

“Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”

Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet
Praise the Lord the lord with the harp and lute
Praise the lord with the gentle sounding flute.

Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
Praise the Lord in the city square,
Praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.

Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
Praise the Lord in the dark of night
Praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light.

Praise the Lord in the deepest  valley,
Praise the Lord on the highest hill
Praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.

Praise the lord with the crashing symbol
Praise the lord with the pipe and string
Praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.

Praise the Lord on weekday morning,
Praise the Lord on a Sunday Noon,
Praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.

Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
Praise the Lord in the time of joy,
Praise the Lord every moment, nothing
Let your praise destroy!

Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
Praise the Lord in your work or play,
Praise the Lord everywhere in every way.

CALL TO WORSHIP
Spirit descends like a dove,
Bringing peace that unites, when we least expect
Spirit comes like a winter breath of wind
Bringing life to renew the people of God.
Spirit spreads like fire,
Bringing energy for witnessing to the love of God.
Spirit of the living God,
come to us and transform our lives by your power
That we may truly be a just and caring community. Amen.

OPENING PRAYER
When insight floods a human mind,
when a solution arises in a vexed heart,
when the light bulb goes on,
in such creative moments
we hear an echo of the act of creation itself,
and catch a glimpse of the Creator of all,
whom we come to worship now.
Let us join our hearts as one. 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.

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.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(from Faith and Worship)

Author of the Universe:
how often in the midst of our busyness,
our getting and spending,
our planning and delivering,
we find ourselves tired and listless.
We have lost a sense of joy in your presence
and gratitude for the simple beauty of Earth.
Remove the dullness of our minds,
and awaken us again to delight in you throughout creation. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Behold: there is a new heaven,
a new earth
and a new city,
where the river of life flows,
where the tree of life bears fruit in every season.

This heaven….

This city…

This river….

this tree are a vision
of your life reborn, restored, and renewed.
Thanks be to God! 

Let us sing together, three times through, the Gloria. The words will also appear on your screen and it is found in Voices United # 37.

Voices United # 37      “Gloria”

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.

Gavin will unmute our mics. Let us take a moment to greet one another!

FIRST READING         Exodus 14:19-31

The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel.

And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided.  

The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers.

At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty.

The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.”  

So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained.

But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.  Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians.

So the people feared the Lord and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

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

PSALM 114

When Israel went out from Egypt,
    the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
Judah became God’s sanctuary,
    Israel his dominion.

The sea looked and fled;
    Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams,
    the hills like lambs.

Why is it, O sea, that you flee?
    O Jordan, that you turn back?
O mountains, that you skip like rams?
    O hills, like lambs?

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
    at the presence of the God of Jacob,
 who turns the rock into a pool of water,
    the flint into a spring of water.

GOSPEL READING         Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.  When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.

So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’  And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.  But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’

Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.  When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’  And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.

So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

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

“And Can It Be That I Should Gain”
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

REFLECTION:  “Forgiving with the Heart” - Brian Stevens

In our gospel reading this morning we hear stories about debt payments, forgiveness, compassion,  lack of compassion, the quality of forgiveness, and punishment.

In the first century societal norms were quite different than those with which we live in Canada. We do not view our spouses and children as property that may be bartered away or taken in payment for a debt.

We do not expect to be sold into slavery if we do not pay a debt. Work to abolish debtors prisons in Canada began early in the  1800’s…by 1850, most regions in Canada had abolished the practice, and were totally eliminated prior to confederation.

Those who became indebted in first century were not so fortunate. Prison, torture, seizure of all property and family members…and the list goes on in terms of remedies that were available to obtain payment or equivalent value…for those who became encircled in the spiral of debt, the prospects were not good.

Our gospel narrative begins with a clear statement by Jesus about forgiveness; in particular, other Christians who were part of the immediate community. When someone wrongs you…you are called to forgive…over and over

How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

The next section tells us of a king, who to recover a debt of ten thousand talents, ordered the debtors possessions sold, then he was to be sold into slavery along with his wife, and children. Only then would the debt be considered settled.

So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’   And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.  

This was a move of unusual compassion for the time, and showed great benevolence from the King…it was forgiveness from the heart. There was no caveat or side deal…it was straight out of forgiveness…walk away…you are free from your debt. Our business is concluded.

The following paragraph offers up a stark contrast. The king had forgiven a large debt…the king could have taken not only all of his possessions, but his freedom and that of his wife and children. There was a lot at stake. My personal reaction…, if someone had been so kind as to offer me a second chance…

I think or imagine I would be gracious, thankful and hopefully have the opportunity to offer the same to another. I think I would have learned my lessons about debt, as it was a pretty close call…the king could have ruined my life…

As well, the king had demonstrated in lived action, heartfelt forgiveness… there was no particular reason other than the emotion or feeling that the king experienced…the text states that he had pity on the debtor….that he had compassion for the person who found himself in a situation where he could not repay his debt….and with an open heart, as there is no evidence to the contrary, forgave the debt….it was forgiveness with no strings attached….forgiveness from the heart.

Next we hear that the slave who owed money to the king, had lent money to another. Even though he had just narrowly escaped being incarcerated and being responsible for his family potentially being sold to pay his debt, he was unmoved.

But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’

Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.  

The very punishment he escaped, he has now handed to another. While his debt was forgiven, he refused to do the same for another.

While he was shown compassion, he refused to do this for another. There was no openness of heart to the situation of another… there was no forgiveness resting upon his heart. The other slaves were upset by this behaviour, and ratted him out to the king. They saw this as unfair and unjust.

When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.

Our main character is then called back to the king, who calls him to the mat for his lack of compassion. The king had heard his pleadings, yet he whom had benefited from the benevolence of the king, refused to share that same grace with other.

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.

The king asks a key question, which is the same point that Jesus makes in the last line of this gospel text,

Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’  

This appropriate response to this question is woven into the tapestry of many biblical narratives as well as basic faith statements from other religious traditions and colloquial sayings…. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…karma…karma will find you…what goes around, comes around…

All these expression underscore that good behaviour, kindness and compassion will follow us and surround us…so too will bad karmic gestures, attitudes and actions…treat others as we would like to be treated…move with grace, care and compassion…and when you offer forgiveness…do it from the heart…empty words have an empty echo that stops of short…that holds us back from being true to ourselves and others.

The gospel closes with words describing punishment… both for the slave, and for us…the link is clear…forgiveness rests in the heart…in the sincerity of the action, words or deed. Forgiveness from the heart will resonate through the core of our being, touch the heart of others, light up the room and zip across the centuries.

It will move with the speed of light to embrace and hold us…to carry us forward on our journey. Hardness of heart holds us in place…stuck…unable to move or shake it off until the heart softens and opens with words of sincere apology and forgiveness.

And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.  So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

The biblical reference, in terms of punishment is to afterlife…when we return to creator…if we have lived an unforgiving life, that is what is suggested that we will experience.

I suggest to you that to live everyday with a hardened heart… one that is unable to forgive those who trespass against us, is to live a tortured, angry life… a life bereft of the joyful abundance that is available to each and everyone of us when we choose to soften….  when we choose to open our hearts to the possibility of forgiving those who have hurt or harmed us in some way.

It is not the easiest path…it is however the path that Christ calls us to…and a path upon which He will walk always with us…We need only to choose to live into the call…. to use our words to forgive with the heart. Amen.
 

MUSIC MINISTRY

“Lord Have Mercy” - by Steve Merkel - Sung by Sandy

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 “We Will Take What You Offer”. It is the first verse from More Voices # 196 and the words will also appear on the screen.

More Voices # 196  DOXOLOGY “We Will Take What You Offer”  (Sung twice through)
We will take what you offer, We will live by your word
We will love one another, And be fed by you Lord.

PRAYERS OF THE DAY
Let us centre our hearts in prayer

For the rising of the sun, in all its splendour…
We offer thanks and praise…
It reminds us of your presence in our lives O Lord
For the rise of the moon, that follows the setting of the sun
We offer thanks and praise,
It reminds us of the seasons of our lives,
Of people we leave behind, yet hold in our hearts
Reminds us often of your presence in our lives…
That we might move and shake, speak and sing
In ways that acknowledge, you are the great I am..
And are always with us

We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer

For the Traynor family…for people of Oshawa
A family torn apart...
A city shaken in disbelief with the murder of a family
We must not ignore the wounded heart and its despair
Yet we struggle to find compassion for those, so unwell,
That they take another life
Guns never provide a resolution to disagreement
Teach us this O lord

For only then we will begin to know the peace of heart
That Jesus lays before us

We pray to the Lord…
Lord, Hear our Prayer

For students, teachers, family and staff
of schools, colleges, universities and day cares
Let them know we are with them in the days and months ahead
Their world still remains inside out…
trying to learn
trying to support
trying not to be afraid that around the next corner….
That is not safe to walk or breathe the air
Or touch, or hug or shake
Help us to find the normal and keep connected
Through and in your Spirit

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 sing the Lord’s Prayer. It is Voices United # 959 and the words also appear on the screen.

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 sins,
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, September 20 at 11:00am . We will celebrate communion, so please have a bit of juice and piece of bread or wafer on hand for the communal blessing.

•      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.

•      We are assembling a working group to oversee the planning of capital repairs to our building.  The work will consist of developing a five year plan based on the building assessment which has been completed. If this work is of interest to you, please send an email hopeunitedchurch@gmail.com or call Brian Stevens.

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

CLOSING PRAYER
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through repenting, repairing, and rejoicing together.

During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home….the planet earth.

This year, amid crises that have shaken our world, we’re awakened to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and each other.

During the season this year, we enter a time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth, that requires radically new ways of living with creation.

Guide us Lord to new ways of being in the world and with one another.

Amen.

Let us sing together “Just As I Am”  Voices United # 508 and the words are here on your screen.

Just as I am without one plea 
but that thy blood was shed for me, 
and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, 
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

Just as I am, poor wretched blind,
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt
fightings and fears within, without
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

Just as I am thy love unknown,
has broken every barrier down
now to be thine, yes, thine a lone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
(Season of Creation. Org)

May God the Father bless you,
May God the Son bless you, who nurtures you with the rain and sunshine of love;
who brings us all to the fullness of life;
and may the blessing of the Triune God be with you always
that you might be a blessing to others. 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