October 11, 2020 - 11:00am
Thanksgiving Sunday
The Congregation of Hope United Church
2550 Danforth Avenue, Toronto Ontario, Canada
Worship Leader - Brian Stevens BA. MDiv
HopeUnited.ca
PRELUDE
WELCOME
Welcome everyone to our Thanksgiving Sunday worship. My name is Brian Stevens, I am the Pastoral Charge Supervisor at Hope United in Toronto, Canada. We are so pleased to have you with us today. Our musicians today are Sandy, Suzanne and myself. You can type greetings and comments at any time in the chat. A copy of the order of service was emailed out with your invitation. It is also available on our Facebook page and website HopeUnited.ca.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
With respect, we acknowledge the world views, 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 honour 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
I greet you in the name of our risen Lord and welcome you to our service of worship this Thanksgiving Sunday. It is a time to celebrate the abundance of creation as we begin our fall harvest. The farmers markets are full of beautiful fruit and vegetables…vibrant coloured leaves waffle in the air, then fall gently to the ground. The air is crisp and cool…fall is upon us. Yet we must celebrate in different ways this year, virtually or in small family groups. I pray that you stay connected and close; yet keep safe in the days and months ahead. Let us offer thanks with our voices, as we gather hearts with our opening hymn…
“Now Thank We all Our God”…The words will also appear on your screen and it is found in Voices United # 236.
Now thank we all our God,
with heart, and hands, and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who, from our mother's arms,
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us.
and keep us strong in grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ill,
in this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God,
for all that has been given,
the Son, and Spirit blest
who dwell in highest heaven.
The one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore,
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
CALL TO WORSHIP
(Carol Penner – leading in worship)
The world is filled with the glory of God, and we say,
Thank you!
The hills and valleys are filled with colour, and we say,
Thank you!
The vines and trees are filled with fruit, and we say,
Thank you!
Our tables are overflowing with food, and we say,
Thank you!
Our life is filled with love of family and friends, and we say,
Thank you!
We fill this house of God with our voices, saying,
Thank you!
May the words of our mouths
and the meditations of our hearts
be acceptable to you, O God,
as enter into this service of thanksgiving and praise. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
(adapted from Erika Kobewka)
Today we offer our thanksgiving and gratitude
to the Giver of all good and perfect gifts,
For the tables we share, meals with family and friends
For meals we share with those we do not know,
your blessing upon them this day.
For the hands of friendship that have been extended to us
and the grace we have received in our moments of trial
For Your continued presence in our lives,
For the embrace of love, and the endless blessing of each new day that dawns…
We are thankful O Lord.
In all things, we give You thanks and join with creation's song
As we offer thanks for the gifts and blessing we discover in each day. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle as a symbol…
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
Gracious Creator,
you have given us so much,
but too often we take those gifts for granted,
or as something to which we are entitled.
You call us to live in caring community,
but too often we place our wants and needs first,
with those of others a distant second.
You call us to share Your gifts with the world around us,
but we are worried that there may not be enough,
and our worrying gets in the way of our sharing.
For all the times when we mistreat and misuse Your gifts,
for all the times we assume that we get what we have by ourselves,
forgive us and lead us back to the path of wisdom.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE
(from Worship offerings)
God is a gracious giver.
God is gracious in forgiveness.
God calls us to new patterns and new life.
We are a forgiven people!
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Let us sing together, three times through, the “Gloria”. It is Voices United # 37.
The words will also appear on your screen.
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 so that we may greet one another!
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 8:7-17
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land - a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 106 Voices United # 830
Refrain: O give thanks to God, whose love endures forever.
O give thanks, for God is good,
God’s love endures forever.
Who can recount your might acts, O God,
Or tell of all your praise.
Refrain: O give thanks to God, whose love endures forever.
Blessed are those who act justly,
And always do what is right.
Remember me, God, when you show favour to your people
And come to me with your saving help.
May I see the prosperity of your chosen,
May I share the joy of your nation,
And exult with the people you have made your own.
Refrain: O give thanks to God, whose love endures forever.
We have sinned like our ancestors,
We have erred, and acted wickedly.
They made a young bull at Horeb,
And worshipped that molten image.
They exchanged the glory of God
For the image of a creature that feeds on grass.
They forgot that you were the God who saved them
By your mighty acts in Egypt.
The wonders you had done in the land of Ham,
Awesome deeds at the Red Sea.
You would have destroyed them
Had not Moses, your chosen one, stood at the breach.
He turned back your wrath from their destruction.
Refrain: O give thanks to God, whose love endures forever.
GOSPEL READING Luke 17:11-19
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.
Let us join our hearts and voices in the singing of “Bless the Lord”. Words will appear on your screen and it is also found in More Voices # 46.
MV # 46 “Bless the Lord”
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Remember the kindness of our God,
Who showers us with blessing all our days.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Remember the justice of our God,
Who stands with those forgotten and confused.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Remember the healing of our God,
Who calls us to be whole and to be free.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
REFLECTION: “Soul Health … Offering thanks! ” - Brian Stevens BA MDiv
MUSIC MINISTRY
“ Rejoice in the Lord” Sung by Sandy
Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice.
Let your softness be known unto all men,
Let your softness be known unto all men,
The Lord is e’en at hand,
Be careful for nothing:
But in all prayer and supplication
Let your petitions, let your petitions be manifest unto God
Be manifest unto God with giving of thanks
With giving of thanks
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding
Understanding
Keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesu
Through Christ Jesu;
Keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesu
Through Christ Jesu.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
MORNING OFFERING
At this time we acknowledge the importance of sharing our abundance with our congregation and community, with those in need, with those who simply seek a warm meal and words of comfort. Let us offer thanks for the blessings and bounty in our lives…
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
(a Mennonite prayer)
God of all creation,
Thank you for the wonderful things you have made.
Thank you for the universe full of stars and planets.
Thank you for our world, full of life.
Thank you for making each one of us.
Thank you for loving each one of us.
Take these gifts we now offer back to you.
May they be used to the glory of your name.
We offer you ourselves and all the gifts you have blessed us with.
Take us and use us to share your love with the world. Amen
Let us join our voices in thank as we sing “For the Fruits of all Creation”. It is the first verse from Voices United # 227 and the words will also appear on the screen.
VU # 227 “For the Fruits of all Creation”, v. 1
For the fruits of all creation,
Thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation,
Thanks be to God.
For the ploughing, sowing reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping,
Thanks be to God.
PRAYERS OF THE DAY
Let us centre our hearts in prayer
Ever faithful Lord,
Ever giving Son,
Ever present Spirit,
For the many gifts you grant us
and the opportunity to enjoy these things;
For your daily provision
and for the constant signs of your healing love;
For the hope amidst despair
and the light which always shines;
For all these things,
‘thank you’ is just so inadequate
but it’s all we have:
… to show our gratitude in word, in thought and in action.
….a moment of silence
So thank you, Lord
and may our thanks move beyond words
to transform us into thankful folk,
faithful folk,
seeing folk,
folk who see need and see the need to act,
folk who love to live and live to love,
folk who serve you by serving others.
Help us to be amongst those
who include the excluded
and bring in those who are marginalized,
that when the opportunities come our way
to be healers of division and hurt,
to be peacemakers
and restorers,
we won’t be found wanting.
….a moment of silence…
Loving, personal Saviour,
We bring before you those people and issues that are closest to us
and that occupy our minds at this time …
…mics unmuted for intentions and names of people for prayers…
Mighty, wonderful Creating God
we bring before you people and issues from around our world,
including those we’ll never know personally
but who remain our sisters and brothers in you …
…mics unmuted for intentions
Transforming, healing Spirit
help us to make the light shine in dark places,
to make peace known in violent places,
and to bring hope to despondent places.
Our prayers, spoken and silent
are brought to you now
in the name of your Son, Jesus,
the healer, includer and redeemer, forever.
Amen.
Now with the words that our Saviour taught us….let us sing the Lord’s prayer. It is Voices United # 959 and the words will appear on your 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 this 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Online Worship next Sunday, October 18 at 11:00am.
• Next Sunday…. October 18th at 3:00pm I would like to invite you to my service of ordination at Hope United. You may attend in person (we are limited to 93 persons) or virtually on YouTube. The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDHpFWwDBU. We will also need some volunteers to assist in welcoming and seating people. Please advise if you would like to attend in person, please confirm by email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com, a message at the church office 416-691-9682 or call/text my cell phone 647-825-5136. Thank you to everyone who has walked with me these past several years in my journey towards this most special day!
• Would you like to join us for a take-out turkey dinner?
Following our service today from 1:00- 2:00pm we will have Turkey Dinners for Seniors and Families available for pick up the church. Please use the Danforth entrance. For those who have made the request to have their meals delivered, that will take place between 2:30- 3:30pm.
• We will do our first “On-Line Messy Church” on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00pm. It will be broadcast on our usual zoom link, Facebook page and on our YouTube channel.
• The exterior foundation edge of back wing of our building has now been sealed, some old drains capped and work done so that water will drain away from the building. Week II and it still appears to be dry. The cost of that work was $1900…donations to the property fund would be greatly appreciated.
Concrete and gym wall are now drying well. We will soon be ready for some volunteers to scrape and paint. Once engineering consult is done, we will relay the floor; hopefully within the next week. The estimate for cost of materials for this project is $1912. Once again, donations to the property fund would be greatly appreciated.
• Our Main Street Sign has been restored and reinstalled on the building. Thank you Suzanne for many hours of work… It looks great!
To make a donation to the property fund, or your weekly offering, you can send along a cheque to the Church: 2550 Danforth Avenue, Toronto M4C 1LC or by credit card through the CanadaHelps website: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/hope-united-church/. In Search: select Hope United Church Toronto, then click on the connection. Then use Donate Now and proceed. (Note that CanadaHelps levies a 4% service fee so your donation will be for the lower unless you select donating the 4% fee to CanadaHelps which is a charity so you will receive a tax receipt.)
• For Pastoral emergencies contact Brian Stevens at 647-825-5136 or by email: HopeUnitedChurch@gmail.com
CLOSING PRAYER
Creator God
We thank You for food and remember the hungry.
We thank You for health and remember the sick.
We thank You for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to your service.
Moving always with a thankful heart. Amen.
Sandy will lead us in our closing hymn “Ev’ry Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving”. It is found in More Voices # 185 and the words will appear on your screen.
MV # 185 “Ev’ry Day is a Day of Thanksgiving”
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving, God,
You’ve been good to me.
Ev’ry Day you’re blessing me
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving,
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving, God,
You’ve been good to me.
Ev’ry Day you’re blessing me
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving,
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today
You keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me,
You opened the door that I might see, you’re blessing me,
And you keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me,
I will glorify you, O my Lord. Today.
You keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me,
You opened the door that I might see, you’re blessing me,
And you keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me,
I will glorify you, O my Lord. Today.
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
Go forth into the world with a thankful heart…
Go forth assured of God’s everlasting grace and love
And may the peace that passes all understanding
Be with you this day and always. 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