January 8th - Planning Event Weekend, Holy Communio

Guests: Joel Den Haan, Diane Strickland, & Paul Du Val

Baptism of Jesus Sunday, Liturgical Colour - White

Gathering

CALL TO WORSHIP

We stand at the beginning of a new year.  We ask once more, what does God require of us in 2012?  Let us remind ourselves of the stated Mission of Grace United Church.

In response to God’s call, we the congregation of Grace United Church understand our mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all ages.  Using the Bible as our guide, we are challenged to worship and praise and celebrate God’s love and accept God’s grace, learn God’s will, live in faith, and reach out in humble service in the community and the world.

Let us also remind ourselves of the Great Commandment as outlined in Luke’s Gospel.

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’

Let us prepare to Worship God with heart, soul and mind.

HYMN: MV # 79 “Spirit, Open My Heart”

PRAYER OF APPROACH AND CONFESSION

God, for a while you have been like the eagle who stirs up the nest forcing the fledglings to take wing and fly.  We come with a history of faithful service in Lloydminster and the world, with a worship approach that has spoken to us and keeps us coming to worship and serving with dedication. We also come with a tradition of difficulties in relationships with our clergy and in some cases with each other.  We come finding our own spiritual nourishment but have not been able to successfully offer that nourishment to the generations of young and even middle aged who make up most of our city’s and region’s population.  We don’t want to take wing when we are comfortable in our nest, this building, our spiritual home.  However, an aging facility that needs replacement, and a critical re-appraisal of what we are asking of our clergy, is forcing us out of our nest.  Like young eaglets we resist leaving our comfortable routines and do not trust that we can soar on the winds of the spirit.  Forgive us, we pray, for not trusting that you will lift us up when we let go of the security of the past and embrace the challenges of the future.  We ask this in Jesus’ name.   Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

CHILDREN’S TIME:

HEBREW BIBLE READING : Deuteronomy 6:4-9

FIRST REPORTING IN: Joel Den Haan, Diane Strickland, & Paul Du Val

HYMN: VU # 378 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” Verses 1-3

A GOSEL LESSON: Luke 10.25-28

A SECOND REPORTING IN: Joel Den Haan, Diane Strickland, & Paul Du Val

A READING FROM ACTS:  Acts 2: 5-18

A THIRD REPORTING IN: Joel Den Haan, Diane Strickland, & Paul Du Val

HYMN:  # 642 “Be Thou My Vision” Verses 1,2 & 5

Offertory:

Offering  Invitation:

Offertory Anthem: “O Give thanks” Words & music by Joseph M. Martin            

Offering Prayer:

            All that we have, all that we are

            and all that we ever shall be is a gift from God.

            his token of love.

            Now we offer our gifts and our prayers and our

            thanks for all that we have, and all that we are,

            and all that we ever shall be.

PRAYERS: Pastoral, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer: 959 VU

COMMUNION

INTRODUCTION:

PRAYER:

As we gather for spiritual nourishment for strength to live by faith day by day, we also gather to be open to your calling to have vision and dream dreams of who we are, of our relationship to you, and what you are calling us to do and be. Help us in this work we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

HYMN MV # 194   “Bread of Life, Feed My Soul”

THE FRACTURING OF THE BREAD AND POURING OF THE WINE

This congregation knows something of the brokenness of Christ as we have lived our relationship with ministers and with each other in recent years. We know that we have, in our own ways, been part of the forces that continue to break the Body of Christ.

Jesus took the bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body broken for you.”

Although Jesus shed his blood for our sake, there are people, including ministers,  who have felt they have poured their life-blood into the work and ministry of Grace United Church, and that their efforts have been rejected by others.  We all live in need of forgiveness and of a forgiving nature as God forgives us.

After the same manner, he took the cup saying, “This Cup is the blood of the New Covenant, poured out for us all”.

Come, for the banquet of our Lord is ready. Amen.

THE DISTRIBUTION

THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God, as always you have been with us through the years, through the events of this weekend, and in the breaking of bread and tasting of the wine in this Communion Service. Thank you for your presence.  Thank you for the gifts and faithfulness of Joel, Diane and Paul in helping us to worship you with heart, mind and soul.  Thank you for the challenge to leave this place with insight, inspiration and faith.  Thank you for including all of as your body at work in your world.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

Hymn: VU # 633 “Bless now, O God, the Journey”

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION:

CHORAL AMEN 

Amen! Amen!

Hallelujah, amen!