Order of Worship – October 6, 2024

October 6, 2024, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

World Communion Day - The Rev. Beverley Shepansky, presiding

Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Victor C. Gavino; Liturgist: Tim Webster

10:15 - 11:30 AM at the Chapel

 

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Favourite hymns and songs

Prelude: Edward Elgar: "Enigma Variations – Var IX (Nimrod)”

Welcome

Land Acknowledgement

We want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations.

Call to Worship - Responsive

(from Psalm 26)

I will sing a song of thanksgiving, O Lord, and tell of all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground; in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.

Let us worship God!

Hymn: “O God our help in ages past” Book of Praise #330

Prayer of Adoration

Prayer of Confession - Unison

We confess how often it is true of us, O God, that when difficult times come and we are trapped in the little worlds of our own making, we never look up to see the signs of hope you hold for us. Restore to us, we pray, the vision of new life with new beginnings and the promise of your grace in the strength of your love; through Jesus Christ, Lord of life and love. Amen.

Assurance of God's Grace and Pardon

Passing of the Peace

Catechism for Today (from the Presbyterian Church in Canada)

Question 77. Why does the Presbyterian Church also have a diaconal order?

The early church had deacons as well as presbyters. The word comes from the Greek “diakonia” which refers to the church’s ministry of service. Today members of the Order of Diaconal Ministries are designated to various ministries in the life of the church. In addition, some congregations have a deacons’ court to care for the sick, the suffering and the needy.

Question 78. Who are the needy?

All of us stand in need of God’s grace and healing. But in particular, the needy are those identified in Jesus’ parable of the Last Judgement (Matthew 25:31ff); the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison. In these and others in need, we encounter our living Lord. The church proclaims the good news of salvation not only by word but also by action.

Hymn: "When the poor ones" Book of Praise #762

Prayer for understanding

Scripture readings:

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (ESV)

Thus says the Lord GOD: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

Matthew 13:31-33 (ESV)

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

Sermon: “Looking for the kingdom of God”

Hymn: "Here is bread, here is wine" Book of Praise #546

Prayers of the People

The Apostles' Creed - Unison

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen

The Communion

Invitation to the Table

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord's Prayer

Institution of the Lord's Supper - the words of Jesus

Communion

Prayer after Communion - Responsive

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have nourished us, body and soul, in this meal.

We have heard your love proclaimed,

now send us out to speak it to others.

We have seen your love poured out,

now send us out to show it in everything we do.

We have been fed by your love at your table,

now send us out to share it so the world may believe.

And let all things be done for your glory.

Amen.

Doxology

Song: "Let all things now living" Book of Praise #338

Charge and Benediction

Three-fold Amen

Postlude: “Great is the Lord”