Sunday, October 22, 2023

Take Time to Be Holy (VU 672, v2)

Take time to be holy, Let him be your guide; And run not before him, Whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, Still follow the Lord, And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in his word.

Welcoming Words Opening Prayer

God Reveal Your Presence (VU 391) God, reveal your presence: As we now adore you And with awe appear before you. Here in this your temple: All within keep silence, Gather now with deepest reverence. You alone God we own, You, our God and Saviour: Praise your name for ever.

God, reveal your presence: Hear the harps resounding; See the crowds the throne surrounding. 'Holy, holy, holy!' Hear the hymn ascending, Angels, saints, their voices blending. Bow your ear to us here; Hearken, O Lord Jesus, To our humble praises.

O great Fount of blessing, Purify my spirit, Trusting only in your merit; Like the holy angels Gathered all before you, May I ceaselessly adore you. Let your will ever still Rule your church terrestrial, As the hosts celestial.

Words of Confession We are not perfect O God, but we want to serve you well. We are not perfect O God, but we are sincere and well-meaning. We are not perfect O God, but with your grace we can make the kingdom come. Forgive our mistakes, forgive our wrongdoings, forgive our lack of love. Bring us to know you more, to love our neighbour more, to be fully who you want us to be. Give us the opportunity to begin anew. We come to you, asking for your mercy and love. Amen.

And... Words of Assurance.

Blessed Assurance (VU 337) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight. Angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain] Perfect submission, all is at rest. I in my Savior am happy and blessed, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with God's goodness, Lost in Christ's love. [Refrain]

-- Scripture --

Exodus 33:12-23 "I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by..." Follow the text HERE.	Psalm 99 (VU 819) R: You rule with justice in delight, and faithfulness maintain. The Voices United text is HERE.
Scripture this week is read by Mary Reynolds.	Matthew 22:15-22 The written text is HERE.

Christime's Sunday Message

- Anthem -

Jesus Calls Us (Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.) Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me." Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more."

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still He calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these." Jesus calls us- by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call; give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love Thee best of all.

- Offertory -

Invitation to the Offering.

Deep in Our Hearts (Offertory: MV 154) Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; Deep in our hearts there is a common song; Deep in our hearts there is a common story, Telling Creation that we are one. Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose; Deep in our hearts there is a common goal; Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message, Justice and Peace in harmony.

Deep in our hearts there is a common longing; Deep in our hearts there is a common theme; Deep in our hearts there is a common current, Flowing to freedom like a stream. Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; Deep in our hearts there is a common song; Deep in our hearts there is a common story, Telling Creation that we are one.

Pastoral Prayers

Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore (VU 563) Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore Looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones; You only asked me to follow humbly. [Refrain] O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me, And while smiling, have spoken my name; Now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me; By your side I will seek other seas.

You know so well my possessions; My boat carries no gold and no weapons; You will find there my nets and labour. [Refrain]

You need my hands, full of caring Through my labours to give others rest, And constant love that keeps on loving. [Refrain]   You, who have fished other oceans, Ever longed for by souls who are waiting, My loving friend, as thus you call me. [Refrain]

Commissioning

Blessing

-- Postlude --

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg (Arr. by ???)