Sunday, January 31st, 2021
Due to Rev. Dan's bereavement leave, we are joining our friends at Scarborough Bluffs United Church and the Rev. Meriel Simpson for worship this week.
Our live Zoom Worship Service will be held tomorrow (Sunday, January 31, 2021) at 10:25 a.m. If you are unable to join for the live worship service, please join us at approximately 11:30 a.m. for our Coffee Hour time.
We welcome our friends from St. Paul’s United Church for our live Zoom Worship Service tomorrow.
Here is the link to the live Zoom Worship Service and Coffee Hour:
Meeting ID: 969 955 9170
Passcode: sbuc
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Order of Service
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Prelude: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (G. F. Handel)
Performed by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers
Acknowledgement of Native Territories:
We acknowledge we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and the Inuit peoples.
Call to Worship:
Be still, and know that God is.
Before creation began, God was.
And when all human striving has ceased, God will still be.
From everlasting to everlasting,
God is God, who alone is worthy to be worshipped.
Let us sing praise to God.
Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill (Marty Haugen)
Performed by Aiko Yamada Mancini, piano and vocals, University Lutheran Church
Voices United # 619 Healer of Our Every Ill
Gathering Prayer:
Speak with authority in our lives, O God.
Speak to us and to what is in us,
so that we might be whole.
Speak to us, with love, with hope,
and with strength, so that we might hear you,
and know, deep inside, that we are your people,
and that you are our God.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray saying:
Prayer of Jesus:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Readings (hard copy attached)
Deuteronomy 18: 15-19
Mark 1: 21-28
Music: Cantate Domino (Claudio Monteverdi)
Performed by Voices of Music
Sermon (hard copy attached)
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7OpCPrtER8
Moment of Silence
Hymn: Don’t Be Afraid (John L. Bell/Graham Maule)
Performed by members of the choir from Ebenezer United Church, Markham, ON
More Voices # 90 Don’t Be Afraid
Invitation to Offering:
Our ability to give is one of God’s greatest gift to us. With this ability, we share God’s love with the world in meaningful ways. We give in many ways, through time and talents, and through our financial gifts. We are very grateful for your gifts of wealth. Our church community is enriched and enabled by your generous gifts, and they allow Scarborough Bluffs staff to go on serving you and all of us to continue to answer God’s call.
Offering: Fantasia no. 1 in A (excerpt) (Telemann)
Performed by Cavatina Duo, Denis Azabagic (guitar) and Rugenia Moliner (flute)
Dedication:
Dear God, thank you for your great generosity toward the whole world. You give us guidance and encouragement through your word. You make our joy complete. Bless this, our giving with joy to the ministries of this church for the sake of Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayers of the People:
Father and mother God,
We ask for your guidance in listening to the voices
of those who, like Jesus in the temple,
speak from their own authority,
those who carry the authority of their people,
those who may see parts of the world differently
than the way we see them.
We ask you to open our eyes
to the achievements of those who surround us
and to teach us to share what we have learned.
We thank you, today and every day,
for teaching us what it means
to be seekers of the light in the world.
In this dire time of pandemic, violence and discord in the world,
we ask that you guide our steps and the steps of our leaders
towards building relationships and breaking down walls,
and towards a better understanding of all nations.
We ask you to allow us to share your healing touch and loving comfort with all those who are ill, in pain, suffering loss, or are in deep trouble, so that they may feel your love and comfort.
We pray for peace on earth:
for the generous sharing of the earth’s resources
and the responsible sharing of the earth’s problems;
for understanding of others and willingness
to regard the diversity of human culture
as more stimulating than threatening.
In your name we pray,
Amen
Hymn: Christ Has No Body Now but Yours (David Ogden)
Performed by the Exultate Singers, Bristol, UK
Departing Words:
May the God who dances in creation,
who embraces us with human love,
who shakes our lives like thunder,
bless us and drive us out with power,
to fill the world with her justice.
Amen
Postlude: Goldberg Variations BWV 988, var. 21 & 22 (J. S. Bach)
Performed by Ignacio Prego (harpsichord)
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