Sunday, March 14, 2021
Lent - day 22 of 40. Some choose to think of Lent like a countdown - like when you are planning a vacation and you cannot wait to already be "there", wherever "there" is. Others consider this journey more of a "count-up" in that we cannot get to Easter Sunday and the joy of the resurrection without the trials and tribulations, and the waiting and watching.
I hope you have been thinking about the items we have collected so far on our journey with Jesus to the cross, over the past few weeks.
Our luggage is getting full and weighty and now contains a rainbow as a sign of the covenant that God made with Noah. We have also collected a family tree that depicts just one part of the three-fold covenant (i.e. of land, descendants, and blessing) God made with Abraham and Sarah. And last week we added in the Ten Commandments - a set of rules provided to the people on how to live.
Let's see what God has in store for us this week:
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.
God's steadfast love endures forever.
Let those redeemed by the Lord say:
God's steadfast love endures forever.
When we cried out to God in our distress,
God saved us in our hour of need.
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.
God's steadfast love endures forever.
Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Lighting of the Christ Candle
As I light this candle, please light your candles at home.
God gave us the Light of the World, His Son Jesus Christ who affirms that God's light and love rest in us. May this light be a symbol of Jesus' presence with us as we worship and throughout our Lenten journey. Let us welcome the light of Christ this day and always. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Numbers 21:4-9 - A bronze serpent heals the people.
Hymn: Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Scripture Reading: John 3:14-21 - For God so loved the world.
and
Sermon: Lifted Up, by Karen Chandler
Instrumental Reflection
A time to reflect on the scripture and the message during a moment of instrumental reflection.
Offering Invitation
Everything we have comes from God. Let us give generously in response to God's most beloved gift to us - His Son Jesus Chris, who died that we may live.
Our offering is both a practical and symbolic act of our commitment to serve Christ and build His church. Although we can’t actually pass the plate’ online, you are encouraged to continue your gift to the church, as the work of the St Paul’s and the staff continues:
Drop your envelope (cheque or cash) at the church;
Mail your cheque to the church;
Go on PAR (call the church for details);
Use the Donate button at the top of the page (it will take you to SPUC’s Canada Helps page where you can donate online and get an instant tax receipt).
Offertory Hymn: We Praise You, O God
Offering Dedication
God of all, we ask that you bless our gifts that they may be a blessing to others. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Let us lift up our prayers to God for people everyone.
Most faithful and loving God,
for the healing of the earth you have blessed us with,
for the healing of the Church and all with whom we aim to reconcile and make new relations,
for the healing of our government and political systems across the globe that do not adequately provide for all your children,
for the healing of our local leadership, and influencers, who may not see the most vulnerable in our society and neighbourhooods,
for the healing of all who are sick, in distress, or grieving, and
for the healing of the most vulnerable, the helpless, and the lost,
We ask for your gracious mercy O God, for our loved ones and all those for whom we pray. Heal our hearts and lives and mend them with your love and infinite care.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
And of all the prayers silent and spoken, we pray the one prayer that unites us in Your presence, O Lord (you can sing with the video or recite the words below):
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by 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
forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: Go Now in Peace
Commissioning
May our hearts be full of gratitude
as we give thanks and praise
to the One who heals us,
forgives us, and makes us whole,
and who then sends us out
to care for this world. Amen.
Food for the Journey
In this video, Katherine McPhee sings, and her spouse David Foster accompanies her on the piano, in the song, "The Prayer". Enjoy!
Closing Notes
Don’t forget to extinguish your candle(s).
Please join us today for Zoom Coffee Time starting at 11:30 am.
Meeting ID: 829 432 3094
Dial in: +1 647 558 0588
Note that portions of this service are drawn and adapted from various resources:
o The Call to Worship was “From The Abingdon Worship Annual 2018.
Copyright © 2017 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.”
o The Commissioning was provided by Kate Crawford, as found in Gathering,
Lent/Easter 2021, page 32. Used with permission.
Thanks to Max Laumeister for his web script that makes our YouTube videos work.
And, thank you to all of the musical artists whose music was used in the service:
o Ebenezer United Church
o The Vagles Brothers
o Haewook Kim
o Depths of Worship
o Katherine McPhee and David Foster
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