Zoom Only - Home Church 23rd Sunday after Pentecost November 13, 2022

Home Church

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

November 13, 2022

 

Rev. Karen Hollis

 

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

 

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Preparing the Space Around Us

Welcome if you are gathering on zoom or if you are worshipping at home with the bulletin. We are one community and all part of the body of Christ. I invite you to prepare the space around you so that for the next hour you can be fully in this worship experience, not to keep out the realities of the world, rather to focus us on God in the midst of it all. 

 

Preparing the Space within Us

Let us prepare now the space within us for a time of worship. I invite you to sit quietly, perhaps with feet on the floor, taking a couple of deep breaths and bring yourself into this moment. As you breathe and prepare yourself for this time of worship, connect with your authentic gratitude. 

 

Introit: Spirit of the Living God  Sung by Julie Strathdee                 VU #376

1Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

 

2Spirit of the living God, move among us all;

make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:

humble, caring, selfless, sharing.

Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!

 

Greeting                                                                                      BAS, edited

One:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 

          and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:    And also with you.

 

Call to Worship

One:  When we are unsure of where to go,

All:    we turn to you, God of Clarity, for guidance.

One:  When we feel stuck in between this and that,

All:    we wait for your nudge, Gentle Christ.

One:  When we are overwhelmed by the enormity of the work of healing,

All:    You, Wise Spirit, reveal the next stepping stone.

One:  Meet us in this place, Discerning God.

All:    We come to meet with You.

 

Opening Prayer

God of Healing, if we could halt the wheel of destruction to our Earth home! If we could dream back the species who have lost their ecosystems. If we could breathe-awake beloveds killed by state sanctioned violence. Awaken within us our invitation for this day, Holy Wisdom, that we might understand our part in the long arc towards justice. Ground us in determined hope. Amen.

Hymn: Let Us Build a House v. 1-3   First United Church, Turno, NS    MV #1

1Let us build a house where love can dwell

and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children

tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,

rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

all are welcome in this place.

 

2Let us build a house where prophets speak,

and words are strong and true,

where all God’s children dare to seek

to dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness

and as symbol of God’s grace;

here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

all are welcome in this place.

 

3Let us build a house where love is found

in water, wine and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground,

where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,

is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome,

all are welcome in this place.

 

Prayer of Confession                                                           Iona Community

Before God, 

with the people of God, 

We confess to our brokenness: 

to the ways we wound our lives, 

the lives of others, 

and the life of the world.

 

silent prayer of confession

 

Assurance of Grace                                                              Iona Community

May God forgive us, Christ renew us, and the Spirit enable us to grow in love. Amen

 

Peace of Christ 

Please unmute your microphones for the passing of the peace.

 

The Peace of Christ is present in every part of God’s creation. Every plant, every medicine, every body of water, every being has a gift to share for the healing and wholeness of all. Let us celebrate these supportive gifts by sharing Christ’s peace. 

 

          A-M:  The Peace of Christ be with you!

          N-Z:   And also with you!

 

First Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25                                                 Reader: David Soy

I am creating new heavens

    and a new earth;

everything of the past

    will be forgotten.

Celebrate and be glad forever!

I am creating a Jerusalem,

    full of happy people.

I will celebrate with Jerusalem

    and all its people;

there will be no more crying

    or sorrow in that city.

No child will die in infancy;

everyone will live

    a very long life.

Anyone a hundred years old

    will be considered young,

and to die younger than that

    will be considered a curse.

My people will live

    in the houses they build;

they will enjoy grapes

    from their own vineyards.

No one will take away

    their homes or vineyards.

My chosen people will live

    to be as old as trees,

and they will enjoy

    what they have earned.

Their work won't be wasted,

and their children won't die

    of dreadful diseases.

I will bless their children

    and their grandchildren.

I will answer their prayers

    before they finish praying.

Wolves and lambs

    will graze together;

lions and oxen

    will feed on straw.

Snakes will eat only dirt!

They won't bite or harm anyone

    on my holy mountain.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

 

Psalm 98 (NRSV)                                                          Reader: Shelagh Huston

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. 

       His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

 

The LORD has made known his victory; 

       he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

 

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; 

       break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

 

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, 

       with the lyre and the sound of melody.

 

With trumpets and the sound of the horn 

       make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.

 

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.

 

Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy

at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. 

He will judge the world with righteousness, 

       and the peoples with equity.

 

Gospel Reading                                                         Reader: Shelagh Huston

One:  God be with you.            

All:    And also with you.

One:  The Good News of Jesus Christ according to Luke;

All:    Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Luke 21:5-19 (The Message) One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said, “All this you’re admiring so much—the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble.”

They asked him, “Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it’s about to take place?”

He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.” He went on, “Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You’ll think at times that the very sky is falling. “But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters. “You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved. 

 

One: This is the Gospel of Christ; 

All:   Praise be to Jesus Christ

 

Reflection      

                   

Silent Reflection

 

Hymn: Deep In Our Hearts   Kanata United Church, Kanata, ON        MV #154

1Deep 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.

 

2Deep 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.

 

3Deep 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.

4Deep 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.

 

Affirmation of Faith   

Let us affirm our faith . . . 

You are the new song.

You are the next beat in my heart.

You are the praise and possibility. 

You are the present and the future.

I believe the Light of the World has come this day. 

I see it now in all days. 

Those gone and those to come aflame in love.

Your love wrapped in human form,

Your love learned in justice and in mercy,

Your love risen over death.

I believe love has come on this day.

I believe love has and will always come.                                             

 

Prayers of the People                                                                             Mona Smart

One:  Loving God,       

All:    Hear Our Prayer

 

Lord’s Prayer (spoken)

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

 

Minute for Mission: The Importance of a Camp Roof                 (video)  

Offering Prayer

God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, you call us to live into this moment, to build into this moment, and remain in relationship with you as your call evolves and changes into the future. Bless everything we bring to this moment that it may serve to build up your Kindom. Amen         

Hymn: What Does the Lord Require The Strathdees                    VU #701

What does the Lord require of you?

What does the Lord require of you?

Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

To seek justice, and love kindness, 

and walk humbly with your God.

 

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Blessing                                                                                 Iona Community

If you are with another person, you’re invited to bless each other, taking every other line.

 

One:  The Creator’s blessing be yours on your road, on your journey,         guiding you, cherishing you.

Men:  The Son’s blessing be yours, wine and water, bread and stories,       feeding you, challenging you.

Women: The Spirit’s blessing be yours, wind and fire, joy and wisdom,      comforting you, disturbing you.

All:    The Angel’s blessing be yours, on your house, on your living, guarding you, encouraging you. Let us walk together, a community on a journey, sustained in God’s blessing. Amen!

One:  Let us go now in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:    Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

 

Thank you

 

 

 

After Worship: Workshop with the Implementation Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Image: Photo by Renè Müller on Unsplash