DUNSFORD UNITED CHURCH – Bulletin Thanksgiving, Anniversary and Baptism Sunday, October 10, 2021
Rev. Anne Hepburn
GATHERING MUSIC: “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
Sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
WELCOME AND CELEBRATIONS
MUSICAL PRELUDE and LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LANDS
We acknowledge, honour and respect this land and the Anishnabeg/Mississauga peoples with whom Treaty 20, Williams treaty, was signed, on the lands where I am, and we acknowledge also and give thanks for the lands and people of treaties and unceded territories of all who are worshiping. It is up to all of us to live into truth, respect and reconciliation with all our relations.
HYMN: VU# 288 “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Words: Thomas O. Chisholm)
CALL TO WORSHIP
For the bounty of the harvest;
For the colours of the fall;
Thanks be to God.
For the miracle of bird migration;
for the ingenuity of hibernation;
Thanks be to God.
For the glories of the earth all around us;
We give thanks to God our creator
In a spirit of humility and thankfulness,
Come let us worship God as one
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Written by Judy Sears Gatherings 2021 p.41. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “More” Solo by Christena-Lynn Erglis
OPENING PRAYER/ASSURANCE/WORDS OF HOPE
Holy One
We praise you for these simple gifts on an autumn day.
The chipmunks darting in and out of the garden,
The tiny nuthatches at the feeder,
The way Thanksgiving springs to our lips as praise lifts our hearts.
Before we ask, we are forgiven,
Before we notice we are blessed,
Before we pray we are already held in your love.
For the blessing of your unending grace we give thanks, Amen
Written by Laura Turnbull Gatherings 2021 p.42. Used with permission.
OFFERING
While we can’t take up the offering the usual way, we do appreciate the generosity you show us. Whether by PAR or other methods the support is real and meaningful.
Gracious God on this Day of Thanksgiving may we continue to be aware of all your blessings in our lives both in church and the community.
We ask for your blessing upon us now and forever. Amen
FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART
SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATE
On behalf of the congregation of Dunsford United Church, we present
Gryffynn, son of Matthew and Melanie
for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism:
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
PROFESSION OF FAITH AND PROMISES
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE ACT OF BAPTISM
LAYING ON OF HANDS
BLESSING
DECLARATION AND CONGREGATIONAL WELCOME
PRESENTATION OF GIFT AND CERTIFICATE
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (John Rutter) Sung by the Westminster Abbey Choir
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament – Psalm 126 Those who sow in tears reap in Joy
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
New Testament – Matthew 6:25-33 Do not worry about what you will eat or drink
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,[a] or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?[b] 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God[c] and his[d] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
HYMN: MV #161 “I Have Called You by Your Name” (Words: Daniel Charles Damon)
MESSAGE: “A Time to Celebrate!” Rev. Anne Hepburn
Generous God,
Whenever we perceive scarcity, may you open us to see your plenitude.
Whenever we feel alone, may you open us to companionship.
Whenever we shrink from you, may you prepare us for change.
Whenever we are filled with worry, may you open us to healing and wholeness.
Silent prayer
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
The good news of God’s reign is here and now.
God’s kingdom has come in the way of Jesus.
As we share our bread we are fed.
As we forgive we are forgiven.
As we are tempted we are delivered from temptation.
Thanks be to God for that Grace. Amen
Written by Julie Hutton Gatherings 2021 p.42. Used with permission.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
WE ARE SENT OUT IN FAITH TO SERVE
HYMN: VU #520 “We Plough the Fields and Scatter” (Words: Matthias Claudius)
COMMISSIONING AND BLESSING
Go now in peace, knowing that wherever we go Jesus has already been there.
Then next week he will be here to open the door and invite you back to God’s steadfast community.
Written by Tammy Ferguson Gatherings 2021 p. 38. Used with permission.
CHORAL RESPONSE: “Go Now in Peace”
Congregational Announcements
POSTLUDE
DUNSFORD UNITED CHURCH
Church Office Hours: Wed. 9-5
Tel: 705-793-2511 dunsfordunitedchurch@bellnet.ca
Visit our new website: www.dunsfordunitedchurch.com