Worship Leader:  JoAnne Fletcher                                                                                 Music Director:  Tim Hallman, B.Mus.,B.Ed.
 Sunday November 23rd        Reign of Christ Sunday
Guest Speaker: Laura Roobol, Weekender Program for Students

Welcome / Announcement / Celebrations

Land Acknowledgment:
This sanctuary is a sacred space, a place of worship gifted to us from previous generations. As we gather together today let us pause to acknowledge and give thanks for the ground on which this church stands. Let us recognize that we are worshiping on the traditional territories of the Algonquin, Anishanaabe, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. May the peace of Christ inspire us to walk gently on this land and in solidarity and reconciliation with the indigenous people who were its original stewards.

Lighting of the Christ Candle:
Today is Reign of Christ Sunday and as we light the Christ candle we are reminded of Christ’s call for us to be his hands, voice and heart in the world, to shine out his love in both intangible spirit and tangible action.

Opening Hymn: MV 115 ‘Behold, Behold, I Make all Things New’

Opening Prayer:   VU 214 ‘A Prayer for the Reign of Christ’ (on screen)
Mighty and tender God, voice of the voiceless, power of the powerless;
We praise you for your vision of a community of wholeness, a realm of peace,
In which all who hunger and thirst are nourished, in which the stranger is welcomed,
The hurting are healed and the captive set free.
Guide us by your truth and love, until we and all your people make manifest your reign of justice and compassion.
We pray in the name of your anointed one, our servant-king, whom we honour and praise this day and forever. Amen

Passing of the Peace

Scripture:  Matthew 25: 31-40

Paraphrasing: The Son of Man will say to the righteous “I have created a kingdom for you to inherit, for when I was hungry you gave me something to eat, when I was thirsty you gave me something to drink, when I was a stranger you invited me in”. Then the righteous will say “When did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you drink. When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in?”. The King will reply, “I tell you, whenever you did this for the least of these, you did it for me”.

Anthem: Deep Unity in Christ    Wendy MacLean/Wanda Stride

Guest Speaker: Laura Roobal, Weekender Program for Students

Responsive Hymn: MV 12 ‘Come Touch Our Hearts’  v1-4

Invitation to the Offering:
On this reign of Christ Sunday we are reminded of Christ’s teachings to love and serve others in his name and according to his will. We offer our gifts freely and with joy as we seek to do his work in the world. The offering will now be received.

Offering Hymn: VU 551  ‘For Food in a World’

Offering Prayer:   (on screen)
With our offerings of time, talent and treasure we are given the opportunity to participate in God’s commandment to serve and support the church’s mission in the world. We have heard today of one such mission, and ask that you bless all those who lead, support and contribute to it, and we ask that you bless all the gifts that are offered through this church for the work and mission of your holy call to serve others gladly.

Preparing for Prayer: VU 411 ‘O God we Call’ x2

 A Prayer of Thanks from the People
Heavenly Father.  For this day of the week when your children come together to worship with words and songs of praise, we give thanks.  For your love and guidance, we give thanks.  For your protection from the sometimes troubled world around us, we give thanks.  For our families and friends, we give thanks.  For the many blessings you have provided for us, we give thanks.  For our church, our homes and the kind and generous community in which we live, we give thanks.

We give thanks to those who share their time and talents every day, to make better the lives of others.  We pray for health care workers, teachers, and community leaders.  We pray for the congregation of this church.  May your spirit guide us in all we think, say and do.

Be with those O Lord, who are going through a recent loss of a loved one, friend or family.  Give them comfort and strength to pass through their dark valley.  Be with those who are experiencing physical or mental pain.  When they ask you for help, O Lord, give them courage and the determination to survive and carry on.  Help us to remember that in life, in death, in life beyond death, we are not alone. 

Gracious God, we know you listen to our prayers.  We understand that you may not answer right away for what we ask.  Clear our minds and souls of turmoil to help us realize we might already have your answer.   We just have to ask, trust and believe in you.       Amen
This morning let us join together and sing the Lord’s Prayer.  VU 960

Closing Hymn: MV 178  ‘Who is My Mother’

Benediction:
As we go from this place we are blessed to know that we live in a community of caring, where people like Megan and Laura see a need and answer the call to meet it, despite challenges and roadblocks faced along the way. We ask God’s blessing on all who will leave here to serve you with compassion and joy, knowing that Christ goes with us, the Spirit surrounds us, and God’s love is forever near.

Choral Blessing: MV 191  ‘What Can I Do?’  x 2 or 3

 

  

         "A Village Church With A Heart For The World"

Christ United Church

12 Perth St., Lyn, ON, K0E 1M0
(613)498-0281 (Phone)   (613)498-2589 (Fax)

 lynunitedchurch@cogeco.net               www.lynunitedchurch.com               Follow on Twitter:  @Ch1United