THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
1301 - 102nd Street
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, S9A 1G4
Who are we? We are a community of faith, known as Third Avenue United Church, who have adopted and prayerfully put into words and deeds what we believe to be our Mission in this community and in the world, and that is: We seek to love and care for God’s creation through worship and service in Christian community.
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU TO WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
September 15, 2024
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost / Creation Time 2
10:45 pm
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST/PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
Scriptures Reader:
ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
Regardless of where we come from, we are all interconnected through the land that we live on, water that we use, and air that we breathe.
Generous Creator God, let us celebrate the abundance of this land bursting with new life. Let us feel the cold waters gushing with promises. Let us experience the expanse of sky enfolding us in your love.
Abundant Creator God, we remember the Metis and the people of treaty 6 who love and care for this land. All these people have lived lightly and with respect upon this land, a territory upon which we now live.
Generous God, help us on the journey to reconciliation with the land, the water, and the air, and among the people. Amen.
Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2023; Mary Anderson
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Christ Candle liturgy
Churches around the world light a candle symbolizing Christ in their midst. There is a unity in ritual and in the experience of the light of the candle. We are reminded that in all situations, Christ brings light and hope.
Adapted Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Laura J. Turnbull
SUNG RESPONSE: VU 691 “Though Ancient Walls” V 1
1. Though ancient walls may still stand proud and racial strife be fact,
though boundaries may be lines of hate, proclaim God's saving act!
Walls that divide are broken down; Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside; Christ is our liberty!
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
God invites us to worship in humility and in unity.
We gather as one people, ready to worship.
Jesus asks us, “Who do you say I am?”
We are your followers, ready to do your will.
The Spirit empowers us to do God's work in this place.
We are God's people, following Jesus, ready to take up the commission of the Holy Spirit.
Then let us worship God.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2024; Catherine Tovell
2. OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God, a mark of our present world, particularly in more populated areas, is noise. We may get accustomed to it, become skilled at tuning it out, yet its presence doesn't diminish. It overwhelms much. Still, our scriptures tell us that this is where the voice of Wisdom can be heard, where your word, your guidance, and your call can be experienced: amid the chaos and the noise. In this time of worship, we have turned the noise of our lives down, but not eliminated it. It remains a part of us. Bless us with your voice, O God, amid the quiet and the noise, the stillness and the movement in this place. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Bill Perry
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: “For the Beauty of the Earth” # 226 VU
1. For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
Refrain: God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light, Refrain
3. For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, Refrain
4. For each perfect gift sublime
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven, Refrain
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Are we ready to pay attention to scripture?
We are ready to receive the good news.
All who seek to understand God's truth, come and encounter the Holy One.
We are eager to encounter God's wisdom in this ancient text.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 1- 2024; Laura Turnbull.
6. SCRIPTURE LESSON
Proverbs 1: 20 - 33
Wisdom Speaks
20 Wisdom[a] shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather. 21 She shouts in the marketplaces and near the city gates as she says to the people, 22 “How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge? 23 Listen as I correct you and tell you what I think. 24 You completely ignored me and refused to listen; 25 you rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.” 26 “So when you are struck by some terrible disaster, 27 or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind, I will laugh and make fun. 28 You will ask for my help, but I won't listen; you will search, but you won't find me. 29 No, you would not learn, and you refused to respect the Lord. 30 You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.” 31 “Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes. 32 Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools. 33 But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.”
Responsive Reading Psalm 19 VU page 740/741
REFRAIN: “The precepts of our God give joy to the heart" OR "Glory and praise to God whose word brings life”
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the vault of the sky reveals God's handiwork.
One day speaks to another, and night shares its knowledge with night,
and this without speech or language; their voices are not heard.
But their sound goes out to all the lands, their words to the ends of the earth. REFRAIN
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun which comes out like a bridegroom from under the canopy, like an athlete eager to run the race.
Its rising is at one end of the sky, it runs its course to the other, and there is nothing that is hidden from its heat. REFRAIN
God's law is perfect, refreshing the soul;
God's instruction is sure, giving wisdom to the simple;
God's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart;
God's commandment is pure giving light to the eyes;
God's fear is clean, enduring forever;
God's judgements are true, every one of them righteous;
more desirable than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, pure honey from the comb. REFRAIN
By them is your servant warned;
for in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern unwitting sins?
O cleanse me from my secret faults.
Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the better of me.
Then shall I be clean and innocent of great offence. REFRAIN
All: Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O God, my strength and my redeemer.
7. REFLECTION:
8. HYMN: “Bring Many Names” # 268 VU
1. Bring many names, beautiful and good,
celebrate, in parable and story,
holiness in glory,living, loving God.
Hail and hosanna! Bring many names!
2. Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and hosanna, strong mother God!
3. Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strains of human living,
caring and forgiving till we're reconciled:
Hail and hosanna, warm father God!
4. Old, aching God, grey with endless care,
calmly piercing evil's new disguises,
glad of good surprises, wiser than despair:
Hail and hosanna, old, aching God!
5. Young, growing God, eager, on the move,
saying no to falsehood and unkindness,
crying out for justice, giving all you have:
Hail and hosanna, young, growing God!
6. Great, living God, never fully known,
joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and hosanna, great, living God!
9. SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
James 3: 1 - 12
The Tongue
3 My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others. 2 All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body.
3 By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions. 4 It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction. 5 Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! 6 The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed. 8 But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. 9-10 My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right. 11 Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
The Gospel of Mark 8: 27 - 38
Who Is Jesus?
27 Jesus and his disciples went to the villages near the town of Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them,“What do people say about me?”
28 The disciples answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist or maybe Elijah.[a] Others say you are one of the prophets.”
29 Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say I am?” “You are the Messiah!” Peter replied. 30 Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone about him.
Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death
31 Jesus began telling his disciples what would happen to him. He said, “The nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. He will be rejected and killed, but three days later he will rise to life.” 32 Then Jesus explained clearly what he meant. Peter took Jesus aside and told him to stop talking like that. 33 But when Jesus turned and saw the disciples, he corrected Peter. He said to him, “Satan, get away from me! You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.” 34 Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. 35 If you want to save your life,[b] you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. 36 What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? 37 What could you give to get back your soul? 38 Don't be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
10. REFLECTION:
11. HYMN: “Will You Come and Follow Me” # 567 VU Verses 1-4
1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3. Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4. Will you love the 'you' you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
12. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Wisdom shouts to us from the street corner and from the alleys of our hearts.
She calls, and we fail to notice her voice over the noise of common life.
How long must Wisdom raise her voice and we fail to pay attention?
How long will we block out her powerful voice of reconciliation and compassion?
How long will we fail to understand the beauty of the eternal message?
Restore us. Renew us. Surprise us with your love, O God.
For we need that love in times like these and in the times to come. May we discover and pay attention to your voice, which will encourage us to live faithfully and with eco-justice on our lips and in our actions. In the name of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Jim McKean.
13. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Receive this Good News! On the seventh day of Creation, God finished work and rested. We are reminded that the Holy One loves us in our work and in our play. Be at peace, knowing that the love of God surrounds and enfolds you, today and every day.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Mary Parsons.
14. SUNG RESPONSE: “Will You Come and Follow Me” #567 VU Verse 5
5. Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
15. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: “A New Creed ” VU 918
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998
16. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
God's gifts of wisdom are offered in this moment and in every moment. In Gratitude and grace, let us offer our gifts to God. As we present our morning offering.
From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
17. OFFERTORY: “For the Gift of Creation”# 538 VU
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of the Spirit by which we live, we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
18. PRAYER OF DEDICATON:
For your holy Word, O God, we give your thanks. For your enduring Wisdom, O God, we give you praise. For your call to speak truth, O God, we give you glory. Grant us the courage to share your gifts, this day and all days. Amen.
From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. AMEN.
20. HYMN: “To Show By Touch and Word” #427 VU
1. To show by touch and word devotion to the earth,
to hold in full regard all life that comes to birth,
we need, O God, the will to find the good you had of old in mind.
2. Renew our minds to choose the things that matter most,
our hearts to long for truth till pride of self is lost.
For every challenge that we face we need your guidance and your grace.
3. Let love from day to day be yardstick, rule, and norm,
and let our lives portray your word in human form.
Now come with us that we may have your wits about us where we live.
21. BLESSING
Sometimes we go out as if we had all the answers; we cry out as if the world has done us wrong. Then God's wisdom calls us to pause and reflect. We are called to go out in humility and service. We are called to go out as God's people in faith and trust. We are called to go out as God's generous and faithful people.
May God go with us, this day and always.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Beth W Johnston
22. THREE FOLD AMEN.
Next Sunday: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 29, 2024:
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124;
James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50.
What's Happening
- SATURDAY, September 21, 2024 “Celebration of Life for REV. FRED TINIO” 11:00 AM. Third Avenue United Church ALL ARE WELCOME!
- SUNDAY, September 22, 2024 “Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost” 10:45 AM Rev. Jo-Ann Hills “REFLECTIONS/CREATION TIME 3” EVERYONE WELCOME!
- TUESDAY, September 24, 2024 BIBLE STUDY 10:00 AM Board Room ALL ARE WELCOME
- TUESDAY, September 24, 2024 HANDBELL PRACTICE 6:30 PM. Choir Room We always welcome new members. If you enjoy music please join us.
- SUNDAY, September 29, 2024 “Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost” 10:45 AM Rev. Jo-Ann Hills “REFLECTIONS/CREATION TIME 4” EVERYONE WELCOME!
- TUESDAY, October 1, 2024, 2024 YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC) 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Logie hall GYM All Youth 12 years and older are welcome
- SUNDAY, October 20, 2024 “SUNDAY BRUNCH” 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ALL ARE WELCOME!
- SUNDAY, October 20, 2024 “SWEEPING THE DUST OUT OF THE SOUL” Concert 1:30 PM Sanctuary ALL ARE WELCOME
- SUNDAY, October 27, 2024 FALL SUPPER 5:00 PM Wesley Hall ALL ARE WELCOME
HOW TO ACCESS LIVE STREAMING
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Click on: SUNDAY SERMONS
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FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF UPCOMING EVENTS AT THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH, SEE THE “HAPPENINGS” TAB ON THE CHURCH WEBSITE.
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