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
October 27, 2024 - Reformation Sunday
TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
10:45 pm
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST/PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
Scriptures Reader: Irene Sack
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 374 “Come and Find the Quiet Centre” Verse 1
1. Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Listen! Pay Attention! Do you notice it?
What are we listening for?
For the voice of truth that whispers in your heart!
We're listening! What is it supposed to be like?
It's probably not what you expected. It's probably sharing things that you might not have thought of before.
We're not sure this is what we want, if it's not exactly confirming what we already believe.
That's right. It's asking us to consider something different from what our current world view normally allows.
It makes us uncomfortable.
It makes me uncomfortable, too. But it is helping me to understand the world through different perspectives.
Can we hold on to what we previously believed?
If you listen and test it against the new things you are learning and it still holds up, then God is still at work.
Let us open ourselves to the world God calls us to discover, even when it seems strange according to our particular views.
Let us discern carefully, love abundantly, and worship God in this time and place.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2, 2024; Eric Hebert-Daly
2. OPENING PRAYER:
Spirit of the Living God, the messages waiting for us to discover in the holy scriptures today tell us that your powerful spirit of love desires to reconcile us to you. Whether we find ourselves feeling vulnerable and forgotten or acting closed-minded and hard-hearted, you call us to you and ask, "What do you want me to do for you?" In your great love for us, you gently touch and name our pain. In your great love for us, you gently help us to realize our shortcomings. Today, in our desire for wholeness, let us recognize our need for reunion with you, which will give us boldness to act on your message of love, grace, and hope. Amen
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Lori Van Santvoort-Jansekovich
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: “Open My Eyes, That I may See” VU 371
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Dear Almighty God, thank you for the opportunity and privilege to worship you in public. Thank you for our getting together to celebrate our common love for you. We pray that you direct the words offered to be your message, O God. Open our hearts. Clear our spirits to receive your message. Give us understanding and acceptance. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024; Creeann Anderson
6. SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Job 42: 1 -6 , 10 - 17
Job's Reply to the Lord: No One Can Oppose You
42 Job said: 2 No one can oppose you, because you have the power to do what you want. 3 You asked why I talk so much when I know so little. I have talked about things that are far beyond my understanding. 4 You told me to listen and answer your questions.[a] 5 I heard about you from others; now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 That's why I hate myself and sit here in dust and ashes to show my sorrow.
A Happy Ending
10 After Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made Job twice as rich as he had been before. 11 Then Job gave a feast for his brothers and sisters and for his old friends. They expressed their sorrow for the suffering the Lord had brought on him, and they each gave Job some silver and a gold ring. 12 The Lord now blessed Job more than ever; he gave him 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 pair of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys. 13 In addition to seven sons, Job had three daughters, 14 whose names were Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren Happuch. 15 They were the most beautiful women in that part of the world, and Job gave them shares of his property, along with their brothers. 16 Job lived for another 140 years-long enough to see his great-grandchildren have children of their own- 17 and when he finally died, he was very old.
7. Responsive Reading Psalm 34 VU page 761/762
REFRAIN: “Taste and see, taste and see the goodness of our God”
I will bless God at all times, God's praise will continually be in my mouth.
My soul will glory in God, the humble will hear and be glad.
O magnify God with me, let us exalt God's name together.
I sought God, who answered me, and freed me from all my fears.
Look to the Most High, and let your light shine, and your faces will not be ashamed.
This poor soul cried out and God heard, and saved me from all my troubles. REFRAIN
Your angel, O God, keeps guard over those who fear you and delivers them.
Taste and see that our God is good. Happy are those who take refuge in God.
for those who fear God lack nothing.
Strong lions suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek God lack no good thing. REFRAIN
Come, my children, and listen to me, I will teach you the fear of God.
Which of you delights in life, and desires many days to enjoy prosperity?
Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies. Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
God's eyes are upon the righteous, God's ears open to their cry.
God's face is set against evil-doers, to blot out their remembrance from the earth.
The righteous cry out and God hears them, and rescues them from all their troubles.
God is near to the broken-hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God sets them free from every sorrow.
God guards every bone in their body; not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked; those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
But you, God, redeem the life of your servants;
none who take refuge in you are condemned. REFRAIN
8. HYMN: “My Life Flow On” # 716 VU
1. My life flows on in endless song, above earth's lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing:
It finds an echo in my soul - how can I keep from singing?
2. What though my joys and comforts die? My Saviour still is living.
What though the shadows gather 'round? A new song Christ is giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I'm clinging:
since Love commands both heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
3. When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knells ringing:
when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging:
when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?
4. I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it;
and day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing:
all things are mine since I am Christ's - how can I keep from singing?
9. SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Hebrews 7: 23 - 28
23 There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died. 24 But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save[a] the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them. 26 Jesus is the high priest we need. He is holy and innocent and faultless, and not at all like us sinners. Jesus is honored above all beings in heaven, 27 and he is better than any other high priest. Jesus doesn't need to offer sacrifices each day for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He offered a sacrifice once for all, when he gave himself. 28 The Law appoints priests who have weaknesses. But God's promise, which came later than the Law, appoints his Son. And he is the perfect high priest forever.
The Gospel of Mark 10: 46 - 52
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
46 Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth, he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David,[a] have pity on me!” 48 Many people told the man to stop, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have pity on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him over!” They called out to the blind man and said, “Don't be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.” 50 The man threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to Jesus. 51 Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “Master,[b] I want to see!” 52 Jesus told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith. ” At once the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus.
10. REFLECTION:
11. HYMN: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”# 326 VU
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of God's grace.
2. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
3. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive,
the mournful broken-hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
4. Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes, and leap, you lame, for joy!
5. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad the honours of your name.
12. PRAYER OF YEARNING:
God of quiet mystery, we come looking for a blessing. We long to be counted among the wise, but often find ourselves among the foolish, speaking without knowledge. We yearn to be found among the righteous, but often travel with those who boast without cause. We desire to be instruments of your grace, but often meet genuine pain with empty words. As blind Bartimaeus before us, grant us the courage to cry out in our need, for you are ever drawing near to make us whole. Amen.
Used with permission from The Abingdon Worship Annual 20024; copy right 2023 Abingdon Press
13. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
The good news is that God's grace is freely offered. The good news is that we can let go and let God. The good news is that we can be surprised by grace. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2024;Beth W Johnston
14. SUNG RESPONSE: “Come and Find the Quiet Centre” VU 374 Verses 2 &3
2. Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, face to face,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
3. In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
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. OFFERING INVITATION:
The time of our offering provides a moment to reflect on what we give to the church in time, talents and financial aid. We can not all give the same amount of any one thing but in the end when we give what we can our church is able to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Let us present our morning offering.
17. OFFERTORY: “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”# 541 VU
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
18. PRAYER OF DEDICATON:
God take what we offer and help our church to make a difference in the lives of the world; in our own lives and the people of this community of faith. Amen.
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: “May the God of Hope Go With Us” #424 VU
1. May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Refrain: Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that's new, faithful when we hear Christ's call.
2. May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed. Refrain
21. BLESSING
God heals the broken and makes the wounded whole.
We go with peace in our hearts.
God finds the lost and gives them a home.
We go with joy and thanksgiving.
God visits the lonely and makes them family.
We go with, as the people of God.
Used with permission from The Abingdon Worship Annual 20024;
Copy right 2023 Abingdon Press
22. THREE FOLD AMEN.
Next Sunday: Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 3, 2024: Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146;
Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34.
What's Happening
- SUNDAY, October 27, 2024 “Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost/REFORMATION SUNDAY” 10:45 AM Rev. Jo-Ann Hills “REFLECTIONS” EVERYONE WELCOME!
- SUNDAY, October 27, 2024 BEEF FALL SUPPER 5:00 PM Wesley Hall ALL ARE WELCOME
[Fall Supper Poster displayed on the “HAPPENINGS ”tab]
- TUESDAY, October 29, 2024 BIBLE STUDY 10:00 AM Board Room ALL ARE WELCOME
- TUESDAY, October 29, 2024, 2024 HANDBELL PRACTICE 6:30 PM. Choir Room We always welcome new members. If you enjoy music please join us.
- TUESDAY, October 29, 2024, 2024 YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC) 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Logie hall GYM All Youth 12 years and older are welcome
- FRIDAY, November 1, 2024 “MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MARION GOODFELLOW” 1:00 PM Rev. Jo-Ann Hills ALL ARE WELCOME!
- SUNDAY, November 3, 2024 “Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost/ALL SAINTS DAY” 10:45 AM Rev. Jo-Ann Hills “REFLECTIONS” EVERYONE WELCOME!
- SATURDAY, November 9, 2024 CRAFTS & COLLECTIONS FAIR 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wesley Hall ALL ARE WELCOME
[Please view the poster on the “HAPPENINGS” tab for full details]
- SUNDAY, November 17, 2024 “SUNDAY BRUNCH” 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ALL ARE WELCOME!
HOW TO ACCESS LIVE STREAMING
Open up your web browser (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge)
Type in or copy the church website address into the browser: www.thirdavenueunitedchurchnb.ca
Press ENTER
Click on: SUNDAY SERMONS
Click on: WHITE ARROW in the video frame
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF UPCOMING EVENTS AT THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH, SEE THE “HAPPENINGS” TAB ON THE CHURCH WEBSITE.
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