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Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM


“REFLECTIONS”

THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!

Order of Worship
February 2, 2025
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany


ORDAINED MINISTER:  Rev. Jo-Ann HillS

ORGANIST / PIANIST:  Ilene Wettergreen

HANDBELL DIRECTOR:  Kathleen Link

OFFICE COORDINATOR:   Jodi Hargreaves


SCRIPTURES READER:  Rev. Jo-Ann Hills

ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We acknowledge that we are gathered on treaty 6 area and the homeland of the Metis. For thousands of years, the First Peoples of this place have cared for the land even as the land cared for them. Guided by the wisdom of their traditions and their ancestors, they have been taught that the circle of life is embraced and embracing. Let us carry on this wisdom. Let us live into right relations with love and respect.
     Adapted and used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2022-2023; Jamie Miller

CHRIST CANDLE LIGHTING:
Long ago, before there was a world, before there was anything, before there was day or night, there was God, our Creator and Source of Life and Goodness. Then God said, “Let there be light.”
We light this candle to remind us of that gift of light and love.
     used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; Mary Parsons

All sing: VU 248 “When Long before TimeVerses 5 and 6

5.  The Light has returned as it came once before,
the Song of the Lord is our own song once more;
so let us all sing with one heart and one voice
the Song of the Singer in whom we rejoice.

6.  To you, God the Singer, our voices we raise,
to you, Song Incarnate, we give all our praise,
to you, Holy Spirit, our life and our breath,
be glory for ever, through life and through death.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
It is good to gather with friends
who know and accept us as people of faith.
It is good to gather with friends*
who seek the meaning and purpose of life.
It is good to gather with friends*
who wish to make a difference in our world.
Friends, let us worship!
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; Karen Boivin.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
On TV, in social media, and on the streets, loud, angry voices clamour, insisting on being heard and obeyed.
Sometimes, it seems that rage is the only language we human beings know how to express.
Today, we will experience another kind of language: words of reconciliation and mercy, words of unconditional love.
Surely, these are the words of God.
Let us all now invite God to speak, for we are listening.
Come, God, for your people are listening.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; John Moses.

2. OPENING PRAYER:
God of love and life, speak to our hearts this day. Speak words of wisdom and faith. Open our hearts and minds to perceive your message of love, even when it's hard to hear. Strengthen our faith to answer your call, even when we don't feel confident or capable. Be our wisdom, our strength, and our love, that we may bring your wisdom, strength, and love to the world.  Amen.

     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

3. LEARNING TIME:

4. HYMN: “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”   VU 509
1.  I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.


2.  I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain,
I have wept for love of them;
they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?  Refrain

3.  I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them;
my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?  Refrain

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Holy God, we have gathered in this place today, wanting to experience something greater than ourselves. We praise your greatness and mercy without hesitation or question. May we be granted the wisdom you offer as we receive the words of your scripture today.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; Marie Slivocka

6. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of love and peace, be with us today. We come with the burdens of the stress and difficulties we know in our lives and with the cares of the world on our shoulders. We bring to you our fears and our worries, and we pray for your healing for ourselves and our world. God of hope, we confess that we let the events and demands of our day-to-day lives crowd you out of our thoughts and our actions. Help us consider again the many ways in which you bless and care for us. Help us be people who will reach out to others in loving compassion. We ask these things in Jesus' name.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; Philip Aldis

7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
From birth to rebirth, God writes new beginnings. God offers grace upon grace. In Jesus Christ, God demonstrates an endless love that inspires green shoots of new life.
We are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
     used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2024-2025; Philip Aldis

8.  SUNG RESPONSE: VU 658 “O Love That Wilt Not Let me Go
1.  O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.

2.  O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine's blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.

3.  O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.

4.  O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.


9. AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: New Creed, #918 VU

A NEW CREED

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

10.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
As a sign of our love for God, God's church, and God's creation, let us share our gifts and offerings.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

11. OFFERTORY: “Grant Us, God, the Grace  VU 540
Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.

12.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Bless these gifts, O God, with your love, your strength, and your presence. May the ministries this offering supports be a sign of your love, strength and presence in the world. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission


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13. 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.

14.  BLESSING
Go with the courage of Christ. Go with the Spirit of love. Go to answer God's call, wherever and however God leads.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

15.  THREE FOLD AMEN.


SCRIPTURE READINGS

  • SCRIPTURE LESSON:
           Jeremiah 1:  4 - 10
           The LORD Chooses Jeremiah

  • RESPONSIVE READING:  Psalm 71  page 789 VU  Part 1 (with refrain)
            REFRAIN:A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing

  • SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
           1 Corinthians 13:   1 - 13
           LOVE

  • The Gospel of Luke 4: 21 - 30


  • Next Sunday:  Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
            February 9, 2025:
             Isaiah 6: 1 - 8, [9 - 13];  Psalm 138;
             1 Corinthians 15: 1 - 11;  Luke 5: 1 - 11.



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