July 23rd 2023 – ” We can’t run away”

2023-07-23 "We can't run away from ourselves (but we can run to God)" 11 AM

Dear friends, 

This Sunday the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship. 

Our gospel lesson continues in the Gospel of Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43, “The Parable of the Weeds.”  Jesus is speaking to the large crowds once again in parables, but this time, not about seeds being scattered onto different soils, but of the seeds themselves.  In this parable, the two seeds planted in the world represent either the sons and daughters of the kingdom, or the sons and daughters of the evil one, yet both are growing alongside one another.  One commentator notes, “Is this world getting better or is it getting worse?  Both!  This world is getting better and it is getting worse at the same time!  The good seed is growing and producing an abundant harvest.  And the weeds are growing too.  With every week that passes they are larger and more deeply rooted than before.”  God is continuing to build His church today until the Second Coming of Christ, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  


Order of Service

Welcome

Call to Worship

Hymn 321: “Praise to the Lord, the almighty” (vs 2 & 4 en français)

Prayer of Adoration

Prayer of Confession

Declaration of Grace

The Lord’s Prayer

Children’s Time

Hymn 654: “O God of Bethel, by whose hand”

Responsive Reading: Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24

Gloria Patri 

Genesis 28: 10-19 (en français – English on the screen)

Romans 8: 12-25

Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Sermon: “We can’t run away from ourselves (but we can run to God)”

Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed

Hymn 769: “Lord of light, whose name and splendour”

Offering and Offertory

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Hymn 411: “Stand up and bless the Lord”

Benediction

Go now in peace

Postlude

Christmas Eve 2022

2022-12-24 Christmas Eve Service 7:30 PM

Dear Friends,

On Christmas Eve we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Light and Redeemer of the world. We have been preparing for his advent for the last four weeks in anticipation of the kind of hope, peace, joy and love that only Jesus can provide for us. Please join us as we light the Christ candle and celebrate in reverent worship and adoration of our Emmanuel, “God with us”.

Our Christmas Eve readings are taken from the Old Testament book, Isaiah, and the New Testament books, Luke and Matthew. We look back to the prophet, Isaiah, and remember God’s covenantal promises given to Israel (and ultimately to the world) concerning the birth of the Messiah, “the Root of Jesse”. Then, continuing from Matthew and Luke, we see in the fullness of time (according to God’s perfect and appointed time in history), God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law (Galatians 4: 4-5a). 

What hope, what joy, what love, and what assurance we have in Jesus! Let us join our hearts together this Christmas Eve, and sing the true meaning of Christmas, “Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices! Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born!” (O Holy Night, written by Placide Cappeau and composed by Adolphe Adam). 


Order Of Service

Prelude
Call to Worship
Lighting of the candle of Hope
1st Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-9
Choir Anthem: “In the bleak mid-winter”
Hymn 122: “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel” (vs 2 & 3 en Français)
Prayer of adoration
Lighting of the candle of Peace
2nd Reading: Luke 2: 8-14
Hymn 139: “Hark! the herald angels sing” (vs 2 en Français)
Children’s Time
Lighting of the candle of Joy
3rd Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
A Christmas Declaration
Hymn 136: “The first nowell”
Lighting of the candle of Love
4th Reading: Luke 2: 1-7 (lecture en Français – English on the screen)
Choir Anthem: “The Sussex carol”
Litany: “Away in a manger”
Offering & Offertory
Hymn 154: Silent night
Lighting of the Christ candle
Hymn 153: “Joy to the world”
Benediction
Postlude