Trinity United Gravenhurst - Sun October 17, 2021, Minister - Carol-Ann Chapman

Sunday, October 24, 2021 Celebrating our Muskoka Ukulele Society’s 10th anniversary Mission Statement To be a compassionate, inclusive and joyful faith community PRELUDE Will the Circle Be Unbroken (Ukulele Group) LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE We light this candle as a symbol of the light of Christ, which cannot be held back by distance, which shines in each one of us, no matter where we are. HYMN Down By The Riverside (Ukulele Group) CALL TO WORSHIP MOMENT TO CENTRE QUIET REFLECTION TIME TAIZÉ Bless the Lord, my soul and bless God’s holy name Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Kindly read the bold print) God, you have given each of us many gifts, but sometimes we cannot recognize what gift we have to share, so we hide it under a bushel. God, you remind us that all gifts are needed, but sometimes we let ourselves be convinced that some gifts are more special than others. God, you call us to work, to live, to love together as parts of one body, but sometimes we decide that membership in the body is limited by our understandings. God, for the times we have ignored or mislabeled Your gifts, for those times we have cut another off from the body, We offer words of repentance, we ask for forgiveness and grace. ...time of silent prayer... WORDS OF ASSURANCE/FORGIVENESS (Kindly read the bold print) God is the giver of MANY gifts. God is the Creator of the ONE body. God is slow to anger and quick to forgive. God helps us to share and honour the gifts of all, God helps us to heal the wounds and reunite the body. We are forgiven, loved, and accepted. Thanks be to God! Amen TAIZÉ Bless the Lord, my soul and bless God’s holy name Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life READING Romans 12:1-8 (The Inclusive Bible) READER Beth Cruickshank RESPONSE Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church Thanks be to God SCRIPTURE EXPLAINED MINISTER’S REFLECTION HYMN V.U. 509 Here I am Lord HISTORY OF THE UKULELE GROUP Dan McCoy HYMN Keep On the Sunny Side BLESSING OVER THE GIFTS PASTORAL PRAYER (kindly read the bold print) Gracious God, In love You created us, and in love You sustain us, day after day. So it is with confidence that we bring our prayers to You, knowing that You hear us, and will respond. We offer our prayers for the world around us. We pray for those who find themselves in bondage: those forced into slavery or prostitution, those oppressed by governments or economic systems, those enslaved by personal addictions. Gracious God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer. We pray for those who struggle to raise their children in the midst of violence or poverty; those who can only stand by and watch as their sons or daughters die of starvation or malnutrition, of preventable disease, or from gang violence. Gracious God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer. We pray for those who refuse to participate in violence or injustice, who courageously stand up for what they know is right, regardless of the personal consequences. Gracious God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer. We also pray for those who oppress others, who are unable to break free from cycles of violence and anger, who are no longer able to empathize with their victims. Gracious God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer. We pray for all who suffer this day, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. May Your presence surround and sustain each one, so that they may know your love and live. Gracious God, hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer. Finally, God, we pray for ourselves—members of Your Body here on earth. Break down the barriers that divide us from one another. Unite us in our common allegiance to You as Lord and Saviour. Grant us compassion and humility in our relationships. Release the gifts You have given to each one, so that in us and through us, Your kingdom might come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER (sung, V.U. 960) CLOSING HYMN I’ll Fly Away/Do Lord Medley (in memory of Doreen Phillip) ANNOUNCEMENTS BLESSING (kindly read the bold print) May I remind you that wherever we are, in the sanctuary or watching from home, we are the church, And wherever you are, may you feel God’s love to the left of you and the right of you, In front of you and behind you Above you and below you Within you and within everyone you meet Now and always. Amen. SUNG BLESSING Go Now In Peace (Back of Voices United) PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you And also with you POSTLUDE This Little Light of Mine #gravenhurst #unitedchurch