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Worship Service – Sunday, August 23, 2020:  “Music is a Divine Gift”

"Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music."
— Martin Luther  

Opening Hymn:  “Morning Has Broken”                                                                     VU 409

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Welcome: Good morning:  Today is “Favourite Hymn” Sunday, hosted by the Worship & Music Team, which is represented this morning by Jo-Ann Dahms and Harvey Loucks.

Acknowledgement of Territory: As we prepare for worship, we acknowledge that the land on which our church and community is built is the unceded land of the Kwayquitlum Coast Salish people. May we work to build and deepen right relationship of thanksgiving and hope for the future. May God bless all with love. Amen  

Call to Worship:  “Seek Ye First”                                                                       VU 356  

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As we wake up every morning, and as we go throughout our days, what do we often hear? Each Sunday as we come together to worship the Lord, whether in person or online, what frames our services? You guessed it: music  Nearly every culture and religion incorporates music into the act of worship.  Why?  Because  music stirs some portion of our hearts that intellect alone cannot touch. When you think about it, it’s strange that music should exist at all. But somewhere, at some time, someone sang the first song—and it was a gift of God’s Grace.  

Prayer of Approach:   “Spirit of Life”                                                               VU 381  

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Prayer of Reconciliation and Words of Assurance:  
“O Lord My God” (How Great Thou Art)   Verses 1, 2 and 4                          VU 238  

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MESSAGE
1. Music teaches us the Gospel.
Hymns and spiritual songs take our faith and compact it. In fact, the melody and phrasing of the music makes our faith memorable. Before we hear a word of scripture read or preached in the service, we’ve already taken in page after page through our singing. Hymns and other forms of music instruct us in the Good News, touching our hearts as well as our minds.  
Hymn: “Come Touch our Hearts”  Verses 1, 2, and 5                                            More Voices 12 

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2. Music connects us to God in unique ways.
The purpose of music goes beyond mere instruction. In many ways, it allows for a direct connection with God in ways sermons can’t or don’t. Singing allows a part of our hearts to speak to God in a way that doesn’t happen as we hear the spoken word. Have you ever noticed? Something incredible happens when we sing. You can feel it when you sing alone, but most especially when you sing as part of a community, a congregation in worship. Something awakens not only in the heart of each person but also in the collective heart of the body of Christ, connecting us to each other and to God in the deepest part of who we are. God created us to communicate with the very depths of our spirit, and singing is a way we can accomplish this in a profound and meaningful way.
Hymn: “In Loving Partnership We Come”                                                                   VU 603 

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3. Music allows us to express our love to God with our whole being.
Scripture commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NRSV). This verse emphasizes the entire body, not through outward actions but through devotion and love. In the New Testament, Jesus responds to a lawyer who asked him about the greatest commandment by pointing back to this same passage, saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 NRSV). Singing is one of the ways in which we express our love towards God with our whole being. We engage every part of our being in worship to God. Worshipping through music changes and transforms us. Worship strengthens us, convicts us, builds us up, and even restores us. In other words, when we sing and devote our whole selves to God, something godly happens within us.
Hymn: “Breathe on me, Breath of God”                                                                      VU 382

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4. Music as worship fulfills God’s command.
Throughout scripture, we’re commanded to sing. Within the Psalms we read, “I… go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,” (Psalm 26:6-7 ESV); “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!” (Psalm 98:5 ESV); and “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:2 ESV). God calls us to sing praise to the Lord and to sing in his presence. The New Testament affirms this call. Paul urged the Ephesians (and us) to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:18-20 ESV).
Hymn:  “Come Let us Sing “    Verses 1, 3, and 4                                                         VU 222

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5. From the Heart Singing is an important part of who we are and who God created us to be. We’re all wired uniquely. We have different gifts, strengths, and favorite styles of music. Scripture encourages us to find the music that allows our hearts to sing and connect to God.   Music that honors God will cause our hearts to sing. And when our hearts sing, worship happens. We’re transformed on the inside as we’re filled with the Spirit and devote everything we are to worship, praise, and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father.
Hymn: “Open My Eyes That I May See”                                                                       VU 371

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Much of the written message today is an adaptation of Bishop Gregory O Brewer’s “Bishop’s Blog”.   We hope that God has used music in worship today to touch your heart and your life in a special way, and that you leave this worship with the peace of God inside.

Prayers of the People:  “We Are Pilgrims”   Verses 1 - 4                                             VU 595

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The Disciples’ Prayer:                                                                                                    VU 959  

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Hymn: “The Day Thou Gavest”                                      Tune: Anglican Praise Book #29
*This is for Marie Coulter  

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Commissioning and Benediction Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord”   Verses 1 and 3              VU 509
*This is for Irene in Scotland               

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Announcements and Additional service materials:

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