Sunday Gathering - January 31

Trinity United Church
4th Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday January 31, 2021
Zoom Worship  

“Connection not Perfection”  

WE GATHER

Greeting/Welcome

Acknowledgement of Territory
We humbly acknowledge that even as we gather digitally, we gather and live and work bon the unceded territory of the Coast Salish People, Trinity United Church rests on the unceded territory of the Kwikwitlem First Nations.  

Prelude

Call to Worship
Praise God!      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
Great are the works of God!      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
Full of honour and majesty is God’s work!      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
God is Gracious and merciful!      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
God provides food for those who live in wonder and awe.      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
The works of God’s hands are faithful and just.      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
God sends redemption to the people.      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
Holy and awesome is God’s name.      
    Awe in the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
All those who practice wisdom have good understanding.               
    God’s praise endures forever  

Prayer of Approach
Holy One, instill in us a sense of awe and wonder
and increase our wisdom. 
We ask this in the name
of the one who calls us.  Amen.  

Hymn “We Are Pilgrims” VU 595  
CLICK HERE for video.

Prayer of Reconciliation and Words of Assurance
Holy and all-powerful God,
who commands all spirits,
comforts those in distress,
and casts out destructive forces,
we confess that we are unable to do your will.
We protect what is familiar
and reject what is unknown.
We admire those with courage
but excuse ourselves when we falter from the truth.
We forget that you are always with us,
and that with you all things are possible.

Forgive us, lead us, make us new.
Remove our desire to heed false prophets,
and show us your way;
in the name of the Father and of the Son, and Holy Spirit,
one God, Mother of us all.  Amen.*  

The God who made you and knows your every thought
hears you now and forgives you all your sin.
You have been redeemed through Jesus Christ,
God’s Son, our Saviour, who is Alpha and Omega, all in all.*

*Feasting on the Word Liturgies for Year B Vol 1, p59  

WE HEAR THE WORD  

Telling our Ancient Story: "Jesus visits the Synagogue."     
CLICK HERE for video.

Hymn “As A Fire Is Meant for Burning” VU 578
CLICK HERE for video.  

Reading
Mark 1:21-28 21 
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ 26And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.  

This is the witness of the early church. Thanks be to God!  

Message: CLICK HERE for video. (Video only this week.)

WE RESPOND  

Special Music

Prayers of Thanksgiving and intercession
We pray for the need of the word saying:
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For the healing of the Earth and all its creatures;
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For the church’s willingness to cast out demons in its midst
for congregations that are in turmoil,
for the healing of divisions between the followers of Christ Jesus.
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For leaders of nations,
for those who have great wealth,
for those who have too much power,
for those who have destructive weapons,
and for those who have none;
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For those who are victims of others’ idolatry,
for children who have no one to listen to their cries for food and shelter,
for parents who cannot answer the needs of their children,
for peacemakers and diplomats, for those who give through charities,
and for those who use the law
to make policies for the greater good;
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For all who are in pain and in need of care,
especially those we name now aloud or silently: …
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

For the wisdom to fear you rightly,
the power to withstand changes in our own lives
that bring us closer to you,
for the ability to give thanks for the people
who have brought us to this time –
our ancestors, teachers, pastors, and the martyrs of every age;
Hear us O God, Your mercy is great.*  

Into your hands we commend all those for whom we pray
and those it would be easy to forget.
We ask your blessing on all your people,
that we may come at last to the truth
around your banquet table that has no end;
through Christ Jesus, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.*

*Feasting on the Word Liturgies for Year B, Vol 1, p59-60    

The Disciples’ Prayer  “Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother" CLICK HERE for video.

 WE GO FORTH  

Hymn  “All Praise to Thee” VU 327  
CLICK HERE for video.

Commissioning and Benediction
Go out from this place to a world fully known by God.
Where there is fear, remember the authority of Christ Jesus.
Where there is need of love, give it.
Where there is pain, bring peace.
For you are loved by the One who redeems,
and freed to live by the Word of life.  

Go in peace with the knowledge that God’s power
is given to the church, the body of Christ,
for the sake of the life of the world.  Amen.*

*Feasting on the Word Liturgies for Year B, Vol 1, p59-60

Announcements

Giving:

• if you are already on Pre-Authorized Remittance, thank you.
• we do ask that you continue to offer your financial support even though we are not meeting face to face, our ministry together continues.
• at the top of this page you will see a "Donate Now" button. If you click on it, it will lead you to our donation page.