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Trinity United Church
Proper 24
Oct 18, 2020
Sunday Gathering  

Sunday Worship this week was a pre-recorded service provided by Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church. So this week’s Sunday Gathering has been put together for those who cannot join via Zoom. The hymns are from previous Sundays and there is no message.  

If you would like to listen/watch the prerecorded service CLICK HERE.  

Acknowledgement of Territory
We humbly acknowledge that we gather to worship on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people, the Kwikwitlem First Nations.  

Gathering
Lord, you have welcomed us saying,      
    “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.”
Lord you have promised us,      
    “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Lord, you have blessed us saying,      
    “I will make all my goodness to pass before you.”
Lord you have humbled us saying,      
    “I will proclaim before you my holy name.”
Lord we now come to you in worship,      
    Be gracious to whom you will be gracious and show mercy to whom you will show mercy.      Amen.  

Hymn “Come Let us Sing” VU 222  
CLICK HERE to listen.

Prayer of Reconciliation and Words of Assurance
Holy One,
We seek affirmation of your presence among us and yet, we deny your presence in those among us.
We seek your mercy and affection, and yet refuse mercy and affection to those whom you love.
We seek to be reconciled with you in all things, and yet we do not reconcile with our neighbours whom we have wronged.
We call for justice and yet act unjustly.  

Turn our hearts, O God.
Help us to witness you in those whom you love.
Teach us compassion.
Reconcile our ends with yours.
Lead us in your everlasting ways. Amen.  

Friends in Christ, we find favour in God’s sight.
God is with us. God’s Goodness is before us.
God reconciles us with Godself and with the world.
Thanks be to God.  

Telling our Ancient Story “Favour in My Sight” based on Exodus 33:12-23  

Favour in my sight: "I love you."
God replied: "I will be with you."  

Moses brought down the tablets with the Ten Commandments but when he returned to the camp with the other Israelites, they had built themselves a giant calf from the gold they'd taken with them from the Egyptians. And they were worshiping the golden calf instead of God.  

This hurt Moses' feelings and he was so angry, he threw down the tablets and they broke in to tiny pieces.  

He destroyed the statue of the golden calf and he made the people pray to God and say they were sorry for how they had behaved.  

Moses had failed God; he had failed the people; and the people had failed both Moses and God.  

After all they had been through together, this was a complete disaster. Moses didn't have any idea at all how God's people would ever become the great nation God had promised they would become. He wasn't sure God would even want to be friends with the people any more.  

Moses was very sad, tired, and afraid when he returned to God to pray.  

"God," Moses said, "You once said that you know me by my name and that I have found favour in your sight. Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and know that I have found favour in your sight. And remember, that these people are your people. Even when they have turned their back on you."  

And God replied, "I will be with you."  

Moses continued, "If you don't go with us when we leave this place, how will people know that I have found favour in your sight? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth."  

And God replied, "I will be with you.  You have found favour in my sight.  

Moses continued, "Show me your glory, I pray."  

And God replied, "I will be with you.  You have found favour in my sight.  But I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.  You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.  See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back;  But my face shall not be seen."  

And so Moses didn't quite get what he asked for, but he understood that God was still with him and the people and that he and the people had found favour in God's sight.    

Hymn “How Firm a Foundation” VU 660
CLICK HERE to listen.
  

Special Music: Panis Angelicus by César Franck performed by David Rogers and Rev Cathcart.
CLICK HERE to listen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and intercession
Holy One,
We seek affirmation of your presence among us.  

Our hearts are heavy with what transpires in our world: pandemic, elections, climate crisis, racial injustice, poverty and homelessness, human trafficking and slavery, economic disparity, rampant addiction and mental illness… the list of what overwhelms us goes on. Remind us that these conditions are not of your reign, but of the reign of this world.  

Instill in us a sense that we are not alone. Let us feel you moving in our hearts, full of goodness and strength. Tuck us away in the cleft of the rock that we might safely witness your presence and proclaim your glory.  

We are so grateful for our homes and livelihoods.
For our community of faith and the means we have to reach out to others in difficult times, both for aid and to offer aid.
We are grateful for heart connections with family, and friends.
We are grateful to witness the change of seasons, a reminder that the way things are is not how they must always be.
We are grateful for fresh air, clean water, and good food.  

We pray for your church, for Trinity United Church, for Pacific Mountain Region, for the United Church of Canada, for the world church, for all faithful servants who pursue ways of justice and compassion.
We pray for the civil bodies that govern and organize our communities.
We pray for our loved ones: Peggy, Jenny, Ria, Bart, Joan, and so many more…  

Now we turn to you as a child turns to her mother seeking affirmation and comfort, saying the words that Jesus taught us… 

The Disciples’ Prayer  

Hymn “God of the Bible” MV 28
CLICK HERE to listen.

Commissioning and Benediction
Know this, friends in Christ:
we find favour in God’s sight.
God loves us and goes with us in the way.
Thanks be to God! Amen.  

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.