Balzac Pastoral Charge
of the United Church of Canada
World Peace Sunday October 22, 2023
Minister: Kelly Grittner
Prelude Jesus, What a Beautiful Name arr. L. Shackley
Welcome and Announcements
Listen to the service here
Bulletin link
Hymn link
Sermon link
Land Acknowledgement
“As we gather together, let us pause to remember that we live, work and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the nations of Treaty 7. As Christ’s people, may we be people of love, of truth, and of reconciliation. May we live with respect on this land, and in peace and friendship with its people.
Lighting the Christ Candle
We live in a time of turmoil
It is hard to find peace in the world or in our hearts
In these anxious times, we turn to the light of Christ
to ground us, to guide us, to comfort us.
May this light be our peace, always.
Amen
Amen
Offering of Music “Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream” (Ed McCurdy 1950)
listen to the offering here
CALL TO WORSHIP
The rich and the poor the old and the young
Take heart! God is calling you.
The timid and the shy, the bold and the daring
Take heart! God is calling you.
From roadsides and alleyways, footpaths and freeways,
Take heart! God is calling you,
to open up eyes and redirect lives.
Take heart! God is calling.
Opening Prayer
Source of goodness we long to see your face and hear you call our name.
We covet your grace and are eager to follow the way of Jesus.
Meet us in our deepest needs and call us forth to journey with you and one another. Amen.
Hymn I Have Called You by Your Name MV 161
Children Chat Time Angela Wigglesworth
Prayer for Peace
O God, you are the Source of Peace.
We turn to you now.
Too often we are not at peace with ourselves, much less with each other.
Broken relationships hurt us and separate us from one another.
Angry words wound us deeply.
Grudges held onto, fester and never heal.
In our world, conflict rages as those who seek more power, Ignore human life and dignity.
Creator God, we turn to you.
Mend our spirits with your gentleness.
Teach us how to love each other as you would have us love.
Help us to become makers of peace. Amen.
Hymn Make Me a Channel of Your Peace VU 684
Scripture Reading
Psalm 99 (VU 819 From Exodus 15)
Isaiah 11 1-10 NSRV
Response to the Scripture Reading
This is the witness of the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Reflection: “The Peaceful Kingdom – An Extravagant Dream” listen to the sermon here
Choir Special Go Ye Into All the World E. Butler Listen to the choir here
Offertory Prayer
We do not meet the people that our gifts reach;
we cannot feel the pain or know their struggle.
But with generous hearts, we give in faith, for we know that you, loving God, will bless the
compassion,
the freedom, and the community that these gifts make possible. Amen
Prayers for the Day
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven.
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen
Hymn I’ve Got Peace Like a River VU 577
Commissioning and Blessing
We go out from this place
on journeys unknown
with companions by our side
and Christ on the road:
before us
behind us
beside us.
Go then as the people of God,
encouraged and empowered
by God who goes with us.
Hymn Go Now in Peace x2 VU 964
Postlude Worthy Is the Lamb arr. L. Shackley
