Balzac Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada
Thanksgiving Sunday October 8, 2023
Minister: Kelly Grittner
Prelude
Thanksgiving Hymn arr. C. Curtis
Welcome and Announcements
Listen to the service here
Bulletin link
Hymn link
Sermon link
Blessing Bank
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
With thankful hearts, we gather here where the doors are wide open to all. We come with open hearts and open minds, thankful that we are children of the light of Christ. The candle is lit.
Call to Worship
The air we breathe
Is a gift of God
The food we eat
Is a gift of God
The life we live
Is a gift of God
The love we give
Is a gift of God
We remember
And give thanks!
Hymn This is the Day VU 412
Opening Prayer
God, giver of all good, you continually pour your benefits upon us. Age after age the living wait upon you and find that your faithfulness has no end, that your care is unfailing. We praise you that the mystery of life is a mystery of infinite goodness. We praise you for the order and constancy of nature; for the beauty and bounty of the earth; for day and night, summer and winter,
seedtime and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings. We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life, for our homes, for our friends, and for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people. Amen.
Celebrate God’s Presence: A Book of Services for The United Church of Canada
Children Chat Thanks and Giving
“The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
Hymn I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me VU 575
SHARING OF SCRIPTURE Psalm 65 “To Bless The Earth” VU 782
REFLECTION “The Ten Lepers” Luke 17:11-19 listen to the sermon here
Special Music Joyful Thanksgiving J. Martin
DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING
Loving God, we come to you in thanksgiving, knowing that all we are and all we have are gifts from you.
We offer to you this day all the facets of our lives.
We offer gifts of time, talent, and possessions to reflect our love for you and our neighbour.
May we grow in wisdom and insight to understand your will for us.
Help us to reach out to others as you, our God, reach out to us.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & 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
Closing Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation VU 227
BENEDICTION
May you be blessed with an unwavering trust in God. May you walk with integrity in the way of Jesus. And may the Spirit of God inspire and guide you all your days. Amen.
Postlude Let All Things Now Living arr. J.S. Sanborn
