ST. COLUMBA
ANGLICAN-UNITED CHURCH
PO Box 1260, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0
Office Phone: 250-949-6247
E-mail: admin@stcolumbaporthardy.ca
Minister: Rev. Christine Muise
E-mail: cmuise@bc.anglican.ca
and Rev. Sheila Cook
Email: scook@bc.anglican.ca
Wardens: Robert Fyles and Priscilla O’Neil
Treasurer: Judy Fyles
Music Ministry: Roldan Yuipco
Video: Ammie Yuipco
Community Partner: Cathie Wilson
www.stcolumbaporthardy.ca

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Year A
July 23rd, 2023 United Church Gathering
Worship leader: Robert Fyles

Mission Statement
As followers of Jesus Christ, our church is a community called to love, honour, worship, and serve God. We invite others to share our Christian journey as we grow in faith and engage in ministry in our town and mission in our world.

~ Leader: regular font
~ All: bold font
~ Sung words: bold italics
~ Asterix* stand as you are able

Welcome and Announcements
Land Acknowledgement

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD

Call to Worship
Here in this space, heaven and Earth touch. Here in this place, the gateway to grace is wide open. Here the people of God come to worship and God enfolds us close in a welcoming embrace. “I am with you,” God declares. We repeat God’s welcome in this community of grace, I am with you.
Let us worship.

*Hymn: VU 264 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light in accessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small,
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish but naught changeth thee!

Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
‘tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Opening Prayer

Prayer of the Day

THE STORY OF FAITH IS PROCLAIMED
Hutłilala's! Listen deeply as Scripture is read.
Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 28: 10-19a

Psalm 139 VU 861
Refrain: God, you have searched me, you know me through and through.
O God, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You discern my path and the places I rest; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue, you know it, O God, completely. You guard me from behind and before, and lay you hand upon me.
It is beyond my knowledge; it is a mystery; I cannot fathom it.
R: God, you have searched me, you know me through and through.

Where can I escape from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in the grave, you are even there.
If I take wing with the dawn and alight at the sea’s farthest limits,
there also your hand will be guiding me your powerful hand holding me fast.
If I say, “Let the darkness cover me and my day be turned to night,”
even darkness is not dark to you: the might is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
R: God, you have searched me, you know me through and through.

It was you who formed my inward parts; you fashioned me my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made. Wondrous are your works; that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was being fashioned in secret, intricately woven in the mystery of clay.
Your eyes saw my substance taking shape; in your book my every day was recorded; all my days were fashioned, even before they came to be.
R: God, you have searched me, you know me through and through.

How deep you designs are to me, O God! How great their number!
I try to count them but they are more than the sand. I come to the end – I am still with you.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Watch closely, lest I follow a path of error
and guide me in the everlasting way.
R: God, you have searched me, you know me through and through.

Epistle Romans 8: 12-25

*Hymn: VU 402 We Are One (vs. 1, 2, 4)

We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
in the praise on our lips, there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found,
and we come needful of God’s grace
as we meet together in this place.

We are one as we share, as we share, brokenness and fear,
in the touch of a hand there’s a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed;
and we share warmth in God’s embrace
as we pray together in this place.

We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite;
in the word we receive there's a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
and we seek justice in God's ways
as we move together from this place.

Words: Doreen Lankshear-Smith; Music: Jeeva Sam; arr. David Kai.

*Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon Reflection

Prayers of the People
Minute for Mission/ PWRDF

In peace let us pray to God,
at the phrase: Your kingdom come;
respond: your will be done.

*The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.

The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
(We share the peace in physically distant but socially cohesive way)

*Hymn: MV 146 The Kingdom of God is Justice and Peace

The kingdom of God is justice and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Come Lord and open in us
the gates of your kingdom.

(Repeat as directed)

Words and music: Taizé Community

*Response: VU 540 Grant Us, God, the Grace

Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.

Prayer over the Gifts

Blessing

*Hymn: VU 678 For the Healing of the Nations

For the healing of the nations,
God we pray with one accord;
For a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action,
help us rise and pledge our word.

Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release;
That, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness,
fear will die and hope increase.

All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned:
Pride of status, race or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice,
may we hallow life`s brief span.

You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind;
that, by our response and service,
earth its destiny may find.

Words: Fred Kaan, Music: Henry Purcell.

*Three-fold Amen

Announcements

• Summer Focus: National Truth and Reconciliation Day events
• Donations of canned and dried food are always appreciated.
• August 9 Church Council 2:30 PM

Liturgical resources:
Celebrate God's Presence: A Book of Services. Copyright ©2000 United Church of Canada.
Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFusion Pentecost 1 2023. Copyright © 2022. Wood Lake Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.  

Music copyright:
Words for hymns reprinted and/or streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 or CCLI License # 11033010. All rights reserved.  

Voices United 264 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Words: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1867; Music: Welsh folk song. Copyright: Public Domain.  

Voices United 861 Psalm 139 Refrain Music: Hal H. Hopson © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#13223). All rights reserved.  

Voices United 402 We Are One Words: Doreen Lankshear-Smith, 1988; Music: Jeeva Sam 1987; arr. David Kai 1995. Words copyright © 1988 Doreen Lankshear-Smith. Music copyright © 1995 Jeeva Sam. Arrangement copyright © David Kai.  All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed with permission under CCLI License # 11033010 (2343602) or ONE LICENSE #A-720359 Words (#117737) Music (59e0e28addd02). All rights reserved. 

More Voices 146 The Kingdom of God Words and music: Taizé Community. Words and music copyright © 2001 Ateliers de Presses de Taizé (France). All rights reserved. Published and printed through exclusive agreement by GIA Publications Inc. Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#65227). All rights reserved.  

Voices United 540 Grant Us, God, the Grace Words: anonymous; Music: attributed Christian F. Witt, P, Psalmodia Sacra, 1715; adaptation Henry John Gauntlett, 1861. Copyright: Public Domain.  

Voices United 678 For the Healing of the Nations Words: Fred Kaan, 1965; Music: Henry Purcell, ca. 1682. Words copyright © 1968 Hope Publishing Company. Music: Public Domain. Descant: © 1987 Songs for a Gospel People. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed with permission under CCLI License # 11033010 (2061568), or ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#16887). Permission on file for descant if played or sung. All rights reserved.