ST. COLUMBA
ANGLICAN-UNITED CHURCH
PO Box 1260, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0
Office Phone: 250-949-6247
E-mail: admin@stcolumbaporthardy.ca
Wardens: Robert Fyles & Priscilla O’Neil
Treasurer: Judy Fyles
Minister: Rev. Christine Muise
E-Mail: cmuise@bc.anglican.ca
Community Partner: Cathie Wilson
Music Ministry: Roldan Yuipco
Video: Ammie Yuipco
www.stcolumbaporthardy.ca
Remembrance Sunday
November 12, 2023
United Church Communion
†††††
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
On this Remembrance Sunday we gather to pray
for a world where no one will learn war anymore.
On this day when the guns once fell silent,
we gather to pray for peace to reign in every heart, home and nation.
On this day of hope,
we come before you, God, to remember all those who gave their lives so we could be free.
In this time of story, song, and prayer, help us to catch a vision of how the world could live together.
And so, let echo the old prayers—make us channels of your peace.
In that spirit, let us join our hearts in song.
Opening Prayer
Almighty God,
Grant that we who gather here today may pay fitting tribute and honour to the memory of those who have died in the service of their country.
May we be so inspired by the spirit of their love and courage that, forgetting all selfish and unworthy motives,
we may live only to your glory and to the service of your people.
May we who desire peace be willing to work for justice.
We ask this through Jesus the Christ. Amen.
*Hymn: VU 687 When Will People Cease Their Fighting
When will people cease their fighting?
When will armies wage no war,
nations conquer not their neighbour,
weapons idle, used no more?
When will guns and bombs be silent?
When will captives be set free?
All creation groans in longing
for the world's true liberty.
Floods and earthquakes, drought and famine
plague the world with awesome ill,
but far greater is war's horror
caused by human, stubborn will.
Blest are those who, working, praying,
purpose in their hearts to be
instruments of peace, committed
to the nations' harmony.
As we strive for peace with vigour,
hoping to be shown the way,
we are strengthened in the knowledge
of a future, perfect day;
for we know that deeper, richer
peace is ours when Christ shall reign;
then will all our swords be plowshares
and God's children free from pain.
Words: Constance Cherry
Prayer of the Day
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we thank you for bringing us together this Remembrance Sunday to recall with tenderness and respect those who lost their lives from this community and the many thousands farther afield in the wars of the last century.
We pray for all those still caught up in conflicts across the world and acknowledge what may be our own confusion about war and how we might participate in creating an enduring peace.
Help us to meet with you in these moments of worship, make us ever mindful of your goodness toward us, and strengthen us to be aware of the needs of others. As we pray for peace, may it start with peace in our hearts.
Silence is kept.
Words of affirmation
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life,
Hear our prayers for all this day, and help us to live in love and service. Amen
THE STORY OF FAITH IS PROCLAIMED
Hutlilala’s! Listen deeply as Scripture is read.
Hebrew Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-9
Psalm 116: 1-8 BAS p 864-865
I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
The Lord watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the Lord has treated you well.
For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
Eternal God, faithful in your tender compassion, you give us hope for our life here and hereafter through the victory of your only Son. When we share his cup of salvation, revive in us the joy of this everlasting gift. We ask his in his name. Amen.
Epistle: 1 Peter 1: 3-9
*Hymn: MV 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah
Hope of Abraham and Sarah,
friend of Hagar, God of Ruth,
you desire that ev’ry people
worship you in spirit, truth.
Meet us in our sacred places,
mosque and synagogue and church.
Show us paths of understanding;
bless us in our common search.
Root us in our own tradition,
faith our forebears handed down.
Grow us in your grace and knowledge;
plant our feet on solid ground.
Cultivate the seeds of sharing
in this world of many creeds.
Keep us open, wise in learning,
bearing fruit in loving deeds.
Hope of Abraham and Sarah,
sov’reign God whom we adore,
form in us your new creation
free of violence, hate, and war.
So may Torah, cross and crescent,
each a sign of life made new,
point us t’ward your love and justice,
earth at peace and one in you.
Words: Ruth Duck; Music: Judith Snowdon
*Gospel: John 6: 37-40
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Reflection
Prayers of the People
Minute for Mission/ PWRDF
May God give peace.
God give peace.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
*Hymn: VU 615 When Quiet Peace is Scattered
When quiet peace is shattered
by dreadful noise of war,
and we are bruised and battered
by fighting's constant roar;
Lord, break the silence of your word
and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.
When troubles still our love-song,
and fear beats hard within,
when anger drowns the dove's song,
and life's a noisy din,
Lord, break the silence of your word
and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.
When clashing wills divide us,
and hearts refuse to mend,
when feelings scream inside us,
and agonies won't end,
Lord, break the silence of your word
and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.
Words: Mary Nelson Keithahn; Music: John D. Horman
*Response: VU 466 Eat this Bread
Eat this bread, drink this cup;
come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup;
trust in me and you will not thirst.
Words: Robert J. Batastini and the Taizé Community; Music: Jacques Berthier
*Prayer over the Gifts
THE SACRED MEAL IS SHARED
What we do here, we do in imitation of what Christ first did. ... Do this to remember me. So now we do as Jesus did.
We take this bread and this wine, the produce of the earth and fruit of human labour: In these, Jesus has promised to be present; Through these, Christ can make us whole.
Let us pray.
May God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, for you made us, and before us, you made the world we inhabit,
...Therefore, we gladly join our voices to the song of the Church on earth and in heaven:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the Highest.
... And let that same spirit rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of him whose food we now share. Amen.
*The Lord’s Prayer:
We pray as Jesus taught:
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.
Fraction
Among friends, gathered round a table, ... Take it, all of you, to remember me.’
(Please remain in your seat, communion will be brought to you.)
Sharing of the elements
As we share the bread, we recall that God will always love us.
As we share the ‘fruit’, we recall that God will never leave us.
Prayer after Communion
*Hymn: VU 697 O for a World
O for a world where everyone
respects each other's ways,
where love is lived and all is done
with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared
and misery relieved,
where truth is spoken, children spared,
quality achieved.
We welcome one world family
and struggle with each choice
that opens us to unity
and gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich, the weak are strong,
the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong,
who perishes will rise.
O for a world preparing for
God's glorious reign of peace,
where time and tears will be no more,
and all but love will cease.
Words: Miriam Therese Winter
*Blessing
*Benediction
Having gathered, remembered, heard, given, and prayed,
we ask, Almighty God, for your blessing, and for your continual presence in our lives.
Remind us that no matter where we go, you are there.
No matter how bleak the world becomes, all it takes is one ray of light for a new day to be upon us once again. Amen.
Thanks be to God! AMEN. Gilakas’la
*Three-fold Amen
Announcements
- Mission Focus: Gazette Hamper Fund
- PWRDF and United Church of Canada are sponsoring appeals to send aid to Gaza and the West Bank that will be matched until Nov 12.
- Nov 14 Church Council 6:30 PM hybrid.
- “Then Let Us Sing” sing along for new hymns in an upcoming new United Church hymn book. Date TBD
- Dec 2 Advent set up 10 AM – 1 PM. Lunch will be served
Liturgical Resources:
Wee Worship Book Holy Communion Liturgy A ©1999 Wild Goose Resource Group
United Church of Canada worship resources: https://united-church.ca/prayers/day-remembrance
Blessing: Rev. Andrew McTyre: Park Central Presbyterian Church May 2020
Music copyright:
Words for hymns reprinted and podcast or streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 and CCLI License # 11033010. All rights reserved.
Voices United 687 When Will People Cease Their Fighting Words: Constance Cherry, 1983; Music: Franz Joseph Hayden, 1797. Words copyright © 1990 Constance Cherry; now administered by Hope Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#79861). All rights reserved.
More Voices 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah Words: Ruth Duck, 2004; Music: Judith Snowdon, 2006. Words copyright © 2005 by GIA Publications. Music copyright © 2006 by Judith Snowdon. All rights reserved. Words reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#25301). Music used with permission of Judith Snowdon (email on file). All rights reserved.
Voices United 615 When Quiet Peace is Scattered Words: Mary Nelson Keithahn, 1991; Music: John D. Horman, 1991. Words and music copyright © 1993 Hinshaw Music Inc. (administered worldwide by Fred Bock Music Company Inc.). All rights reserved. Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#25671). All rights reserved.
Voices United 466 Eat this Bread Words: Robert J. Batastini and the Taizé Community, 1982; Music: Jacques Berthier, 1982. Words and music copyright © 1984 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. All rights reserved. Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359 (#00891). All rights reserved.
Voices United 697 O for a World Words: Miriam Therese Winter, 1987; Music: Carl Gotthelf Gläser 1828; arranger Lowell Mason, 1839. Words copyright © 1990 Medical Mission Sisters. All rights reserved. Reprinted and podcast with permission as found on Miriam Therese Winter’s website http://mtwinter.hartsem.edu/permission.htm. All rights reserved.
