South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge...We Are Linked In LOVE!!
Whether you attend the Courtland United Church or Cultus United Church, you will be met with warmth and sincerity. We are a 2 point charge known as the South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge. We welcome ALL to join us on Sunday mornings, or anytime...for worship and friendship! Under the loving and brilliant guidance of our Minister Ted Smith, you will be enlightened and moved.
CULTUS UNITED CHURCH: Located at 748-6th Concession Road ENR, Cultus, Ontario WORSHIPS on Sundays at 9:00am
COURTLAND UNITED CHURCH: Located at 133 Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario WORSHIPS on Sundays at 10:30am
Our Mission Statement: The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is called to be a Christian community empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
CONTACT US: EMAIL: swnpc@yahoo.ca Office Phone: 519-688-4050
OUR MAILING ADDRESS: South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge, P.O.Box 129, 119 Talbot Road, Courtland, On., N0J1E0
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CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-West-Norfolk-Pastoral-Charge/1607350796216192?sk=timeline
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CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SWNPC
REMEMBERING IN THE NAME OF PEACE
"When hands reach out beyond divides and hope is truly found, each chain of hate will fall away and bells of peace shall sound.
When fear no longer guides our steps and days of war are done, God's dream for all shall live anew; our hearts will heal as one.
When race and creed blind us no more, a neighbour's face we'll see, and we shall dance the whole world round, for love will set us free."
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These words written by Keri Wehlander, compose the hymn "When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides", found in our More Voices hymn book page 169.
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These words paint such a graceful picture of hope and possibilities for God's vision of peace to be lived out in this world . As we approach Remembrance Day once again we recognize the importance of remembering those who have given their lives in the name of peace. It seems war has always been a part of humanity if one looks back through history the evidence is clear. I find it a very saddening experience to witness through history books, and to witness current events of people warring against people. Each time one group raises violence against another to serve their own agenda, be it greed for resources, doctrinal or political polarization, our world moves further away from God's vision of a peaceable kingdom.
I believe we are all called to something greater than we are now as a world community. We are called to reach out beyond the divides that separate us and allow God's love to free us. It's a call to everyone: Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi or Zen, we are all God's beloved, called to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Why is it so difficult?
I'd like to hare with you a poem authored by Jelluddin Rumi, the sufi mystic, written in the thirteenth century.
" The son of Mary, Jesus, hurries up a slope as though a wild animal were chasing him. Someone following him asks, 'Where are you going? No one is after you.' Jesus keeps on, saying nothing, across two more fields. 'Are you the one who says words over a dead person, so that he wakes up?' I am. 'Did you not make the clay birds fly?' Yes. 'Who, then could possibly cause you to run like this?' Jesus slows his pace.
I say the Great Name over the deaf and the blind, they are healed. Over a stony mountainside, and it tears its mantel down to the navel.
Over non-existence, it comes into existence. But when I speak lovingly for hours, for days with those who take human warmth and mock it, when I say the Name to them, nothing happens. They remain rock, or turn to sand, where no plants can grow. Other diseases are ways for mercy to enter, but this non-responding breeds violence and coldness toward God. I am fleeing from that.
As little by little air steals water, so praise is dried up and evaporates with foolish people who refuse to change. Like cold stone you sit on, a cynic steals body heat. He doesn't feel the sun. Jesus wasn't running from actual people. He was teaching a new way."
A new way. Thank you Jesus!
May the process of remembering and honouring those who have sacrificed themselves in in the quest of the peaceable kingdom move us closer to God's vision for us.
Shalom......... Pastor Ted.
South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge of The United Church of Canada
CULTUS / COURTLAND UNITED CHURCHES
MINISTER: PASTOR TED (P.T.) SMITH
Music Leaders: Judy Dekorte / Lynn Jennings / Gwen Booker
Office Administrator: Leslie Pettinger Office Phone: 519-688-4050 Email: swnpc@yahoo.ca
Sunday November 10, 2019 Remembrance Sunday
WE GATHER AS GOD’S BELOVED
GREETINGS AND WELCOME
CENTERING MOMENT AND COLLECT
INTROIT: “O let the power fall on me, my Lord, let the power fall on me; O let the power from heaven fall on me, let the power fall on me.” (MV # 13, verse 1, used with permission)
PRAYER OF APPROACH: (Unison) God of peace and love, we remember with sadness the pain and suffering of war. We remember those who are suffering this minute because of past wars or present wars. We also remember the smaller wars that happen within communities, among friends, within families, within ourselves. We pray for peace. We pray for courage to be peacemakers, no matter the cost. We pray for the day when your love is alive in every heart, in every corner of the world. Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “Spirit of God Descend” VU# 378
PRAYER OF RENEWAL: (Unison) Loving God, you ask us to remember, yet how easily we forget. When we fail to remember the sacrifices of others, forgive us, and help us remember. When we forget the emotional scars of war left upon the children, and their children’s children, forgive us, God. When we forget that each person on earth is your child and our sister or brother, forgive us, God. When we forget your love for us and desire for us to be your instruments of peace, forgive us, God, and help us remember.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE: Remembering is not just a mental exercise. It is a call to respond in love and compassion. We can be assured of God’s loving forgiveness as we remember and as we commit our lives to rebuild a world of peace.
Thanks be to God!
A TIME TO REMEMBER
PEACE HYMN: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
WE LISTEN
1st Testament Reading: Psalm 145 VU# 866
Ministry of Music
Gospel Reading: Luke 20: 27 - 38
HYMN: “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” VU# 703
MESSAGE: “We Are Not Alone”
WE RESPOND
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY: “Grant Us God the Grace of Giving” VU# 540*
CLOSING HYMN: “Let There Be Light” VU# 679
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION *
CORAL CLOSING: “For we want justice and truth and love, my Lord, we want justice and truth and love; for we want justice and truth and love, my Lord, we want justice and truth and love” (MV# 13, verse 2, used with permission)
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The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is a faith community inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit following the teachings of Jesus Christ and showing this by our deeds and our actions.