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
And so thanksgiving has come and gone, the gathering of families and the feasting on the bounty of the land as a celebration of thanksgiving to God now a happy memory. How do you feel now? Satisfied? Exhausted? Fulfilled? Sluggish? While all that food
is so tempting and irresistible we often find ourselves over-indulging and then feeling exhausted especially after the big clean up of all the pots, pans, dishes, glasses and the house. In some cases it might seem overwhelming and we may feel we've reached a proverbial saturation point, and we need some recovery time and a recovery space.
As I reflect on this week's bible study reading, Exodus 33: 18 - 23 reading I relate to a weary, exhausted Moses in a conversation with God, revealing an intimate caring loving relationship. In this conversation Moses asks God to reveal himself .
" Moses said, 'Please, Let me see your Glory.'. God said,' I will make my goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, God, right before you. I'll treat well whom ever I want to treat well and I'll be kind to whom ever I want to be kind .'
God continued,' But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.' "
Show me, show me, show me. We humans certainly are a curious bunch. Even one of God's greatest servants, Moses, said "Let me see your face" to God.
" SHOW ME A SIGN, A NEON SIGN, ANYTHING!!!", a young woman said to God in a counselling session, when she wanted to know God's will in an agonizing decision.
Isn't that that typical? We want unambiguous signs......Show me your face!....in other words, are you here? I can't see you......
It's like the Doubting Thomas syndrome.
And yet I wonder.... what faith would there be in a world where the Creator intruded so powerfully that we had no choice but to believe? What freedom would we have if we were coerced, or forced to believe, or if all divine mystery was revealed?
God tells Moses that his face will be forever hidden. For anyone who sees the face of God will not live....... It is this mystery that gives life, that keeps us going.
God tells Moses that God will be known through proclamation:
"I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you."
This conversation, then between Yahweh and Moses is about God's character and presence in our lives, not God's whole being. It's about God's goodness, grace and mercy to be known and not God's face to be seen.
No one can behold or contemplate the full essence of divinity except as God chooses to make this known. We can receive divine mercy, and learn the divine will, but the whole of the mystery we call God remains a mystery.
We do not always see or understand what God is doing, but as time unfolds, and our journey continues, we may come to understand the quiet and hidden things God has been doing in our lives. By faith, we must travel.....
Please know this.... God is with you.... Shalom PT.
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 October 20, 2019 Faithful Persistence
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, used with permission).
CALL TO WORSHIP: (Unison) God of hope, you call us to love you and to love all of creation. Unite us in a common purpose so that we might become a community of blessing for the world. Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “This Day God Gives Us” VU# 410
PRAYER OF RENEWAL: (Responsive)
Sometimes we forget, God, that you love us. Forgive us, God, and write your law on our hearts.
Sometimes we forget to love others. Forgive us, God, and write your law on our hearts.
Sometimes we forget how to walk in your ways. Forgive us, God, and write your law on our hearts.
Sometimes we forget that we are your people. Forgive us, God, and write your law on our hearts.
(Time of Contemplative Silence)
WORDS OF ASSURANCE: Our God has promised to forget our wrongdoings, and to forgive us. Thanks be to God
MINUTE FOR MISSION
HYMN: “God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness” VU# 260
WE LISTEN
1st Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31: 27 - 34
Ministry of Music
Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 1 - 8
HYMN: “Here I Am Lord” VU# 509*
MESSAGE: “Hanging in There!”
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*
HYMN: “O God Our Help In Ages Past” VU# 806*
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION *
CHORAL 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, 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.