Watchword for the Week

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord.

(1 Corinthians 12:4-5)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2016)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and OPENING RESPONSES

(Psalm 36:5-9)

Lord, your constant love reaches the heavens;

your faithfulness extends to the skies.

Your righteousness is as high as the

mountains, your justice as deep as the seas.

How precious, O God, is your constant love!

We find protection under

the shadow of your wings.

We feast on the abundant food you provide;

you let us drink from

the river of your goodness.

You are the source of all life,

and because of your light, we see the light.

Hymn 336 Christ is our light!

PRAYER of APPROACH (Iona Community)

Let us pray.

Gracious God,

if we came to your house,

we would find the door open,

because there are no closing hours

for the hospitality of heaven.

If we came to your house,

we would hear many accents,

ours just one among them,

for there is no favoured nation

in the Commonwealth of heaven.

If we came to your house,

we would see people who never thought

they would be allowed in,

had entrance been by merit

rather than by your gracious invitation.

So, as we gather in Jesus’ name,

let the characteristics you cherish become

evident in all we do and share together.

Gather into one

the glorious assortment of unlikes

which is your true church.

Reveal within this community

what we must do,

what we must hear,

and who we must welcome

if we are to know Jesus among us.

God, give us the grace

to surrender our presumptions

as to what we should be or do;

and then amend our lives

until we become the people you intended.

Amen.

WORDS of ASSURANCE (Psalms 133 & 134)

How good and how lovely it is

to live together in unity.

Precious it is, like oil,

poured out to anoint the head.

Unity is like the dew

falling on holy mountains.

With it comes God’s blessing:

life for evermore.

Come, bless the Lord, your servants

fulfilling God’s commands;

love and praise your Maker,

the God of heaven and earth.

CHILDREN’S TIME

Hymn 204 * I am the Church!

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

I am the Church! (point to yourself)

You are the Church! (point to neighbour)

We are the Church together! (shake hands)

All who follow Jesus (stretch out hands)

all around the world, (circle with hands)

yes, we’re the Church together. (link arms)

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may leave for their Kids’ Church program)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NT p. 216 (215)

Hymn 620 * Spirit of the living God

St. John 2:1-11 NT p. 118

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 510 * Jesus calls us here to meet him

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 327 Brightest and best of the sons

(Hymn of the Month, January 2016 – Tune: Epiphany 638)

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER

God of abundance and overflowing love,

we offer to you our gifts of money and of

ourselves. Use them and us to help people

feel and see and experience the amazing

fullness of your love for us. Like wine

overflowing from jars, may that love overflow

to touch and cheer the lives of others. Amen.

NOTICES and PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: God, send your Spirit;

renew the life of the earth.

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, and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 622 We sing a love…

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE