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Below is the service I have created for this Sunday. I hope this is something you can use for personal/family worship. We are all worshiping together, no matter where we are. If you are joining us online this week then please have this resource with you so you have the words to the responses and hymns at your fingertips in case you can’t see the screen.

Rev. Mary-Jane

The words provided for the hymns are done with permission under One License # A-727596.

NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCH

August 30, 2020 10:30 a.m.

The Season of Pentecost

“As followers of Christ, we are called to be a worshipping and learning, receiving and giving community of faith, hope and love.” – Newcastle United Church Mission Statement

Surely God is in this place. Help me notice.

We Approach God

Lighting The Christ Candle

A Time of Centring – “Spirit, Open My Heart” (chorus) MV # 79

(Words Copyright 1996 The Pilgrim Press)

Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.

As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving,

Spirit, open my heart. (sung through twice)

Call to Worship (Responsive)

As God’s people we come in love.

We hold on to what is good.

We are all part of God’s family gathered together.

We rejoice in hope and persevere in prayer.

God’s family comes together in hope and prayer.

God calls us to live in harmony with one another, and so we come.

Hymn of Praise “New Every Morning” # 405

New every morning is the love

our wakening and uprising prove;

through sleep and darkness safely brought,

restored to life, and power and thought.

If on our daily course our mind

be set to hallow all we find,

new treasures still of countless price

God will provide for sacrifice.

The trivial round the common task,

will furnish all we ought to ask,

room to deny ourselves, a road

to bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O God, in your dear love

fit us for perfect rest above;

and help us, this and every day,

to live more nearly as we pray.

Prayer of Approach (Unison)

As we worship together, may what we are called to do as God’s people become clearer. May we gain strength for the days and weeks ahead. May we follow the example of Jesus in faithfulness and love. Amen.

We Hear God’s Word

Hymn “I Have Called You By Your Name” MV # 161

(Words and music copyright 1995 Hope Publishing Company)

I have called you by your name, you are mine;

I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.

I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.

You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.

I know you will need my touch as you go;

feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.

Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,

Hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.

I have given you a name, it is mine;

I have given you my Spirit as a sign.

With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;

go and tell my precious people they are mine.

A Time To Be Children

Have you ever played the game, “Follow The Leader”? You follow the person at the head of the line and do whatever action they do. That’s what it means to follow. So, that person might lead you around the room clapping or hopping, or doing other things. As a follower, you do whatever they do. (Maybe, if there are a few of you in your family you want to try a short game.)

In the Gospel lesson for today, Jesus is telling his disciples what it means to follow him. Jesus wants us to do the same things he did. We follow Jesus by living as he did, with love and care for others and faithfulness in God’s Word. Can you think of some ways you do these things? What ways do you show love or care? You can do that for yourself and others. Can you think of ways that you act which are because of the things you know God has told us we should do? (There are some really clearly stated things in the 10 Commandments if you need some ideas.)

Jesus probably did all the things we can think of and more. He helped people, he told people about God, he prayed, he fed the hungry, he cared for people. We follow Jesus when we do similar things. Jesus calls us to do things like that when he says, “Follow me.” Jesus knows that isn’t always easy, but he asks us to try. Are you willing to try again this week? Wonderful! I knew you would.

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 that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 3:1-15 Moses and the burning bush.

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26 Remembering the covenant. VU # 828-9 Parts 1 & 3

Sung Response:Bless God, my soul. Hallelujah!

Give thanks and call on God’s name.

Make known to the nations what God has done.

Sing, O sing the songs of praise;

tell of all God’s wonderful deeds.

Exult in God’s holy name;

let those who seek God be joyful in heart. R

Turn for help to the One who is your strength;

seek God’s presence continually.

Remember the marvels the Most High has done,

the wonders and judgements God has given,

O children of Abraham and Sarah, God’s servants,

O offspring of Israel, chosen of God. R

You are the eternal God,

your justice reaches every corner of the earth.

You are ever mindful of your covenant,

the promise you gave to a thousand generations,

the covenant you made with Sarah and Abraham,

the oath you gave to Isaac.

You confirmed it to Jacob as binding.

To Israel your everlasting covenant you declared,

“To you I give the land of Canaan,

as your appointed inheritance.” R

When Israel came to Egypt,

when Jacob settled in the land of Ham,

there you made your people fruitful,

stronger than their foes.

But when you turned their hearts to hate your people,

to deceitful dealing with your servants,

then you sent your servant Moses,

and Aaron, whom you had chosen. R

Matthew 16:21-28 Take up your cross and follow me.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn “I. The Lord” # 509

(words copyright 1981 Daniel L. Schutte and New Dawn Music)

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.

I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain,

I have wept for love of them; they turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? R

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame,

I will set a feast for them; my hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? R

Message

Are you living or just surviving? There's a big difference between the two. It's a matter of quality of life. To merely survive means that your body is functioning but there is no meaning to life. Real life means living with a purpose. Living means having a life that is full and meaningful.

Quality of life, finding your purpose, is an important issue for many people today. The bookstores are full of self-help books. All of them designed to help you find more meaning in life. I admit, I have read my fair share in my own search for bringing more joy and meaning to my life. People do all kinds of things seeking meaning. People take assertiveness training or join encounter groups. The rise in the occult and New Age religions is a result of people looking for purpose and direction. Some throw themselves into their profession because they hope to find purpose and meaning there.

All this activity; just to improve their quality of life. Of course, there are some who don't try to improve the quality of their life. These are the ones who lose themselves in drugs or gambling or dangerous lifestyles. They are really trying to escape the meaninglessness of life. They are trying to hide from themselves, and others, the utter emptiness of their lives. They are merely surviving instead of really living.

Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Jesus says he can give us an abundant life. A life with meaning; a life with purpose. If we will believe in him and follow him, we will be living and not merely surviving. This is the answer to what so many people are seeking. It is the promise of salvation from the emptiness so many are trying to escape.

But Jesus reveals some truths about discipleship in his words to his disciples from what we read in Matthew’s Gospel today. He says, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." This seems to be contrary to everything that the world is doing to find fulfillment. They aren't trying to deny themselves; they are trying to actualize, to find, themselves. These days the world glories in the self. I believe there is even a magazine by that name: a product of the me generation. They don't want to lose themselves, instead they spend a lot of time trying to find themselves.

And what is this stuff about taking up a cross? A cross is an instrument of torture. One who carries a cross is one who is bearing humiliation and shame. One who bears a cross is one who bears public reproach. Is Jesus saying that we must be humiliated and tortured and ridiculed to find abundant life? That doesn't make sense! And frankly, most of us just

wouldn’t be willing to do it.

And then Jesus says, "For those who want to save their lives will lose it and those who lose their lives for my sake will find it." That makes little sense at first glance. Logic dictates that if you lose your life you lose it, period. Logically, if you want to save your life you should hold on to it with all your might.

What Jesus says here may seem illogical, but it is ever so true.

Let's begin with "those who lose their life will find it." Let me share a story: A soldier was wounded on a cold battlefield. The medic on the scene quickly realized that a major artery had been severed and he could not stop the bleeding. No matter what the medic did, by the time help arrived the patient would bleed to death. So, he quickly removed the blankets and took off the soldier's coat. The cold air took effect and hypothermia set in and the man froze to the point that his heart stopped. The soldier was rapidly moved to a medical facility where the artery could be sealed.

Then he was revived. By inducing hypothermia, the medic had stopped the bleeding and bought the patient some time. In order to save that soldier's life, he had to lose it. It was a risk. There was the chance that the doctors couldn't revive him. Or that brain damage would still occur because of lack of oxygen. But otherwise the man would have surely bled to death. But what would it have profited him to ward off hypothermia and lose the patient? Likewise, "what does it profit them if they gain the whole world and lose their life?" Are things worth it?

Let me tell you another story; a more familiar one. Jesus took up a cross and "endured great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes." (Matt. 16:21) He died on a cross. But he rose again to give eternal life. He could have avoided the suffering and the death, but he would have lost eternal life for all of us. Instead he lost his life so that he could win us eternal life.

If you think about it, it really makes sense that the only way to get a meaningful life is to lose our life. First of all, Jesus said, "Those who lose their life for my sake will find it." Jesus is not just talking about losing our life period, but giving it away as we follow Christ’s example of focus on others.

That makes sense because meaning is not found in ourselves. You can't find purpose by indulging yourself. The world has been trying that since the dawn of time and it hasn't worked yet. Purpose is found in Christ, in the work of Christ. Meaning is not found in serving ourselves but in serving others in the name of Christ. Abundant life isn't derived from humans but it is given from God.

Are you living or just surviving? The answer to this question is a matter of life and death, because merely surviving is actually a living death. While living means

having an abundant and meaningful life. Are you aimlessly wandering through your days with no purpose other than to keep your physiological functions working so you can stay out of the cemetery? Or is every day full

of the Love and Joy of your God?

Do you want an abundant life, or a more abundant life? Give your life away, then you will find it. Give your heart to Jesus in devotion, and he will give you enough love to overflow your heart. Give Jesus your hands and feet in service, and he will fill your life with inner joy. Take up your cross of suffering and shame so that others may see the way to eternal life.

Don't get me wrong, if you choose an abundant life you are likely to suffer. If Christ wasn’t able to avoid suffering, why should we expect to? That suffering is necessary so that others can know the joy of salvation. People will ridicule you for giving yourself away. They will despise you for denying the material wealth and ideologies that they hold to. They will persecute and mistreat you for bringing Good News and liberation to those who they oppress.

But the reward is great. For what is it to preserve your life when that life is a living death? Isn't it better to give up surviving so that you can start living? Your reward for giving yourself away to Christ will be sharing the wonderful saving work of God in this world. It will provide you with an abundant life, now and always. Amen.

We Respond To God’s Word

Offering Invitation

As the Spirit blows through our lives and our world, we are moved to share the good news. Part of that good news is that we have life, the abundant life Christ offered us. It is from that abundance that we offer our time, talent and treasure, each and every day…

The Offertory (As we are not together, take a moment to think of all you can offer to God this week, even cooped up in your own home. Dedicate those things to God now.)

Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share. (VU #537 v.1)

Dedication Prayer (Unison)

During the season of Pentecost, we are reminded, O God, that the church is not a physical place, but a people, your people. You fill your people with your Spirit and send us into the world. Send all we have to offer into the world that our church, our community, and our world, may know the power of your Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the People

God, in you, we believe and place our trust. Your peace is always here for us. Your wisdom is always accessible, whether we choose to heed it or not. Your Spirit is stronger than we imagine and your love, as shown in Christ Jesus, is unending.

Loving Friend, prayerfully we bring our patchy love for a few people, and link it with your seamless love for all people.

We pray for those who each day do monotonous jobs for us. Supermarket workers, mail sorters, those who fill potholes, who do the laundry, who deliver

newspapers or who weed public gardens, cleaners in

offices and hospitals, factory workers, cooks and waiters

and parking attendants.

We pray for those who do exacting work, where every detail is important. Nurses, bus drivers, tool makers and pharmacists, pilots and pathology technicians, cabinet makers, psychiatrists, tailors, and lawyers, accountants and opticians.

We pray for those whose work is always under critical observation. Councillors and politicians, doctors and social workers, teachers and school principals, students

and police officers, secretaries and shop assistants, bricklayers and all who cook family meals.

We pray, loving God, for those who for whom life has become unexpectedly difficult. The victims of road accidents and their stunned loved ones. People who discover that they have contracted a serious illness, or whose loved one is dying or has died.

We pray for once-loving relationships that are falling apart, and for parents who are distressed for their children; for single parents and parentless children, and the victims of domestic abuse whose cries for help have gone unnoticed by family or friends.

We pray for any who have just lost their jobs, or have been long unemployed; those who continue on in most stressful work situations; those who suffer racist or sexual discrimination, and the many whose desperate need for employment has been exploited by ruthless greed.

We pray, Holy Friend, for the church in its many denominations, and with its numerous congregations in city and country.

Bless those faithful and active members who are the backbone of each congregation, those lay leaders who carry uneven loads, the elderly members who regret that they can no longer serve the church as they once did, and the young folk who are keen for some responsibility.

Give your love to all who lead. Renew within them the gifts of enthusiasm and patience. Help them to recognise their deficiencies and to exercise their particular gifts with grateful joy. Remind them often that they are the servants of God.

Give wisdom and humility to governing bodies, and those elected to high office in the church.

Enable them to be willing students in the school of Christ, and to know that those under their care have much to teach them of your ways.

 

Hear now the prayers which lie upon our hearts and which we raise to you in the silence…

God of all things seen and unseen, friend of all people, please receive our prayers and set them to work for the greater glory of the commonwealth of Christ Jesus. In whose name we pray. Amen.

(inspired by and adapted from Bruce Prewer and used with permission.)

Closing Hymn “Will You Come And Follow Me” # 567

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,

will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,

through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where you love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Commissioning and Benediction

Go on your way,

remembering how richly blessed you are,

and take time to reach out to another

as God is always reaching out to you.

And may the grace of Christ attend you,

the love of God surround you,

and the Holy Spirit keep each one of you,

now and always. Amen.

Sung Blessing “Dance With The Spirit” MV # 156

(Words & Music copyright 1995 Desert Flower Music)

Dance with the Spirit early in the mornin’,

walk with the Spirit throughout the long day.

Work and hope for the new life abornin’,

listen to the Spirit to show you the way.

And online we end together (wait for folks to get their mics unmuted)

And the people say:

Hallelujah and Amen!

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Session Meeting on Monday, August 31 at 7 pm.

Trustees Meeting on Thursday, September 3 at 7 pm.

Official Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 pm.

All meetings will be held via Zoom. Links will be sent in advance.

Our church now has a YouTube channel. We have posted a short welcome video and are now uploading worship each Sunday afternoon. We now have Music To Wash Dishes By videos as well. Please head over and click the subscribe button. You may not ultimately want to worship that way, but once we have 100 subscribers we will be able to have a dedicated link with our name in it and we will be easier to find. We are just getting started, but it is a new opportunity for us to reach one another and so much more. It doesn’t just have to be about worship. Tell your friends about it and get them to subscribe too. It will be like inviting them to church. If you want more information or assistance in subscribing please contact Rev. Mary-Jane and she can help (905-244-8453) For now, here is the link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPUnPABHPlOJzAJ7uXvHoA

Music to Wash Dishes By is now posted on our YouTube channel. One click and no password needed. We are still working on sound quality improvements, but tech help is slowly showing us the way. And we continue to record in the sanctuary.

We will soon welcome Rev. Bonnie Skerritt, Priest-in-charge of St. George’s Anglican Church. Originally from south-western Ontario, returning to Ontario after 20 years in Nova Scotia, Rev. Bonnie will begin her ministry in September.

Please note: During this time, and if you are able, please continue giving your church donations regularly. You can contact Lorna McSwan, our treasurer, at le.mcswan@bell.net or 905-987-3940.

You can arrange to register for Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) which can be cancelled at any time.

You can mail your donations to the church at: 84 Mill St. South, Newcastle, ON L1B 1K2.

You can donate via CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/newcastle-unted-church/ through this link or the link on our website: www.newcastleunitedchurch.org “Donate” page, e-transfer: nucetransfer@gmail.com. Post-dated cheques are yet another option.

Thank you to all who continue to send in their church givings – we very much appreciate it.

Thank you for considering these options. While we may not be gathering together, work is still being done and bills still have to be paid.

Exodus 3: 15

Newcastle United Church