REFORMATION SUNDAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021 – 11:00 A.M.

141 Frecker Drive, St. John’s, NL A1E 4W1

(709) 745-2871 office@cowanheightsunited.ca

www.cowanheightsunited.ca

We Gather As God’s People

please stand where you are able

As a result of the modified Alert Level 2 regulations,

we ask that you please wear your mask for the entirety of the service.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Prelude

Processional Hymn: O God, Our Help In Ages Past #806VU

You are welcome to join in the singing of the hymns as you feel comfortable. In

compliance with regulations from the provincial government we please ask that

everyone wear their masks during the singing of the hymns.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

under the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure,

sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame,

from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone,

short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time like an ever-rolling stream soon bears us all away;

we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.

Words: Isaac Watts 1719, alt. ST ANNE

Music: attrib. William Croft 1708 8 6 8 6

Welcome & Announcements

Opening Prayer:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray…

Reforming God,

We thank you for the witness of your Church

throughout the ages.

We ponder our history, both ancient and still developing,

and marvel at the diversity within the body of Christ.

We thank you for our forebears in the faith who,

sometimes with significant risk, stood up for their beliefs.

Grant us that same vision and courage,

to speak up and speak out,

so we may be part of a new reformation for your Church,

that will bring more justice, joy, and love to the world,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Theme Conversation

We Listen for the Word of God

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Melissandra Groza

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Responsive Psalm: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 The Rev. Oliver Dingwell

Refrain: In every age, O God, you have been our refuge.

God, you have been our refuge in every generation.

Before the mountains were brought forth,

before earth and world were formed,

from age to age everlasting, you are God.

You turn frail humans back to dust, saying: 'Return, you mortals.'

For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday,

a day that is past, a watch in the night.

You sweep them away like a dream,

like grass that is fresh in the morning,

like grass which in the morning is green,

but in the evening is dried up and withered. R

Turn back, O God! How long?

Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,

as many years as we have suffered adversity.

Show your servants your work,

and let their children see your glory.

Let the favour of our God be upon us,

and prosper the work of our hands.

Prosper the work of our hands. R

Epistle Reading: Ephesians 2:4-8 Melissandra Groza

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Gradual Hymn: Faith of Our Fathers #580VU

Faith of our fathers, living still

in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

O how our hearts beat high with joy,

whene'er we hear that glorious word:

faith of our fathers, holy faith,

we will be true to you till death.

Faith of our mothers, daring faith,

your work for Christ is love revealed,

spreading God's word from pole to pole,

making love known and freedom real:

faith of our mothers, holy faith,

we will be true to you till death.

Faith of our siblings o’er the world

who still must bear oppression's might,

raising on high, in prisons dark,

the cross of Christ still burning bright:

faith for today, O living faith,

we will be true to you till death.

Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36 The Rev. Oliver Dingwell

Reader: The Gospel of Christ.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gradual Hymn: Faith of Our Fathers #580VU

Faith born of God, O call us yet;

bind us with all who follow you,

sharing the struggle of your cross

until the world is made anew.

Faith born of God, O living faith,

we will be true to you till death.

Words: v. 1 Frederick W. Faber 1849; w. 2-4 Joseph R. Alfred 1981, alt. ST CATHERINE Music: Joseph R. Alfred 1981, alt. 8 8 8 8 8 8

Sermon: The Rev. Oliver Dingwell

Reflective Music

We Respond to God’s Word

The Creed

I believe in God,

the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Living God,

You are the One who is always on the move,

always creating and re-creating, always doing a new thing.

And yet, we confess, O Lord, that our lives can become static,

routinely paralyzed by doubt and fear.

We remain ossified in patterns of greed,

covetousness, and self-interest.

We doubt your promises of abundant, everlasting life

and so we live in dread of our neighbours,

our friends, and our enemies.

Our souls remain still.

We do not love as you love.

Nor do we live as you would have us live,

with courage, generosity or the boldness of the gospel.

So in the silence of our hearts,

we offer up to you those things we have done

and those we have left undone…

silence

Forgive us, O God.

Renew us by your Spirit,

and reform us with your compassion,

remaking us more fully in to the image of Christ,

and as nimble servants of your reign.

Amen.

Words of Forgiveness:

Friends, the good news of the gospel

is that God’s love in Christ stretches so deep and so wide

that it infiltrates every broken place in our hearts and in our world.

Our hatred is met with love,

our cruelty is met with compassion,

our sins and our trespasses are met with forgiveness.

It is greater than anything you have ever done, or could do.

Open your hearts to let the love of God in,

because in Christ you are forgiven, freed, made new.

Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

The Peace

May the Peace of Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

The Offertory In this time of pandemic we have many ways in which you can offer your financial gifts to

Cowan Heights United Church. As you enter the sanctuary there is an offering plate

where you may lay your offerings. You can also continue to drop off offerings in the

secure mailbox outside the church, which is checked multiple times a day. Or, you can

donate via eTransfer, using the email address treasurer@cowanheightsunited.ca, or via

Pre-Authourized Remittance. For more information, please see the announcements insert.

Presentation Hymn: As a Fire Is Meant for Burning #578VU

As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,

so the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God's name.

Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care,

we join hands across the nations, finding neighbours everywhere.

We are learners; we are teachers; we are pilgrims on the way.

We are seekers; we are givers; we are vessels made of clay.

By our gentle, loving actions, we would show that Christ is light.

In a humble, listening Spirit, we would live to God's delight.

As a green bud in the springtime is a sign of life renewed,

so may we be signs of oneness mid earth's peoples, many-hued.

As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is past and gone,

may our lives reflect the radiance of God's new and glorious dawn.

Words: Ruth Duck 1983 JOYOUS LIGHT

Music: Marty Haugen 1992 8 7 8 7 D

Prayer over the Gifts: (unison)

Receive these gifts O God,

use them to reform this community of faith

as you remake the world in your image.

We ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer: (sung) #959VU

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.

Words: Based on Matthew 6:9-13; English Language Liturgical Consultation 1988 OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN

Music: David Haas 1986 Irregular

We Go Forth to Love and Serve the Lord

Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God #262VU

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

our helper sure amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

with power and malice great, and armed with cruel hate,

on earth he has no equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing:

dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed the truth to triumph through us:

the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure,

one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours through Christ, who with us sideth:

let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,

God's kingdom is for ever.

Words: Martin Luther 1529; trans. Frederick H. Hedge 1853 EIN’ FESTE BURG Music: melody Martin Luther 1529; harm. from The New Hymnal for American Youth 1930; desc. Scott Withrow 8 7 8 7 6 6 6 6 7

Blessing and Sending Forth

Postlude

Upcoming Services of Note

All Saints’ Sunday – October 31

We gather to remember all the saints who have gone before us. We will remember the

saints of old who pioneered our faith, as well as our loved ones who have gone before us

- those who have shaped us into the people that we are today. Come, remember and

reflect with us.

Remembrance Sunday – November 7

We struggle with the complexities of war, violence, justice, peace, and sacrifice. We

remember those who have served, who sacrificed their lives, and those who have been

victims of war. We recommit ourselves to the way of God's shalom.

Children’s Sunday – November 14

We lift up the needs, gifts, and skills of young people in community and in the Church

universal. We hear their voices and listen for the ways that God is speaking through

them.

Reign of Christ Sunday – November 21

We remember that Christ’s love is eternal, and we mark the end of the liturgical year. We

look to the liturgical year that lies before us, and remember its pattern and structure in our

life of faith.

The Season of Advent – Begins November 28

We gather in darkness and we wait for the light to break through in our lives. The light

grows week by week. We await the One who is the light of the world. Each week, a

candle on the Advent wreath is lit.

Thank you for joining us for worship today!

As you depart, please follow the arrows on the floor and exit through the main

sanctuary doors. We ask that during this time of pandemic that you please do

not congregate in the narthex, but instead head on

outside where Rev. Dingwell will greet you from a distance.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

All music and lyrics, not in the public domain, are reproduced under CCLI License #11463082

Our Ministry Team

The Rev. Oliver Dingwell, B.Mus., M.Div.

Minister of Word, Sacrament, & Pastoral Care

(709) 745-2871 odingwell@cowanheightsunited.ca

Dr. Philip Roberts, A.R.C.T., B.Mus., M.Mus., D.M.A.

Minister of Music

Abra Whitney, B.Mus., M.Mus.

Soloist

Pat Watkins

Office Administrator

(709) 745-2871 office@cowanheightsunited.ca

Neil Richards

Caretaker

Our Board of Management

Kevin Clarke

Chair

Aidan Moores

Vice-Chair Hope Green

Secretary Karen Hillyard

Treasurer

Heather Snow

Christian Education & Youth

Keith Thorne

Membership

Randy Purchase

Ministry and Personnel

Greg Stokes

Outreach

Kevin Clarke/Ed Moore

Property

Jiin Kim

Worship and Sacraments

Ed Moore

Men’s Club

Vacant

United Church Women

Greg Stokes

Regional Council

Keith Thorne

Pastoral Care

April Brett

Member-at-Large

The Wider Church

The Rev. Grant Stuckless

President of First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council

The Rev. Faith March-MacCuish

Executive Minister, Atlantic Canada & Bermuda

The Rev. Brian Colbourne

Regional Minister (Acting)

The Rev. Catherine Stuart

Minister for Children, Youth, and Young Adults

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson

Office of Vocation Minister

Vacant

Minister for Justice, Mission, and Outreach

The Rev. Roger Janes Stewardship and Special Gifts Officer

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard Bott

Moderator of The United Church of Canada

The Rev. Michael Blair

General Secretary