St. Andrew’s Presbyterian ChurchSunday October 4, 2020

Pentecost 18 Our Reason for Being

As a community of the people of God, called by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.Our purpose is to reach the hearts, minds, bodies

and souls of individuals, thus bringing the Kingdom of God upon ourselves and others.

We do this through worship, nurture and outreach.

We Gather to Worship

PRELUDE 461(vs. 1,2,4,5) “Be Thou My Vision”

CALL TO WORSHIP Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.The law of the Lord is perfect,Reviving the soul.The decrees of the Lord are sure,Making wise the simple.Let us worship God.

PRAYER OF APPROACHAlmighty God,your word bursts forth into our lives like a glorious sunrise.You speak, and our hearts rejoice.You command, and our eyes are opened.The sound of your voice brings revival to our souls.Your words are purer than the finest gold.True and righteous one, living Word, light our way.As we listen to your Spirit, may the words of our mouthsand the thoughts of our hearts be accepted in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC 687 “Blessed Assurance” Anne Sabo

PRAYER OF CONFESSION No matter how righteouswe imagine ourselves to be, Lord,your perfect word reveals our imperfections all too clearly.No matter how hard we striveto fulfill the requirements of your law,we always fall short.We have forgotten that righteousness and perfectioncome not from rules and regulations but from faith.We have ignored the truth that your righteousnesscomes from faith.Open our eyes to see that all we have accomplishedis nothing compared to knowing Christ as our Lord.Let us count everything as loss,that we might gain heavenand be found blameless in Christ.In the name of the Savior we pray. Amen.

DECLARATION OF PARDONLeave the past behind. Live for today. Go forward into the light with Christwho forgives all your sins. Amen.

We Hear God’s Word

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

EPISTLE LESSON Philippians 3:4-14

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 21:33-46

SERMON “Living in the Present”

MINISTRY OF MUSIC 628 “This One Thing I Do”

We Respond in LovePRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGWe give you thanks, O Lord, for this new day,for the new opportunities it presents,and for the new beginning it gives us.We thank you bringing us here to your house to renew and strengthen our relationship with you.We thank you for the strength we have gained form our past struggles. Send us forth into the future with the confidence that you are always with us.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLEGracious God hear us as we pray for the needs of your people.

We pray for our nation, Canada, as it struggles to cope with this pandemic. Grant us wisdom, O God, as we go forward.

We pray for our neighbours in the United States of America, a nation trying to navigate its way through turmoil.Grant them wisdom, O God, as they go forward.

We pray for the Lebanese people beset by sectarian conflict and the aftermath of disaster. Grant them courage, O God, as they go forward.

We pray for the church, once at the centre of culture, but now at the periphery. Grant it your inspiration, O God, as it goes forward.

We pray for those who struggle with sickness and pain. Grant them courage, O God, as they go forward.

We pray for those who work to heal others: doctors, nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists. Grant them your wisdom, O God, as they go forward.

We pray for those bring us our food: farmers, truck drivers, and grocery store workers. Grant them your strength, O God,

as they go forward.

We pray for teachers and students who face unusual challenges during this pandemic. Grant them your courage, O God, as they go forward.

We pray for the unity of Christians throughout the world on this World Communion Sunday. Although we cannot taste your bread and wine in these times, we rejoice in our hearts because of your body broken for us and your blood shed for our sins.

Now hear us as we pray silently the words that Christ taught us: 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 sinsAs we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trialAnd deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, And the glory are yoursNow and forever. Amen

BENEDICTION Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. AMEN

POSTLUDE(Please remain seated until the ushers arrive at your row)

The Life and Work of the ChurchWorship services will continue to be shown on Shaw TV, channel 9, 11:00 am & 6pm. These same services are also now available on the

St. Andrew’s Facebook page with a link to YouTube. You can also find them if you go directly to YouTube and do a search for St. Andrew’s, Lethbridge. Since they are large files, they have to be posted in two parts, so look for Part 1 and Part 2 each week up.

Presbyterian Daily DevotionalsIf you go to www.presbycan.ca you will find devotionals for each day of the week.  Scroll to the bottom and you will be able to play an audio version of

the devotional as well as a hymn for each day. 

On Tuesday, October 6, at 7:30 pm the elders will meet with our interim-moderator, Rev. Dewald Deport. Rev. Delport has recently moved to Lethbridge. He is the former minister of St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Calgary. He will guide the congregation in finding a new minister after Rev. Hugh’s retirement in July of 2021.

This is World Communion Sunday. World Communion Sunday is a celebration observed by several Christian denominations, taking place on the first Sunday of every October, that promotes Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation .[1] It focuses on an observance of

the eucharist. We cannot celebrate communion today due to the pandemic protocols. It is an opportunity for us, however, to think about our unity in Christ and to re-commit ourselves towards living out that unity in our daily lives. It is also a time to give thanks for how far we have come in the past years towards greater ecumenical cooperation.

Time for Special Music is even more special when it includes YOU. Can you give a monologue, play an

instrument or sing a solo or another

talent that you would be willing to share?? We would love to have you be part of our service! Corrie and Lavinia are meeting with, and assisting individuals and small groups every Thursday evening by appointment only . Please contact the church office or Lavinia, laviniakellparker@yahoo.ca to learn more.

Weekly Schedule:

Sunday: 10:30 am Worship Service

Thursday: 7-7:30 pm Choir Zoom meeting (Boardroom) 7:30-8:30 pm Ministry of Music Practice (Sanctuary)

Sunday: 10:30 am Worship Service

A Few methods are available for continuing one’s offering and donations to St. Andrew’s:

Drop off cheques in the church’s mailbox. e-transfer (call the church office 403-327-2582) Mail cheque to St. Andrew’s PAR program (call the church office 403-327-2582)

Date October 4 th October 11 th October 18 th Announcements ____ ____ ____

Usher Session Session Session

Lay Reader Paula Degner

Brenda Wevers

Shona Potts

Power Point Brendon Degner

DillonHargreaves

Dean Degner

Audio Gary Van Voorst

GaryVan Voorst

Gary Van Voorst

Video Gerda Van Voorst

GerdaVan Voorst

Gerda Van Voorst

Outside Care Gordon Balderston

Terry Basaraba

Dean Degner & Family

Security Gary Van Voorst

TerryBasaraba

Bob Epp