Cheryl is sharing a gift of music with us this week.
It is “When Seed Falls on Good Soil”
It is our goal each week this summer to offer a treat like this – a story being read, or a song being sung. If you would like to help with this, please send us a note at tmuc@shaw.ca and we can make the arrangements with you.
We continue to be so grateful for those who continue to financially support the ministry of TMUC, through your donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church. You are making a difference. Thank you.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10:00, let’s think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then let’s all pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
Once each week, the Prayer List will arrive in the ‘Inbox’ of those who want to read the names of those we know need and want our prayers. If you want to add a name to the weekly Prayer List, please do – ask for a person’s permission if you are adding their last name – and let us know by sending a note to tmuc@shaw.ca And, if you want to receive the list, please be in touch with that request as well.
We are gathered for worship and work in Treaty One territory, which is the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dené peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples walked this land and knew it to be the centre of their lives and their spirituality. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Worship for Sunday, July 26, 2020
We come to worship with ‘Spirit God, Be Our Breath’ (which is 150 in More Voices if you have a hymn book and want to sing along)
We gather together although we are apart.
We gather in community although we are alone.
We gather asking for God’s blessing on our lives, and on our world.
We gather knowing God is with us.
Our opening hymn is “Unbounded Spirit, Breath of God”
Story for All
For today’s story for all, Carol is reading the book God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams
Matthew 13:31-33; 44-46
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Reflection
Printable Version:
Reflection_July 26
Let us pray:
God of profound love and amazing grace,
God, benevolent being,
eclectic creator,
designer of diversity…
we rest in Your presence.
You are all around us,
and within us,
and amongst us.
We rest…we breathe in life,
we breathe out life.
We listen to the sounds of our house settling,
of neighbourhood dogs barking,
sounds of windblown leaves, of pitter-pattering rain, sound of night ‘quietness’…
God, may this time of rest and listening,
this time of alternative sabbath agenda
of unravelling plans and procedures:
may this be a time of reflection, of discovering the relationships and commitments that are vital to life.
May this time of waiting for a future we cannot yet determine,
become a time of trusting in Your resurrecting spirit;
a time of hoping in Your love that transforms hearts and expectations;
a time of welcoming whatever new creation You are shaping,
whatever new expressions of community, neighbourliness, respect, justice, sharing and serving that You are birthing.
Give us new hearts for loving
and new courage for sharing
Your love with all creation
We pray, God, for this creation,
Pray for the healing of a creation
suffering from climate change
and from humanity’s carbon footprint.
We pray for people of all ages who continue to respectfully practice physical distancing, and who miss being able to visit with, play with, sing with, laugh with, cry with, be with family and friends.
We pray for continuing courage for those who speak out against all expressions of discrimination.
We pray for peace, for an end to physical, emotional, verbal violence.
We pray for just relationships and for generous sharing and availability of food, health care, education, and housing.
We pray, God, that Your kingdom, Your beloved community, Your renewed creation emerge and birth a new future for this world and all people and creatures.
We pray, God, that the spirit of Christ be our inspiration and companion in the living of these days.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “Seek Ye First the Kingdom”
God bless you and keep you.
God’s face shine upon you.
God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Carol and Jeff