What a treat to have such warm weather at the end of September, and what a worry to have the COVID numbers rising. We are keeping you in our prayers and hope that you are staying well.
At the moment, we are still planning on in-person worship at TMUC on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 13 at 10:00 (and maybe at 11:00). It is important that people register in advance so that we can confirm a seating plan and so that we can be in touch if plans change on short notice. If you want to be in the small number of people who gather – wearing masks and follow the physical distancing requirements, please send an email to the church or directly to Carol or Jeff.
And, please remember the Scrap Metal Drive on Saturday, September 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the parking lot behind the church.
And, there is still room to join in the Messy Church on Tuesday, October 6 at 6:10 pm on ZOOM. Please pre-register by emailing the church or sending a note directly to Jeff or Carol.
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, September 27, 2020
We come to worship with the first verse of ‘Come Touch Our Hearts’
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 ‘Ka mana’o ‘I ‘O’. It is a Hawaiian song whose chorus translates ‘Faithful is our God’. It is found in More Voices at 103.
Esther and Emmett have their masks on as they talk with each other. Today Esther tells the Gospel story to Emmett and they talk about doing chores.
Printable Version:
Esther & Emmett_Sept 27
Matthew 21:23-32
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.
Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.
The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Jeff offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Reflection_Sept 27
Let us pray:
God of Promise,
God of Creation’s promise,
God of promised new Creation
God, we are thankful for Your Spirit flowing throughout Creation,
flowing through us,
flowing as source of life,
as a stream of sacredness
filling us with thankfulness…
We are thankful for the amazing miracle of life;
for the colours, sounds, tastes, textures, and aromas of this world;
thankful for our human capacity to dream, to imagine, to hope, to love…
thankful for the deep wells of Your compassion from which we draw faith, hope, courage and love.
God, we pray for Your life-creating Spirit and Presence in this world.
We pray for humanity as we continue to live with COVID-19 in this world.
At times we grow weary of waiting, of distancing, of not knowing what will happen. God, awaken us to the moments of grace and blessing in our midst – the sounds of music emitted by musicians, by bird songs, by rustling branches.
Awaken us to the moments of kindness, of sharing, of concerned friends, of the dawning of new day, of dusk’s subtle descension, of smiles and waves and messages of friendship.
Awaken us, God, to the woundedness of this world.
We pray, God, for those who live with cancer, MS, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, diseases of body, mind or emotions. We pray God for healing, and for the healing promise found in communities of family, friends and compassionate care-givers.
We pray, God, for all who feel lonely, isolated, adrift in the world. We pray that all to experience Your deep peace.
We pray for refugees. We pray for those whose ‘homes’ are in alleys and doorways. We pray that all people be welcomed and that all have a place they call home.
We pray for those in places of conflict and oppression. God, free us from our acts of violence, our attitudes of violence and our indifference that allows violence to go unchallenged. God, bring forth the promise of our humanity that we may be people of love, peace and generosity.
God, we pray for this world, for creatures, for soil, air, water, minerals that continue to suffer from pollution and exploitation. God, heal us that we may help to heal this world.
God, we pray for all who grieve. Remind us of Your promise in Christ of Divine Love that holds us always and forever.
God, we pray in the name and spirit of Jesus the Christ, embodiment of Your promise of resurrection life and new creation.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN.
Our closing hymn is ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you.
May 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