The scaffolding is gone! The scaffolding is gone!
Thanks to the Building and Property Team and the Council and the Trustees for arranging for the brick repair at the church. The work has been completed with one small space left empty – how is it that we were one brick shy…??!! That last brick will be in place shortly – we hope – and we are deeply grateful for everyone’s patience and care and support as this work was done.
Today’s gift of music is “Dance with the Spirit” – a gift from Cheryl and Crystal.
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 6, 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 ‘Where Two or Three Are Gathered’
Jeff has a story about forgiveness – and a few drawings to go alongside!
Printable Version
Forgiveness_by Jeff Cook
Matthew 18:15-20
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.
If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Carol and Jeff offer a reflection:
Printable Version
Reflection_Sept 6
Let us pray:
God of past, present and future
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,
God of beginnings and endings
God in the calm,
God in the turmoil.
God in community,
God in the gaps,
God in the noise,
God in the silence…
God, You are present in all times, all beings, all creation.
All times, all beings, all creation exist in You.
We receive You in wonder, in awe, in faith and in gratitude.
We are thankful to be part of Your creation,
thankful that we entertain the Christ in our midst,
thankful that we are expressions of Your love,
thankful that we are embodiments of Your joy.
God, guide us in rediscovering our capacity for compassion.
Guide us in relearning the way of peace that Jesus modelled.
Guide us in reimagining this world as a community of peace.
We pray, God, for this world, for Your creation.
We pray that humans might have patience as we continue to live in a time of COVID-19. We pray that everyone act responsibly so that all may stay safe and well.
We pray for students, teachers, professors, paraeducators, parents, custodial staff, and all involved in the safe education of students as classrooms reopen.
We pray for all who experience unemployment, under-employment, and financial challenges. May all know that we are not defined but what we do or have, but by our identities as Your beloved children.
We pray God, for this world. We pray for many species of endangered animals. We pray for a world experiencing glacier melting, rising sea levels, fires, hurricanes, drought and many ‘disasters’ in nature. God, give wisdom to we humans that we may change our behaviours that negatively impact the rest of Your creation.
We pray, God, for all who experience violence. We pray that we will learn the ways of peace, that we will learn to make peace, that we will find healing ways of peace-making and reconciliation.
God, transform our human hearts – from racism, from hatred, from attitudes and shriveled souls that choose divisiveness, fear and a false sense of superiority. Transform us to embrace forgiveness, love and friendship.
We pray, God, for all who are hungry, all who are homeless, all who live with illness, all who live with depression and anxiety…we pray for healing, we pray for caring communities, we pray for all to know the grace of Your loving presence.
We pray, God, in the spirit of Jesus, the Christ, who lived with faith in Your love present in times of sharing, of suffering, of healing and of courage.
Awaken the Christ spirit in all of us, God, that we may be harbingers of hope for all Your creation.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN.
Our closing hymn is “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker’:
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