Sunday, September 10, 2023 The First Sunday of Creation

 This month, until Thanksgiving Sunday we will be observing the season of creation in our services. We are invited to celebrate the wonderful world we live in and all that it provides for us. 

Hymn.    All Creatures of our God and King #217

Scripture Lessons:      Exodus 3:1-5

                                    Psalm 149 p.873VU

                                    Romans 13:8-14

Meditation

Prayer:  All-powerful God, you are presenting the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. 

Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.  O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. 

Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey upon it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. 

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. 

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. 

We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for Justice, love, and peace. Amen. ( a prayer of Pope Francis shared by Diana Butler Bass in her Substack page.) 

Hymn.      This is God’s Wondrous World #296VU

We are back now and back into our usual schedule. This Sunday I will be leading worship at Franklin at 9:30 and in Ormstown at 11:00. Debbie Beattie will be leading worship in Howick at 11:00 as well. Hope you have enjoyed a good summer. 

This Sunday we begin observing the season of Creation. As we see the changes coming in the world around us, let us commit ourselves to celebrating and caring for the wonderful world in which we live. 

The Stewards of Howick United Church regret that the elevator is not yet repaired. It has been a challenge to find a solution. We will let you know as soon as it is operational again. 

The Session of Howick United Church will meet on Monday, September 11th at 7:00 in the church.

The Session of St Paul’s United Church will be meeting Wednesday, September 13th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet Wednesday, September 20th at 7:30pm in the hall.