Sunday, September 24, 2023. The Third Sunday of Creation

 

Hymn.     Let Us With a Gladsome Mind #234

Scripture Lessons:      Exodus 16:2-16

                                    Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45 pp.828-9VU

                                    Matthew 20:1-16

Meditation 

Prayer: We give thanks for the beauty of God’s creation: for the glory we see around us, for the mystery of wonder and life, for green leaves, bird song, and smiles of wonder. Thank you God. 

THANK YOU, GOD. 

We give thanks for the friendship of Jesus: for the stories he told, for the hope he gives us, for Good Samaritans, broken bread and laughter. Thank you God. 

THANK YOU GOD. 

We give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit: for the wisdom and challenges she brings and the courage she gifts us, for wild dances, shared tears, and new adventures. Thank you God. 

THANK YOU GOD. 

We pray for our world, for those who suffer because of climate change, for those who are afraid of what tomorrow May bring. We pray for those who seek to renew the seas and the earth, for botanists, for marine biologists and for growers of flowers, vegetables and fruit. God in your mercy

HEAR OUR PRAYER. 

We pray for people who live in places of war and conflict, for fighters, child soldiers, for those who get hurt. And we pray for all who work to bring peace and Justice, for volunteers and peace builders, for those who seek to do good to everyone. In our community we pray for ….. God in your mercy, 

HEAR OUR PRAYER. 

We pray for people who are homeless and for those who are living in places that are strange to them, for new people in our churches, for new children in our classroom, for those who are living away from the people they love. And we pray for all who welcome strangers and offer hospitality, who listen and befriend. In our community we pray for…… God in your mercy, 

HEAR OUR PRAYER. 

We pray for the church, for the church that is organization and buildings, for the church that is projects and people; we pray for ourselves. God in your mercy, 

HEAR Our PRAYER. 

God of grace and mercy, hear our prayers with those spoken and those held in our hearts; we ask them in Jesus’ name. AMEN. ( a prayer by Ruth Burgess printed in the Iona Community’s Acorns and Archangels)

Hymn.       Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah #651

This week there will be services in Franklin, at 9:30, and in Howick, at 11:00. This Sunday will be Communion Sunday in Howick. There will be no service in Howick next week, October 1st, as we are inviting members of the congregation and the community to join in the 200th anniversary celebration service at Georgetown Presbyterian Church at 10:30am. 

Sunday, October 1st there will be a short service offered at St Paul’s in Ormstown, and a Family Activity Sunday with crafts to do for young people. All welcome to join in. We begin at 9:30. 

On Saturday, October 7th there will be a time of remembrance and thanksgiving held at MacDougall Hall in Ormstown 1:30-4:30 for Donald and Rosemary Hooker. Friends and members of the community are invited to drop in, share stories and memories of Rosemary and Donald and to visit with members of the family. 

Thanksgiving Sunday there will be services in all three churches: 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown, and 11:00 in Howick with Debbie Beattie. In Franklin and Ormstown, food will be collected for the local food bank. In particular donations of cereal, cookies, and snacks for school children would be appreciated, but gifts of any non-perishable food items and seasonal produce would be appreciated. 

Franklin will also be celebrating Communion this Sunday. 

St Paul’s will be holding its Communion Sunday service on October 15th at 11am. 

There will be a combined service for our three congregations to be held Sunday, October 29th at 11:00 in Franklin United Church.