Worship Sunday, February 1, 2015 

rise in body and in spirit VU = Red Hymnbook MV = Paperback Hymnbook

If you need to leave before the conclusion of the service, please do so quietly. PRELUDE  

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE 

ONE: There was once someone who said such amazing things

and did such wonderful things that people began to follow him.

But they didn’t know who he was. So one day they simply had to ask him, and, when they asked him, he said

ALL: I am the Light.

Come all you people,come and praise your Maker,Come all you people,come and praise your Maker,Come all you people,come and praise your Maker.Come now and worship the Lord. (repeats)

MV 2

We have come in this the shortest of monthsin this Black History monthto worship and to bring our praisewith the rhythms of Africa and a Caribbean pulse,in jazz and blues, calypso and reggae, in soul and funk, field-song and spiritual.We have come to listen to the good news,to the truth that sets us free, to the declarations which liberate body, heart and mind.We have come to hear the prophets those who spoke of oldthose whose words were uttered in our times and in our places.We have come to remember and rehearsethe honour role of freedom’s fightersblack and white, across the years.We have come to acknowledge the challenge that is ours.We have come to worshipand to bring our praise.

* ALL:May these gifts, brought to your table,be evidence of lives changed and changing –the work of your Spirit. Amen.

PRAYERS Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, send your Spirit in this place;Lord, listen to your children praying,send us love, send us power, send us grace!

VU 400

* HYMN 690 ‘From the Slave Pens of the Delta’ 

* SENDING FORTH AND BLESSING

POSTLUDE ‘In Thee is Gladness’ - J.S. BachThe postlude concludes our communal worship which is offered to God for our and God’s mutual delight and enjoyment. Since it is not a performance separate from worship no applause is necessary or required.  

Liturgy Nigel Weaver © 2015. Nigel’s Note on our Black History Month Service MusicOver the course of the month we’ll gradually learn and use some new pieces of music for our service. These pieces come from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Cameroon, Botswana, and South Africa. Music was, and is, one of the main avenues for the preservation and transmission of the black experience and the black religious experience. These are, in the words of Bob Marley “redemption songs.”

Old pirates, yes, they rob I; Sold I to the merchant ships,Minutes after they took I From the bottomless pit.But my hand was made strong By the 'and of the Almighty.We forward in this generation Triumphantly.Won't you help to singThese songs of freedom? -'Cause all I ever have:Redemption songs.

p. 5* HYMN 820 ‘Make a Joyful Noise’

ALL: God, the history of Black and White

is anything but black and white.We live among the shades and shadows,complicit, compromised, challenged.So we confess that racism is not something easily dealt withexternal to us.It lies at the heart of who we are, how we see ourselves and others,the way we have been shaped and formed.So we confess our dependence on your graceand our need of the gracious forgiveness and acceptance of others.We pray that the injustices of old might be

repudiatedand the hurts of the present healed.For a just, a caring, an equitable society we pray.

Amen.

Listen, God is calling,through the Word inviting,offering forgiveness, comfort and joy. (repeats)

MV 97

ONE: In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith. ALL: There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Behold, behold, I make all things new, beginning with youand starting from today.Behold, behold, I make all things new, my promise is true,for I am Christ the way. (repeats)

MV 115

TIME AS CHILDREN

Deuteronomy 18.15-22 (Common English Bible)15 [Moses said to the people,] Yahweh your God will raise up a prophet like me; you will listen to him. 15This is exactly what you asked Yahweh your God to do at Horeb on the day of Assembly, when you said: (over…/) p. 2 "Never let me hear the voice of Yahweh my God or see this great fire again, or I shall die." 17 Then Yahweh said to me, 18 "What they

have said is well said. From their own brothers I shall raise up a prophet like yourself; 19 I shall put my words into his mouth and he will tell them everything I command him. Anyone who refuses to listen to my words, spoken by him in my name, will have to render an account to me. 20 But the prophet who presumes to say something in my name which I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die." 21 'You may be privately wondering, "How are we to tell that a prophecy does not come from Yahweh?"22 When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him.'

Psalm 111 (Ancient Songs Sung Anew – refrain MV 50)

ONE: In the congregation of all who worship youwith hearts made right,I shout with all my being, “Hallelujah!”And hear again the litany of praise,for deeds and acts and wayswhich are for us a sacred teaching to be learned.

ALL: Your works brim full of majesty,your splendour shines through everything,and right-relationship grounds all that is.

ONE: These last and will not fadefrom life or mind,

ALL: For we remember well, with pure delight,your utter graciousness,your deep compassion.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! repeatsONE: You are the source of bread and life,

You feed the souls of those in covenant with you.ALL: You show them works of utmost strength.

You give the nations into their care.ONE: Your two hands guide and guard with firm

commandtheir names, fidelity and justice.

ALL: And these are counter-balanced as a higher law,

that will not wane, but lasts,ONE: And so you send restoring power,ALL: in bonds that hold forever.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! repeats

ONE: We stand in awe, aware of these,of wisdom’s first and final law,

ALL: Our understanding grows as does our praisefor promises you’ve hidden in your holy nameuntil the end of time.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! repeats

Mark1.21-28 (Common English Bible)21 Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. 22 The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. 23 Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”25 “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” 26 The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out.27 Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” 28 Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.MINISTRY OF MUSIC ‘Thou My Everlasting Portion’ – arr. Barbara BakerSERMON ‘The Real Deal – Authority and Authenticity’

* HYMN 578 ‘As a Fire Is Meant for Burning’

OFFERTORY ‘Deep River’ – arr. Peter Wolf

* PRESENTATION

* Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,pure and holy tried and true with thanksgiving, I’ll be a livingsanctuary for you. (repeats)

MV 18

p. 4

Today’s bulletin is in loving memory of Marilyn LeFurgey by Joe & family.

Best wishes are extended to Daphne Cullen on her 97th

birthday on January 31st, 2015 from her family & friends!We welcome all visitors and invite you to sign the guest book at the back of the church; we also welcome those who will be viewing the service on EastLink Television. Newcomers are asked to fill in the card in the pew and place it in the offering plate. All are invited to join the time of fellowship (coffee & juice) in Burgess Hall following the service.  

February “after worship coffee” clean-up crew are members of UCW. 

Ushers: John Covert & Garth RaynerTellers for February: Rod Gilroy, Marg Archibald, Wanda Bickle, Keith Quinn & Barbara WoodGreeters: Betty & Richard LoganWelcomers: Judy Jonah, Ina Bowser & Kathleen Woodworth2015 BULLETIN DEDICATION DATES AVAILABLEDates include: February 8, September 27, November 29 and December 27. If you would like one of these dates please contact the office. A donation of $25 will hold one of these dates for dedication. CHURCH CHOIRA reminder to members of the church choir that there is a rehearsal change this week. Choir will meet for rehearsal on Wednesday, February 4th at 6:30pm. Rehearsal will resume Thursdays the following week. THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL SUPPER AND SILENT AUCTIONThe Annual Congregational Supper and Silent Auction will be held Saturday February 7th, with one sitting at 5PM. The meal is a turkey dinner with dessert; cost is $14 for adults and $7 for children. There are only 125 tickets available and last year was sold out, so get your tickets early! Tickets are available at the church office or by calling 667-8483. More over…/

The Fundraising Committee would welcome the donation of small items for the silent auction and these can be left in the church office. IS ISLAM A THREAT TO CANADA?Join Fazal Malik, member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, at the Four Fathers Library, Wednesday, Feb. 4 (Tues. Feb. 11 – snow date) from 6:30 – 8:30pm. Nigel has worked with Fazal while on PEI and recommends this presentation.CHURCH COUNCIL A reminder that Church Council will meet Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30pm. INTERIM MINISTRY TRANSITION TEAM – CONGREGATIONAL WORKSHOP You’re invited to stay after the morning service on Sunday, February 15, for a light lunch followed by a workshop lead by Rev. Pix Butt on ‘Behavioural Covenants’. How do we conduct ourselves, listen to and speak with one another in a constructive and respectful way? How do we build an ethos of trust and acceptance in which it is ok to differ? How do we discover what we have in common and commit ourselves to one another and to shared ministry?CHRIST CHURCH ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPERChrist Church will hold their Annual Pancake Supper on Friday, February 13th from 4:30PM to 6:30PM. Supper includes pancakes, sausage, home baked beans, roll or brown bread with sweets and tea or coffee. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children under 10 and $20 for a family of four (two adults & two children). Tickets are available at the door or at their office.

Week of February 1 - 7 Today 11:30am Trinity Youth Singers RehearsalMonday 6:00pm New Directions

6:30pm SparksTuesday 6:30pm Girl Guides

7:00pm UCW General – Lounge Wednesday 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday 10:00am Bible Study

1:30pm Open Circle Drop In 6:30pm Brownies

Friday 10:00am Parents ‘n TotsSaturday 5:00pm Congregational Supper & Silent Auction

 

Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church

1 Ratchford St., P.O. Box 413, Amherst, NS, B4H 3Z5  

Email: tssuc@eastlink.ca — Web: www.tssuc.com Nigel Weaver (902-667-8443)Jeff JoudreyErika Benjamin / Laura Trumble (902-667-8483)Terry Lawless

Intentional Interim Minister:Director of Music:

Office Administrator:Custodian: