To participate in worship online visit our you can go to https://www.youtube.com/ and type into the search bar: Knox United Winnipeg or click on the link here or paste into your browser search bar: http://bit.ly/2UGG3Av
The service will be on the YouTube site anytime you would like to view it.
This Sunday, we will be looking at the scripture from the book of John, chapter 14, verses 1-14. The scripture is not only about life after death but is a text that has everything to do with our lives here and now. Jesus responds to the anxiety of his disciples by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, also believe in me”. When Jesus says that they know the way to the place where he is going, Thomas, like most characters in the Gospel, takes Jesus quite literally. He wants directions, a road map to this place. Jesus responds by saying that he himself is the way: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The whole of Jesus’ mission is to make known the Father to reveal who God is. Jesus, who has come from the bosom of the Father and is now returning there, is the fullest revelation of the person and character of God. If we want to know who God is, we need to look no further than Jesus. All the words that Jesus has spoken, all the works that he has done, come from God and show us who God is. Jesus promises to be with us through the power of the Spirit to work in and through us to accomplish His purposes in the world. This may not necessarily happen in easily visible, spectacular ways. Yet wherever there is healing, reconciling, life-giving work happening, this is the work of God. Wherever there is life in abundance, this is Jesus’ presence in our midst. Come. Join us. We will explore the mystery together.
Swagatam, Tansi, Welcome:
As we join together in worship we acknowledge that we live on Turtle island, land that creator brought out of the waters so all could have life. Turtle island is the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Dakota peoples, and the homeland of the Metis Nation.
Gathering Together in Singing:
Come now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God.
One day every tongue will confess you are God
One day every knee will bow
Still the greatest treasures remain for those
who gladly choose you now
Come, come, come, come. Come.
MV 115 Behold, behold
Behold, (behold), Behold (behold)
I make all things new, beginning with you
And starting from today.
Behold, (behold), Behold (behold)
I make all things new, my promise is true
For I am Christ the way.
Welcome and Announcement
Singing: I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus [x3]
No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow [x3]
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me [x3]
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow [x3]
No turning back, no turning back
Opening Prayer
After weeks of isolation and unsettling news,
many hearts are broken
many hearts torn,
many hearts in dis-ease.
And you say, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Be at peace.
Embrace the sacred holiness.
We gather from our many dwelling places,
of isolation and social distancing,
of illness and grief,
of economic hardship and upheaval.
And you tell us that there is room for all.
You have space for others.
You know each of us.
And yet, we ask with Peter, “Where are you going?”
We question with Thomas, “We do not know where you are going? How can we know the way?”
We plead with Philip, “Show us God and we will be satisfied.”
You answer, “I am the Way”,
follow me on a journey of prophetic challenge and pastoral peace.
You state, “I am the Truth”,
let us be a revelation in the world of radical justice and compassionate kindness.
You reply, “I am the Life”,
may we live into active discipleship and prayerful reflection.
Holy one,
Your way is not triumphalism.
Your truth is not exclusionary.
Your life is not legalistic.
Your mission is one of caring.
Your message is one of welcome.
Your vision is one of love.
Enfold us in your call and let not our hearts be troubled.
(Written by Ted Dodd)
Singing: MV 90 Don’t be afraid
Don’t be afraid. My love is stronger.
My love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid. My love is stronger
And I have promised, promised to be always near.
N’ayez pas peur, mon amour est plus fort,
Il est plus fort que votre peur.
N’ayez pas peur, mon amour est plus fort; j
Je vous ai promis, promis d’être toujours là.
Sharing of Peace
Music Ministry: Nepali Youth
Children’s Time: Puppet Show, Part II (based on the new book, “My Hero is You: How Kids can Fight Covid-19! (produced by Interagency Standing Committee)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
‘हे हाम्रा पिता, जो स्वर्गमा हुनुहुन्छ,
तपाईंको नाउँ पवित्र होस्।
तपाईंको राज्य आओस्।
तपाईंको इच्छा स्वर्गमा जस्तो छ,
त्यस्तै यस पृथ्वीमा पूरा होस्।
हामीलाई आज हाम्रो दैनिक भोजन दिनुहोस्।
हाम्रा अपराधहरू क्षमा गर्नुहोस्,
जसरी हामीले आफ्ना अपराधीहरूलाई क्षमा गरेका छौं।
हामीलाई परीक्षामा पर्न नदिनुहोस्,
तर दुष्टबाट छुटाउनुहोस्
किनभने राज्य, पराक्रम र महिमा
सदासर्वदा तपाईंकै हुन्, आमेन।’
Singing: VU 356 Seek ye first
Seek ye first, the kingdom of God, and God’s righteousness,
And all these things shall be added onto you. Hallelu, hallelujah.
Iswarko raaj pahile khoji gara, Uhaako dhaarmik taa maa
Sabai thok ti mi lai thapiney chha Hellelu – halleluyah
Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find;
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Hallelu, hallelujah.
Rotiley maatra maanish baachdaina, Tara harek bachana le
Jo parameswarko much baataa niskanchha Hallelu – halleluyah
We do not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God. Hallelu, hallelujah.
Maaga ta timilaai dihine chha Khoja ta bhetaune chhau
Ghach ghachau dhokaa wugaarine chha Hallelu – halleluyah
Scripture Reading: John 14: 1-14 (English and Ojibwa)
Reflection: Jesus The Way
Offering:
The ministry and mission of Knox continues, even when the building is closed. God’s love and concern for those who are struggling is shared. You make it possible to carry this message to everyone. If you normally give when you are in worship, we encourage you to continue your regular donations through Canada Helps. The link is here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/107576134RR0001-knox-united-church/ All donations made will be forwarded to Knox Winnipeg. Or, if you have envelopes, you could put your offering in an envelope each Sunday and bring them with you when we get back to in person worship. Thank you for your generosity in these times of trouble.
Community Prayer
Singing: MV 163 River running in You and Me
- River running in you and me, Spirit of life, deep mystery
Dancing down to the holy sea,
River run deep, river run free. R
- River laughed on my birthing day, Wind and water joined in play
Soaked my soul in a shining spray, R
- River, cry my name to me, lend me hope and memory,
Sing me the story of the holy sea, R
Blessing