Welcome to Worship at Kamloops United Church
The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Pentecost – November 3, 2013

 We Gather as People of God

 Hymn Sing and Welcome
Centering Music with the Lighting of the Christ Candle and the Procession of the Prayer Box

Call to Worship:
Jesus travelled to many places.
Some made him welcome, others did not.
Yet in all places, Jesus tried to make others feel welcomed.
Jesus often told others they were beloved children of God.
And so in Jesus name, we welcome each other here,
daughters and sons of God, beloved children of our Creator.
When we welcome one another, we welcome the Christ into our midst.
Sisters and brothers, let us worship God.

Opening Prayer
O Holy One, on this early November Sunday morning we gather to worship you and to be with one another as your body of Christ in this place. Open us to the movement of your Spirit within and beyond us. Centre us in your steadfast love. Invite us to see you and hear you in all the many ways you come to us. Be with us in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. Be with us in our worship today that we might know you and love you and serve you anew we pray. Amen.

Singing: More Voices # 1 ‘Let Us Build a House’

Prayer of Confession
O Loving God, we come before you just as we are. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with you. With all our gifts and challenges we acknowledge those times and places where we have missed the mark. Sometimes our words and actions have caused harm and at other times we have suffered at the hands of others. We ask for your forgiveness and healing that we might fully know the depth of your reconciling love. We ask for this grace in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Singing: More Voices # 85 ‘Take, O Take Me As I Am’ (x3)

An Assurance of God’s Love
My friends, God loves us as we are. We do not have to earn God’s love or work at it. We certainly can’t deserve it. We can only accept it, trusting that each of us is created and called to be a child of God. Thanks be to God for the gift of our freedom and forgiveness. Amen.

A Time for All Ages: ‘The Zacchaeus Song’ by the Medical Mission Sisters
Chorus:
There was a man in Jericho called Zacchaeus. There was a man in Jericho called Zacchaeus.
Now the Hebrews, they were tall,
but Zacchaeus, he was small,
Yet the Lord loved Zacchaeus,
better than them all.

We Listen for God’s Living Word

Scripture Reading:   The Gospel of Luke 19:1-10 ‘Jesus dines with Zacchaeus.’
                                 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God.

Reflection: ‘An Irresistible Invitation…’ – Rev. D. Bruce Comrie

We Respond in Faith

A Stewardship Moment: Question # 2 ‘At KUC, who makes a difference for you?’

Pastoral Prayers followed by the Lord’s Prayer (Voices United # 959)
Prayers for: Creation, the World, our Community and Personal Prayers of Joy and Sorrow…

The Passing of the Peace
      May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Offering
Doxology: M.V. # 185 ‘Ev’ry Day Is A Day of Thanksgiving’ (Louise Rose version)
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

 We Celebrate the Sacrament of Communion

 God be with you!   And also with you!
Lift up your hearts.   We lift them up to God!
Let us give thanks to God.   It is right to offer thanks and praise.

Let us pray:
Blessed are you, gracious God, Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love.
Your song of wisdom rang out before the world began;
    your ancient love still touches us and stirs within us.
Even when we turn away from you, you keep faith with us.
You send messengers
    to prepare the way through the wilderness of our living,
    to guide us in the path of wholeness, to call us to repent
In Mary, woman of your promise you showed us courage and faith.
In the fullness of time, you sent us your greatest gift,
    Jesus, the Christ, our prince of peace and herald of hope.
So it is that we praise you, singing   (Voices United # 951 “Holy, Holy, Holy”)
    Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!
    My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God!
    Santo, santo, santo. Mi corazon te adora!
    Mi corazon te sabe decir: Santo eres Dios!

On the last night he spent with his friends, Jesus took an age-old tradition of his people and transformed it into something new. He took bread, staple food of his land, blessed and broke it, and gave it to those around him saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you. Whenever you do this, remember me.”

After supper he took a cup of wine, common drink of his people, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you, this is the new covenant in my blood. Each time you do this, remember me.”

By remembering Jesus in this way now, we claim our common heritage as we proclaim the mystery of faith…      Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

By these signs of bread and wine, we recognize the longing of our hearts for a time when all humanity will be one family – when justice and compassion will be the way we live according to the Holy One we seek.

O Holy Spirit, be poured out upon us and these gifts. Unite us and strengthen us to live the resurrected life of Christ in the world.
Praise be to God, the Source of Love!
Praise be to Christ, Love incarnate!
Praise be to the Spirit, Love’s power!
Praise be to God! Amen

My friends, these are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
At this time, I am going to ask the adult servers to please come forward. Come, for all is now prepared!
(Communion continues…during the receiving of the elements the Folk of Note will sing, One Bread, One Body)

Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.
Jesus Christ, the Cup of Blessing.

Prayer after Communion
Eternal God, we thank you that you have called your people from east and west, and north and south, to feast at the table of Jesus Christ. Keep us faithful to your will. Go with us to the streets, to our homes, and to our places of labour and leisure- that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may serve with peace in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen

We Are Sent Forth to Serve

Hymn: Voices United # 574 ‘Come Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love’

Announcements and Celebrations of the KUC Community

Commissioning and Benediction
    Go forth to respond to God’s irresistible invitation.
    Go forth knowing that we are beloved children of God
    Go forth in peace.
And now, may the grace of Christ, the love of God and the empowerment of the Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.

Sung Closing: More Voices # 214 ‘May God’s Sheltering Wings’
(Parts of today’s liturgy were adapted from SeasonsFusion Pentecost 2, 2013.
Used with permission.)

Participating in today’s service:
Minister: Rev. D. Bruce Comrie
Music: Marg Waldon, Roberta Barlow, “The Folk of Note”, Ron and June Routledge
Hymn Sing: Carolyn Secret
Scripture Reader: Sue Sewell
Stewardship Moment: Members of the KUC Stewardship Group
Communion Coordinators: Doreen Lister and Susan Duerden
Ushers: Ross Styles, Syd, Skye and Fraser Griffith
Greeters: Ruby MacLeod and Anne Geernaert
Set Up: Sharon Rhodes
Sound System: Dan Erickson