Welcome to the gathering of St. Mark’s Church

(Sunday worship under one roof)

Sunday, October 25th 2020.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

We are on a journey of faith and life together, life where at times we feel lost, uncertain of the way to turn or to continue, even misguided. As we worship together, gathered by God who knows us and promises to lead and guide us, may we learn to navigate our way by looking at our guiding lights: God our parent whose name we inherit, our heritage, Christ who dwells within, our companion, the Spirit inspiring, our energy. We are not lost. Rather we are exploring if we keep our eyes on the stars of our navigation getting our bearings! In our adventure, as we attend to our navigating stars, may we plumb and locate the fullness of God’s love we see in Christ.

I invite you now to a time of prayerful reflection.

Prayerful Reflection:

Matariki from Mt. John by Fraser Gunn

Be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

Music: Lost by On Earth

Song: By the Father of Lights [We believe]

Welcome, Notices and Celebrations

Praying the Psalm

We will pray a psalm together. Before we do, let me give an explanation. The world in which the poet lives is a difficult terrain to navigate through. There are paths that lead to destruction, the way of powers that are deceiving, powers that are blood thirsty, demanding our lives to live in ways that reflect their name. In this journey of life, the poet calls upon God for protection and proclaims “in you I take refuge.”

In the latter part, which we will pray together, the poet blesses God as the navigator, the LORD who counsels, instructs from within our being; the LORD, who is before us trailblazing the way so that we can set our bearing, The LORD who is our companion who is present to us in the pleasures and joy of the path of life. Therefore, the refuge the poet seeks is not a place but a companion in the journey.

How would you describe the terrain of your life? What are the powers that deceive you? How will you navigate your way through this journey of faith and life? What will you give ear and give your heart to? Or perhaps who will you trust? Will you trust the God of Jesus Christ, the one who navigates the valleys and gullies as from within you and from ahead of you and beside you that the path itself is life, the journey itself is the joy, the adventure itself is refuge.

Please respond with the words in colour.

Psalm 16:1-11 (abridged for worship)

Protect me, O God,

for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’

Those who choose false gods multiply their sorrows;
their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Prayer for others

[Now we will be led in a prayer for others]

We respond by singing the Lord’s Prayer together [offering to be brought up during the chorus “Amen”]:

Offering & Dedication Prayer

Song: Every day

Scripture: Colossians 1:26-29;

There is a divine mystery—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!

Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ.

John 10:10

A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!

Sermon reflection: by Jill White Presbytery Elder

Song: From the ends of the earth [Beneath the Southern Cross]

Sharing the Peace of Christ: Peace of Christ be with you

Song of Sending: Like a Rock

Benediction:

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Love of God

The Communion of the Holy Spirit

Be with us all now and forever. Amen