YouTube and Order of Service Feb 14, 2021. Rev. Stephanie Richmond.

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*Online Order of Service*

Greenbank & Seagrave Pastoral Charge 6th Sunday After Epiphany Transfiguration Sunday and Valentines Sunday Welcome Thank you: Shirley Hooker, David Hooker, Marita Parsons, Val Hunter, The Combined Choir, Juli and Richard for sending out the services via email, All you for joining us and all of you who have sent in pictures Announcement of the Congregational meetings AGM via Zoom Seagrave Feb. 24, 2021 @7:00 Greenbank Feb. 28, 2021 @ 11:00 WE GATHER TOGETHER Territorial Acknowledgment; At Greenbank and Seagrave we acknowledge the land our churches are situated on, is on land that in in the territory of the Mississauga's of Scugog Island First Nation and is covered under the Williams treaty #20. This land has been a place of sustenance and spirituality since time immemorial for the original Peoples of Turtle Island. As the journey towards reconciliation continues and as we strive to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to action, it is important that we continue to build respectful, equitable, relationships and engage in ongoing education. As a church, let us commit to be an active ally in the work of truth and reconciliation, let us express our gratitude, and appreciation for the Indigenous People, their culture, sacred teachings of Mother Earth and relationships. Let us commit to do what we can to live in right relations with each other, loving and respecting each other as Jesus taught. Lighting of The Christ Candle; As we focus on the light of this candle, let us draw our attention to the light that illuminates our path forward as seekers of justice, equity, and love for all. May the light of Christ burn ever so bright in your hearts, that all who meet you may feel the warmth and be energized by the glow. Opening Prayer; God of transformative grace we enter into this time of worship with you and with each other, seeking your transforming presence. We know in our heads that you are with us constantly, yet, often, we forget how very close you are. We sometimes think we need to have mountain top experiences for you to be present in our lives. Help us to live in the moment experiencing you at all times in the beauty all around us, and in those we encounter each day, help us the live in the moment, in awe and wonder, trusting in you. In Christ’s name we pray Amen. Children's Time: A Conversation With Opal Music Ministry: Music: “Penlan, In Heavenly Love” This hymn has been described as a ‘beautiful variation’ on the twenty-third psalm, it describes the blessings that come from abiding in Christ’s love. The musical composition is from Welsh composer David Jenkins. Jenkins, a tailor’s apprentice who at 9 years old after his father died started to nurture his love for music, he ultimately became Professor of Music. Anna Waring wrote the lyrics in 1850 and published them in a small hymnal that had 19 different hymns 19 hymns in it she titled the hymnal Safety in God. This Hymn is a favourite of Wynn and Wendy Hughes, Wynn It is one Wynn learned as a young teenager back in Wales, they sing the first verse in Welsh, lets listen and join in on the second and third verse and sing of God’s love. Minute For Mission: Marita Blessing of Offerings and gifts; God we give thanks for your loving servants who give as they are able to support the transformative work of the church. They have given their time, talents, and gifts, God bless these gifts and their use. Amen WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD; Scripture May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you O God, our strength and hope. WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE; Many of us have either gone on a field trip as a student or accompanied our children or grandchildren on school field trips. When my children were in elementary school I volunteered to be a parent helper on as many field trips as I could. I loved seeing the children awe and wonder as they experienced seeing new and different things, I found it so inspiring. I think field trips are a valuable and important part of learning. On field trips students experience learning on a whole different level, on a much more personal, experiential level. At our Seagrave and Greenbank United Church we set out on a couple of field trips before the pandemic hit, one two a Mosque and another to Curve Lake in both cases I truly believe they were informative and transformative. Hopefully when the pandemic is over we can get back to doing this and take more field trips to broaden our understanding and experience more of the world around us. The many Mission trips that the Mission team has participated in are another type of field trip that has transformed the lives, of those who have participated. In our Gospel reading today Jesus takes three of his disciples on a sort of field trip up a mountain where they learn and experience who Jesus is on a whole different level. We have jumped ahead quite a bit in the Gospel of Mark since last week. Today’s text is in the lectionary every year at the end of Epiphany, it is in all three synoptic Gospels; Mathew, Mark and Luke, this in itself tell us that this story was very important to the early church and that this account of Jesus’ transfiguration would have been spoke of often and by many. Let’s take a closer look at this event. I can picture Peter James and John just waking up, when Jesus comes up to them and says I want you to come with me grab your stuff and come. This would have been common occurrence for them, by this time they had traveled with Jesus from town to town, Peter looks at John as if to say, “well here we go again off to another town.” Jesus, walking with purposeful strides is yards ahead of the three. The morning air is cool enough that they can see their breath as they discuss the events of the past few months. Just six days ago Peter had been rebuked by Jesus when he refused to hear Jesus’ foretelling of his death and resurrection. Peter, James and John may have thought it strange that the other disciples were not joining them, and as the make their way out of the village towards the mountain, perhaps they begin to wonder if they are in for an earful, maybe Jesus had more to add to his rebuke of Peter. Jesus had been starting to act a bit strange talking about dying and rising on the third day. In their Jewish tradition they believed in a resurrection on the final day when all would be resurrected together. This talk from Jesus of rising in three days was new to them. The trek up the mountain was hard and rigorous. There was a bit of a path worn in by the mountain goats but they had to pay close attention to each step. At one point Peter slipped and luckily was able to grab ahold of a branch of a spindly tree growing up between two rocks. The higher they got the trees and vegetation became less and less abundant. They would have had to stop and take a breather numerous times, have a sip of water and rest for a bit too regain their strength and energy. Jesus stayed close and encouraged them all the way up the mountain to the top. And when they felt they couldn’t go any further he was right by their side helping them make it. When they finally reached the summit, they would have been exhausted and light headed, Peter James and John sat down for a well needed rest. They each found a rock to lean up against. After such a journey I’m guessing they expected Jesus to teach them something special and they probably expected to be there for a while. Just as they were getting comfortable, Peter looks over and he sees Jesus glowing, dazzling in the sunlight so bright that he was whiter than anything he had ever seen before. He gets up and shakes James and points towards Jesus. John hears the commotion and sees Jesus, all three are in awe. They don’t know what to make of what they were seeing and the next thing you know, they see Elijah and Moses standing with Jesus talking to him. Peters jaw almost hit the ground. Moses, the giver of the law, Elijah, the great prophet are talking with Jesus and it looks as if they were nodding their heads affirming him. Peter shakes his head a couple of times to see if this vision would go away. Terrified and confused Peter, in true Peter fashion, he blurts out the first thing that comes to his head, “Lord, it’s good to be here, I’ll make three shelters one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. As soon as the words had left Peter’s mouth God rebukes him. A cloud so thick that he could barely see his hand in front of his face, enveloped Peter, and all of them and God says, “This is my Son, the One I love listen to him.” In an instant the cloud disappeared and Jesus was no longer in the company of Moses and Elijah. I suspect Peter shook his head a few more times, dazed and confounded by what had just happened. Witnessing Jesus bathed in the love, power and kingdom of God so that it transformed his whole being with light would have been a transformative experience for him. We don’t generally experience things as dramatic as this story. However we can appreciate the fact that we too are called to listen to the heavenly voice that tells us to listen to Jesus, to follow in his way because he is God’s beloved Son. And even if we find ourselves terrified and if we say the wrong things we can be assured that the love that Jesus was bathed in is with us to strengthen and transform our fears so we can move forward in God’s grace. Through Jesus, God’s love walked the earth in human form, teaching and preaching about better tomorrows. If we were to truly listen to Jesus what would we do differently? The people of Jesus time were transformed by Jesus’ presence with them. His transforming love is with each of us. Today is also Valentine’s day, a day that is all about love and kindness. Let us make a commitment to share God’s love in all that we do not just today but every day. Let’s try and live in love and kindness, making better tomorrow’s for those we live with and for those we encounter along the way. Our world needs more love more than ever. Dr Martin Luther King once said , “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” And, “By opening our lives to God in Christ, we become new creatures. This experience, which Jesus spoke of as the new birth, is essential if we are to be transformed nonconformists … Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit. ”May the transformative love of Christ be our guiding light this week as we go about our daily activities, and may we listen to Jesus and share the love with all people we interact with. Thanks be to God. Amen HYMN: VU #684 “Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace” (Previously used Nov. 8, 2020) 1 Make me a channel of your peace: where there is hatred, let me bring your love; where there is injury, your healing power, and where there's doubt, true faith in you: 2 Make me a channel of your peace: where there's despair in life, let me bring hope; where there is darkness, only light; and where there's sadness, ever joy. O Spirit, grant that I may newer seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul. 3 Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving to all that we receive, and in dying that we're born to eternal life. CCLI#1794364 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE; Let us now bring our prayers of the people, the church and the world to God’s loving transforming love and care, Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness. Break down barriers that divide, so that your love may reign in the hearts of all and that we may honour all cultures and belief systems. Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside fear, greed and vain ambition. Inspire them to strive for peace and justice, that all your children may dwell secure, free from war and injustice. Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering. Give us, who consume most of the worlds resources, the will to reorder our lives, that all may have their rightful share of the food, medical care and shelter and so may have the necessities of a life of dignity. Look with compassion on all who suffer. Support with your love those with incurable and stigmatized diseases, those unjustly imprisoned, those denied dignity, those who live without hope, those who are experiencing homelessness, those who have been abandoned. Strengthen those who are working on the front lines battling this pandemic, working in the healthcare profession, those essential worker who are often overlooked or forgotten. Be with them and keep the safe. God your love transforms and uplifts, we take a moment to offer us our own personal prayers to you at this time…(silence) Thank you for being a constant source of love and strength in these times God. Thank you for hearing our prayers, In Jesus name we pray all these things, Amen Now let us join together and pray to God who’s love is like our Mother and 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; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and for ever. Amen Closing & Benediction; Closing Coral Let There Be Peace On Earth Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me; Let there be peace on earth The peace that was meant to be. With God our Creator, Family, all are we, Let us walk with each other In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now; With every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment and live each moment In peace eternal. Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me. CCLI#1794364 Coffee Time To learn more about our community of faith, to comment on the service and for ongoing pastoral care, please email Reverend Stephanie Richmond at gspastoralcharge@gmail.com

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