MORRIS-ROSENFELD ECUMENICAL SHARED MINISTRY
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words of one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have the internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. ~Gilbert K. Chesterton
Before we worship, we reflect…
How would you live if you were not afraid? Fear is used by politicians to gain our votes, by the media to get our attention, by advertising firms to sell us what we don’t need, and by TV evangelists to get our donations. What fears are used against us? One is scarcity, the fear that we won’t have enough or won’t get our share. Our false belief that having more money and “stuff” will save us binds us as slaves. In many cases, having less can free us to live by faith.
The writer of Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Normally, we read forward from this verse, but the word “Now” is a clue that we should look back. Hebrews 10:39 says, “But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved.” Who shrinks back? Those who are afraid. Who are saved? By implication, those who do not shrink back and are not afraid. So fear is not only a faith issue but an issue of our salvation. And is that not what we would expect? What more do we need to be saved from than our worst fears? What good is a savior who does not help us confront our fears? As noted above, our fears are the handles that marketers, politicians, and supervisors often use to control us and bend us to their plans and desires.
But like the pain that warns us of injury and nausea that tells us we are becoming ill, our fear has a positive use: it lets us know our vulnerability, and it tells us what we truly value and truly trust. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The powers and principalities promise us what we can see. Where do put our true faith and trust?
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & PRAYER
We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Lord God, bring us together as one, reconciled with you and reconciled with each other. You made us in your likeness, you gave us your Son Jesus Christ. He has given us forgiveness from sin. Lord God, bring us together as one, different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ, together as your body, your Church, your people. Lord God, bring us together as one, reconciled, healed, forgiven, sharing you with others as you have called us to do. In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one. Amen
– Bishop Arthur and Mrs. Colleen Malcolm, A Prayer Book for Australia p.203[1]
CALL TO WORSHIP
From east and west, north and south, we gather on this day of remembrance to give thanks and praise.
We come to be inspired by the Word of God and honour the sacrifices of those who have committed themselves to service before self.
In times of peace, in times of conflict, and in times of uncertainty,
We remember that we are not alone.
We are the people of God, connected across time and space, from generation to generation.
We are united by the love of the One who said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
As we gather to remember, let us sing and pray.
Let us worship God together!
GATHERING SONG: Onward Christian Soldiers
CENTERING PRAYER
God of our past, present, and future, we have come to this place as a people of hope. We hope for a future without war and a world that lives together in peace. In years past, and in the present day, members of our armed forces have put their lives at risk for this hope, with some paying the ultimate cost. May what we do here today strengthen our resolve to work together so that this hope may be fulfilled. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
A Time of Remembrance
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.[2]
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae[3]
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Last Post
Minute of Silence
Reveille
Words of Remembrance
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
CANADIAN LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
After many years of progress in the fight against hunger, the last few years have seen the development of a global food crisis of unprecedented proportions. Some of those hardest hit are small-scale farmers who feed so much of the world.
With your support and in collaboration with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, we are working to provide families the food they need today plus the skills and supplies to grow their own food—and food for their communities— tomorrow. We’re working with small-scale farmers, particularly women, to improve their food production and increase their incomes through the provision of agricultural and marketing training, supplies and financial tools.
Our partners are collaborating with local communities to promote sustainable agricultural and water management practices in order to protect, restore and sustainably manage ecosystems. We also work to rebuild local economies and help families find new livelihoods after conflict and disaster.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
We do not pretend to understand the mystery of the faith to which you have called us. Open our hearts that we may be prepared for the journey, so that, as the scripture is read and your word proclaimed, we may receive with joy what you have for us today. Amen.
READINGS AND PSALM
First Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16
This chapter begins the story of Elijah. God sends a drought on Israel because of the sins of King Ahab. This passage depicts God’s saving acts not only on behalf of Elijah, but also on behalf of those who are associated with the prophet, even a foreigner, the widow of Zarephath.
8 The word of the Lord came to saying, 9 “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” 11 As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” 15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
Psalm 146
1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in rulers, in mortals in whom there is no help.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.
5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God;
6 who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps promises forever;
7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets the captive free.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord cares for the stranger; the Lord sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28
The letter to the Hebrews describes Christ as a high priest who offers himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Christ does not die again and again each year. He died once, is alive with God, and will reveal himself on the last day.
24 Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
After engaging in a series of public arguments with religious leaders in the temple, Jesus contrasts the proud and oppressive ways of those leaders with the sacrificial humility and poverty of the widow.
38 As taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
HYMN: Voices United 436 Abide With Me
SERMON
Before you hold up the widow in Mark 12:41-44 as the ultimate example of generosity; before you suggest that her donation is possible to be matched, before you start measuring might (m-i-g-h-t) with mite (m-i-t-e), take another look at where the widow happens to be.
It’s where a lot of women end up — between violence and power. Between being looked-over and being overlooked. It’s just where too many assume she should be, of course, and where they like to keep her, lest they might end up like her.
It is tempting to paint her as a possible example for us to embody, all the while ignoring her true plight. When we are honest with ourselves, when we tell the truth, few, if any of us, are in the same position as the widow, giving the last of her finances to an institution that she trusts, to her God in whom she hopes. Sure, we gladly offer up portions of what we have, but there’s no way we are contributing our all — and we likely never will.
This story is eerily spot-on when it comes to that which attracts our attention — and what doesn’t. We are rarely, if ever, drawn to those persons whom we do not want to be. In the end, none of us wishes to be her. She’s a widow — and we know all too well the status of widows in the ancient world. Who desires to be alone, destitute, or dependent? She willingly gives all — and we know all too well that’s something we are not going to do.
So, if this story is not about giving more than you think you can, what is it about?
I think this story tells a truth about ourselves — that we are very good at ignoring the widow, both because we don’t want to be her and because to help her might demand the kind of sacrifice she herself demonstrated. Another truth about ourselves — we hold the widow up to heights that make it easy to forget who she truly was and is. She becomes a mere illustration for some sort of point.
I think this story tells a truth about God. God sees right through our self-attentive ways, our tendency for self-preservation, our constant leaning toward the lure of all that might build up the self, especially at the expense of those who need our help the most. We are not fooling anybody, especially God, if we think that any acts of generosity are truly extensions of the Kingdom of God if they don’t remember where Jesus ended up.
The widow’s “inbetweenness” is that which Jesus sees — caught in the middle of systems vying for power, caught in the middle of people desiring power. In the end, that’s why we don’t want to be her — because she has no power. Power is everything, is it not? At least the way our world is being constructed these days. People will do anything to maintain power, selling out to the highest bidder, even selling their souls to those who will secure their best seats in church and their places of honor at banquets, who will allow them to purchase more long robes and who are willing to sit through their long, self-congratulatory prayers.
If you don’t have power, it means others have more. If you do have power, it means others have less, and when you have been shaped by powerlessness, you often have little choice but to place your trust, your hope, your livelihood in existing authorities who claim they have your best interests at heart.
The widow’s might (m-i-g-h-t) is great indeed. A might greater than power. A might greater than the grandest buildings. A might greater than the most splendid displays that are mostly privilege and entitlement in disguise. The widow’s might is God’s might — a might known in love and loyalty, in giving and grace. A might known through dependence and dedication.
Perhaps the widow is an example after all. When one has nothing, one has to trust in God for everything. And that, people of God, is a good thing. Amen.
HYMN OF THE MONTH: More Voices 94 Love Knocks And Waits
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Holy One, we come before you now with praise and thanksgiving, as well as sorrow and concern, in our hearts. With gratitude on this Remembrance Sunday, we call to mind the soldiers, sailors, air personnel, and RCMP who have paid the ultimate price that we might live in freedom. We remember those who died in distant wars and those more recent. By sacrificing their lives, they left us the responsibility and the duty to continue their work on the things that make for peace. From generation to generation, may their valour and selflessness never be forgotten. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We are especially mindful today of the effects of military life on the body, mind, and spirit. Give courage, comfort, and healing to all those who suffer wounds, both visible and invisible. Help us to remember that the effects of conflict reach far beyond the battlefield and can last a lifetime. Enable us to provide the support our service members need to live happy and healthy lives. May our commitment to them be as full and complete as their commitment to serve Canada before self. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lest we forget, the families and friends of our service members share in the burdens of military life. Bring comfort and strength to the relatives and friends of those who serve. When they are grieving the loss of their loved ones, may they know your compassionate and comforting presence. When they are separated from one another due to deployments or other operational requirements, may their bonds be strengthened. When their lives are uprooted because they are posted to a new location and everything is new all over again, may they be upheld by the constancy of your steadfast love. Accompany them in their daily joys and protect them in difficulties. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
May our act of remembrance this day honour those who have put themselves in harm’s way for the safety of others. May we never forget their sacrifice, the families who grieve for them and support them, and their example of integrity, loyalty, courage, and duty. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As people of faith, we re-commit ourselves to work together for peace in our world. May the hope that we carry in our hearts lead us to seek new and creative ways to resolve our differences. We look forward to that day when your reign is fully realized among us and swords are turned into plowshares and nation no longer lifts up sword against nation. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We also long for the moment when mourning, suffering, and sickness are no more. Until that day comes, we ask that you respond to us when we lift before you in the silence of our hearts the names of those people, places, and situations that are in need of your tender loving care this day. Restore them to health and wholeness. God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We ask all these things in the name of the One who came to show us your ways and who taught us to pray together, saying:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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, forever and ever. Amen.
SENDING SONG: Voices United 659 Eternal Father Strong To Save
BENEDICTION
Remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Take up the whole armour of God and remain steadfast. Fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. May the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the hope of the Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.
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[1] https://www.abmission.org/resources/prayers-for-reconciliation/
[2] https://united-church.ca/worship-special-days/remembrance-day
[3] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields