PICKERING VILLAGE UNITED CHURCH300 Church Street North

Ajax, ON L1T 2W7 Tel: 905-683-4721Web site: www.pvuc.ca E-mail: pvuc@pvuc.ca

ORDER OF SERVICE – 3rd Sunday after EpiphanyJanuary 24, 2021 – 10:00 a.m.

__________________________________________________Approach reverently. Meditate quietly. Worship devoutly.

Respond gratefully. Serve Christ faithfully.

A THOUGHT: “It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on time.’” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr)

WE GATHER AS GOD'S PEOPLEPRELUDE

WORDS OF WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

CALL TO WORSHIP:Alleluia! Alleluia!The time has come to worship and praise God!The time has come to believe in the gospel and to follow Jesus!Alleluia! Alleluia!

OPENING HYMN # 342 “You Servants of God” Lyons

1. You servants of God, your Saviour proclaim,and publish abroad that wonderful name;the name all victorious of Jesus extol,whose kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

2. God rules from on high, almighty to save,whose Word still is nigh, a presence we have.The great congregation God's triumph shall sing,ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

(cont’d)

Page 23. Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!

Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son!The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,bow down in deep reverence and worship the Lamb.

4. Then let us adore and give as is right,all glory and power, all wisdom and might,all honour and blessing with angels above,and thanks never ceasing and infinite love.

OPENING PRAYER (Unison)Lord God, just as Simon and Andrew were called to be faithful followers of Jesus, so are we called to follow him as he leads us. We are not asked to make the sacrifices so many have made for the gospel over the centuries. In truth, our lives of faith are fairly easy compared to the saints and martyrs of past generations. You don’t ask us to give up our lives for Jesus, and yet, we often find it difficult to give up even the small things you ask from us or to make a real commitment to denying ourselves in any way. Recognizing that, we repent of our unwillingness to follow Jesus as he asked. Renew our faith through this time of worship and help us to respond to your call and to take the good news of your grace to all. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORDCHILDREN’S HYMN # 639 “One More Step Along the World I Go” Lux Benigna

1. One more step along the world I go,one more step along the world I go,from the old things to the new,keep me travelling along with you:

And it's from the old I travel to the new;keep me travelling along with you.

2. Round the corner of the world I turn,more and more about the world I learn;all the new things that I seeyou'll be looking at along with me: R (cont’d)

Page 33. As I travel through the bad and good,

keep me travelling the way I should;where I see no way to goyou'll be telling me the way, I know: R

4. Give me courage when the world is rough,keep me loving though the world is tough,leap and sing in all I do,keep me travelling along with you: R

5. You are older than the world can be,you are younger than the life in me,ever old and ever new,keep me travelling along with you: R.

A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Rev. Karen Smart Hide and Seek SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:14-20

HYMN “As Long As We Follow” (MV #140) Joseph Kabemba

1. As long as we follow

in the way that God is leading,we know God’s reign will surely come.

RefrainWe know this, we know this. Yes, God’s reign will surely come.

2. As long as we hopethere is a future for creation,a future for the universe.

MESSAGE “Be The Good News” (Rev.) Dr. Steven Davis

Page 4WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORDOFFERTORY SCRIPTURE:“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25)

THE PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGOFFERTORY MUSIC

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)What we give, O God, is to further your purposes and to help your people. What we give, O God, is to share your good news and to offer your grace. Whether what we give is used across the street or on the other side of the world, may we give as a sign of our faith and love for you and for all. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

CLOSING HYMN # 117 “Jesus Christ Is Waiting” Noël Nouvelet 1. Jesus Christ is waiting, waiting in the streets;

no one is his neighbour, all alone he eats.*Listen, Lord Jesus, I am lonely too.Make me, friend or stranger, fit to wait on you.

2. Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets,where injustice spirals and real hope retreats.*Listen, Lord Jesus, I am angry too.In the Kingdom's causes let me rage with you.

3. Jesus Christ is healing, healing in the streets;curing those who suffer, touching those he greets.*Listen, Lord Jesus, I have pity too.Let my care be active, healing just like you.

4. Jesus Christ is dancing, dancing in the streets,where each sign of hatred he, with love, defeats.*Listen, Lord Jesus, I should triumph too.On suspicion's graveyard let me dance with you.

5. Jesus Christ is calling, calling in the streets,'Who will join my journey? I will guide their feet.'Listen, Lord Jesus, let my fears be few.

Walk one step before me; I will follow you. (cont’d) Page 5

A SENDING FORTH:Jesus Christ expects us to share good news!Jesus Christ expects us to confront evil!Jesus Christ expects us to fight injustice!Jesus Christ expects us reveal the love of God!

BLESSINGCHORAL AMEN

POSTLUDE

As our Worship ends, our Service begins.* * * * *

UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES (Recorded versions)

● Sunday, January 31, 2021● Sunday, February 7, 2021

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

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Pickering Village United Church300 Church St. North, Ajax, ON L1T 2W7

905-683-4721Web site: pvuc.ca

Email: pvuc@pvuc.ca