Call to Worship

Psalm 34:1-5a

I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
    He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy…

Song of Praise

Kids

We are spending a few weeks reading the messages of the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These prophets were God’s messengers to the people of Israel who were coming home after a long time away as exiles (that means they were people who were forced to live far from their home). The message of these prophets was to remember God, to put Him first, and to trust Him. One way God wanted them to do this was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed. The temple was a symbol of God’s presence with his people.

Grab some blocks, LEGO, cardboard, whatever you have and build a “temple”. When you are done, remember that the temple is a symbol of God’s presence with us. It is a symbol of what is still true: God is with us. He is with you and he loves you.

Offering

Our material possession and how we spend our money indicate our priorities. Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Consider with the help of the Holy Spirit how you can prioritize the Kingdom of God through your giving.

Prayer: Loving God, may our sense of belonging within a community of faith nurture the longing to be your faithful servants. Teach us to build a partnership with your Spirit that advances the ways of generosity and grace. Accept our giving and receive our gifts. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Message – Part 1

Erik may have been in the mood for Halloween because his sermon video occasionally channels the “Blair Witch Project” shaky video style. If you get a little motion sick from the movement of the camera, just close your eyes, or doodle as you listen to the sermon. But the scenery sure is lovely!

Confession

God’s presence is greater than our preferences. What preferences or former things are you hanging onto? Name these now before God.

After you have named these before God, pray these words of confession: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspirations of your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly love you and worthily praise your holy name; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Song of Confession

Lord I Need You

Lord I come and I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without you I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord I need you oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you

Where sin runs deep your grace is more
Where grace is found is where you are
And where you are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Where you are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord I need you oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you

Teach my song to rise to you
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on you
Jesus you’re my hope and stay
When I cannot stand I’ll fall on you
Jesus you’re my hope and stay

Lord I need you oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you

Assurance

Through Zechariah, God says to his people: “Return to me and I will return to you.” Hear then these words of assurance: God says in so many ways: “There is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you.” When the truth of those words breaks through, we are transformed. We don’t have to carry around the burdens of the past. We are a new creation through the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, who has become our companion and the one who nurtures and binds us together. Thanks be to God.

Message – Part 2

Song of Response

Untitled Hymn

Oh Father be honoured here (x3)
Oh our God, oh our God be honoured

Oh Jesus be the center here (x3)
Oh our God, oh our God be the center

Oh Spirit move in us we pray (x3)
Oh our God, oh our God move in us

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (x3)
Oh our God, oh our God be praised

Doxology/Benediction

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
AMEN