Wesley United Church– Year C

November 2, 11:00 am.
Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

Communion Service
Worship Leader: Joan Chaisson

Reader: Bev Hinks
Music: Bev Bragg
Greeter: Madelyn Lomond
Bell Ringer: Ross Cooper

Gathering in the Spirit

Welcome to our worship service either online or in printed form.

Life and Work of the Church may be found at the end of the service.

Our Blessings & Birthdays for this week are:

Lighting of the Christ Candle

L The flame of this Christ candle reminds us of the beauty and presence of the light that paints the sky, bathes the land, and brightens our path. Thanks be to God for light and sun, for flame and symbol, and for the light of Christ Amen

*Introit: MV # 18 Lord, Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary

Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.

*CALL TO WORSHIP

L: Come, let us worship the God who came to seek and save the lost!

P: Let us welcome God into our homes and our hearts.

L. Let us give of ourselves in this worship time that we may know God.

P: Let us joyfully and with gratitude worship God!

*Opening Hymn: MV # 1 Let Us Build a House

1 Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

2 Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

3 Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat;
a banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

4 Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

5 Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace;
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Opening Prayer

Gracious and loving God, we come before you today, just as Zacchaeus climbed the tree to see Jesus, longing for a glimpse of Your presence. You see us, Lord, even when we feel small or unworthy. You call us by name, inviting us into Your grace and love. As we gather here, may our hearts be open to Your transforming power. Help us to welcome You fully into our lives, just as Zacchaeus welcomed You into his home. May this time of worship inspire us to live with generosity, humility, and joy reflecting Your love to the world. Amen

Invitation to Prayer of Confession

God’s arms are always open, ready to welcome us back with love and compassion. Let us take this time to reflect, confess, and be renewed in His grace, trusting in His promise of forgiveness and healing by first praying our prayer of confession silently and then together.

Silent Prayer

Prayer of Confession

Living, loving God, as we watch growth in our children, grandchildren and young friends around us, we confess we often resist growth and change as we grow older. We form ideas and opinions about many things—and cling to them. We think we already know what you desire from us and fear new insights and new directions. Forgive us for thinking we already know it all. Forgive us for blocking out the concerns and commitments of those who differ with us. Open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to signs of new life. We ask you to forgive us and to walk together with us in the Spirit of Christ so that our peoples may be blessed and God’s creation healed. Amen

Assurance of Pardon

L. We shall be set free from a past we cannot change and opened up to a future in which we can be the change. God will grant us the grace to grow, the courage to act, the wisdom to speak, and daily opportunities to live an honest life. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are healed, restored, and forgiven.

P. Thanks be to God!

Listening for the Spirit

*Hymn: VU # 266 Amazing Grace

1 Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

2 ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me,
this word my hope secures;
God will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
then when we’d first begun.

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 1:10-18

This reading is a powerful message from God to the people of Judah, emphasizing the importance of genuine repentance and justice in worship. The passage begins with God’s call to the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah, symbolizing extreme moral decay and rebellion against God’s law. God’s message is not for the faithful but for those who have strayed into sin. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah serves to highlight the seriousness of the situation. God’s desire is for His people to return to a righteous path, and He uses pointed language to make His concerns clear. The passage concludes with God’s invitation to come close to Him, admitting sin, and receiving complete cleansing.

Isaiah 1:10-18

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

When you come to appear before me,* who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more;
bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation—I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. Your new moons and your appointed festivals
my soul hates; they have become a burden to me,
I am weary of bearing them. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Psalm 32:1-7

This psalm is a powerful message of forgiveness and restoration.
It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s forgiveness and the importance of living a life of honesty and transparency before Him.
It begins by emphasizing the joy and relief that comes from God’s forgiveness. Then the psalmist describes the heavy burden of unconfessed sin, highlighting how guilt can weigh one down physically and emotionally. Next it explains how confession is portrayed as a powerful act of healing, when acknowledging sin leads to God’s grace and restoration. It concludes with describing God as a hiding place, offering protection and comfort during times of trouble.

Psalm 32: 1-7

L. Blessed are those whose offences are forgiven, whose sin has been put away.

P. Blessed are those to whom God imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Refrain:

Be glad in God you righteous. Rejoice, O saints, rejoice.

L. When I kept silence, my body wasted away, while I groaned all the day long.

P. For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my strength dried up as in a summer drought.

L. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I did not hide.

P. I said: “I will confess my sins to God”; and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

L. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you in time of trouble;

P. when great floodwater rises, it shall not come near them.

L. You are a hiding place for me, you will preserve me from trouble;

P. you will surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Refrain:
Be glad in God you righteous. Rejoice, O saints, rejoice.

Response to Psalm

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Gospel Reading: Luke 19:1-9

This familiar reading describes the story of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. He was wealthy but short in stature, which prevented him from seeing Jesus as He passed through the city. To overcome this, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and called Zacchaeus by name, telling him to come down because He must stay at his house. Overjoyed, Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus, leading to a transformation in his life as he pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times the amount.

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:1-9

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Message: Out on a Limb

Inspired by Steve Andrews, Pastor Alabaster Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama.

Today, in our Gospel Reading, we heard the story of when Jesus was passing through Jericho, He met a man named Zacchaeus. This encounter is one of the most interesting stories of the Gospels because of how we can apply it to a great majority of people. George Matheson, a scholar of biblical biographies, described the paradox of this story as uniquely common. He wrote: “Zacchaeus is spectacular because he is not like other characters who encountered Christ. He was not called as the disciples were, nor was Zacchaeus suffering from some kind of affliction. What makes Zacchaeus so special is that he was an average man.”

We may recognize lots of people by their physical characteristic- very tall, very short, very overweight, very thin, etc. In this case, people recognized Zacchaeus by his short stature. Sometimes, unfortunately, we make judgements and assign value to a person because of their physical appearance.
In our story today, Jesus called Zacchaeus by name! Jesus illustrated how we should relate to people and how God relates to us. God knows our name. We are God’s children, and he knows each and every one of us by name- not by our physical appearance.
Jesus not only called Zacchaeus by name but he also made eye contact and spoke to him face to face. He communicated to Zacchaeus that he was glad to see him, and he led Zacchaeus to feel that this was not an interruption in the Messiah’s schedule.
We know from our reading experiences, that Jesus always had time for those who wished to seek him.
Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a look at Jesus, but he also wanted Jesus to look at him. The Saviour did look, and He is still looking to show His love to His children.
We know that Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. He held a position and had a title in his society. We can think of him as one of our Town Councillors, our Member for the Provincial or Federal Government, a doctor, a teacher, a police officer, a sport’s coach, etc. We may not really know the person, but we know what position or title they hold in society.
Steve Andrews, the author who inspired me for this message, wonders: “When was the last time someone said, “Zacchaeus, how is your mom? I heard she had been in the hospital.” Did anyone care that his youngest daughter was battling epilepsy?” Andrews speculates that even though the Bible does not say much about Zacchaeus’ personal life, he feels there was much more to the man than just collecting taxes. Working as a tax collector could be lucrative, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Everyone in town hated him, due to his job, and he lived under constant stress working for the Roman Empire, which had a reputation of executing the hired help.
We learned in our reading that while others saw just a tax collector, Jesus saw the man behind the position and sought to build a relationship with him by going to Zacchaeus’ house for dinner.
Also, when we read throughout the Bible, we see that most of the characters experience a meeting with Christ either as a personal invitation, through the public preaching of Jesus, or by reaching out to Jesus because of some affliction. However, Zacchaeus’ story is different. Zacchaeus was a successful businessman, who had worked hard to move up the success ladder and had earned the title of chief. He was wealthy. Even though we often assumed that Zacchaeus was corrupt- just the same way we tend to assume our politicians are out for the money, the text indicates that Zacchaeus operated his business with integrity since he said, “If I have cheated.”
Zacchaeus did not appear to have any observable need, but he was still curious about Jesus. Again, Zacchaeus was like us- he had a soul and a need for a spiritual connection with his Creator. Human beings are spiritual beings, and no amount of worldly success or possessions can satisfy the need of our soul to know God. Some may fight it, ignore it, deny it but at some point, before death, we all think about our spiritual connection with God- some of us more than others but I believe we all do.
As followers of Christ, we need to keep in mind this need that our brothers and sisters have. Zacchaeus needed Jesus and so does a lost and dying world.
Zacchaeus’ life was much different after he met Jesus and when Jesus made the bold declaration, “Salvation has come to your house” which meant that Zacchaeus was saved and born again. We need to remember that Zacchaeus did not purchase his salvation by giving money to the poor. No, the changing of his actions of becoming more concerned about others than splurging on selfish desires, revealed a life transformed by an encounter with Christ.
It is very interesting to note that Zacchaeus did not change jobs. His job was the same, but his destiny was different. He now used his job as an opportunity to give glory to God. Zacchaeus’ destiny included his salvation, his vocation, and his determination, which serves as inspiration to all who hear his story.
He overcame several obstacles to encounter Christ. He had physical limitations by being short. His peers criticized him, and the crowds blocked his access to Jesus. Many in the crowd did not even know that he was in the tree.
Steve Andrews believes that sometimes the offensive actions of others can stand in the way of the gospel, but other times, it is the painful lack of recognition which is the challenge to becoming involved with Jesus. Some people struggle with being overlooked or ignored. They feel invisible wondering if anyone knows they exist. Zacchaeus was financially successful, but he could not ignore the longing in his soul that drove him to be in the presence of Christ.
There is a saying that says, “To reach the fruit of a tree, you must go out on a limb.” That is what Zacchaeus did. He received salvation and we can too. We can follow his example by not allowing anything to prevent us from receiving all that God desires for our lives. Also, we must remember that God loves all of us. He knows us by name, and we are not invisible or known by our appearance. Let us reach out on that branch, seek for what Jesus desires us to do and then feel His blessing when we have fulfilled His wish.
Thanks be to God

Responding to the Spirit

Sacrament of Communion

*Hymn: VU # 457 As We Gather at Your Table vs 1

1. As we gather at your table,
as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence;
let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story
till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet
how to make Love’s victory known.

Let us stay standing and say the New Creed of the United Church of Canada

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.

In the name of Jesus Christ I invite all who profess him as Lord and Saviour, and are seeking to follow in his way and to live in unity, one with the other, to come to his Table with reverence, faith and thanksgiving. Eat and drink for your strengthening, that you may grow in grace and be blessed with all spiritual blessings, remembering that we, although many, are one body in him.

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is good to give God thanks and praise.

We thank you, God, Creator of us all; from the beginning you made the world and all its creatures. You made people to live for you and for one another.

We praise you, O God.

You created Adam and Eve and gave them a garden;
You showed Noah a rainbow;
You gave Moses strength to free your people
And taught Miriam to sing;
You gave courage to Esther
And loyalty to Ruth;
You gave David a harp to sing your praise,
And helped him defeat the giant.

We praise you, O God.

Yet, even they turned away from you and forgot about you, as we do too. But you did not forget. You sent Jesus to the world to show how much you love us and to bring us back to you again.

We praise you, O God.

He came as one of us, first an infant, then a child, later a youth, then an adult. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced and wept with those who wept. To the despairing, he spoke a word of hope. To the sick, he gave healing. To the hurting, he was a friend.
Still, people turned away from you. They betrayed Jesus and nailed him to a cross. But he was lifted from the grave and restored to life, that he might be with us and we with him, alive for evermore!
Therefore, with all the saints of every time and place, we join their angels in their praise:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Heaven and earth praise you,
O God most high!

We gather at this table to remember that on the night before he died, Jesus ate with his friends. He took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying; “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.”

That same night, Jesus also took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying: “Drink. This cup, poured out for you, is the promise of God. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”

At this table, we remember Jesus’ death and celebrate his resurrection; we await with hope his coming again to bring peace and justice to the earth; and we proclaim the mystery of our faith.

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

Also, God, at this time we remember all those whom we wish that could be sharing the feast with you. We pray for all who are in sorrow or in pain, all who are ill or alone, all who would like to be here with us today but for personal reasons are not. Please God, hear the names of those we say aloud or silently in our hearts:____________.

We pray for your church and its varied ministries, for nations as they strive for peace and justice, for the earth, and the fragile web of life we share, for our families and friends. With Jesus we pray together, saying: 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, for ever and ever. Amen

Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this loaf and cup may be the body of Christ.

Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever. Amen

These are the holy gifts of God, for you, the holy people of God. Come now, for all things are ready!

Sharing of Communion

The Body of Christ shed for you
The Blood of Christ poured for you

Prayer after Communion

For the bread we have eaten, for the juice we have tasted, for the life we have received, we thank you God. Grant that what we have done and have been given here, may so put its mark on us, that it may remain always in our hearts. Grant that we may grow in Christian love and understanding, and that ours may be lives of faithful action, in Christ’s name. Amen

Hymn: VU # 457 As We Gather at Your Table vs 2 & 3

2. Turn our worship into witness
in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you,
bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image
in the world you died to save.

3. Gracious Spirit, help us summon
other guests to share that feast
where triumphant Love will welcome
those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy blind us
nor will pride our peace destroy,
as we join with saints and angels
to repeat the sounding joy.

Offertory Invitation

The words and worship that we say and do here in church are beautiful, but God also cares just as much about what we do in every other hour of the week. We are partners with God and with one another in this marvelous ministry, and our giving is one way that we practice what we teach: generosity and joy. Let us offer our gifts now to God in gratitude and praise.

*Offertory Hymn MV # 191 What Can I Do?

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

*Offertory Prayer

Holy God, we offer our gifts and recognize how much we need your grace and mercy. Help us not to be proud of our own goodness, but to place our trust fully in the salvation that you freely offer to
all. May our offerings reflect our humility and gratitude for all blessings in life. Amen

*Closing Hymn: VU # 87 I Am the Light of the World