August 24, 2008 11:00 am
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Ushers for August 24th
Roger Crosbie, Jim Austin, Lloyd Brown, Jeff Critch, Roger Crosbie, Jim Oakley

Bulletin Donation: The bulletin today is donated in celebration of the 1st Birthday of Brooke Lily Beth , daughter of Todd and Andrea Harris. It is given with love from grandparents Bob and Brenda Mercer.

Organ Prelude: Prelude in G minor -J.S. Bach

Lighting of Candles: Marie Butt

Call to Worship: (responsively)
L This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: Let us rejoice and be glad in it..
L: Welcome, God's people, to this house of prayer.
C: This is our sanctuary. This is our house of refuge.
L: What brings you here? Why have you come to worship?
C: Jesus invited us. He said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest."
L: The world assaults us. It is not easy to follow Jesus. We are in need of comfort, and often we seek answers to life's questions. But today we will hear Jesus ask a question of us.
C: He said his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
L: Jesus wants us to trust in God. Jesus calls us to be his followers, And he challenges us by asking the big question of faith, the question he asked his original disciples: "Who do you say that I am?"
C: May God help us to be able to confess with the same response given by Simon Peter, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God".
(Congregation please be seated)

The Life and Work of the Congregation:

Prayer of Invocation: (unison)
Come to us, Lord Jesus, with comfort and rest, consolation and healing. But come to us also with your questions of us. Strengthen us. Challenge us. We prefer the easy way, the path of
least resistance, but we know that you want us to grow and mature. Left to our own preferences we would seek a life of ease. But life is difficult, and we need a faith and trust in you that will prepare us for the struggles we will face. Holy Spirit, stir within us the desire to grow in our willingness to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Give us courage to face your questions and patience to follow your leading to grow in our faith. Be among us as we worship you, Triune God. Amen.

Hymn # 365 Jesus Loves the Little Children.

(Children come to the front during the last verse)

Time with our children and youth

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 51: 1 - 6 reader: Ian McMaster

Responsive Psalm: # 124 (VU pg. 848) (refrain will be spoken)

Prayer of Thanksgiving: (unison)
God, we give you thanks today for your many gifts at work in the life of our congregation. We do not all have the same functions, but you have provided many gifts that we might be one body in Christ. Thank you for those who lead, and for those who are willing to be led. Thank you for ministers who serve their calling and for all the laity who are called by the same Holy Spirit. Thank you for encouragers, fore generous givers, for diligent leaders, for compassionate listeners. Thank you for those able and willing to bake and cook, build and paint, sing and teach. Thank you for elders and children and all ages in between. And thank you for the spirit of Christ who has called us together and makes it possible for us to lie and work in harmony. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Romans 12: 1 - 8 reader: Heather McMaster

Hymn # 567 Will You Come and Follow Me.

Offertory Invitation:
Our giving is in response to God's grace generously shared with all. Let us be generous in return. Our offering will now be received.
Offertory Voluntary: Air - Jonathan Battishill

Offertory Response: # 540 Grant Us, God, the Grace

Offertory Prayer: (unison)
All our gifts come from you, Gracious God, an we return these that the gospel might be proclaimed and lives transformed. We offer our thanks that you would ask us to serve you in this. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Musical Reflection: "Beside Still Waters" - Bernard Hamblen
Soloist: Corinne Burgess

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13 - 20

Hymn # 563 Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Sermon: "Disfigured Embrace"

Prayers of the People/Lord's Prayer

Hymn # 509 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky.

Commissioning/Benediction:

Organ Postlude: Pastorale -Charles Wesley

GUEST ORGANIST/PIANIST: Patrick Cashin is a native of St. John's, currently based in Montreal. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Memorial University, where he studied with Timothy Steeves, as well as an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. Aside from his formal studies, Patrick has wide-ranging musical interests, with performing experience in jazz, rock, and folk music.
Patrick will be playing for us for the next two Sundays while Patricia is on vacation.




Thank you for joining us for worship at Cochrane Street United Church. If you are a visitor with us this morning feel free to leave a reminder of your visit with us by signing our Guest Book located in the vestibule. We hope the worship has inspired and challenged you along in your journey of faith. God Bless!

Please join the congregation in the church hall for refreshments, tea/coffee.

Usher Schedule