Sunday, September 28, 2025
Order of Service
We welcome all gathering for worship this morning or later in the week. Whether you attend in-person, worship on ZOOM or YouTube, or are a viewer on Rogers TV20 - please know that we consider everyone to be a part of our worship experience and an integral member of our St. Andrew's Guelph community.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this morning's service, both in-person and virtually.
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Prelude
Voluntary on a Gaelic melody E. Butler
Call to Worship
103 O Lord, thou art my God and King
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Declaration of Forgiveness
648 I’m gonna live so God can use me
Story: That’s The Key!
Prayer for Illumination
381 Holy Spirit, hear us
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-15 (NRSV)
2:10-12
1In the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twelve years. 2He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he removed the pillar of Baal that his father had made. 3Nevertheless he clung to the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to commit; he did not depart from it.
3:1-15
Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. 4The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.” Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream.
Psalm 146 (choral)
F.E.W. Gingrich
Ephesians 5:15-20 (NRSV)
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Discipleship Toolbox” #2 Deliberate Disciples
“Be careful then how you live” Ephesians 5:15-20
389 – Breathe on me, breath of God
Commissioning of the Search Team
Called forth from the congregation, and appointed by the Session, we are grateful to the following people for their willingness to serve on the Search Team for our new Lead Minister and Head of Staff: Sally Diamond, Jerry Diamond, Mark Garlough, John Groenewegen, Nicki Groenewegen, Sue Mustard, Henry Muth, Gregory Nicol, Nancy Nicol, Kirk Summers – Interim Moderator
Commissioning Litany
Preamble
Prayer
Loving and giving God, through the centuries you have sustained the church. In good times and difficult times, through periods of prosperity and struggle, confidence and uncertainty, influence and weakness, you have graced your church with leadership.
We thank you for Christ and his pattern of living and ministry and that in all times you have drawn individuals together and formed them into worshiping bodies, making your church an expression of your love in the world.
In glad thanksgiving, we praise you for the ways we experience your loving care in this congregation. We are grateful for the worship of the faithful, the love expressed in service, the strength of our leadership, and the generosity of our people.
In this time of transition for St. Andrew’s, we are grateful for your Spirit’s gentle and clarifying guidance and wisdom. For the good you would have this congregation achieve now and, in the future, we are eager to work towards fulfilling. For your vision of who we can become, we thank you and pray that we see clearly your will for us.
Keep us mindful in the months ahead that your hand is upon us. Clarify our vision in the light of the Gospel, foster courage among us to face the challenges of our time with hope, deepen our dedication so our faith and life together may flourish, and let it all be done for your glory.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Questions to the Search Team:
You have been chosen from within this congregation and affirmed by the Session. You have agreed to jointly discern God’s will regarding who might serve St. Andrew’s as Lead Minister and Head of Staff. Do you accept this responsibility?
Answer: We do, God being our helper.
Leader: God bless you as you undertake this important work.
Do you promise in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ and together in the unity of the Holy Spirit to make faithful use of wisdom, insight, research, courage and prayer?
Answer: We do, God being our helper.
Leader: God bless you as you undertake this important work.
Questions to the Congregation:
These friends in Christ have been chosen from among you and affirmed by the Session as your representatives in the search for a new Lead Minister and Head of Staff. They will discern God’s will together regarding who might answer this call.
Do you promise to pray for and support the members of the Search Team that they have the courage, wisdom and strength to complete their responsibility for the good of God’s Kingdom?
Answer: We do, God being our helper.
Leader: God bless you all as the search for your new Lead Minister and Head of Staff unfolds, to the glory of God, in the service of Christ, all for love’s sake. Amen.
Call for the Offering
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Cheques:
St. Andrew’s Guelph, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4J8
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Offertory
Doxology
Tune: Tallis’ Canon
Prayer of Dedication
Anthem
Day by Day. M. How
Announcements
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
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, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
647 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
Benediction
Postlude
Rondo Finale E. Butler
We gather on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Peoples. We are also on lands that are part of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. We live and work, worship, learn and meet on lands that are the traditional territory of many different Indigenous Peoples who were here before the establishment of European colonies.
