OUR MISSION
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Crawford and Knox United Church
service times for Nov. 28, 2021: Knox 9:30 a.m. & Crawford 11:30
beginning Dec. 5, 2021: Knox 9:30 am & Crawford 11:00 am
ON-LINE WORSHIP SERVICE
service times for Nov. 28, 2021: Knox 9:30 a.m. & Crawford 11:30
beginning Dec. 5, 2021: Knox 9:30 am & Crawford 11:00 am
ON-LINE WORSHIP SERVICE
PRELUDE:
BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO OUR MIDST
Lighting of the Worship Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP: The days are coming when people turn their attention away from what God did to what God is doing. The Lord is present here and now! Let us rise to meet and praise our God.
PRAYER: Gracious God, who rules over all rulers but in a manner unlike any of them, we celebrate the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. When we compare their rule with his, we can only marvel at the difference. Their rule scatters their subjects, his, gathers them. Their rule breeds fear; his, hope. We prefer his rule to theirs, yet we permit theirs to eclipse his. So we pray, O God, that you will grant us the wisdom and courage so to enthrone your will that Christ, if he cannot rule through our leaders, will at least rule over us. Amen!
HYMN: “O Worship the King” VU 235
SCRIPTURE READINGS: reader – Barb Swan-Wolf
2 Samuel 23:1–7
Psalm 132:1–18
Revelation 1:4b–8
John 18:33–37
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “This is God’s Wondrous World” VU 296
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING and offering song: Give Thanks
OFFERING PRAYER: These gifts will enable the face of Christ to be seen among the sick, among the distressed, among the fearful, the lonely the depressed, and those who lack confidence. Christ Face is a compassionate, understanding, and friendly face. Bless these offerings, for we bring them in Christ’s name. Amen
HYMN: “O Lord My God” VU 238 soloist Amy Krauter
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO OUR MIDST
Lighting of the Worship Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP: The days are coming when people turn their attention away from what God did to what God is doing. The Lord is present here and now! Let us rise to meet and praise our God.
PRAYER: Gracious God, who rules over all rulers but in a manner unlike any of them, we celebrate the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. When we compare their rule with his, we can only marvel at the difference. Their rule scatters their subjects, his, gathers them. Their rule breeds fear; his, hope. We prefer his rule to theirs, yet we permit theirs to eclipse his. So we pray, O God, that you will grant us the wisdom and courage so to enthrone your will that Christ, if he cannot rule through our leaders, will at least rule over us. Amen!
HYMN: “O Worship the King” VU 235
SCRIPTURE READINGS: reader – Barb Swan-Wolf
2 Samuel 23:1–7
Psalm 132:1–18
Revelation 1:4b–8
John 18:33–37
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “This is God’s Wondrous World” VU 296
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING and offering song: Give Thanks
OFFERING PRAYER: These gifts will enable the face of Christ to be seen among the sick, among the distressed, among the fearful, the lonely the depressed, and those who lack confidence. Christ Face is a compassionate, understanding, and friendly face. Bless these offerings, for we bring them in Christ’s name. Amen
HYMN: “O Lord My God” VU 238 soloist Amy Krauter
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
PRELUDE:
BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO OUR MIDST
Lighting of the Worship Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP: I saw a great vision in the night; I saw a new world coming, for the first had passed away. We heard a great voice in the night; we heard the Lord saying, “Be not alarmed. The end is not yet.”
There is no rock like our God. The Lord gives courage to the faithful! The reigns; let us rejoice and be glad!
PRAYER: Our world is in eclipse, Lord. The sun has been blotted out, the moon sheds no light, the stars are dropping from the skies- all is night. We have even lost faith in our laws; now we must trust the law you write upon our hearts. O God, we sit in darkness; let us see a great light!
You call us to use the talents you have given, O God; when we deny their existence, alert us to the insight of friends and loved ones. When we are afraid of what people will say, give us the confidence to risk. When we would keep them to ourselves, open our eyes to the increasing circles of need. When we hold back from a generous response, lift our eyes to Jesus and his cross.
Thank you, God, that you restore courage to the coward, sight to the blind, and strength to the weak! In joy of success, and in the hard place of failure, you are there.
HYMN: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” VU 325
– soloist Emily Parker
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
1 Samuel 1:4–20
Hebrews 10:11–18
Mark 13:1–8
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “How Beautiful Are the Feet”
– soloist Emily Parker
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING and offering song: Give Thanks
OFFERING PRAYER: You call on us, O God, to appreciate and use the array of talents with which you have equipped us; we will combine them with the time and the treasure that is ours, and use them in your service. The power of the faith community is formidable, when time, talent, and treasure are used together for good; the striving church, here and overseas, and the shadowed world, are crying out for these gifts of faith. Living God, bless them! Amen.
HYMN: "My Life Flows On..." VU 718
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO OUR MIDST
Lighting of the Worship Candles
CALL TO WORSHIP: I saw a great vision in the night; I saw a new world coming, for the first had passed away. We heard a great voice in the night; we heard the Lord saying, “Be not alarmed. The end is not yet.”
There is no rock like our God. The Lord gives courage to the faithful! The reigns; let us rejoice and be glad!
PRAYER: Our world is in eclipse, Lord. The sun has been blotted out, the moon sheds no light, the stars are dropping from the skies- all is night. We have even lost faith in our laws; now we must trust the law you write upon our hearts. O God, we sit in darkness; let us see a great light!
You call us to use the talents you have given, O God; when we deny their existence, alert us to the insight of friends and loved ones. When we are afraid of what people will say, give us the confidence to risk. When we would keep them to ourselves, open our eyes to the increasing circles of need. When we hold back from a generous response, lift our eyes to Jesus and his cross.
Thank you, God, that you restore courage to the coward, sight to the blind, and strength to the weak! In joy of success, and in the hard place of failure, you are there.
HYMN: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” VU 325
– soloist Emily Parker
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
1 Samuel 1:4–20
Hebrews 10:11–18
Mark 13:1–8
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “How Beautiful Are the Feet”
– soloist Emily Parker
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING and offering song: Give Thanks
OFFERING PRAYER: You call on us, O God, to appreciate and use the array of talents with which you have equipped us; we will combine them with the time and the treasure that is ours, and use them in your service. The power of the faith community is formidable, when time, talent, and treasure are used together for good; the striving church, here and overseas, and the shadowed world, are crying out for these gifts of faith. Living God, bless them! Amen.
HYMN: "My Life Flows On..." VU 718
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
BRINGING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO OUR MIDST
Lighting of the Worship Candles
“O CANADA” VU 524
THE LAST POST – Peter Hopwood
THE MOMENT OF SILENCE
REVEILLE – Peter Hopwood
LAMENT – Bill McMeekin
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE – laying wreath Marge Foster
CALL TO WORSHIP: Past struggles shape us, O God. We are called to remember their impact. The heroism of ordinary men and women challenges us, O God, we are called to honor their memory. The dark side of conflict influences us, O God. We are called to recognize its power. The sacrifice of military personnel and civilians humbles us.
PRAYER: God today we remember the horrors of war, past and present. We remember the killing and the grief, the wounding and the destruction, the suffering of innocent and guilty, the cries of men, women and children.
Lord the evil is within us that makes war possible. If we have wanted more than we need, and tried to take it from others, Father, forgive us our sins:
If we have been jealous of other people’s happiness or success, if we have looked down on people who are different from us because of their accent, their education, their work, their clothes and appearance, or the colour of their skin, God forgive us.
God give us such love for others that we are not simply peaceful people wanting no trouble, but peacemakers, able and willing to walk humbly, to act justly, and to love.
HYMN: “O God our help in ages Past’ VU 806 v. 1 – 6 – Marilyn Dickson
SCRIPTURE READINGS: reader – Bob Dowling
Ruth 3: 1-5; 4:13-17
Psalm 127
Hebrews 9: 24-28
Mark 12:38-44
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “O Valiant Hearts” v 1,2 3, last - Marilyn Dickson
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING
OFFERING PRAYER: The Spirit of giving changes, O God, as you become our partner. Our reluctance becomes generosity; our vision of offering widens to encompass gifts, skills and talents, our focus changes to include national and international needs. Transform our giving, Loving God, in the way of Jesus. We pray in the Lord’s name. Amen
HYMN: “Eternal Father strong to save” VU 659 v. 1-4 - Marilyn Dickson
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
Lighting of the Worship Candles
“O CANADA” VU 524
THE LAST POST – Peter Hopwood
THE MOMENT OF SILENCE
REVEILLE – Peter Hopwood
LAMENT – Bill McMeekin
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE – laying wreath Marge Foster
CALL TO WORSHIP: Past struggles shape us, O God. We are called to remember their impact. The heroism of ordinary men and women challenges us, O God, we are called to honor their memory. The dark side of conflict influences us, O God. We are called to recognize its power. The sacrifice of military personnel and civilians humbles us.
PRAYER: God today we remember the horrors of war, past and present. We remember the killing and the grief, the wounding and the destruction, the suffering of innocent and guilty, the cries of men, women and children.
Lord the evil is within us that makes war possible. If we have wanted more than we need, and tried to take it from others, Father, forgive us our sins:
If we have been jealous of other people’s happiness or success, if we have looked down on people who are different from us because of their accent, their education, their work, their clothes and appearance, or the colour of their skin, God forgive us.
God give us such love for others that we are not simply peaceful people wanting no trouble, but peacemakers, able and willing to walk humbly, to act justly, and to love.
HYMN: “O God our help in ages Past’ VU 806 v. 1 – 6 – Marilyn Dickson
SCRIPTURE READINGS: reader – Bob Dowling
Ruth 3: 1-5; 4:13-17
Psalm 127
Hebrews 9: 24-28
Mark 12:38-44
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “O Valiant Hearts” v 1,2 3, last - Marilyn Dickson
MESSAGE
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERING
OFFERING PRAYER: The Spirit of giving changes, O God, as you become our partner. Our reluctance becomes generosity; our vision of offering widens to encompass gifts, skills and talents, our focus changes to include national and international needs. Transform our giving, Loving God, in the way of Jesus. We pray in the Lord’s name. Amen
HYMN: “Eternal Father strong to save” VU 659 v. 1-4 - Marilyn Dickson
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
PRELUDE: Marilyn Dickson
CALL TO WORSHIP: Let us remember those gone before, whose souls are in the hands of God, where torment shall never touch them. In the eyes of fools they seem to have died; in the eyes of sages they appear in glory. In the minds of fools their death was destruction; in the minds of sages, transformation. There were embattled; they are at peace. They are one with God as they yield to immortality. Let us remember them.
PRAYER: O God, this earth is yours in all its fullness, this world and all who dwell therein, for you are its creator, its father and mother, you, O Lord, are its life.
We are not worthy, Lord, but we shall dare as others have dare. We are not upright, but we shall stand as others have stood. We shall dare because we trust you; we shall stand because we love you. Forgive us, for we have followed the desires of our hearts and have left undone the things we should have done, and found pleasure in doing the things we should not do.
Shine the light of your grace upon us Lord, and give us strength to face the challenges in our lives. Amen
HYMN: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” VU 334
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Solomon 3: 1-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “O Worship the King” VU 235
MESSAGE: Rev. Tessica Hackshaw
PRAYER and LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY
Offering and Song: ‘Give Thanks’
Offering Prayer: Remember that your gifts are blessed by the Holy One!
These gifts will promote a neighbourhood where harmony and tolerance are the norm;
these gifts will encourage a world where the developed nations share with those who have so little; these gifts will bring the rejected and persecuted to a new land;
these gifts will be the means of healing and an end to fear;
these gifts will put the unsure on the road to confidence.
We offer them hopefully, O God, Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES IN MEMORIAM
NAMES OF PERSONS:
David Thompson
Laurie McPhee
Yvonne Gray
Aubry Brown
Archie McArthur
Ruth Swan
Bill McMeekin
Allan Bell
HYMN: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory”
NAMES OF PERSONS:
Joseph Wall
Ken Macdonald
Marjorie Macdonald
Ruth MacDonald
Helen Duffield
Joanne Rennie
Sue McMullen
Alisa Falkingham
Ken Dowling
HYMN: “For All The Saints” VU 705
HOLY COMMUNION
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
HYMN: “In The Bulb There Is A Flower” VU 703
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
PRELUDE: Marilyn Dickson
CALL TO WORSHIP: Let us remember those gone before, whose souls are in the hands of God, where torment shall never touch them. In the eyes of fools they seem to have died; in the eyes of sages they appear in glory. In the minds of fools their death was destruction; in the minds of sages, transformation. There were embattled; they are at peace. They are one with God as they yield to immortality. Let us remember them.
PRAYER: O God, this earth is yours in all its fullness, this world and all who dwell therein, for you are its creator, its father and mother, you, O Lord, are its life.
We are not worthy, Lord, but we shall dare as others have dare. We are not upright, but we shall stand as others have stood. We shall dare because we trust you; we shall stand because we love you. Forgive us, for we have followed the desires of our hearts and have left undone the things we should have done, and found pleasure in doing the things we should not do.
Shine the light of your grace upon us Lord, and give us strength to face the challenges in our lives. Amen
HYMN: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” VU 334
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Solomon 3: 1-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “O Worship the King” VU 235
MESSAGE: Rev. Tessica Hackshaw
PRAYER and LORD’S PRAYER
OFFERTORY
Offering and Song: ‘Give Thanks’
Offering Prayer: Remember that your gifts are blessed by the Holy One!
These gifts will promote a neighbourhood where harmony and tolerance are the norm;
these gifts will encourage a world where the developed nations share with those who have so little; these gifts will bring the rejected and persecuted to a new land;
these gifts will be the means of healing and an end to fear;
these gifts will put the unsure on the road to confidence.
We offer them hopefully, O God, Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES IN MEMORIAM
NAMES OF PERSONS:
David Thompson
Laurie McPhee
Yvonne Gray
Aubry Brown
Archie McArthur
Ruth Swan
Bill McMeekin
Allan Bell
HYMN: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory”
NAMES OF PERSONS:
Joseph Wall
Ken Macdonald
Marjorie Macdonald
Ruth MacDonald
Helen Duffield
Joanne Rennie
Sue McMullen
Alisa Falkingham
Ken Dowling
HYMN: “For All The Saints” VU 705
HOLY COMMUNION
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
HYMN: “In The Bulb There Is A Flower” VU 703
BENEDICTION
GO NOW IN PEACE
BEAUTIFUL CHURCH ON THE HILL
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Some time ago, Annabelle Neuman, a member of the Knox congregation, wrote a lovely song about the history and meaning of this church. Press the button to the right to hear that selections sung by the 2019 congregation. To return to this site, press the "back" arrow. This song is included on the "2019 Sampling" CD completed to commemorate the congregations 160th anniversary in 2019.
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SPECIAL MESSAGES
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The 23rd Psalm is a perennial favorite.
And yet for all its familiarity, there may be some nuances to the Psalm we have missed, some reflections scholars might share to deepen our sense of the most comforting words ever composed. Consider one four letter word in verse four: thou. The second-person pronoun "thou" is old English, a relic from the 1611 King James Version. The vast majority of the time we prefer modern translations of the Bible—but Christians cling to a 400-year-old translation of Psalm 23. Why is this? Could it be that elevated language, words with some lineage and dignity, are appropriate to the grandeur, the majesty, the immeasurable grace of God who is indeed our shepherd? And here is a fascinating item: James Limburg points out that, in the original Hebrew of Psalm 23, there are exactly twenty six words before and after, "Thou art with me."2 Perhaps the poet was boldly declaring that God being with us is at the very center of our lives. God is with us. We are not alone down here. The whole Gospel is that God is with us. Jesus was called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us." John Wesley's dying words were, "The best of all is, God is with us." God doesn't shelter us from trouble. God doesn't magically manipulate everything to suit us. But the glorious with is unassailable, unchangeable, the only fact that matters. This marvelous news draws our attention again to the Thou. For the first three verses of the Psalm, God is spoken of in the third person: "The Lord is my shepherd... he leads me... he restores my soul." But with the Thou, the third person shifts to second person: "for Thou art with me, thy rod... thou preparest a table..." Instead of talking about God, the Psalmist begins to talk to God; instead of God in the head, God is a friend in the heart. A conversation happens, a relationship grows. This is faith, the only true comfort. If we genuinely and in the marrow of our being believe that God is with us, then the only logical consequence would be, "I shall not want." We've read it, uttered it, delighted in it: but have we thought about it? Or lived it out in reality? I shall not want? Our whole life is about wanting: I want, I shop, I look, and when I have it, I want new stuff. In our consumer culture, I shall want, I shall always want. I shall never stop all my wanting because the mall entices me with ever new, shiny, unnecessary objects, and I am instructed from childhood on to want—and not merely to want, but to have. I shall not want? "The Lord is my shepherd." If the Lord is the shepherd, then I am a sheep, and the reason sheep need a shepherd is simple: sheep nibble themselves lost. Sheep are not brilliant creatures, and we cannot be flattered that the Psalm thinks of us as sheep. Leave a sheep without a shepherd, and he nibbles a bit of grass here, wanders over there for some more, sees a patch just past that rock; and before you know it the sheep is lost, or has fallen into a ravine, or been devoured by a wolf. The Hebrew original is perhaps better translated, "I shall lack nothing," or "I shall lack no good thing." What do I lack? Well, I lack an iPhone or a house at the coast. I lack a fully-funded pension and I lack... We can fill in the blank endlessly. But it is more to ask "What do I lack?" in the sense of "What really matters that I do not have?" What, at the hour of death, would I dare not lack? The answers aren't iPhones or vacation houses. Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-30), who claimed to be good, and had plenty of stuff. What did Jesus say? "One thing you still lack." We don't lack lots of things: we lack just one. The one thing we lack is intimacy with God. The one and only thing that can cause us to say, "I shall not want," or "I lack no good thing," is God. Nothing else. Just the Lord who is a good shepherd to his sheep. God is our satisfaction. God is good enough. Or, to be truer, God exceeds whatever we may think we desire. If "Thou art with me" is the focal point of the Psalm, and if "I shall not want" is the beginning of a new life of being satisfied with God, then the end of our life with God is this: "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Why do we want stuff like iPhones and vacation homes? Is it sheer coveting? I don't think so. We want communication devices because we long to connect. We want a house, or a better house, because no matter how far we travel, no matter how happy or sad our nuclear family might have been, we carry inside a yearning for home. In our mobile society, we may be clueless about where that might be, or if it really exists. But we still want, above all else, to go home. Perhaps T.S. Eliot was right: "The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."3 Or consider this: if you are lucky, you have fond memories of summertime junkets to the home of your grandparents. For me, it was a house that is factually small, but as a child it was large in love, in special treats, in cousins and fun. It was another home, one without problems or homework or chores, a special place of a more unconditional kind of love. Does God give us such places in our memory so that we will learn to desire the home for which God destines us when this life is over? Isaac Watts often recast Psalms into slightly different language. His metric version of the 23rd Psalm is eloquent, elegant, and moving: "The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may Your House be my abode, and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come; no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home."4 Like a child at home. Yes, some children bear the misfortune of a home that is more warfare than peace, more division than love. They gaze at the television and hear the news of the spread of covid19, and they are scared, they are worried. But the fact that we recoil at the idea of any child anywhere not enjoying peace and love at home is evidence that God has wired into our hearts a keen sense of a proper destiny. Various happenings in our life strike us as urgent. They make us anxious, or perhaps we have some fun or face trials. But it is all a preparation for a grand homecoming, when we will "find a settled rest... no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home." Or as the Psalmist sang, "And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (23:6). |
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 
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WORSHIP AT KNOX
... Experiencing the sacred in our sinful midst
The Knox United church meets on Sunday mornings for worship services.
I know we can encounter the sacred presence of God at anytime in any place. As we integrate our faith with our daily living, everything we do can be an act of worship, bringing joy and hope to life and allowing us to experience God’s presence. But when we come apart to a place of worship, dedicated to the glory of God, we come with greater intention, expecting to receive something more powerful than we have not received during our daily routine. This is why worship becomes so important to our lives and Knox United, Durham, ideally located on the hill, offers a glorious opportunity for us to encounter such glorious experience. The doors to the sanctuary are widely opened for all and anyone to come in and worship. We at Knox are intentional about worship; we pause to be still, to listen, and to hear God’s word, to sing praise, offer prayers of thanksgiving, to lift the world and other people’s concerns to God, to participate in the Holy sacraments of baptism and communion and to reflect on God’s calling to us and God’s world.
I am cognisant that people come every Sunday morning for a variety of reasons. Some come with joyful hearts, eager to sing praise and give thanks. Some come with heavy hearts, seeking comfort and encouragement. Some bring their confusion, looking for clarity. Some come feeling depleted, looking for nourishment and renewal. Some come longing for meaningful connection with others. Regardless of the reasons for coming to Knox United, Durham, on a Sunday Mornings, we try to create welcoming and engaging worship opportunities where people can satisfy their yearning for God and encounter the Holy.
People can encounter God in a variety of ways during the worship services. At different times, different elements of the worship service can help us experience God’s acceptance, encouragement, guidance, challenge and calling, healing and support. Here are some things we can expect to experience in a Sunday morning worship service:
At Knox United Durham, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion monthly as well as on special Sundays such as Easter Sunday. We also celebrate the sacrament of Baptism throughout the year, welcoming new members to the church.
Our largest gather for worship during the year is on Christmas Eve night service when we celebrate Holy Communion, act out the Christmas stories and bring a Christmas message.
Worship is also experienced at special times of the celebration, including Weddings, Anniversaries and celebrations of life.
We are an inclusive Christian community with a deep passion for God and God’s vision of equity, justice and well-being for all.
The feeling of knowing that we are in the sacred presence, when we enter this sanctuary for worship, leaves us with a sense of awe and refreshment. Come join us and celebrate God’s sacred presence in the midst of our sinful nature.
... Experiencing the sacred in our sinful midst
The Knox United church meets on Sunday mornings for worship services.
I know we can encounter the sacred presence of God at anytime in any place. As we integrate our faith with our daily living, everything we do can be an act of worship, bringing joy and hope to life and allowing us to experience God’s presence. But when we come apart to a place of worship, dedicated to the glory of God, we come with greater intention, expecting to receive something more powerful than we have not received during our daily routine. This is why worship becomes so important to our lives and Knox United, Durham, ideally located on the hill, offers a glorious opportunity for us to encounter such glorious experience. The doors to the sanctuary are widely opened for all and anyone to come in and worship. We at Knox are intentional about worship; we pause to be still, to listen, and to hear God’s word, to sing praise, offer prayers of thanksgiving, to lift the world and other people’s concerns to God, to participate in the Holy sacraments of baptism and communion and to reflect on God’s calling to us and God’s world.
I am cognisant that people come every Sunday morning for a variety of reasons. Some come with joyful hearts, eager to sing praise and give thanks. Some come with heavy hearts, seeking comfort and encouragement. Some bring their confusion, looking for clarity. Some come feeling depleted, looking for nourishment and renewal. Some come longing for meaningful connection with others. Regardless of the reasons for coming to Knox United, Durham, on a Sunday Mornings, we try to create welcoming and engaging worship opportunities where people can satisfy their yearning for God and encounter the Holy.
People can encounter God in a variety of ways during the worship services. At different times, different elements of the worship service can help us experience God’s acceptance, encouragement, guidance, challenge and calling, healing and support. Here are some things we can expect to experience in a Sunday morning worship service:
- A friendly welcome from our greeters as you arrive
- Music- singing hymns, listening to the choir as they offer an anthem, listening to the different musical instruments play.
- Prayer- Individual silent prayer, collective prayers, prayer requests, prayer candles
- Scripture- listening for God’s Word to us from the Bible
- Sermon-Hearing the minister reflect on the Bible reading and relate it to our present lives
- Life and Work of the church- hearing about upcoming activities, events, and opportunities to get involved
- Parting Blessing
- Coffee and fellowship following the service –a time to connect with others
- Our minister, Rev Tessica T. Hackshaw, leads the worship service and offers a weekly reflection
- Our music directors and members of the choir lead us in singing
- Members of our Worship Committee
- Scripture Readers
- Greeters and ushers
- Those who prepare and serve the bread and wine for our monthly communion service
- People who operate the sound and projection equipment
- Those who share their lives’ testimony on third Sundays
- Individuals who design and create banners and who decorate the sanctuary for special services
- Those who prepare the refreshments for coffee time
- Those who donate cakes every first Sunday for monthly birthday celebrations . . .
- Those who meet every week for prayer meetings and Bible study
- The two youth groups (5-12) and (12- 22) who meet every Friday for Spiritual nourishment and socialization
At Knox United Durham, we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion monthly as well as on special Sundays such as Easter Sunday. We also celebrate the sacrament of Baptism throughout the year, welcoming new members to the church.
Our largest gather for worship during the year is on Christmas Eve night service when we celebrate Holy Communion, act out the Christmas stories and bring a Christmas message.
Worship is also experienced at special times of the celebration, including Weddings, Anniversaries and celebrations of life.
We are an inclusive Christian community with a deep passion for God and God’s vision of equity, justice and well-being for all.
The feeling of knowing that we are in the sacred presence, when we enter this sanctuary for worship, leaves us with a sense of awe and refreshment. Come join us and celebrate God’s sacred presence in the midst of our sinful nature.
