CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm

MUSIC
Curated by Kevin Borst
We Praise You by Bethel Music
Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin
Reign Above It All by Bethel Music
Never Walk Alone by Hillsong
I Don’t Have Much by Mission House
Reckless Love by Bethel Music
Heaven Come by Bethel Music
I Love You Lord/ O Lord, You’re Beautiful, Commons arrangement
A Thousand Hallelujahs by Brooke Ligertwood

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 111

REFLECTIVE PRAYER
By Bobbi Salkeld

There’s a spiritual invitation that comes around every fall, and that invitation is to consider our relationship with letting go. 

We have to let go of the fun of another summer. 
We have to let go of the freedom of leaving the house without a jacket. 
We have to let go of longer days and warmer nights. 

I invite you to a Fall Liturgy for Letting Go. 

I’ll guide you through an opening prayer filled with questions for your reflection. They may not all apply to you, but I think some will. 

Then, I’ll read a passage of scripture two times for you to meditate on. 

Finally, I’ll set you into a space to imagine what it is like to live with openness and release – this is on offer whether you are in the process of letting go, holding tightly instead of letting go, or honestly not that tuned-in to what might need to be released from your mind and heart. 

Let us pray. 

As we take some time to reflect on the theme of letting go through a handful of personal questions, Spirit of Discernment, guide us. Highlight areas where we can do some letting go. 

And so I ask you – 

Are there possessions you’ve been holding onto that you know you could let go of? Things that don’t work, or don’t fit, or just clutter your life with stuff you don’t need anymore.  

Are there wishes and desires it’s time for you to let go of? Thoughts about a life you thought you’d live, but it’s just not worked out for you? 

Are there ideas and opinions you need to let go of? They’ve served their time. The opinions aren’t helping you any more. 

We pray: 
O God of falling leaves,
and shorter days, 
O God of cooler breezes,
and snow capped mountains – 
We let go of what is past, and unchangeable, 
and we look toward a new horizon. 
There you are, waving at us to join you when we are ready. 

I ask you –  

Are there relationships that have moved on without you, and you need to let them go? They were a part of your life for a season, but that season, it seems, has come to an end. 

Are there memories that you return to even though you know they aren’t very good for you, and it would do you some good to let those memories go? Old romantic partners, troubling moments from your youth, rehearsing a mistake over and over again. 

Is there a vision of the future that isn’t realistic, and it isn’t all that loving, and you need to let that go? Maybe there’s some perfectionism here, and you know being human is not about being perfect. 

We pray: 
O God of changing shorelines, 
and bare branches, 
O God of early snowfalls, 
and chinook arches – 
We let go of hurt and pain, and we resist bitterness
to be people of hope. 
There you are, smiling at us. So proud of the trust you see in our letting go. 

I ask you – 

Do you have some raging competition, envy, or jealousy that it would be so good to just let go of? An act of self-acceptance and love toward others. 

Are there things you say to yourself that are unkind, and not even true, and you need to let those things go? Your self-criticism, your resistance to getting help, your overly guarded self-defenses. 

Is there grief that has run its course, and it’s ok for you to just let a little more of that loss go so you can take steps in the present moment toward a new future? 

We pray: 
O God of cozy sweaters,
and down winter jackets.
O God of savoury soups,
and community cupboards – 
We open our hands to letting go
And take new steps into the unknown. 

Loving God, 
Christ of the cosmos,
Spirit of all discernment – 
You are with us, and we are glad.
Amen.

Listen to these words from the Gospel of John, and listen for the layers of letting go in the scene of Jesus’ arrest. As I read this passage , listen for one word or phrase that jumps out to you or “sparkles” for your attention.

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

John 18:1-6 NIV 

Now let us imagine together –

Can you imagine that Jesus knew what it was like to have friends not get him and betray him? Can you imagine the ways he had to let go as those friends exercised their autonomy and chose a different path?

Can you imagine that Jesus had relationships with places, not just people? That he knew the story of the land, and where people settled, and how gardens were places to gather. Can you imagine what it was like for Jesus to begin to let go of his relationship with these places?

Can you imagine Jesus’ sure sense of identity, even as he is letting go of his life? Can you imagine that his only defense is his name, not weapons or insults or any sort of reciprocal cruelty? Can you imagine that saying “I am he” had such an effect on these soldiers that they felt the truth of him in their bodies as they stumbled backward?

Can you imagine what letting go opens up room for? The fullness of a story, the brightness on the other side of something horrible. Letting go makes space for clarity, and the confirmation of choices. Letting go brings us closer to the freedom of forgiveness and the possibilities of what comes next.

Receive this benediction: 

Like the branches of the tree, 
after they let go of the season’s leaves,
you have new life in your limbs, 
and a season of letting go can bring 
more light,
more rest,
and more peace.

In letting go, you are free. 
God will meet you. 
Peace be upon your spirit. 
Amen. 

EUCHARIST INVITATION
By Bobbi Salkeld

The Eucharist is a meal of thanksgiving where we remember God’s liberating work, and tonight especially, the way Jesus’ final meal with friends represents the “letting go” moments in life. 

Our mortal life unfolds in seasons, and so too did Jesus’ life. 
Season to be born,
A season to befriend, 
A season to resist, 
A season to challenge, 
A season to let go and welcome what might be next. 

This ritual always invites you to the table of God, no matter the season you are in. 
The invitation remains the same: 

Come, when you are fearful, to be made new in love. 
Come, when you are doubtful, to be made strong in faith. 
Come, when you are regretful, and be made whole. 
Come, old and young,
There is room for all. 

Listen to the story of the last supper. 
Gathered around a table,
Jesus took bread – kneaded from harvest grains, 
and, having blessed it, 
broke the bread.Then Jesus gave it to the disciples, saying, 
‘This is my body which is given for you. Eat it to remember me.’
In the same way, Jesus took the wine – crushed from the grape. 
And, having given thanks, 
Jesus poured it out
and gave the cup to the disciples, saying,
‘This cup is the renewed relationship with God, 
sealed with my blood, my very life.’ 
Take it. Share it.’ 

Here is the blessing for the elements: 

Creator God, present at this meal, 
the bread that we break and the cup that we share 
are places where our Saviour meets us.
Broken, we are being made whole.
Poured out, we are filled with joy once again. 
Holy Spirit, bless these elements. 
Amen. 

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

Come forward.

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,
For ever and ever.

 Amen