Virtual Church

Warm up song: When Heaven's Bright

(VU 93; tune: The Sussex carol [Key of G])

1

When heaven's bright with mystery

and science searches nature's art,

when all creation yearns for peace

and hope sinks deep in human hearts,

appear to us, O Holy Light;

lift from our eyes the shades of night.

2

When Herod barters power and lives

and Rachel's weeping fills the night,

when suffering's mask marks every face,

and Love's a refugee in flight,

reveal to us your word of grace

and make us witness to your peace.

3

When fragile faith, like desert wind,

blows dry and empty, hope erased,

when withered grass and fading flower

proclaim again our day's brief space,

breathe on the clay of our despair

and work a new creation there.

4

When heaven's bright with mystery

and stars still lead an unknown way,

when love still lights a gentle path

where courts of power can hold no sway,

there with the Magi, let us kneel,

our gifts to share, God's world to heal.

Call to worship

Opening prayer and confession and Assurance of pardon

Hymn: The first Nowell

(VU 91)

1

The first Nowell the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

in fields where they lay akeeping their sheep

on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

born is the King of Israel.

2

They looked up and saw a star,

shining in the east, beyond them far;

and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night. R

3

And by the light of that same star

three wise men came from country far;

to seek for a king was their intent,

and to follow the star wherever it went. R

4

This star drew nigh to the northwest;

o'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

and there it did both stop and stay,

right over the place where Jesus lay. R

5

Then entered in those wise men three,

full reverently upon their knee,

and offered there in his presence

their gold and myrrh and frankincense. R

6

Then let us all with one accord

sing praises to our heavenly Lord,

that hath made heaven and earth of nought,

and with his blood our life hath bought. R

Children's hymn: We three kings

1

We three kings of Orient are;

Bearing gifts we travel afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

Refrain

O – star of wonder, star of light,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,

Gold I bring to crown him again,

King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. R

Frankincense to offer have I

incense owns a Deity nigh;

prayer and praising, voices raising,

Worshipping God on high. R

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in a stone cold tomb. R

Glorious now behold him arise;

King and God and sacrifice:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Sounds through the earth and skies. R

Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen.

Gospel hymn: What child is this

(VU 74)

1

What child is this, who laid to rest,

on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

while shepherds watch are keeping?

Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,

whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

haste, haste to bring him laud,

the Babe, the Son of Mary!

2

Why lies he in such mean estate

where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear; for sinners here

the silent Word is pleading.

3

So, bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;

come, one and all, to own him.

The King of Kings salvation brings;

let loving hearts enthrone him.

Pastoral prayer and Benediction

Gospel hymn: All poor ones and humble

(VU 68)

1

All poor ones and humble and all those who stumble,

come hastening, and feel not afraid;

for Jesus, our treasure, with love past all measure,

in lowly poor manger was laid.

Though wise men who found him

laid rich gifts around him,

yet oxen they gave him their hay,

and Jesus in beauty accepted their duty;

contented in manger he lay.

Refrain

Then haste we to show him the praises we owe him;

our service he ne'er can despise;

whose love still is able to show us that stable,

where softly in manger he lies.

2

The Christ Child will lead us, the Good Shepherd feed us

and with us abide till his day.

Then hatred he'll banish; then sorrow will vanish,

and death and despair flee away.

And he shall reign ever, and nothing shall sever

from us the great love of our King;

his peace and his pity shall bless his fair city;

his praises we ever shall sing. R

Virtual service: December 23, 2020

Christmas eve

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 7:00 p.m.

This is the recording of the Christmas Eve EVE service.

Christmas eve EVE Service

Carol: O Come, all ye faithful

Carol: Angels we have heard on high

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

and the mountains in reply, echoing the joyous strains.

“Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!”

Words . . .

Light four candles

Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song?

“Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Words . . .

We light the Christ candle

Words . . .

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ, who comes in lowly birth.

Come adore on bended knee Jesus, joy of heav’n and earth.

“Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

The first reading

1

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:

come and behold him, born the King of angels.

Refrain

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

3

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

glory to God in the highest. R

5

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be glory given;

word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. R

The second reading

Carol: Twas in the moon of wintertime

(VU 71)

1

'Twas in the moon of wintertime,

when all the birds had fled,

that mighty Gitchi Manitou

sent angel choirs instead;

before their light the stars grew dim,

and wandering hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain
Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

in excelsis gloria.

2

Within a lodge of broken bark

the tender babe was found,

a ragged robe of rabbit skin

enwrapped his beauty round;

but as the hunter braves drew nigh,

the angel song rang loud and high. R

3

The earliest moon of wintertime

is not so round and fair

as was the ring of glory on

the helpless infant there.

The chiefs from far before him knelt

with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. R

4

O children of the forest free,

the angel song is true,

the holy child of earth and heaven

is born today for you.

Come, kneel before the radiant boy,

who brings you beauty, peace, and joy. R

The third reading

Carol: Once in Royal David's city

(vv 1, 2 &4)

(VU 62)

1

Once in royal David's city

stood a lowly cattleshed,

where a mother laid her baby

in a manger for his bed.

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ her little child.

2

He came down to earth from heaven

who, with God, is over all,

and his shelter was a stable,

and his cradle was a stall.

There among the poor and lowly

lived on earth our Saviour holy.

4

And our eyes at last shall see him,

through his own redeeming love;

for that child who seemed so helpless

is our Lord in heaven above;

and he leads his children on

to the place where he is gone.

The fourth reading

Carol: Hark! The herald angel sing

(VU 48)

1

Hark! the herald angels sing,

'Glory to the newborn King,

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!'

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with the angelic host proclaim,

'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'

Refrain

Hark! the herald angels sing,

'Glory to the newborn King!'

2

Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail, the incarnate deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel! R

3

Hail, the heavenborn Prince of Peace!

Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth. R

The fifth reading

Carol: It came upon a midnight clear

(VU 44)

1

It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,

from angels bending near the earth

to touch their harps of gold,

'Peace on the earth, good will to all,

from heaven's all-gracious King!'

The world in solemn stillness lay

to hear the angels sing.

2

Still through the cloven skies they come

with peaceful wings unfurled;

and still their heavenly music floats

o'er all the weary world;

above its sad and lowly plains

they bend on hovering wing,

and ever o'er its Babel sounds

the blessed angels sing.

3

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

the world has suffered long;

beneath the angel strain have rolled

two thousand years of wrong;

and warring humankind hears not

the love song which they bring.

O hush the noise, and cease your strife,

to hear the angels sing.

4

For, lo! the days are hastening on,

by prophets seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold,

when peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splendours fling,

and the whole world send back the song

which now the angels sing.

The sixth reading

Carol: O little town of Bethlehem

(VU 64)

1

O little town of Bethlehem,

how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

the silent stars go by;

yet in thy dark streets shineth

the everlasting light;

the hopes and fears of all the years

are met in thee tonight.

2

For Christ is born of Mary;

and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep

their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars, together

proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King,

and peace to all on earth.

3

How silently, how silently

the wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

the blessed gift of heaven.

No ear may hear his coming;

but in this world of sin,

where meek souls will receive him, still

the dear Christ enters in.

4

O holy child of Bethlehem,

descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin, and enter in;

be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

our Lord Emmanuel.

Scripture lesson: Luke 2: 1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,

unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,

and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad

the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things

which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A Christmas sermon . .. if there’s time

Carol: Silent Night, Holy Night

(VU 67)

1

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

2

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight:

glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah,

Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

3

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face,

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Candle lighting

Prayers of the people and the Lord's Prayer song

Carol: Go tell it on the mountain

(VU 43)

Refrain

Go, tell it on the mountain,

over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain

that Jesus Christ is born.

1

While shepherds kept their watching

o'er silent flocks by night,

behold, throughout the heavens

there shone a holy light. R

2

The shepherds feared and trembled

when lo, above the earth

rang out the angel chorus

that hailed our Saviour's birth! R

3

Down in a lonely manger

the humble Christ was born,

and God sent our salvation

that blessed Christmas morn. R

December 23

Virtual service: December 20, 2020

December 20 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the December 20, 2020 service.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Go, tell it on the mountain

(VU 43; Key of G)

Refrain

Go, tell it on the mountain,

over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain

that Jesus Christ is born.

1

While shepherds kept their watching

o'er silent flocks by night,

behold, throughout the heavens

there shone a holy light. R

2

The shepherds feared and trembled

when lo, above the earth

rang out the angel chorus

that hailed our Saviour's birth! R

3

Down in a lonely manger

the humble Christ was born,

and God sent our salvation

that blessed Christmas morn. R

I wander as I wander

(Key of Am)

1

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

2

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

3

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

In the bleak midwinter

(VU 55; Key of D# [C 3rd fret])

1

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;

heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign;

in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed

the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.

3

Enough for him, whom cherubim worship night and day,

a breast full of milk, and a manger full of hay.

Enough for him, whom angels fall down before,

the ox and ass and camel which adore.

4

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a wise man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him - give my heart.

Prayer of confession and Assurance of Pardon

Hope is a star

(VU 7)

1

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

Refrain

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

2

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,

giving a promise of safety and worth

3

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn

Telling the world that the Saviour is born

4

Love is a flame that burns in our heart

Jesus has come and will never depart

Sung response

Come, O Long-expected Jesus,

born to set your people free.

From our fears and sins release us;

Christ, in whom our rest shall be.

Carol: The angel Gabriel

(Key of Am)

1

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

With wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.

"All hail," said he, "Thou lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!

2

”For known a blessed mother thou shalt be

All generations laud and honor thee

Thy Son shall be Emanuel

By seers foretold

Most highly favoured lady, " Gloria.

3

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head

"To me be as it pleaseth God, " she said,

"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name."

Most highly favoured lady, Gloria.

4

Of her, Emmanuel - the Christ - was born

in Bethlehem, upon that Christmas morn.

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say,

'Most highly favoured lady! Gloria!'

Children's carol : Jesus our brother

(VU 56; Key of F)

1

Jesus, our brother, kind and good,

was humbly born in a stable rude,

and the friendly beasts around him stood,

Jesus, our brother, kind and good.

2

'I,' said the donkey, shaggy and brown,

'I carried the mother uphill and down,

I carried his mother to Bethlehem town;

I,' said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3

'I,' said the cow, all white and red,

'I gave him my manger for his bed,

I gave him hay to pillow his head;

I,' said the cow, all white and red.

4

'I,' said the sheep with curly horn,

'I gave him my wool for his blanket warm,

he wore my coat on Christmas morn;

I,' said the sheep, with curly horn.

5

'I,' said the dove, from the rafters high,

'I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,

we cooed him to sleep, my mate and I;

I,' said the dove, from the rafters high.

6

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,

in the stable dark were glad to tell

of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,

the gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Scripture: Luke 1: 26-33

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 3nd behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Sung scripture: Luke 1: 47-55

(Tune: While Shepherds Watched, VU 75; Key of F)

1

"There's not a thing that God can't do!"
The angel said. "Not one!
For Mary, God has favored you
And you will bear God's Son."

2

So Mary answered, "Here am I,
The servant of the Lord."
She knew that she could well rely
Upon the angel's word.

3

There's not a blessing we won't know
If God is pleased to share;
As Mary found out long ago,
We're ever in God's care.

4

O God, what awesome things you do;
You call, surprise and bless!
As Mary answered, may we, too,
Respond by saying, "Yes!"

Pastoral Prayer and Benediction

Carol: See amid the winter's snow

(VU 76 ;Key of G)

1

See amid the winter's snow,

born for us on earth below,

see, the tender Lamb appears,

promised from eternal years.

Refrain

Hail, thou ever-blessed morn;

hail, redemption's happy dawn;

sing through all Jerusalem,

Christ is born in Bethlehem.

2

Lo, within a manger lies

God who built the starry skies,

who enthroned in height sublime

sits amid the cherubim. R

3

Say, ye holy shepherds, say

what your joyful news today;

wherefore have ye left your sheep

on the lonely mountain steep? R

4

'As we watched at dead of night,

lo, we saw a wondrous light;

angels singing 'Peace on earth'

told us of the Saviour's birth.' R

5

Sacred infant, all divine,

what a mighty love was thine,

thus to come from highest bliss

down to such a world as this! R

Virtual service: December 13, 2020

December 13 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the December 13, 2020 service.

Third Sunday of Advent

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

(Key of G)

1

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on

Our troubles will be out of sight

2

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the yuletide gay

From now on

Our troubles will be miles away

3

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us, once more

4

Through the years

We all will be together

If the fates allow

So, hang a shining star

Upon the highest bough

And Have yourself

A merry little Christmas now

God rest ye merry gentlemen

(Key of Em)

1

God rest ye merry gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Christ our Saviour

Was born on Christmas Day

To save us all from Satan's pow'r

When we were gone astray

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

2

In Bethlehem, in Judah

This blessed Babe was born

And laid within a manger

Upon this blessed morn

The which His Mother Mary

Did nothing take in scorn

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

3

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love & brotherhood

each other now embrace.

The holy tide of Christmas

All others doth efface.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy

No crowded Eastern street

(VU 49; Key of D)

1

No crowded eastern street, no sound of passing feet;

far to the left and far to right

the prairie snows spread fair and white;

yet still to us is born tonight

the child, the King of glory.

2

No rock-hewn place of peace shared with the gentle beasts,

but sturdy farmhouse, stout and warm,

with stable, shed, and great red barn;

and still to us is born tonight

the child, the King of glory.

3

No blaze of heavenly fire, no bright celestial choir,

only the starlight as of old,

crossed by the planes' flash, red and gold;

yet still to us is born tonight

the child, the King of glory.

4

No kings with gold and grain, no stately camel train:

yet in his presence all may stand

with loving heart and willing hand;

for still to us is born tonight

the child, the King of glory.

Prayer of confession and Assurance of Pardon

“Hope is a star”
(VU 7)

1

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

2

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,

giving a promise of safety and worth

3

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn

Telling the world that the Saviour is born

Lighting the candles

Sung response

Go! Tell it on the mountains

Over the Hills and everywhere!

Go! Tell is on the mountains

That Jesus Christ is born!

Hymn: On Jordan's bank

(VU 20; Key of G)

1

On Jordan's bank, the Baptist's cry

announces that the Lamb is nigh;

awake and hearken, for he brings

glad tidings of the King of Kings.

2

Then cleansed be every life from sin;

make straight the way for God within;

and let each heart prepare a home

where such a mighty guest may come.

3

In you, we find abundant life,

our refuge in the midst of strife;

without your grace we waste away,

like flowers that wither and decay.

4

Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,

and help us rise to fall no more.

O let your face upon us shine,

and fill the world with love divine.

5

All praise to you, eternal Son,

whose advent has our freedom won;

and praise to God whom we adore,

with Holy Spirit evermore.

Children's carol: Good King Wenceslas

(Key of G)

1

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.

2

“Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know’st, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

3

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.

4

“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”

5

In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christians all, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

Scripture: John 1:6-8; 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’, as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Gospel hymn: Luke 1: 47-55 The Magnificat

(VU 899; tune: It came upon a midnight clear [VU 44; Key of G])

1

My soul gives glory to my God,

my heart pours out its praise;

God lifted up my lowliness

in many marvelous ways.

My God has done great things for me:

yes, holy is God's name;

whose people will declare me blessed,

and blessings they shall claim.

2

From age to age, to all who fear,

such mercy love imparts,

dispensing justice far and near,

dismissing selfish hearts.

Love casts the mighty from their thrones,

promotes the insecure,

leaves hungry spirits satisfied,

the rich seem suddenly poor.

3

Praise God, whose loving covenant

supports those in distress,

remembering past promises

with present faithfulness.

My soul gives glory to my God,

my heart pours out its praise;

God lifted up my lowliness

in many marvelous ways.

Pastoral prayer and Benediction

Closing hymn: Watchman tell us of the night

(Tune: Hark! The Herald [VU 48; Key of G])

1

Watchman, tell us of the night,

what its signs of promise are;

Trav’ler, o’er yon mountain’s height

see that glory beaming star

Watchman, does its beauteous ray

aught of hope or joy foretell?

Trav’ler, yes; it brings the day, promised day of Israel.

2

Watchman, tell us of the night;

higher yet the star ascends;

Trav’ler, blessedness & light,

peace and truth its course portends

Watchman will its beams alone

gild the spot that gave them birth

Trav’ler ages are its own, see, it bursts o’er all the earth.

3

Watchman, tell us of the night,

for the morning seems to dawn;

Trav’ler, darkness takes its flight;

doubt and terror are withdrawn

Watchman, let thy wand’ring cease,

hie thee to thy quiet home!

Trav’ler, Lo, the Prince of Peace, Lo, the Son of God is come.

Virtual service: December 6, 2020

December 6 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the December 6, 2020 service.

Second Sunday of Advent

Carol Sing: I heard the bells on Christmas Day

(Key of D#; C 2nd fret)

1

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

Wild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on earth good will to men

2

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

3

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men

4

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor does he sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men

5

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

Wild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on earth good will to men

Carol sing: I saw three ships

(Key of D)

1

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas Day in the morning

2

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day in the morning

3

Our Saviour Christ and His Lady

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

Our Saviour Christ and His Lady

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

4

Pray, whither sailed those ships all Three

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

Pray, whither sailed those ships all Three

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

5

O they sailed into Bethlehem

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

O, they sailed into Bethlehem

On Christmas Day in the morning

6

And all the bells on earth shall ring

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

And all the bells on earth shall ring

On Christmas Day in the morning

7

And all the souls on earth shall sing

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

And all the souls on earth shall sing

On Christmas Day in the morning

8

Then let us all rejoice and sing

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day

Then let us all rejoice and sing

On Christmas Day in the morning

Carol sing: Joy is now in every place

(VU 45; Key of D# [C 3rd fret])

1

Joy is now in every place,

Christmas lightens every face;

now be with us, in your grace,

O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

2

May the star that shone that night,

making your poor stable bright,

fill our hearts with love and light,

O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

3

Through the New Year let it stay,

leading us upon your way,

making Christmas every day,

O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

4

Now and ever may we find

your good news to fill our mind:

peace and love to humankind,

O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

Hymn: Come, thou long expected Jesus

Hope is a Star
(VU 7 [C])

1

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

2

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,

giving a promise of safety and worth

One Friends, we have heard the promise:

God’s chosen One will soon be among us. We must make ready.

All Prepare the Way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

One The wilderness places of our lives may threaten to overwhelm us,

We may easily lose our way. But a second candle adds its light.

The candle of wisdom and preparation

Joins the candle of watchful waiting.

Light two candles

All Send your Spirit to the wild corners of our hearts.

Grant us wisdom and understanding

that we will prepare well

For the coming of your promised Counselor. Amen

Sung response

Hark the glad sound the Saviour comes!

The Saviour promised long!

Let every heart prepare him room

And every voice a song.

(VU 2; Tune: Hyfrodol; [Key of D])

1

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free:

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art,

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

2

Born thy people to deliver;

born a child and yet a king;

born to reign in us forever;

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all-sufficient merit

raise us to thy glorious throne.

Prayer of confession and Assurance of Pardon

Children's hymn: Song of St. Nicholas

(VU 69; Key of D)

1

There was a good bishop who lived long ago

His memory is glorious, His legends are bold

We call him St Nicholas, a servant of Christ

Who loved little children and taught what was right

2

He is Father Christmas and Santa Claus too

He helped many people, the stories are true

At Christmas he calls to us, both young and old

To see that the story of Jesus is told

3

The gifts that he brings us are signs of the love

That comes down at Christmas from heaven above

We see Mother Mary, the babe in the stall,

With Joseph, the wise men and shepherds and all

4

O blessed St Nik’las we hail you today

The patron of many, you show us the way

To be good and generous, to help those in need

To be kind to others in both word and deed

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11 King James Version

(King James version)

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry.

And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Gospel hymn: St Nicholas Song

(Tune: VU 48; Key of D)

1

Children everywhere agree

Each December now to be

Ready, eager, all to greet

The great saint we wait to meet.

Bearing gifts, he first recalls

If we have been good at all,
In our work, at home or play

All before St Nicholas day.

In our work, at home or play

All before St Nicholas day.

2

With his helpers at his side,

Celebrating far and wide,
He's the real Santa Claus,

Hail our kind St Nicholas

Now he leads us one and all

To the Christmas manger stall
Sees the babe, he bows the knee

For the prince of peace—tis he!

Sees the babe, he bows the knee

For the prince of peace—tis he!

3

So in Myra stories told

His great love, his actions bold,
Pilgrims now to Bari go

So the legends all may know.

Now the day of joy and fun

Ole St Nick, his work is done,
Says goodbye to young and old

By whom still his tales are told.

Says goodbye to young and old

By whom still his tales are told.

Pastoral prayer and benediction

Closing hymn: Lo, he comes with clouds

(VU 25; Key of F (D capo 3)

1

Lo, he comes with clouds descending,

see the Lamb for sinners slain!

Thousand, thousand saints attending

join to sing the glad refrain:

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

God appears on earth to reign.

2

Every eye shall then behold you,

robed in awesome majesty;

all who jeered, and mocked, and sold you,

pierced, and nailed you to the tree,

deeply grieving, deeply grieving, deeply grieving,

shall the true Messiah see.

3

Now redemption, long expected

see in solemn pomp appear;

all the saints, by us rejected,

thrill the trumpet sound to hear:

hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

See the day of God appear!

4

Yea! Amen! Let all adore you,

high on your eternal throne;

crowns and empires fall before you,

claim the kingdom for your own:

O come quickly! O come quickly! O come quickly!

Everlasting Christ, come down.

Virtual service: November 29, 2020

November 29 advent

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the November 29, 2020 service.

First Sunday of Advent

Concerns and celebrations

Welcome and annoucments,

Kate Hubble is hoping to make a slide show for this December. Your task should you choose to accept (I hope you do).

Please send her via email or Facebook a picture (max 4) of your family doing something Christmas"y" standing in front of a tree, wearing an ugly sweater, a funny hat, caroling, roasting chestnuts etc. or hanging with your flat Jesus! The slideshow will be posted on our Facebook page and our website.

Due Date: December 5th

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The holly and the ivy

(Key of D)

1
The holly and the ivy

When they are both full grown

Of all trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

Refrain
O, the rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

The playing of the merry organ

Sweet singing in the choir

2

The holly bears a blossom

As white as lily flow'r

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To be our dear Saviour R

3

The holly bears a berry

As red as any blood

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To do poor sinners good R

Ding dong merrily on high

(Key of D)

1

Ding dong merrily on high,

In heav'n the bells are ringing:

Ding dong! verily the sky

Is riv'n with angel singing

Refrain
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!

Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!

2

E'en so here below, below,

Let steeple bells be swungen,

And "Io, io, io!"

By priest and people sungen R

3

Pray you, dutifully prime

Your matin chime, ye ringers,

May you beautifully rhyme

Your eve'time song, ye singers R

The virgin Mary had a baby boy

(VU 73, key of D)

1

The virgin Mary had a baby boy,

the virgin Mary had a baby boy,

and they say that his name is Jesus.

Refrain
He come from the glory, (clap, clap)

he come from the glorious kingdom.

He come from the glory, (clap, clap)

he come from the glorious kingdom.

Oh, yes! believer! Oh, yes! believer!

He come from the glory, (clap, clap)

he come from the glorious kingdom.

2

The angels sang when the baby was born,

the angels sang when the baby was born,

and they say that his name is Jesus.

3

The shepherds came where the baby was born,

the shepherds came where the baby was born,

and they say that his name is Jesus.

Hymn: O come, O come Emmanuel

Hope is a star
(VU 17)

1

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

One The darkness has long been upon us. We long for the light—

the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation

All The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light!

One The light has not yet come.

We wait and watch for the dawning of God’s glory.

This one candle casts its light into the darkness.

It reminds us to stay awake and watchful,

for the Promised One will come to us at an unexpected hour!

Light first candle

All How we long for the light of your presence, Holy God!

Guide us from the night of our hopelessness

And lead us with joy toward

the dawning of your New Day. Amen

Sung response

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

(VU 1; Key of Em)

1

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lowly exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

2

O come, O Wisdom from on high,

who orders all things mightily;

to us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go. R

3

O come, O come, great God of might,

who to your tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times once gave the law

in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R

4

O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem,

from every foe deliver them

that trust your mighty power to save,

and give them victory o'er the grave. R

5

O come, O Key of David, come,

and open wide our heavenly home;

make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery. R

6

O come, O Dayspring, from on high,

and cheer us by your drawing nigh;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death's dark shadows put to flight. R

7

O come, Desire of nations, bind

all peoples in one heart and mind;

O bid our sad divisions cease,

and be for us the Prince of Peace. R

Prayer of confession

Children's hymn: Children, go where I send you

(Key of D)

Refrain

Children, go where I send thee. How shall I send thee?

I'm gonna send thee one by one

One for the little bitty baby

born, born, born in Bethlehem.

Two for Paul and Silas

Three for the Hebrew children ...

Four for the poor knockin' at my door ...

Five for the gospel preachers ...

Six for the six that got ‘emselves fixed ...

Seven for the seven that got into heaven ...

Scripture: Mark 13: 24-37

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Gospel hymn: Hark ! the glade sound

(VU 29; Key of D)

1

Hark, the glad sound! The Saviour comes,

the Saviour promised long:

let every heart prepare a throne,

and every voice a song.

2

He comes, the prisoners to release

in Satan's bondage held;

the gates of brass before him burst,

the iron fetters yield.

3

He comes, the broken heart to bind,

the bleeding soul to cure,

and with the treasures of his grace

to bless the humble poor.

4

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

your welcome shall proclaim;

and heaven's eternal arches ring

with your beloved name.

Closing hymn: O day of God, draw nigh

Pastoral prayers

Benediction

(VU 688; Key of G, chords found in Songs for Gospel People, #47)

1

O day of God, draw nigh

in beauty and in power,

come with your timeless judgement now

to match our present hour.

2

Bring to our troubled minds,

uncertain and afraid,

the quiet of a steadfast faith,

calm of a call obeyed.

3

Bring justice to our land,

that all may dwell secure,

and finely build for days to come

foundations that endure.

4

Bring to our world of strife

your sovereign word of peace,

that war may haunt the earth no more

and desolation cease.

5

O day of God, draw nigh

as at creation's birth;

let there be light again, and set

your judgements in the earth.

Virtual service: November 8, 2020

November 8 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the November 8, 2020 service.

Remembrance Sunday

Opening Song: Hurt

by Nine Inch Nails; interpreted: Johnny Cash

Key of Am

I hurt myself today To see if I still feel

I focus on the pain The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole The old familiar sting

Try to kill it all away But I remember everything

What have I become My sweetest friend?

Everyone I know Goes away in the end

And you could have it all My empire of dirt

I will let you down I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns Upon my liar's chair

Full of broken thoughts I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time The feelings disappear

You are someone else I am still right here

What have I become My sweetest friend?

Everyone I know Goes away in the end

And you could have it all My empire of dirt

I will let you down I will make you hurt

If I could start again A million miles away

I will keep myself I would find a way

Welcome and jokes

Hymn: I vow to thee my country

Call to Worship:

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore.

The sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd.

And he will guide them to living water

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes

Rev. 7: 16-17

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

(tune VU 256)

Key of G

1.

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question,

the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

2.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her,

most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness,

and all her paths are peace.

Video song: Sergeant Mackenzie

A time for remembrance

Wreath Laying

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae
~ May 3, 1915

(As published in Punch Magazine, December 8, 1915)

Act of remembrance

One They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning

We will remember them.

All We will Remember them.

Last Post

– Silence –

Lament “Flowers of the Forest”

Rouse

Prayer

O God of truth and justice,

we hold before you those people

who have died in active service.

As we honour their courage and cherish their memory,

may we put our faith in your future;

for you are the source of life, peace and hope,

now and for ever.

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

When they come a wull staun ma groon

Staun ma groon al nae be afraid

Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear

Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ains a year say a prayer faur me

Close yir een an remember me

Nair mair shall a see the sun

For a fell tae a Germans gun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

- Joseph Kilna MacKenzie

Scripture: John 15: 5-13

(King James Version)

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

May God bless to our understanding

this reading of His Holy Word. Amen

Gospel hymn: Let there be peace on earth

Key of C

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on Earth,

the peace that was meant to be.

With God, our Creator, children all are we,

Let us walk with each other,

in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.

With every step I take,

let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment

in peace, eternally.

Let there be Peace on Earth,

and let it begin with me.

Prayer for Understanding

Prayers of the people and The Lord's prayer

Benediction

Closing hymn: God our fathers

(tune: VU 659)

Key of C

1.

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!

2.

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,

An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

3.

Far called, our navies melt away;

On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Virtual service: November 1, 2020

November 1 Title

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/jplenio-7645255/

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the November 1, 2020 service.

Peace Sunday

Opening song: I will wait

by Mumford & Sons (Key of Db [C 1st Fret])

1
Well I came home like a stone

And I fell heavy into your arms

These days of dust

Which we've known

Will blow away with this new sun

2
But I'll kneel down wait for now

And I'll kneel down know my ground

And I will wait, I will wait for you

3
So break my step and relent

You forgave and I won't forget

Know what we've seen

And him with less

Now in some way

Shake the excess

4
'Cause I will wait, I will wait for you

And I will wait, I will wait for you

5
Now I'll be bold as well as strong

And use my head alongside my heart

So take my flesh and fix my eyes

A tethered mind free from the lies

6
And I'll kneel down wait for now

I'll kneel down know my ground

7
Raise my hands paint my spirit gold

And bow my head keep my heart slow

'Cause I will wait, I will wait for you

And I will wait, I will wait for you

Welcome and jokes

Hymn: Marching to Zion

(VU 714; Key of D)

1

Come, we that love the Lord,

and let our joys be known,

join in a song with sweet accord,

join in a song with sweet accord

and thus surround the throne,

and thus surround the throne.

Refrain
We're marching to Zion,

beautiful, beautiful Zion;

we're marching upward to Zion,

the beautiful city of God.

2

Let those refuse to sing

who never knew our God;

but children of the heavenly King,

but children of the heavenly King

may speak their joys abroad,

may speak their joys abroad. R

3

The hill of Zion yields

a thousand sacred sweets

before we reach the heavenly fields,

before we reach the heavenly fields

or walk the golden streets,

or walk the golden streets. R

4

Then let our songs abound,

and every tear be dry;

we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,

we're marching through Emmanuel's ground

to fairer worlds on high,

to fairer worlds on high. R

Children's hymn: Jesus loves me - twist and shout

Scripture: 2nd Timothy 4: 6-8; 16-18

I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

May God bless to our understanding

this reading of His Holy Word. Amen

Gospel Hymn: Stand up, stand up for Jesus

(Modern) (Key of Eb [D capo on 1st fret])
Words: Lawrence A. Wik (2013)

1

Stand up, stand up for Jesus

and shoulder up the cross

lift high Christ’s Easter victory,

redeemed from Calvary’s loss.

Take courage from his victory

To follow where he leads

Live strong in mercy’s service,

and match your words with deeds

2

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

to do what God has willed.

Let courage rise with danger

And every fear be stilled.

Put on the yoke of Jesus

His every grace receive.

to work for heaven’s kingdom

to live as you believe

3

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

the Spirit’s call obey,

Fulfill your best intentions

to follow in His way.

Decide against contentment

and comfort’s deathly pall,

Resolve to live for Jesus

and give your all in all

Prayer for understadning

Closing hymn: I, the Lord of sea and sky

(VU 509: Key of G in VY)

1

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.

I who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Refrain
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

2

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people's pain,

I have wept for love of them; they turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them.

Whom shall I send? R

3

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame,

I will set a feast for them; my hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide

till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send? R

Virtual service: October 25, 2020

October 25th title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the October 25, 2020 service.

Reformation Sunday

Opening song: Jumper

by Third Eye Blind

(Key of C)

1
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend

You could cut ties with all the lies that you've been living in

And if you do not want to see me again

I would understand I would understand

2
The angry boy, a bit too insane

Icing over a secret pain

You know you don't belong

You're the first to fight

You're way too loud

You're the flash of light on a burial shroud

I know something's wrong

Well, everyone I know has got a reason

To say, "Put the past away"

3
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend

You could cut ties with all the lies that you've been living in

And if you do not want to see me again

I would understand I would understand

4
Well, he's on the table and he's gone to code

And I do not think anyone knows

What they are doing here

And your friends have left you

You've been dismissed

I never thought it would come to this, and I, I want you to know

Everyone's got to face down the demons

Maybe today you can put the past away

5

I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend

You could cut ties with all the lies that you've been living in

And if you do not want to see me again

I would understand I would understand I would understand

Can you put the past away

I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend

I would understand (OVER and OVER)

Welcome and jokes

Hymn: God who gives to life its goodness

(VU 260; Key of C [chords in VU])

1

God who gives to life its goodness,

God creator of all joy,

God who gives to us our freedom,

God who blesses tool and toy:

teach us now to laugh and praise you,

deep within your praises sing,

till the whole creation dances

for the goodness of its king.

2

God who fills the earth with beauty,

God who binds each friend to friend,

God who names us co-creators

God who wills that chaos end:

grant us now creative spirits,

minds responsive to your mind,

hearts and wills your rule extending

all our acts by Love refined.

Children's hymn: When he cometh

(Key of C)

1

When He cometh, when He cometh

To make up His jewels,

All His jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

Refrain

Like the stars of the morning,

His bright crown adorning,

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

2

He will gather, He will gather

The gems for His kingdom;

All the pure ones, all the bright ones,

His loved and His own. R

3

Little children, little children,

Who love their Redeemer,

Are the jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own. R

Scripture: Matthew 22: 15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said.

16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.

17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”

18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?

19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.

20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?”

21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Gosepl hmyn: It is well with my soul

(Key of G)

1

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

2

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul. R

3

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! R

4

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul. R

Prayer for understadning

Prayers of people and benediction

Closing hymn: O God, you gave your servant John

(VU 718; Key of C, chords in VU)

1

O God, you gave your servant John

a vision of the world to come:

a radiant city filled with light,

where you with us will make your home;

where neither grief nor pain shall dwell,

since former things have passed away,

and where they need no sun nor moon;

your glory lights eternal day.

2

Our cities wear great shrouds of pain;

beneath our gleaming towers of wealth

the homeless crouch in rain and snow,

the poor cry out for strength and health.

Youth's hope is dimmed by ignorance;

unwilling, workers idled stand;

indifference walks unheeding by

as hunger stretches out its hand.

3

Come, Lord, make real John's vision fair;

come, dwell with us, make all things new;

we try in vain to save our world

unless our help shall come from you.

Come, strengthen us to live in love;

bid hatred, greed, injustice cease.

Your glory all the light we need,

let all our cities shine forth peace.

Virtual service: October 18, 2020

October 18 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the October 18, 2020 service.

World Food Sunday

Opening song: With or without you

By U2 (Key of D [C 2nd fret])

See the stone set in your eyes

See the thorn twist in your side

I'll wait for you

Sleight of hand and twist of fate

On a bed of nails, you make me wait

And I wait without you

Refrain

With or without you

Through the storm, we reach the shore

You give it all but I want more

And I'm waiting for you

Refrain

With or without you

With or without you,

I can't live With or without you

And you give yourself away

And you give and you give

And you give yourself away

My hands are tied

My body bruised, you got me with

Nothing to win and

Nothing left to lose

Refrain

And you give yourself away

And you give and you give

And you give yourself away

With or without you

With or without you, oh

I can't live With or without you

With or without you

With or without you, oh

I can't live with or without you

With or without you

Announcement and offering

Prayer and dedication

Call to worship

Hymn: All people that on Earth do dwell

(VU 822; Psalm 100) (Key of F [C 4th fret])

1

All people that on earth do dwell,

sing out your faith with cheerful voice;

delight in God whose praise you tell,

whose presence calls you to rejoice.

2

Know that there is one God, indeed,

who fashions us without our aid,

who claims us, gives us all we need,

whose tender care will never fade.

3

Enter the sacred gates with praise;

with joy approach the temple walls.

Extol and bless our God always

as people whom the Spirit calls.

4

Proclaim again that God is good,

whose mercy is forever sure,

whose truth at all times firmly stood,

and shall from age to age endure.

Children's hymn: Over my head

Scripture: Exodus 32: 1-14 Make God for us

(The Message Bible)

When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?”

So, Aaron told them, “Take off the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters and bring them to me.” They all did it; they removed the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands and cast it in the form of a calf, shaping it with an engraving tool. The people responded with enthusiasm: “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from Egypt!” Aaron, taking in the situation, built an altar before the calf.

Aaron then announced, “Tomorrow is a feast day to God!”

Early the next morning, the people got up and offered Whole-Burnt-Offerings and brought Peace-Offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink and then began to party. It turned into a wild party!

God spoke to Moses, “Go! Get down there! Your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt have fallen to pieces. In no time at all they’ve turned away from the way I commanded them: They made a molten calf and worshiped it. They’ve sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are the gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”

God said to Moses, “I look at this people—oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I’ll make a great nation out of you.”

Moses tried to calm his God down. He said, “Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, ‘He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.’ Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them ‘I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I’ll give this land to your children as their land forever.’”

And God did think twice. He decided not to do the evil he had threatened against his people.

Gospel hymn: Great is thy faithfulness

(VU 288; Key of D [chords in VU])

1

Great is thy faithfulness, God our creator;

there is no shadow of turning with thee;

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided -

great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!

2

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. R

3

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

wondrous the portion thy blessings provide. R

Sermon: Golden calf and golden shadows

Prayers of People and Benediction

Closing hymn: Spirit of God, come dwell within men

(Key of D)

1

Spirit of God, come dwell within me.

Open my heart, O come set me free.

Fill me with love for Jesus, my Lord.

O fill me with living water.

Refrain

Jesus is living, Jesus is here.

Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.

Jesus, our saviour, dying for me,

and rising to save his people

2

Lord, how I thirst, O Lord, I am weak.

Lord, come to me, you alone do I seek

Lord, you are life, and love and hope.

O fill me with living water R

3

Lord, I am blind, O Lord, I can’t see.

Stretch out your hand, O Lord comfort me.

Lead me your way in light and in truth

O fill me with living water R

Virtual service: October 11, 2020

October 11 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the October 11, 2020 service.

Thanksgiving Sunday

Download the order of Service

Opening song: If I had a million dollars

(The Barenaked Ladies)

Key of A

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you a house (I would buy you a house)

And if I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

I'd buy you furniture for your house

Maybe a nice Chesterfield or an Ottoman

And if I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you a K Car A nice Reliant automobile

If I had $1, 000, 000 I'd buy your love

If I had $1, 000, 000 (I'd build a tree fort in our yard)

If I had $1, 000, 000 (You could help, it wouldn't be that hard)

If I had $1, 000, 000

Maybe we could put a little tiny fridge in there somewhere

You know, we could just go in there and hang out

Like open the fridge and stuff

And there'd already be foods laid out for us

Like little pre wrapped sausages and things

Mmm, you know, they have pre wrapped sausages

But they don’t have pre wrapped bacon

Well, can you blame them? Yeah

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

While I'd buy you a fur coat (But not a real fur coat that's cruel)

And if I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you an exotic pet (Like a Llama or an Emu)

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you John Merricks remains (Oh all them crazy elephant bones)

And if I had $1, 000, 000 I'd buy your love

If I had $1, 000, 000 (We wouldn't have to walk to the store)

If I had $1, 000, 000 (We'd take a limousine 'cause it costs more)

If I had $1, 000, 000

We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner

But we would eat Kraft Dinner

Of course we would, we'd just eat more

And buy really expensive ketchups with it

That's right, all the fanciest ketchups, Dijon ketchup Mmm, mmm mmm

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you a green dress (But not a real green dress that's cruel)

And if I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you some art (A Picasso or a Garfunkel)

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

Well I'd buy you a monkey (Haven't you always wanted a monkey?)

If I had $1, 000, 000 I'd buy your love

If I had $1, 000, 000 (If I had $1, 000, 000)

I'd be rich

Hymn: Come, you thankful people come

Key of C

1.

Come, you thankful people, come,

raise the song of harvest home!

All is safely gathered in,

safe before the storms begin;

God, our maker, does provide

for our needs to be supplied:

come to God's own temple, come,

raise the song of harvest home!

2.

All the world is God's own field,

harvests for God's praise to yield;

wheat and weeds together sown,

here for joy or sorrow grown;

first the blade, and then the ear,

then the full corn shall appear:

Harvest-giver, grant that we

wholesome grain and pure may be.

3.

For our God, one day, shall come,

and shall take this harvest home;

from the field shall in that day

all offences purge away;

giving angels charge at last

in the fire the weeds to cast;

but the fruitful ears to store

in the garner evermore.

4.

Even so, God, quickly come

to your final harvest home!

Gather all your people in,

free from sorrow, free from sin;

there for ever purified,

in your presence to abide:

come, with all your angels, come,

raise the glorious harvest home.

Children's hymn: All things bright and beautiful

Key of D

Refrain:

All Things bright and beautiful

All Creatures Great and Small

All things wise and Wonderful

In Love God made them all

1.

Each little flower that opens,

each little bird that sings,

God made their glowing colours,

God made their tiny wings. R

2.

The purpleheaded mountains,

the river running by,

the sunset and the morning

that brightens up the sky; R

3.

The cold wind in the winter,

the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden:

God made them every one. R

4.

The rocky mountain splendour,

the lone wolf's haunting call,

the great lakes and the prairies,

the forest in the fall; R

5.

God gave us eyes to see them,

and lips that we might tell

how great is God our maker,

who has made all things well. R

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8: 7-18l

Moses said to all Israel: For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the LORD your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the LORD your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid wasteland with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.

Gosepl Hymn: Bringing in the sheaves

Key of G

1.

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness

Sowing in the noontide, and in the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come, rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves.

We shall come, rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves.

We shall come, rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

2.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze

By and by the harvest, and the labour ended,

We shall come, rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. R

3.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master

Tho’ the loss sustain’d our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come, rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Prayer for Understanding

Prayers of People and Benediction

Closing hymn: Now thank we all our God

Key of A

1.

Now thank we all our God, with heart,

and hands, and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom this world rejoices;

who from our mother's arms has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

2.

O may this bounteous God

through all our life be near us,

with ever joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us,

and keep us strong in grace, and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ill in this world and the next.

3.

All praise and thanks to God

for all that has been given,

the Son, and Spirit blest

who dwell in highest heaven,

the one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore;

for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore

Virtual service: October 4, 2020

October 4 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 12:30 p.m.

This is the recording for the October 4, 2020 service.

World Commuion Sunday

Announcement and Offering

Prayer and dedication

Call to worship (based on ten commandments)

All: Put God first.

Give worth to the one who gives worth to you.

Use God’s name with respect and love.

All Spend time thinking about God/

Honour and love your whole family.

Live towards other people with love and generosity.

Find the richness in faithfulness towards others.

All Celebrate what you have rather than dwell on what you don’t.

Speak well of others and truthfully to yourself.

Why get down about what others have

when you can share what you have with others?

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

All Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

Faithful God,

we find ourselves awake to your having been with us from the beginning.

We find ourselves awakening to who we are and who we are becoming

We know we were created in Your image,

that You have a history of bringing us out of slavery and into freedom

and we long to find that freedom today.

We know that seek to restore things that have gone awry;

You transform what has been made ugly into true beauty,

And we pray to become a part of Your future that is coming

And so, out of a desire to be made free of past mistakes

and to start again with you and with one another,

we join our voices in confession:

All:

God of mercy,

we confess that we have often failed to speak and act with kindness.

We have not always cared for others as you care for us.

We have not welcomed others as we have been welcomed to your table,

nor have we forgiven others as we have been forgiven.

We remember the good not done,

kind words not spoken, and things we regret.

If only we could make these things right!

Hear our silent confession:

(Keep silence for 15 seconds.)

Scripture: Philippians 3: 4b-14

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: Circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 1 want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Ministry of music

Prayers of the people

Benediction

Virtual service: September 27, 2020

September 27th title

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/jplenio-7645255

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the September 27, 2020 service.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening song: On the turning away

By Pink Floyd (Key of Em)

1
On the turning away

From the pale and downtrodden

And the words they say

Which we won't understand

"Don't accept that what's happening

Is just a case of others' suffering

Or you'll find that you're joining in

The turning away"

2
It's a sin that somehow

Light is changing to shadow

And casting it's shroud

Over all we have known

Unaware how the ranks have grown

Driven on by a heart of stone

We could find that we're all alone

In the dream of the proud

3
On the wings of the night

As the daytime is stirring

Where the speechless unite

In a silent accord

Using words you will find are strange

And mesmerized as they light the flame

Feel the new wind of change

On the wings of the night

4
No more turning away

From the weak and the weary

No more turning away

From the coldness inside

Just a world that we all must share

It's not enough just to stand and stare

Is it only a dream that there'll be

No more turning away?

Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is king

(VU 213; Key of C, Chord found in VU)

1

Rejoice the Lord is King!

Your risen Lord adore!

Rejoice, give thanks and sing

and triumph evermore.

Refrain
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice:

rejoice; again I say, rejoice!

2

Jesus the Saviour reigns,

the God of truth and love;

when he had purged our sins,

he took his seat above. R

3

God's kingdom cannot fail;

Christ rules o'er earth and heaven;

the keys of death and hell

are to our Jesus given. R

4

Rejoice in glorious hope,

for Christ, the judge, shall come

to glorify the saints

for their eternal home.

We soon shall hear the archangel's voice;

the trump of God shall sound, rejoice R

Opening prayer and assurance of pardon

Children's hymn: This little light of mine

1

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

2

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

3

In my brother’s heart, I’m gonna let it shine,

In my brother’s heart, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

4

In my sister’s soul, I’m gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

5

All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

6

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Scripture: Matthew 21: 23-32

The Message Version

True authority

Then Jesus was back in the Temple, teaching. The high priests and leaders of the people came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to teach here?”

Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I’ll answer yours. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans?”

They were on the spot and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him; if we say ‘humans,’ we’re up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet.” They decided to concede that round to Jesus. “We don’t know,” they answered.

Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.

“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons.

He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’

“The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.

“The father gave the same command to the second son.

He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

“Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”

They said, “The first.”

Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and [prostitutes] are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and [prostitutes] believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.

Gospel hmyn: I heard the voice of Jesus say

(VU 626; Key of EM)

1
I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'Come unto me and rest;

lay down, O weary one, lay down

your head upon my breast.'

I came to Jesus as I was,

weary and worn and sad;

I found in him a resting place,

and he has made me glad.

2

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'Behold, I freely give

the living water; thirsty one,

stoop down, and drink, and live.'

I came to Jesus, and I drank

of that life-giving stream;

my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

and now I live in him.

3

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'I am this dark world's light;

look unto me, your morn shall rise,

and all your day be bright.'

I looked to Jesus, and I found

in him my star, my sun;

and in that light of life I'll walk

till travelling days are done.

Prayers of people and benediction

Closing song: Called by earth and sky

(MV 135, Key of C)

Refrain

Called by earth and sky,

promise of hope held high.

This is our sacred living trust,

treasure of life sanctified,

called by earth and sky.

1

Precious these waters, endless seas,

deep ocean’s dream,

waters of healing, rivers of rain,

the wash of love again. R

2

Precious this gift, the air we breathe;

wind born and free.

Breath of the Spirit, blow through this place,

our gathering and our grace. R

3

Precious these mountains, ancient sands;

vast fragile land.

Seeds of our wakening, rooted and strong,

Creation’s faithful song. R

4

Precious the fire that lights our way,

bright dawning day.

Fire of passion, sorrows undone,

our faith and justice one. R

Virtual service: September 20, 2020

September 20th title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the September 20, 2020 service.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening song: Ordinary day

Great Big Sea

Key of F (D 3rd Fret)

I've got a smile on my face, and I've got four walls around me

I've got the sun in the sky, all the water surround me

Oh you know, ya I win now and sometimes I'll lose

I've been battered, but I never bruise... it's not so bad

And I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day

And it's all your state of mind

At the end of the day,

You've just got to say... it's all right.

Janie sings on the corner, what keeps her from dying

Let them say what they want, she won't stop trying

Oh you know,

She might stumble, and be pushed around

She might fall, but she'll never lie down...it's not so bad

And I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day

And it's all your state of mind

At the end of the day,

You've just got to say... it's all right.

It's alright, it's alright...it's ALRIGHT.

In this beautiful life there's always some sorrow

And It's a double-edged knife, but there's always tomorrow..

Oh you know,

It's up to you now if you sink or swim,

Just keep the faith and your ship will come in?.

it's not so bad

And I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day

And it's all your state of mind

At the end of the day,

You've just got to say...

I say way-hey-hey, it's just an ordinary day

And it's all your state of mind

At the end of the day,

You've just got to say... it's all right, it's all right

I've got a smile on my face, and I've got four walls around me

Hymn: How great is our God

(Chris Tomlin)

Key of A (G 2nd Fret)

The splendour of a King,

clothed in majesty

Let all the Earth rejoice

All the Earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Opening prayer and assurance of pardon

Children's hymn: There is room for all

Scripture: Exodus 16: 1-18

(The Message)

On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!”

God said to Moses, “I’m going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day’s ration. I’m going to test them to see if they’ll live according to my Teaching or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have gathered, it will turn out to be twice as much as their daily ration.”

Moses and Aaron told the People of Israel, “This evening you will know that it is God who brought you out of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the Glory of God. Yes, he’s listened to your complaints against him. You haven’t been complaining against us, you know, but against God.”

Moses said, “Since it will be God who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, it’s God who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are we in all this? You haven’t been complaining to us—you’ve been complaining to God!”

Moses instructed Aaron: “Tell the whole company of Israel: ‘Come near to God. He’s heard your complaints.’” When Aaron gave out the instructions to the whole company of Israel, they turned to face the wilderness. And there it was: the Glory of God visible in the Cloud.

God spoke to Moses, “I’ve listened to the complaints of the Israelites. Now tell them: ‘At dusk you will eat meat and at dawn you’ll eat your fill of bread; and you’ll realize that I am God, your God.’”

That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp. When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground. The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was.

So Moses told them, “It’s the bread God has given you to eat. And these are God’s instructions: ‘Gather enough for each person, about two quarts per person; gather enough for everyone in your tent.’”

The People of Israel went to work and started gathering, some more, some less, but when they measured out what they had gathered, those who gathered more had no extra and those who gathered less weren’t short—each person had gathered as much as was needed.

Gospel hymn: All who hunger

(VU 460)

Key of G (Chords found in Voices United - but too many!!!)

1.

All who hunger, gather gladly;

holy manna is our bread.

Come from wilderness and wandering.

Here, in truth, we will be fed.

You that yearn for days of fullness,

all around us is our food.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

2.

All who hunger, never strangers;

seeker, be a welcome guest.

Come from restlessness and roaming.

Here, in joy, we keep the feast.

We that once were lost and scattered

in communion's love have stood.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

3.

All who hunger, sing together;

Jesus Christ is living bread.

Come from loneliness and longing.

Here, in peace, we have been led.

Blest are those who from this table

live their lives in gratitude.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

Prayers of people and bendeiction

Closing song: God be with you

(VU 422)

Key of B (G 3rd fret)

1.

God be with you till we meet again;

loving counsels guide, uphold you,

with a shepherd's care enfold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:

Till we meet, till we meet,

till we meet at Jesus' feet;

till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

2.

God be with you till we meet again;

unseen wings protecting hide you,

daily manna still provide you;

God be with you till we meet again. R

3.

God be with you till we meet again;

when life's perils thick confound you,

put unfailing arms around you;

God be with you till we meet again. R

4.

God be with you till we meet again;

keep love's banner floating o'er you,

smite death's threatening wave before you;

God be with you till we meet again. R

Virtual service: September 13, 2020

September 13th title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the September 13, 2020 service.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Download the order of service

Opening song: The field behind the plough

By Stan Rogers
(Key of G)

1
Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight, dark rows
Feel the trickle in your clothes, blow the dust cake from your nose
Hear the tractor's steady roar, Oh you can't stop now
There's a quarter section more or less to go

2
And it figures that the rain keeps its own sweet time
You can watch it come for miles, but you guess you've got a while
So ease the throttle out a hair, every rod's a gain
And there's victory in every quarter mile

Refrain
Poor old Kuzyk down the road
The heartache, hail and hoppers brought him down
He gave it up and went to town
And Emmett Pierce the other day
Took a heart attack and died at forty-two
You could see it coming on 'cause he worked as hard as you

3
In an hour, maybe more, you'll be wet clear through
The air is cooler now, pull you hat brim further down
And watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground

Refrain
And if the harvest's any good
The money just might cover all the loans
You've mortgaged all you own
Buy the kids a winter coat
Take the wife back east for Christmas if you can
All summer she hangs on when you're so tied to the land

4
For the good times come and go, but at least there's rain
So this won't be barren ground when September rolls around
So watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground
Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows
Put another season's promise in the ground

Hymn: Good news! Chariot's a comin'

Call to worship

Children's hymn: Jesus bids us shine

(VU 585; Key of G)

1
Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light,
like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world is darkness, so let us shine,
you in your small corner, and I in mine.

2
Jesus bids us shine first of all for him;
well he sees and knows it if our light grows dim:
Jesus walks beside us to help us shine,
you in your small corner, and I in mine.

3
Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around;
many kinds of darkness in the world are found:
sin, and want and sorrow; so we must shine,
you in your small corner, and I in mine.

Scripture: Matthew 18: 21-35

The Message version

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”

Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’

“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

Gospel hymn: Count your blessings

(Key of C)

1
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the lord has done

Refrain
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

2
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings every doubt will fly
And you will keep singing as the days go by. R

3
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. R

4
So, amid the conflict whether great or small
Do not be disheartened God is over all
Count your many blessings Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. R

Prayers of people and benediction

Closing song: All my life's a circle

By Harry Chapin
(Key of C)

1
All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown
the moon rolls through the night time
'till the daybreak comes around
All my life's a circle, but I can't tell you why
the seasons’ spinning round again
the years keep rolling by

2
Seems like I've been here before I can't remember when
But I've got this funny feeling that we'll all be together again
'Cause no straight lines make up my life
And all my roads have bends
There's no clearcut beginnings and, so far, no dead ends

3
I've found you a thousand times I guess you've done the same
But then we'll lose each other it's just like a children's game
But as I find you here again a thought runs through my mind
Our Love is like a circle, let's go round one more time

Virtual service: September 6, 2020

September 6th title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the September 6, 2020 service.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening Song: The cave

By Mumford & Sons

(Key of G 4th fret [B])

1
It's empty in the valley of your heart

The sun it rises slowly as you walk

Away from all the fears and all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat

You cannibal you meat eater you see

But I have seen the same I know the shame in your defeat

Refrain

But I will hold on hope

And I won't let you choke

On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain

And I will change my ways

I'll know my name as it's called again

2
'Cause I have other things to fill my time

You take what is yours and I'll take mine

Now let me at the truth which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears

I can see widows and orphans through my tears

I know my call despite my faults and despite my growing fears R

3
So come out of your cave walking on your hands

And see the world hanging upside down

You can understand dependence

when you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call

And sing all you want

I will not hear what you have to say

'Cause I need freedom now

And I need to know how

To live my life as it's meant to be R

..

Hymn: The family of God (Gaithers)

(Key of D)

Refrain
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,

I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family,

The Family of God.

1
You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,

It's because we're a family and these are so near;

When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. R

2

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,

No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;

From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,

I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong! R

Children's hymn: Amazing grace

(The lions sleep tonight)

(Key of C)

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.

Halle- ee -ee lu ja! Amen

Halle - ee -ee lu ja! Amen.

2

When we've been there ten thousand years,

bright shining as the sun,

we've no less days to sing God's praise

than when we'd first begun.

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

The Message Version

15-17 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.

18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”

Gospel hymn: God on the mountain

(Key of C)

1

Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain

And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known

But then things change and you’re down in the valley

Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone

Refrain
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley

When things go wrong, He’ll make them right

And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times

The God of the day is still God in the night

2
You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain

But the talk comes easy when life’s at it’s best

But it is down in the valley of trials and temptation

That’s when faith is really put to the test

Closing choruses

(Key of G)

Alive, alive, alive forevermore

My Jesus is alive! Alive forevermore

Alive, alive, alive forevermore

My Jesus is alive! Alive forevermore

Sing Hallelujah

My Jesus is Alive, forevermore

Sing Hallelujah

My Jesus is alive

It is no longer I that liveth

But Christ that liveth in me

It is no longer I that liveth

But Christ that liveth in me

In me! In me!

Jesus is alive in me!

It is no longer I that liveth

But Christ that liveth in me

Rejoice in the Lord always!

And again I say rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always!

And again I say rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice

And again I say rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice

And again I say rejoice!

Virtual service: August 30, 2020

August 30

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the August 30, 2020 service.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening Song: 10,000 Reasons

(Key of G)

Refrain

Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

1

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes R

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find R

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Hymn: Nearer, my God, to thee

(Key of D)

1

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

still all my song shall be,

nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

2

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

yet in my dreams I'd be

nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

3

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;

all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;

angels to beckon me

nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

4

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,

out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;

so by my woes to be

nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

5

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,

sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,

still all my song shall be,

nearer, my God, to thee;

nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Children's hymn: One more step along the world I go

(VU 639; Key of G)

1

One more step along the world I go,

one more step along the world I go,

from the old things to the new,

keep me travelling along with you.

Refrain

And it's from the old I travel to the new;

keep me travelling along with you.

2

Round the corner of the world I turn,

more and more about the world I learn;

all the new things that I see

you'll be looking at along with me. R

3

As I travel through the bad and good,

keep me travelling the way I should;

where I see no way to go

you'll be telling me the way, I know. R

4

Give me courage when the world is rough,

keep me loving though the world is tough,

leap and sing in all I do,keep me travelling along with you. R

5

You are older than the world can be,

you are younger than the life in me,

ever old and ever new,

keep me travelling along with you. R x 2

Scripture: Genesis 28: 10-19a

Jacob left Beersheba and went to Haran. He came to a certain place and camped for the night since the sun had set. He took one of the stones there, set it under his head and lay down to sleep. And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground and it reached all the way to the sky; angels of God were going up and going down on it.

Then God was right before him, saying, “I am God, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. I’m giving the ground on which you are sleeping to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the Earth; they’ll stretch from west to east and from north to south. All the families of the Earth will bless themselves in you and your descendants. Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.”

Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”

Jacob was up first thing in the morning. He took the stone he had used for his pillow and stood it up as a memorial pillar and poured oil over it. He christened the place Bethel (God’s House).

Gospel hymn: We are climbing Jacob's ladder

(Key of C)

1

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

Brothers, sisters, all

2

Every rung goes higher and higher

Brothers, sisters, all

3

Every new rung just makes us stronger

Brothers, sisters, all

4

We are dancing Sarah’s circle,

We are brothers, and sisters, all

5

We are climbing higher and higher

Yeah, we are climbing higher and higher

Brothers, sisters, all

6

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

Yeah, we are climbing Jacob's ladder

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

Brothers, sisters, all

Hymn: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

(Key of G)

1

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,

pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but thou art mighty,

hold me with thy powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me till I want no more,

feed me till I want no more.

2

Open now the crystal fountain,

whence the healing stream doth flow;

let the fire and cloudy pillar

lead me all my journey through.

Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,

be thou still my strength and shield,

be thou still my strength and shield.

3

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

bid my anxious fears subside;

death of death, and hell's destruction,

land me safe on Canaan's side:

songs of praises, songs of praises

I will ever give to thee,

I will ever give to thee.

Virtual service: August 23, 2020

August 23 title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the August 16, 2020 service.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening song: Good riddance (Time of your life)

by Green Day

(Key of G)

1
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

So, make the best of this test and don't ask why

It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

Refrain

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life

2
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind

Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth it was worth all the while R (x 3)

Hymn: Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore

Call to worship

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

(VU 563)

1

Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore

looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;

you only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,

and while smiling, have spoken my name;

now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;

by your side I will seek other seas.

2

You know so well my possessions;

my boat carries no gold and no weapons;

- you will find there my nets and labour. R

3

You need my hands, full of caring

through my labours to give others rest,

and constant love that keeps on loving. R

4

You, who have fished other oceans,

ever longed for by souls who are waiting,

my loving friend, as thus you call me. R

(VU 576)

Almighty God, whose son Jesus Christ has taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for him,

give us the will to be the servant of others

as he was the servant of all,

who gave up his life and died for us,

but is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

Hymn: I'm gonna live so/Peace like a river

(VU 575/7; Key of G)

1

I'm gonna live so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

I'm gonna live so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

2

I'm gonna work so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

I'm gonna work so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

3

I'm gonna pray so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

I'm gonna pray so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

1

I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river in-a my soul.

I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river in-a my soul.

2

I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,

I've got joy like a fountain in-a my soul.

I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,

I've got joy like a fountain in-a my soul.

3

I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,

I've got love like an ocean in-a my soul.

I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,

I've got love like an ocean in-a my soul.

4

I'm gonna sing so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

I'm gonna sing so God can use me

anywhere, Lord, anytime!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-13

(The Message)

What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say “Jesus be damned!” Nor would anyone be inclined to say “Jesus is Master!” without the insight of the Holy Spirit.

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:

wise counsel clear understanding

simple trust healing the sick

miraculous acts proclamation

distinguishing between spirits

tongues

interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Gospel hymn: The Lord's my shepherd

(VU 747; Key of F)

1

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;

he makes me down to lie

in pastures green; he leadeth me,

the quiet waters by.

2

My soul he doth restore again;

and me to walk doth make

within the paths of righteousness,

even for his own name's sake.

3

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,

yet will I fear no ill;

for thou art with me; and thy rod

and staff me comfort still.

4

My table thou has furnished

in presence of my foes;

my head thou dost with oil anoint,

and my cup overflows.

5

Goodness and mercy all my life

shall surely follow me,

and in God's house for evermore

my dwelling-place shall be.

Download the order of service

Hymn: The king of love

(VU 273; Key of D)

1

The King of love my shepherd is,

whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am his

and he is mine forever.

2

Where streams of living water flow

my ransomed soul he leadeth,

and where the verdant pastures grow

with food celestial feedeth.

3

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed;

but yet in love he sought me,

and on his shoulder gently laid,

and home rejoicing brought me.

4

In death's dark vale I fear no ill

with thee, dear Lord, beside me;

thy rod and staff my comfort still,

thy cross before to guide me.

5

Thou spread'st a table in my sight;

thy unction grace bestoweth;

and O what transport of delight

from thy pure chalice floweth!

6

And so through all the length of days

thy goodness faileth never:

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

within thy house forever!

Virtual service: August 16, 2020

August 16th title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the August 16, 2020 service.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Opening Song: "Whislist"

by Pearl Jam

(Key of C)

1

I wish I was a neutron bomb for once I could go off

I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on

I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on

The Christmas tree I wish I was the star that went on top

I wish I was the evidence I wish I was the grounds

For fifty million hands upraised and open toward the sky

2

I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me

I wish I was as fortunate as fortunate as me

I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good

I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood

3

I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun

I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on

I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on

I wish I was the verb 'to trust' and never let you down

I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up

Hymn: Your love is amazing

(MV 26)

1

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging,

your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet.

Your love is a myst’ry, how you gently lift me.

When I am surrounded your love carries me.

Refrain

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Your love makes me sing.

2

Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising,

all the joy that’s growing deep inside of me.

Ev’ry time I see you all your goodness shines through.

I can feel this God song rising up in me. R

3

Repeat verse 1.

Last line of refrain: Your love makes me sing. Hallelujah.

Hymn: I can feel you near me God

(MV 48)

1

I can feel you near me God I can feel you near

Yes I know you’re with me God I feel you here

I can feel you near me God I can feel you near

Yes I know you’re with me God Heaven is here.

Refrain

And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia

Jump for joy for you I will jump for joy

I’m singing Alleluia Jump for joy for you.

Repeat

2

I can feel you loving me yes I know you care

God I know you’re loving me always everywhere

I can feel you loving me yes I know you care

God I know you’re loving me I know you’re there.

Gospel hymn: Will your anchor hold

Acts 16: 16-34

As we [PAUL AND SILAS] were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

(VU 675; Key of D)

1

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife,

when the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

will your anchor drift or firm remain?

Refrain

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

fastened to the rock which cannot move,

grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!

2

It will surely hold in the straits of fear,

when the breakers tell that the reef is near;

though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,

not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow. R

3

It will surely hold in the floods of death,

when the waters cold chill our latest breath;

on the rising tide it can never fail

while our hopes abide within the veil. R

4

When our eyes behold, through the gathering night,

the city of gold, our harbour bright,

we shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,

with the storms all past for evermore. R

Hymn: How can I keep from singing

(VU 716; Key of D)

1

My life flows on in endless song,

above earth's lamentation.

I hear the sweet, though far off hymn

that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife,

I hear the music ringing:

It finds an echo in my soul -

how can I keep from singing?

2

What though my joys and comforts die?

My Saviour still is living.

What though the shadows gather 'round?

A new song Christ is giving.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

while to that Rock I'm clinging:

since Love commands both heaven and earth,

how can I keep from singing?

3

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,

and hear their death knells ringing:

when friends rejoice both far and near,

how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile

our thoughts to them are winging:

when friends by shame are undefiled,

how can I keep from singing?

4

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

I see the blue above it;

and day by day this pathway smooths,

since first I learned to love it.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

a fountain ever springing:

all things are mine since I am Christ's -

how can I keep from singing?

Virtual service: August 9, 2020

Aug 9th title

Photo by: Carrie Sheldrick

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the August 9, 2020 service.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening song: "The middle" by Jimmy Eat World

by Jimmy Eat World

(Key of D)

1
Hey, don't write yourself off yet.

It's only in your head, you feel left out or looked down on.

Just try your best, try everything you can.

Don't you worry what they tell themselves

When you're away.

Refrain

It just takes some time,

Little girl you're in the middle of the ride,

Everything, everything will be just fine.

Everything, everything will be alright. (alright)

2
Hey, you know they're all the same.

You know you're doin' better on your own, so don't buy in.

Live right now, just be yourself.

It doesn't matter if it's good enough,

For someone else. R

3

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.

It's only in your head, you feel left out or looked down on.

Just do your best, (do your best)

Do everything you can (do everything you can)

Don't worry what their bitter hearts

Are gonna say R (x2)

Hymn: For the beauty of the earth

(VU 226; Key of D)

1

For the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies,

Refrain

God of all, to you we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

2

For the beauty of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower,

sun and moon, and stars of light R

3

For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild R

4

For each perfect gift sublime

to our race so freely given,

graces human and divine,

flowers of earth and buds of heaven R

Hymn: Seek ye first the kingdom of God

(VU 356)

1

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

and God's righteousness,

and all these things shall be added unto you.

Hallelu, hallelujah.

2

Ask and it shall be given unto you;

seek and you shall find;

knock and the door shall be opened unto you.

Hallelu, hallelujah.

3

We do not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Hallelu, hallelujah.

Scripture: The parables of mustard seed, yeast and others

Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

{31} Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; {32} it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." {33} He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

{44} "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

{45} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; {46} on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. {47} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; {48} when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.

{49} So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous {50} and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. {51} "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." {52} And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Gospel Hymn: In the garden

(Key of G)

1

I Come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The son of God discloses.

And He walks with me,

and He talks with me.

And He tells me I am his own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

2

He speaks and the sound of his voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

3

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling;

But he bids me go – through the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling.

Sermon: God's garden: A kingdom of flowers

Hymn: Soil of God, you and I (holy ground)

(MV 175; Key of C)

1

Soil of God, you and I, stand ready to bear

seeds of faith nourished by God’s tender care.

Growing in everyone for here God is found.

All stand together, we are…

Holy ground.

2

Soil of God, you and I, now ready to be

part of God’s promise, for others to see.

Open to everyone for here God is found.

All stand together, we are…

Holy ground.

3

Soil of God, you and I, now called to re-birth,

joining as partners with all of the earth.

Living in harmony for here God is found.

All stand together, we are…

Holy ground.

Virtual service: August 2, 2020

August 2 title

Photo by: Carrie Sheldrick

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the August 2, 2020 service.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Opening song: Pride (in the name of love)

(Key of D)

1

One man come in the name of love

One man come and go

One man come he to justify

One man to overthrow

Refrain

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

2

One man caught on a barbed wire fence

One man he resist

One man washed up on an empty beach

One man betrayed with a kiss

Refrain

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

3

Early morning, April four

Shot rings out in the Memphis sky

Free at last, they took your life

They could not take your pride

Refrain

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

Refrain

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

Hymn: A little seed lay fast asleep

(Tune: Kingsfold; Key of Em)

1

A little seed lay fast asleep

Beneath the earth’s brown sod

But woke to life and hope when came

The wondrous touch of God

A sunbeam kissed the hidden spot,

And warmed its earthly bed;

The rain and dew gave kindly drink,

Till soon it raised its head.

2

Up, up it pressed its way above,

Up till the light was seen;

Then came the sun, and decked it all

In dainty garb of green.

It grew so straight, and tall, and fair,

Each day it would unfold;

The smiling sun placed on its head

The shining crown of gold.

3

At last it stood, with thousands more,

A golden ear of corn,

God’s gift to us, our daily food,

From little seedling born.

So we all are the seeds God plants

Within His garden fair:

He loves and guards us every day;

We have God’s constant care.

4

And we can grow so straight & pure,

So good and full of grace;

A crown of gold is ours, when we

Shall see the Saviour’s face.

A little seed lay fast asleep

Beneath the earth’s brown sod

But woke to life and hope when came

The wondrous touch of God

Hymn: Give me oil in my lamp

(Key of C)

1

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning

Give me oil in my lamp, I pray

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning

Keep me burning till the break of day

Refrain

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna to the Servant King

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna, let us sing

2

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising

Give me joy in my heart, I pray

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising

Keep me praising till the break of day

3

Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving

Give me peace in my heart, I pray

Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving

Keep me loving till the break of day

4

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving

Give me love in my heart, I pray

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving

Keep me serving till the break of day

Give me gas for my Ford, keep me truckin’ for the Lord
Give me wax for my Board, keep me surfin’ for the Lord

Scripture: The parable of the wheat and thistles

Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Jesus told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.

“The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’

“He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’

“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’

“He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’”

Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, “Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field.”

So, he explained. “The farmer who sows the pure seed is the son of Man. The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.

“The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?

Gospel hymn: More about Jesus

(Key of G)

1

More about Jesus would I know,

More of His grace to others show;

More of His saving fullness see,

More of His love Who died for me.

Refrain

More, more about Jesus,

More, more about Jesus;

More of his saving fullness see,

More of his love Who died for me.

2

More about Jesus let me learn,

More of His holy will discern;

Spirit of God, my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me.

3

More about Jesus; in His Word,

Holding communion with my Lord;

Hearing His voice in every line,

Making each faithful saying mine.

4

More about Jesus; on his throne,

Riches in glory all his own;

More of his kingdom’s sure increase;

More of his coming, Prince of Peace.

Sermon: Seeds and weeds part II

Hymn: Faith, while trees (5th verse is chorus)

Words: VU 643

Tune: As the deer (VU 766)

(Key of D)

1

Faith, while trees are still in blossom,

plans the picking of the fruit;

faith can feel the thrill of harvest

when the buds begin to sprout.

Refrain
Faith believes that God is faithful:

God will be what God will be!

Faith accepts the call, responding,

'I am willing, Lord, send me.'

2

Long before the dawn is breaking,

faith anticipates the sun.

Faith is eager for the daylight,

for the work that must be done.

Refrain

Faith believes that God is faithful:

God will be what God will be!

Faith accepts the call, responding,

'I am willing, Lord, send me.'

3

Long before the rains were coming,

Noah went and built an ark.

Abraham, the lonely migrant,

saw the light beyond the dark.

Refrain

Faith believes that God is faithful:

God will be what God will be!

Faith accepts the call, responding,

'I am willing, Lord, send me.'

4

Faith, uplifted, tamed the water

of the undivided sea,

and the people of the Hebrews

found the path that made them free.

Refrain

Faith believes that God is faithful:

God will be what God will be!

Faith accepts the call, responding,

'I am willing, Lord, send me.”

How do your apples grow?

Crabapples final

Virtual service: July 26, 2020

Untitled presentation 20

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the July 26, 2020 service.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Download the Order of Service

Opening song: Wonderwall

By Oasis (for the Gen-Xers and RHC staff of the 00s/10s)

(Key of Fm)

Today is gonna be the day

That they're gonna throw it back to you

By now you should've somehow

Realized what you gotta do

I don't believe that anybody

Feels the way I do, about you now

Backbeat, the word was on the street

That the fire in your heart is out

I'm sure you've heard it all before

But you never really had a doubt

I don't believe that anybody

Feels the way I do about you now

And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I

Would like to say to you but I don't know how

Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me

And after all, you're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day

But they'll never throw it back to you

By now you should've somehow

Realized what you're not to do

I don't believe that anybody

Feels the way I do, about you now

And all the roads that lead you there are winding

And all the lights that light the way are blinding

There are many things that I

Would like to say to you but I don't know how

I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me

And after all, you're my wonderwall

I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me

And after all, you're my wonderwall

I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me

you're gonna be the one that saves me

Hymn: Through the heart of every city

Call to worship (Iona Community)

The sun rises and it is light, night falls and it is dark.

Bless the one who gives the life.

Sow the seed and cut the corn;

Bear the child and build the house

Bless the one who gives the life.

Lay the stone and light the fire;

Cast the net and water the earth;

Bless the one who gives the life.

Serve the guest and pay the price;

Nail the wood and pick the flowers;

Bless the one who gives the life.

Make the wine and bake the bread;

Pour the wine and break the bread;

Bless the one who gives the life.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

(VU 584) (Key of D; Tune: Arfon Major)

1

Through the heart of every city

runs the flow of human need.

'Mid this glass and steel are pulsing

smoldering wick and bruised reed.

Has our church a word to offer,

some hope shining from our creed?

Walking through the concrete furrows

Jesus sows the Word as seed.

2

Through the passing generations,

in their spirit, flesh and bone,

Jesus Christ becomes incarnate:

holy hearts are living stone

building here a house of refuge

as a temple, as a home.

So within the city's shadow

Jesus' planted Word has grown.

3

Through our worship and our witness,

Jesus, grant that we may still

hear the heartbeat of compassion

calling us to do your will.

You, our vine, and we, your branches,

deadened not by any chill,

working for that final city

where the harvest is fulfilled.

Scripture: The parable of the sower

Hymn: The garden song

(Key of D)

Refrain

Inch by inch, row by row

Gonna make this garden grow

All it takes is a rake and a hoe

And a piece of fertile ground

Inch by inch, row by row

Someone bless these seeds I sow

Someone warm them from below

Till the rain comes tumbling down

Pulling weeds and picking stones

We are made of dreams and bones

Feel the need to grow my own

Cause the time is close at hand

Painful rain, sun and rain

Find my way in nature's chain

Tune my body and my brain

To the music from the land R

Plant your rows straight and long

Temper them with prayer and song

Mother Earth will make you strong

If you give her love and care

Old crow watching hungrily

From his perch in yonder tree

In my garden I'm as free

As that feathered thief up there R

Matthew 13: 1-9; 18-23 (The Message)

At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.

“What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

“Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

“The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

“The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Gospel hymn: Wonderful words of life

(Key of C)

Sing them over again to me

Wonderful words of life

Let me more of their beauty see

Wonderful words of life

Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Christ the blessed one, gives to all

wonderful words of life

Sinner, list to the loving call

Wonderful words of life

Oh, so freely given, wooing us to heaven

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Sweetly echo the gospel call

Wonderful words of life

Offer pardon and peace to all

Wonderful words of life

Jesus, only saviour, sanctifying forever

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life

Sermon series: Seeds and weeds

Hymn: In the bulb there is a flower

(Key of E [D 2nd fret])

1

In the bulb there is a flower;

in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise:

butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

there's a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.

2

There's a song in every silence,

seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.

3

In our end is our beginning;

in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing;

in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection;

at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.

Virtual service: July 19, 2020

Untitled presentation 17

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the July 19, 2020 service.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Download the order of service

Opening song: Somewhere over the rainbow/Wonderful world

(Key of C)

1

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby

Oh, somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue

Clouds high over the rainbow, makes all your dreams come true,

2

Someday I'll wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney top

That's where you'll find me

3

Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Oh why, oh why can't I? I

4

I see trees of green and red roses too

I'll watch them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself

Oh, what a wonderful world

5

I see skies of blue, clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself

Oh, what a wonderful world

6

The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people passing by

I see friends shakin' hands saying, “How do you do?”

They're really saying, "I love you"

7

I hear babies cry and I'd watch them grow

They'll learn much more than we'll know

And I think to myself

Oh, what a wonderful world

8

Someday I'll wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where trouble melts like lemon drops

High above the chimney top

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high

and the dreams that you dare to o, why

Why can’t I …

Hymn: Softly and tenderly

Key of E (D capo, 2nd fret)

1
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain

Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

2
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
Mercies for you and for me? R

3
O for the wonderful love he has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me. R

Sabbath giving God,

We all claim to be really busy

But the truth is that we really aren’t

We’d just rather do what we want to do.

And not have to deal with aging parents

or nosy neighbours

or the bills that pile up,

or our shaky marriages

or troubled teens

Silence

God of peace,

forgive us as we forgive each other

for all the hurt we have brought into our lives.

Let your healing love rest upon the wounds

we have caused by our anger, and apathy.

Deepen our love in a new understanding for each other and for you.

In the course of our busy lives

give us time of refreshment and peace;

and help us to use our leisure

to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds,

to recreate relationships and restore loving-kindness

that our spirits may be open to the goodness of your creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by All Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

Hymn: He 's my rock, my sword, my shield

Gospel hymn: Burdens are lifted at Calvary

Matthew 11: 25-30 (The Message)

25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”

27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.

28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Key of E (D capo on 2nd fret)

1
Days are filled with sorrow and care,

Hearts are lonely and drear;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

Refrain

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Calvary, Calvary,

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

2
Cast your care on Jesus today

Leave your worry and fear;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary.

Jesus is very near. R

3
Troubled soul, the Saviour can see,

Ev'ry heartache and tear;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary

Jesus is very near. R

Sermon: Sabbath time

Hymn: Three things I promise

(MV 176; Key of Ab; G capo on 1st fret)

1

Three things I promise, Holy God,

in age and youth, in life and death;

to bless your name, and cling to Christ,

and listen for the spirit’s breath.

2

Your love unfolded time and space,

and life, and all that life became,

and so, with thankful heart and voice,

through good and ill, I bless your name.

3

I follow, serve, and cling to Christ

amid our culture’s tides and trends,

for here your Name is most revealed;

Majestic love, and best of friends.

4

Enlivened as the spirit moves

to cleanse, awaken, and renew,

I pray that justice, peace, and truth,

May seed and grow in all I do.

5

If I should live when vigour fades,

and family and friends are gone,

three acts of loving faith remain,

when days are slow, and work is done.

6

Revive and guide me, Living God,

as day by day, until my death,

I bless your name, and cling to Christ,

And listen for the spirit’s breath.

Unmasked: Watermelons, bicycles, strawberries ...
what kind of mask are you wearing these days?

Mask final

Virtual service: July 12, 2020

July 12th title

Photo by Carrie Sheldrick

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the July 12, 2020 service.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Download the Order of Service

Opening song: Dance

by Jim Manley (Key of G)

Dance in the moonlight and mance in the sun,

Dance in your sorrow and dance in your fun

Dance in your dscos and dance in your briefs,

Dance in your doubtings and dance your beliefs

And we'll dance, dance, dance, come dancing with me A-ha

And we'll dance, dance, dance, come dancing with me.

Dance with your baby, your dog or your boss,

Dance to the manger and dance to the cross.

Dance at the gravesite and dance at the feast,

Dance with your midwives and other high priests

Dance with the debs with the sweat on their palms,

Dance where its hardest, homecomings and proms.

Did somebody say that you’ll never be queen?

Send them our way and we’ll paint their nose green!

Tall people are gorgeous and short ones are neat,

Skinny or bulgy, each body’s a treat.

So dance as you are, you are made by the one

Who calls you to be what you’ve only begun.

Dance with your elbows and dance with your hands

Dance with your heart and your endocrine glands.

Make funny faces, go out of your minds

Find someone near you and bump your behinds.

Dance up from childhood and into your teens

Dance in your screw-ups and dance in your dreams

Come join the dancing, you make it complete.

We’ll hug you and kiss you and step on your feet.

Hymn: His eye is on the sparrow

Little birds, we cannot say that we are unknown by God.

For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.

(Psalm 50: 10-11)

Little birds, we cannot say that God has not worked hard for our needs:

By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;

they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water

the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

(Psalm 104: 11-13)

Little birds, we cannot say that God does not care and protect us.

Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of hosts

will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it,

he will spare and rescue it.
(Isaiah 31: 5)

Little birds, we flutter our wings and fly away because we are not brave.

I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the waste places.

I lie awake; I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.

(Psalm 102: 6-7)

Little birds, each creature is loved and known by God.

We are here today to give thanks to the one who, like an eagle,

stirs up her nest, and hovers over her young;

who spreads her wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft on her pinions

(Deut 32: 11)

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

(Matthew 6: 26)

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

(Psalm 124:8)

(Key of B [G 3rd fret])

1

Why should I feel discouraged,
why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n & home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

2

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. R

3

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. R

Hymn: God sees the little sparrow fall

(Key of C)

1

God sees the little sparrow fall,

It meets his tender view;

If God so loves the little birds,

I know he loves me too.

Refrain

He loves me too, he loves me too,

I know he loves me too;

Because He loves the little things,

I know he loves me too.

2

He paints the lily of the field,

Perfumes each lily bell;

If he so loves the little flowers,

I know he loves me well. R

3

God made the little birds and flow'rs,

And all things large and small;

He'll not forget his little ones,

I know He loves them all. R

Special Music: Good times gone

Matthew 10: 24-31 (The Message)

“A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A labourer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content—pleased, even—when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?

“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.

“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: On the wings of a dove

Benediction
Canticle for the Summer by Arnold Kenseth (U.S.A.)

All summer the days come to us, various, wide,

From mornings of meadows

Into the green dark and the nightfall of stars

We heard the weather gathering,

Coming and going;

Small birds were among the berries; the grasses dried,

And we felt our hearts in their swaying

And, then, always the trees,

The great combs of shade in our yards,

And the hundred thousand leaves for our watching.

All was good and gift and grand!

And the days come on;

The gift is still given.

Thy goodness stays.

Thy grandeur stands. Amen.

(Key of D)

On the wings of a snow-white dove

He sends His pure sweet love

A sign from above

On the wings of a dove

When troubles surround us

when evils come

The body grows weak

The spirit grows numb

When these things beset us,

He doesn't forget us

He sends down His love

On the wings of a dove

When Noah had drifted

on the flood many days

He searched for land

In various ways

Troubles, he had some

but wasn't forgotten

God sent him His love

On the wings of a dove

When Jesus went down to,

the river that day

He was baptised

in the usual way

And when it was done,

God blessed his son

He sent him his love

On the wings of a dove

Be kind, be calm, be safe: Dr. Bonnie Henry

Virtual service: July 5, 2020

July 5th title

Photo by Carrie Sheldrick

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

Right As Rain Without The Rain Rainbow Clouds

This is the recording for the July 5, 2020 service.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Download the order of service

Opening song: Times like these

(Foo Fighers; Chords: D, Am, C, Em)

1

I, I'm a one way motorway

I'm the one that drives away

Then follows you back home

I, I'm a street light shining

I'm a wild light blinding bright

Burning off alone

Refrain

It's times like these you learn to live again

It's times like these you give and give again

It's times like these you learn to love again

It's times like these time and time again

2

I, I'm a new day rising

I'm a brand new sky

To hang the stars upon tonight

I am a little divided

Do I stay or run away

And leave it all behind? R x 2

Call to worship

In these times, how then shall we live?

We walk in the everlasting companionship of the Spirit

who is holy, empowering and connecting.

We will find ourselves sometimes wondering at the stars,

sometimes doubting even as we worship,

sometimes wrestling with the challenge of building community

and living in peace.

And always the mark of God is in the essence of our very being.

We need the perspective.

We need the permission.

We need the poetry.

And we need the presence.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

Hymn: Take my life

(VU 506; Key of D)

1

Take my life, and let it be

consecrated, all for thee;

take my moments and my days;

let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2

Take my hands, and let them move

at the impulse of thy love;

take my feet, and let them be

swift and purposeful for thee.

3

Take my lips, and let them be

filled with messages from thee;

take my intellect, and use

every power as thou shalt choose.

4

Take my will, and make it thine;

it shall be no longer mine;

take my heart, it is thine own;

it shall be thy royal throne.

5.

Take my love: and I will pour

at thy feet its treasure store;

take myself, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee.

Hymn: Three choruses

(Key of D)

1

Rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice (Clap, Clap)

Rejoice, Rejoice and again I say rejoice (Clap, Clap)

2

God’s love is so wonderful

So high you can’t get over it

So low you can’t get under it

So wide you can’t get around it

You gotta come in at the door!

2

Rocka my soul

Rocka my soul in the bosom of Abraham

O, rocka my soul

Genesis 12: 1-9 (English Standard Version)

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on, still going towards the Negeb.

Matthew 9: 9-13 (The Message)

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: Calling you

(Key of D)

1

When you've strayed from the fold

and there's trouble in your soul

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you?

When your soul is lost in sin

and you're at your journey's end

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you?

Refrain

Calling you, calling you

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you?

He will take you by the hand

lead you to that promised land

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you?

2

As you journey day by day

and temptation comes your way

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you?

If you'll follow in his light he will always guide you right

Can't you hear the blessed Saviour calling you? R

3

When your soul is burdened down

And your friends cannot be found

Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour calling you?

If you'll follow Him each day He will brighten up your way

Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour calling you? R

Opening song: Ode to Newfoundland

Hymn: Rainbow connection

(Key of G)

1

Why are there so many

Songs about rainbows

And what's on the other side

Rainbows are visions

They're only illusions

And rainbows have nothing to hide

So we've been told and some chose to Believe it

But I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it

The Rainbow Connection

The lovers, the dreamers and me

2

Who said that every wish

Would be heard and answered

When wished on the morning star

Somebody thought of that

And someone believed it

And look what it's done so far

What's so amazing

That keeps us star gazing

What so we think we might see

Someday we'll find it

That rainbow connection

The lovers the dreamers and me

3

Have you been fast asleep

And have you heard voices,

I've heard them calling my name,

Is this the sweet sound that calls

The young sailors,

The voice might be one and the same.

I've heard it too many times to ignore it

It's something that i'm supposed to be,

Someday we'll find it

The rainbow connection...

The lovers, the dreamers and me

La lala la lala la la la lala la la la

Here is a Hallville rainbow connection: Can you see both arcs?

Rainbows small

Virtual service: June 28, 2020

June 28th title pic 2

Photo by Carrie Sheldrick

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording of the June 28, 2020 service.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Download the order of service

1

When sun rays crown thy pine clad hills,

And summer spreads her hand,

When silvern voices tune thy rills,

We love thee, smiling land.

We love thee, we love thee,

We love thee, smiling land.

2

When spreads thy cloak of shimmering white,

At winter's stern command,

Thro' shortened day, and starlit night,

We love thee, frozen land.

We love thee, we love thee

We love thee, frozen land.

3

When blinding storm gusts fret thy shore,

And wild waves lash thy strand,

Thro' spindrift swirl, and tempest roar,

We love thee windswept land.

We love thee, we love thee

We love thee windswept land.

4

As loved our fathers, so we love,

Where once they stood, we stand;

Their prayer we raise to Heaven above,

God guard thee, Newfoundland

God guard thee, God guard thee,

God guard thee, Newfoundland.

Hymn: Put our hand in the hand

Call to worship
This is the day the Lord has made!

Let us rejoice and be glad!

Remind us of the blessings we receive as your people:

To come to you in these moments

To confess our sins and shortcomings,

To receive forgiveness and to give it,

To pray and sing and listen,

To renew our spirits and spread our wings,

To rest in all your promises.

Open our eyes to see you, Lord.

Open our ears to hear your Word.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

Gene MacLellan (Key of G)

Refrain

Put your hand in the hand
Of the man who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand
Of the man who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself and
you can look at others differently
By puttin' your hand in the hand
Of the man from Galilee

1
Every time I look into the Holy Book
I want to tremble
When I read about the part
Where the carpenter cleared the temple
For the buyers and the sellers were
No different fellas than what you and I profess to be
And it causes me shame to know
I'm not the one that I should be R

2
Mama taught me how to pray before
I reached the age of seven

And when I'm down on my knees that's

When I'm close to heaven

Daddy lived his life with two kids and a wife

You do must you must do

But he showed me

Enough of what it takes to get you through R

Hymn: The wise man built his house upon the rock

(Key of C)

1

The wise one built their house upon the rock

The wise man built his house upon the rock

And the rain came tumbling down

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

And the wise one’s house stood firm.

2

The foolish one built their house upon the sand

And the rain came tumbling down

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

The rain came down

And the floods came up

And the foolish one's house went "splat!" [clap hands once]

3

So, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ

Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ

And the blessings will come down

Oh, the blessings come down

As your prayers go up

The blessings come down

As your prayers go up

The blessings come down

As your prayer go up

So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 7: 24-29 (NRSV)

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell-- and great was its fall!"

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: Christ the solid rock

(Key of C)

1

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly trust in Jesus’ name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

2

When darkness seems to hide his face,

I rest on his unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil. R

3

His oath, his covenant, his blood,

Support me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

4

When he shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh may I then in him be found.

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

Little mountain church house

Closing prayer

“We are made to rise”
George MacLeod (fouder, Iona Community)

Invisible we see you, Christ above us.

With earthly eyes we see above us,

clouds or sunshine, grey or bright.

But with the eye of faith, we know you reign:

instinct in the sunray, speaking in the storm,

warming and moving all creation, Christ above us.

Invisible we see you, Christ beneath us.

With earthly eyes we see beneath us

stones and dust and dross.

But with the eye of faith, we know You uphold.

In You all things consist and hang together:

The very atom is light energy, The grass is vibrant,

The rocks pulsate. All is in flux;

turn but a stone and an angel moves.

Amen and amen.

The national anthem

(Key of G)

1

There's a little mountain church

in my thoughts of yesterday

Where friends and family

gathered for the Lord

Where an ol' fashioned preacher

taught the straight and narrow way

For what few coins

the congregation could afford

2

Dressed in all our Sunday best,

we sat on pews of solid oak

And I remember how

our voices filled the air

How Mama sounded like an angel

on those high soprano notes

"When the Roll is Called Up Yonder

I'll Be There"

3

Looking back now

that little mountain church house

Has become my life's cornerstone

It was there in

that little mountain church house

I first heard the words I based my life upon

4

At the all day Sunday singing,

with dinner on the ground

Many were the souls that were revived

While the brothers and the sisters

who've gone on to Gloryland

Slept in peace in the maple grove nearby

One of the joys of being at home is witnessing little, unexpected dramas.

Virtual service: June 21, 2020

Fathers Day title

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the June 21, 2020 service.

Third Sunday after Pentecost
Download the order of service

Opening song: Don't worry be happy

Key of G [ 4th capo = C])

1

Here's a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy

Don't worry, be happy now.

Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy

2

Ain't got no place to lay your head

Somebody came and took your bed

Don't worry, be happy

The landlord say your rent is late

He may have to litigate

Don't worry, be happy

Oh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh don't worry, be happy

Here I give you my phone number, when you worry, call me,

I make you happy, don't worry, be happy)

3

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style

Ain't got no gal to make you smile

Don't worry, be happy

'Cause when you worry your face will frown

And that will bring everybody down

So don't worry, be happy

Don't worry, be happy now

(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry, be happy

4

Now there, is this song I wrote

I hope you learned note for note

Like good little children, don't worry, be happy

Now listen to what I said, in your life expect some trouble

When you worry you make it double

But don't worry, be happy, be happy now don't worry

(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy

put a smile in your face

don't bring everybody down like this

it will soon pass, whatever it is

Hymn: Keep on the sunny side of life

Call to Worship For Father’s Day

So deeply do we care for you

that we are determined to share with you

not only the gospel of God but also our own selves,

because you have become very dear to us.

As you know, we dealt with each one of you

like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you

and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God,

who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

1 Thess 2: 8, 11-12

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;

but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The just man walketh in his integrity:

his children are blessed after him

Proverbs 20: 5&7 KJV

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

(Key of D)

1

There’s a dark and a troubled side of life;
There’s a bright and a sunny side, too;
Tho’ we meet with the darkness and strife,
The sunny side we also may view.

Refrain

Keep on the sunny side,
Always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life;
It will help us every day,
It will brighten all the way,
If we keep on the sunny side of life.

2

Tho’ the storm in its fury break today,
Crushing hopes that we cherished so dear;
Storm and cloud will in time pass away,
The sun again will shine bright and clear. R

3

Let us greet with a song of hope each day,
Tho’ the moments be cloudy or fair;
Let us trust in our Saviour alway,
Who keepeth every one in His care. R

A time for God's children

Opening prayer & Lord’s Prayer Song

Dear God, our Heavenly Father,

we are all in need of your care.

We thank you for the love you give to each of us,

and we ask that

(your father’s name)

feels your care this day.

We are grateful for these men,

who in so many ways help us grow and care for us.

We thank you for them, and for all the men in our lives.

Bless our families

Help us show more patience than impatience;

more laughter than anger;

more understanding than disregard;

more care than indifference.

In Jesus’ name

who taught us to call you Father,

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer song

The Lord's Prayer

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by All Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

Hymn: This is my fathers world

(VU 296; Key of G [4th capo = C])

1

This is [my Father’s] world,

and to my listening ears

all nature sings, and round me rings

the music of the spheres.

This is [my Father’s] world,

I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,

God's hand the wonders wrought.

2

This is [my Father’s] world,

the birds their carols raise;

the morning light, the lily white,

declare their Maker's praise.

This is [my Father’s] world,

God shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass or mountain pass,

God's voice speaks everywhere.

3

This is [my Father’s] world,

O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is [my Father’s] world,

why should my heart be sad?

Let voices sing, let the heavens ring:

God reigns, let earth be glad!

1 Peter 4:12-16 (The Message)

12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

14-16 If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

1 Peter 5:6-11 (The Message)

6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: Blessed assurance

(VU 337; key of B-G [capo on 3rd fret])

1

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

born of the Spirit, washed in Christ's blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,

praising my Saviour all the day long;

this is my story, this is my song,

praising my Saviour all the day long.

2

Perfect submission, perfect delight!

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

angels descending, bring from above

echoes of mercy, whispers of love. R

3

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my saviour am happy and blessed;

watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with God's goodness, lost in Christ's love. R

Hymn: It only takes a spark

(VU 289)

1

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing:

that's how it is with God's love,

once you've experienced it:

you spread God's love to everyone,

you want to pass it on.

2

What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding,

the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;

that's how it is with God's love,

once you've experienced it:

you want to sing, it's fresh like spring,

you want to pass it on.

3

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found -

on God you can depend, it matters not where you're bound;

I'll shout it from the mountain top;

I want my world to know:

the Lord of love has come to me,

I want to pass it on.

Happy Father's Day!

Virtual service: June 14, 2020

Second Sunday in Pentecost final

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the June 14, 2020 service.

Second Sunday after Pentecost
Download the order of service

Opening song: U2's I still haven't found what I'm looking for

1
I have climbed the highest mountains

I have run through the fields

Only to be with you, Only to be with you

2
I have run I have crawled

I have scaled these city walls

These city walls Only to be with you

Refrain

But I still haven't found

What I'm looking for

But I still haven't found

What I'm looking for

3
I have kissed honey lips

Felt the healing in the fingertips

It burned like fire This burning desire

4
I have spoke with the tongue of angels

I have held the hand of a devil

It was warm in the night I was cold as a stone R

5
I believe in the Kingdom come

Then all the colours will bleed into one

Bleed into one But yes, I'm still running

6
You broke the bonds

and you loosened chains

carried the cross of my shame, of my shame

You know I believe it R

Welcome and Call to worship

Call to worship: Psalm 24 (VU)

The earth is God's, and all that is in it;

the world, and those who live upon it.

For God founded it upon the seas,

planted it firm over the waters beneath.

Who may ascend the mountain of God?

Who may stand in God's holy place?

Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,

who have not set their minds on deceit,

nor made false promises;

they shall receive God's blessing,

righteousness from the God who will save them.

Such are those who seek God,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, you gates!

Lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,

that the One who rules in glory may enter.

Who rules in glory?

It is God, valiant and strong,

God, who is mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates!

Lift yourselves up, you everlasting doors,

that the One who rules in glory may enter.

Who rules in glory?

It is God of hosts,

God who rules in glory.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

Hymn: Morning has broken

(VU 409)

1
Morning has broken like the first morning,

blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!

Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2.

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

3

Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning

born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, praise every morning,

God's recreation of the new day!

Photo by Solaiman Hossen on Unsplash

Scripture reading 1 Peter 3:12-22

Hymn: All God's critters

(Key of G)

1
All God's critters gotta place in the choir

Some sing low, some sing higher

Some sing out loud on the telephone wire

And some just clap their hands,

or paws or anything they got now

2

Listen to the bass, it's the one on the bottom

Where the bullfrog croaks and the hippopotamus

Moans and groans with a big to do

And old cow just goes 'moo'

3

Well the dogs and the cats they take up the middle

Where the honeybee hums and the crickets fiddle

The donkey brays and the pony neighs

The old coyote howls

4

Listen to the top where the little bird sings

On the melody with the high note ringing

The hoot owl hoots over everything

And the blue jay disagrees

5

It's a simple song of livin' that’s sung everywhere

By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear

The grumpy alligator and the hawk above

The sly raccoon and the turtle dove

(English Standard Version)

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?

But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.

Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated,

but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone

who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned,

those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ

may be put to shame.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will,

than to suffer for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.

He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,

in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison,

who in former times did not obey,

when God waited patiently in the days of Noah,

during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is,

eight persons, were saved through water.

And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—

not as a removal of dirt from the body,

but as an appeal to God for a good conscience,

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,

with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

May God bless to our understanding the reading of his holy word.

Hymn: Higher ground

1

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground. R

3

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground. R

4

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” R

Hymn: How can I keep from singing

Prayers of the people (VU 400)

Refrain

Lord, listen to your children praying,

Lord, send your Spirit in this place;

Lord, listen to your children praying,

send us love, send us power, send us grace!

Benediction

As the rain hides the stars,

as the autumn mist hides the hills,

as the clouds veil the blue of the sky,

so the dark happenings of our lives hide the shining of thy face from us.

Yet, if we may hold thy hand in the darkness, it is enough.

Since we know that,

though we may stumble in our going,

thou dost not fall.

~ Traditional Gaelic

(VU716)

1

My life flows on in endless song,

above earth's lamentation.

I hear the sweet, though far off hymn

that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife,

I hear the music ringing:

It finds an echo in my soul ,
how can I keep from singing?

2

What though my joys and comforts die?

My Saviour still is living.

What though the shadows gather 'round?

A new song Christ is giving.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

while to that Rock I'm clinging:

since Love commands both heaven and earth,

how can I keep from singing?

3

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,

and hear their death knells ringing:

when friends rejoice both far and near,

how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile

our thoughts to them are winging:

when friends by shame are undefiled,

how can I keep from singing?

4

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

I see the blue above it;

and day by day this pathway smooths,

since first I learned to love it.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

a fountain ever springing:

all things are mine since I am Christ's -

how can I keep from singing?

All God's critters got a place in the choir ... including Indigo buntings. How many folks have spotted one of these beautiful, tiny, precious birds this spring?

Indigo bunting

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

Virtual service: June 7, 2020

Trinity Sunday

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

This is the recording for the June 7, 2020 service.

Trinity Sunday
Download the order of service.

Opening song: Holy Holy Holy

VU 315 (Key of G)

1
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;

holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,

only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

perfect in power, in love, and purity.

4

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name

in earth and sky and sea;

holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Welcome & Call to worship for Trinity Sunday

Call to worship
Inspired by the Lorica of St. Patrick (Rev. Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church of Australia)

I bind unto myself this day the strong name of the Trinity.

The Creator’s gifts of earth and sky,

the flowing creeks and fertile land,

the winter sun and summer moon,

the roaring sea and golden sand.

I bind unto myself this day the Christ who wears our human clay.

The baby sleeping in a stall,

the healer touching our disease,

the man of love upon the cross,

the risen friend who hears our pleas.

I bind unto myself this day the Spirit who is here to stay.

The breath that makes the broken whole,

the truth that flows like liquid light,

the wind that sweeps my dusty soul,

the fire that warms the darkest night.

From now unto infinity,

The strong name of the Trinity.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

Opening prayer & Lord’s Prayer song

Through your word and spirit you created all things.

In Jesus Christ, the word made flesh,

You reveal your salvation in all the world.

Through your Holy Spirit,

You give us a share in your life and love.

Keep us firm in this faith,

And fill us with the vision of your glory,

That we may serve and praise you all our days;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Who is alive and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

One God now and forever. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer song

The Lord's Prayer

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by All Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

A time for all God’s children

Hymn: We are a gentle angry people

(Key of C)

We are a gentle angry people X 2

and we’re singing, singing for our lives.

We are a justice seeking people X 2

and we’re singing, singing for our lives.

We are young and old together X 2

and we’re singing, singing for our lives.

We are a land of many colours X 2

and we’re singing, singing for our lives.

We are a gentle, loving people X 2

and we’re singing, singing for our lives.

Scripture: Romans 5: 1-5; John 16: 12-15

(English Standard Version)

Romans 5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

John 16 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: The Apostle’s creed

(Tune: Arfon Major [Key of D])

1

I believe in God almighty

Author of all things that be

Maker of the earth and heavens
Keeper of the sky and sea

I believe in God’s Son, Jesus

Now for us both Lord and Christ

Of the Spirit and of Mary

Born to bring abundant life

2

I believe that Jesus suffered
Scourged and scorned and crucified
Taken from the cross, was buried
True life there had truly died
I believe that on the third day
Christ was raised up from the grave
Then ascended to God’s right hand
He will come to judge and save

3

I believe in God’s own Spirit
Bonding all the saints within
One church, catholic and holy
Where forgiveness frees from sin
In the body’s resurrection
For the breaking of death’s chain
Gives the life that’s everlasting
This the faith that I have claimed

Note: This version of The Apostle’s creed is written by Sylvia G. Dunstan and set to the tune of Arfon or Tros y Garreg.

Prayers of the people & benediction

Hymn: God of grace and God of glory

VU 686 (Key of G)

1

God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;

now fulfil your church's story; bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour.

for the facing of this hour.

2

Lo, the hosts of evil round us corn your Christ, assail your ways;

fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.

for the living of these days.

3

Cure your children's warring madness, bend our pride to your control;

shame our wanton selfish gladness, rich in goods and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss your kingdom's goal.

lest we miss your kingdom's goal.

4

Set our feet on lofty places, gird our lives that they may be armoured with all

Christlike graces, pledged to set all captives free.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,that we fail not them nor thee.

that we fail not them nor thee.

Holly Near is an American singer and social justice advocate. She wrote Singing for our lives (or We are a gentle, angry people) in 1979 and it has been an anthem for many groups since. Not surprisingly, it is the official hymnal of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She sings the song in this video at the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee.

Virtual service: May 31, 2020

Feature image

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

Photo by Mandy Henry on Unsplash

This is the recording for the May 31, 2020 service.

Pentecost Sunday
Download the order of service

Hymn: Your love is amazing

MV 26

1

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging,

your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet.

Your love is a myst’ry, how you gently lift me.

When I am surrounded your love carries me.

Refrain (2X)

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Your love makes me sing.

2

Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising,

all the joy that’s growing deep inside of me.

Ev’ry time I see you all your goodness shines through.

I can feel this God song rising up in me.

3

Repeat verse 1.

Last line of refrain: Your love makes me sing. Hallelujah.

Welcome and Call to worship for Pentecost Sunday

Welcome

Call to worship for Pentecost Sunday

Spirit of God, wind of hope, blow far from us

all dark despair,

all deep distress,

all groundless fears,

all sinful desires,

all Satan’s snares,

all false values,

all selfish wishes,

all wasteful worries.

Spirit of God, wind of joy, blow into us

your holy presence,

your living love,

your healing touch,

your splendid courage,

your mighty strength,

your perfect peace,

your caring concern,

your divine grace,

your boundless joy.

Spirit of God, wind of creation blow strong, blow fresh, blow now.

Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Our help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8

Opening prayer and Lord’s Prayer song

Opening prayer

(inspired by Galatians 5: 22-23)

O bounteous spirit,

I ask you to bring forth in my life your fruits:

the fruit of love,

so I may love you above all things and all others for your sake;

the fruit of joy,

that I may find my delight in your service;

the fruit of peace,

that I may be pardoned through your mercy and may rest in your love;

the fruit of long-suffering

so that I may bear, with patience, all afflictions;

the fruit of gentleness,

that I may subdue all anger and take calmly and sweetly

all trials and provocations;

the fruit of meekness,

that I may forgive freely all who have hurt me

and endure with patience all burdens that are laid upon me;

the fruit of temperance

that I may restrain all my desires

and bring them into the subjection of your holy will. Amen.

* posted on Spread Jesus.

Lord’s Prayer song

The Lord's Prayer

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by All Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

Hymn: Spirit of gentleness

VU 375

Refrain
Spirit, spirit of gentleness,

blow thro' the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, wind on the sea.

1

You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,

then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;

and over the eons you called to each thing:

wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. R

2

You swept thro' the desert, you stung with the sand,

and you goaded your people with a law and a land;

and when they were blinded with their idols and lies,

then you spoke thro' your prophets to open their eyes. R

3

You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,

then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still;

and down in the city you called once again,

when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. R

4

You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,

from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,

our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,

with bold new decisions your people arise. R

A Time for all God’s children

Hymn: I am the dream

MV 106

1
I am the dream and you the dreamer.

I am the song and you are the rhyme.

You are the tune sung in ev’ry silence.

You are the now in the endless stream of time.

2

I am the bell and you the silence.

You are the yearning I cannot curtail.

I am the blest and you the blessing.

You are the wilds in which I lose my trail.

3

You are the word and I the echo.

You are the leader and I am the led.

You are the joy and I the laughter.

You are the rock on which I lay my head.

Scripture: Galatians 5: 22-26 (The Message)

22-23
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

23-24
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

25-26
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

(But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. [English Standard Version])

May God bless to our understanding this reading of His holy word.

Hymn: Search me O God

(Tune: Now is the hour [Key of G])

1

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

2

I praise thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;

Fulfill thy word, and make me pure within.

Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;

Grant my desire to magnify thy name.

3

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly thine;

Fill my poor heart with thy great love divine.

Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;

I now surrender, Lord In me abide.

4

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from thee;

Send a revival, start the work in me.

Thy word declares thou wilt supply our need;

For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Hymn: I Feel the winds of God today

Prayers of the people

Benediction

The gifts of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 &1 Corinthians 12: 4-5)

Minister The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:

All love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control.

Minister There are different kinds of spiritual gifts,

All but the same spirit is the source of them all.

Minister There are different kinds of service,

All but we serve the same Lord.

Minister God works in different ways,

All but it is the same God

who does the work in all of us.

In all of us;

Everywhere;

all the time.

Amen.

VU 625 (Key of Em)

1

I feel the winds of God today;

today my sail I lift,

though heavy oft with drenching spray

and torn with many a rift;

if hope but light the water's crest,

and Christ my bark will use,

I'll seek the seas at his behest,

and brave another cruise.

2

It is the wind of God that dries

my vain regretful tears,

until with braver thoughts shall rise

the purer, brighter years;

if cast on shores of selfish ease

or pleasure I should be,

O let me feel your freshening breeze,

and I'll put back to sea.

3

If ever I forget your love

and how that love was shown,

lift high the blood-red flag above;

it bears your name alone.

Great pilot of my onward way,

you will not let me drift.

I feel the winds of God today;

today my sail I lift.

Try a little kindness ... don't we need this while social distancing! Such a "feel good" musical moment.

Virtual service: May 24, 2020

Seventh Sunday of Easter Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash

This is the recording for the May 24, 2020 service.

Seventh Sunday of Easter
Download the order of service

Hymn: We are a rainbow

1
There are many colours in a rainbow
All bound together as one
They are the promise of tomorrow
Our hope for all the days to come

Refrain
We are a rainbow, together we are a sign
We are a rainbow, to live for humankind
We are a rainbow, it's time for us to shine
We are a rainbow

2
We all are children of that promise
Made for the whole world around
Wherever love brings us together
A rainbow can be found R

3
So if you see the world around us
And wonder how it can be
Remember we were given us a promise
A hope for all the world to see R

4
There is one who brings out all our colors
And binds us together as one
Reaching out to our sisters and our brothers
We find our place in the sun

We are a rainbow R

Welcome and Call to worship

Song: You shall go out with joy
VU 884 Isaiah 55 (Key G)

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace,
The mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There’ll be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.

And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.

Call to worship: Psalm 96: 8-13

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness
tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?

Psalm 124:8
Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Song: You shall go out with joy
VU 884 Isaiah 55 (Key G)

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace,
The mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There’ll be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.

And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.

Opening prayer & Lord’s Prayer song

A prayer from the Iona Community

We have heard about you, God of all power. You made the world out of kindness, creating order out of confusion; you made each one of us in your own image; your fingerprint is on every soul. So, we praise you.

We praise and worship you.
We have heard about you, Jesus Christ; the carpenter who left his tools and trade; the poor man who made others rich; the healer who let himself be wounded; the criminal on whom the soldiers spat not knowing they were fouling the face of God; the savior who died and rose again. So we praise you.

We praise and worship you.
We have heard about you, Holy Spirit, You broke the bonds of every race and nation, to let God speak in every tongue; you made the disciples drunk with grace; you converted souls and emptied pockets; you showed how love made all things new and opened the doors to change and freedom. So we praise you.

We praise and worship you. Amen

The Lord's Prayer song

Our Father

Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by All Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

Children’s hymn: The farmer song & A time for all God's children

1
If I were a white Charolais, I’d thank you Lord, for giving me hay.
And if I were a Hostein cow, I’d thank you Lord, for showing me how.
If I were a curly haired sheep, I’d jiggle my tail and I’d give you a bleat, but…
I just thank you God for making me “me.”

Refrain
‘Cause you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and made me his child
And I just thank you, God, for making me “me”

2
If I were a Case-I.H., I’d thank you Lord, for giving me fuel.
If I were a green John Deere, I’d be thankful for my power-shift gears.
And if I were an old, blue Ford, I’d finish my work and I’d take on more, but…
I just thank you God for making me “me” R

3
If I were a flower bed, I’d thank you Lord, for my blooming stems,
And If I were a garden plot, it’s tough to be thankful for the bugs and whatnot.
And as I mow my lawn I’ll say, “It’s a lot like farming in my own special way,” but
I just thank you God for making me “me.” R

(Same tune, different words)

A time for all God’s children

Hymn: There shall be showers of blessing

1
There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy drops 'round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

2
There shall be showers of blessing--
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain. R

3
There shall be showers of blessing:
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come and now honor thy word. R

4
There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we're confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call! R

Scripture: 1 Peter 2: 11-25

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Submission to authority

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of his holy word.

Hymn: Count your blessings

1
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. R

3
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. R

4
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. R

Prayers of the people & benediction

What a glorious day! Share your "warm weather is here" photos and we can share a 4unitedchurches video!

Virtual Service: May 17, 2020

May 17th amended welcome

Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.

Here is the recording from the May 17, 2020 service.

Share your Flat Jesus photos with us.

Flat Jesus loves springtime small

Sixth Sunday of Easter
Download the order of service

Welcome and introduction to the service

Hymn: O master let me walk with thee

VU 560 (Tune: The parting glass, traditional Scottish, key: D# )

1. O Master, let me walk with thee

in lowly paths of service free;

teach me thy secret, help me bear

the strain of toil, the fret of care.

2. Help me the slow of heart to move

with some clear, winning word of love;

teach me the wayward feet to stay,

and guide them in the homeward way.

3. Teach me thy patience; still with thee,

in closer, dearer company,

in work that keeps faith sure and strong,

in trust that triumphs over wrong,

4. in hope that sends a shining ray

far down the future's broadening way,

in peace that only thou canst give,

with thee, O Master, let me live.

Opening responses and prayer

Unless God builds the house,

those who build it labour in vain.

Unless God protects the city,

those who guard it watch in vain.

Peace of the Maker, peace of the Son,

God’s stumbling block and corner stone.

Prayer

A shade are you in the heat, protecting God;

a shelter are you in the cold.

Eyes are you to the blind, restoring God;

a staff are you to the weak.

An island are you at sea, providing God;

a rock are you on land.

Our soul’s healer,

keep us at evening, keep us at morning,

keep us at noon.

We are tired, astray and stumbling, shield us from sin.

Our souls’ healer, shield us from sin.

Silence. During the silence pick up a stone from the table

Hymn: Spirit of God, come dwell within me

(Tune: Leaving of Lismore, traditional Scottish, key: D)

1. Spirit of God, come dwell within me.

Open my heart, O come set me free.

Fill me with love for Jesus, my Lord.

O fill me with living water.

Refrain

Jesus is living, Jesus is here.

Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.

Jesus, our Saviour, dying for me,

and rising to save his people

2. Lord, how I thirst, O Lord, I am weak.

Lord, come to me, you alone do I seek

Lord, you are life, and love and hope.

O fill me with living water. R

3. Lord, I am blind, O Lord, I can’t see.

Stretch out your hand, O Lord comfort me.

Lead me your way in light and in truth

O fill me with Living water. R

Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,   

  a cornerstone chosen and precious;

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the very head of the corner,” and

“A stone that makes them stumble,

     and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people,

     but now you are God’s people

once you had not received mercy,

     but now you have received mercy.

Hymn: Thy word is like a garden Lord

(Tune: Rowan Tree. traditional Scottish, key: A [G 2nd fret])

1. Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,

with flowers bright and fair;

And every one who seeks

may pluck a lovely cluster there.

Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine;

and jewels rich and rare

Are hidden in its mighty depths

for every searcher there.

2. Thy Word is like a starry host:

a thousand rays of light

Are seen to guide the traveler

and make the pathway bright.

Thy Word is like an armory,

where soldiers may repair;

And find, for life’s long battle day,

all needful weapons there.

3. O may I love Thy precious Word,

may I explore the mine,

May I its fragrant flowers glean,

may light upon me shine!

O may I find my armor there!

Thy Word my trusty sword,

I’ll learn to fight with every foe

The battle of the Lord.

Word: Edwin Hodder, The New Sunday School Hymn Book, 1863.

Three stone meditations: The stone God made

Please pick up your first stone and hold onto it.

What I hold in my hand

is as old as me, and older;

as old as my name,

my language, my culture, and older;

as old as my race,

as old as the human race, and older;

as old as the soil

as old as the sea, and older;

You … and you … and you …areGod’s own people,

chosen to proclaim the acts of God

who created you out of darkness into God’s marvellous light.

Once you were no people.

Now you are God’s people.

We come as living stones to build the house of God.

We welcome God within to bless us and our guests.

Prayer of intercession and prayer of our own reshaping

Christ of the road of the wounded

Christ of the tears of the broken,

In us and with us the needs of the world.

Grant us our prayers of loving and hoping.

Grant us our prayers of yearning and healing.

Prayer of our own reshaping

Say all together.

Christ, the Master Carpenter,

who, at the last through wood and nails

purchased our whole salvation;

wield well your tools in the workshop of your world,

so that we, who come rough hewn to your bench,

may here be fashioned

to a truer beauty of your hand.

We ask in your own name’s sake. AMEN.

Three stone meditations: Come as living stones

Please put down your stone and pick up the second stone and hold onto it.

'Come as living stones. You are the chosen race.'

But, Lord, you know our trouble – the pace.

We are fools who work full time.

We are do-ers who are overdone.

We are a tired race, a fallen race, a busy race.

'Come as living stones. You are the chosen race.'

We come as living stones to build the house of God.

We welcome God within to bless us and our guests.

‘Come as living stones. You are the King’s priests.’

But, Lord, you know our trouble –

we are not royal or religious.

We are commoners who enjoy insignificance.

We are the faithless, the faltering, the least.

‘Come as living stones. You are the King’s priests.’

We come as living stones to build the house of God.

We welcome God within to bless us and our guests.

‘Come as living stones. You are the holy nation.’

But, Lord, you know our trouble –

we are not guiltless.

We are the people who pray for peace,

yet arm for war.

We are the people who bemoan pollution,

yet poison the earth.

We are the people who disparage poverty,

yet bleed the poor.

We are a selfish nation, an indulgent nation,

a proud nation.

‘Come as living stones. You are the holy nation.’

We come as living stones to build the house of God.

We welcome God within to bless us and our guests.

as old as the earth,

as old as the sun, moon and stars …

but younger than God.

For I made this stone,

made and meant it’s colour, its contours,

its journey from below to above.

And had earth never revealed it,

and had you never admired it,

it would still bear witness to my deep intention

to make the world, mean the world,

want the world, wean the world;

and one day, walk the world

and hold in my hand what you now hold in yours.

Silence

Hymn: Spirit open my heart

More voices 79 (Tune: Wild mountain thyme, traditional Scottish, key: D)

Refrain

Spirit, open my heart

to the joy and pain of living.

As you love my I love,

in receiving and in giving,

Spirit, open my heart.

1.God, replace my stony heart

with a heart that’s kind and tender.

All my coldness and fear

to your grace I now surrender. R

2.Write your love upon my heart

as my law, my goal, my story.

In each thought, word, and deed,

may my living bring you glory. R

3.May I weep with those who weep,

share the joy of sister, brother.

In the welcome of Christ,

may we welcome one another. R

Three stone meditations: The stone the builders rejected

Please put down the stone in your hand and pick up the third stone and hold it.

This is the stone that the builders rejected:

He walked through the wilderness,

through the dry place.

He was thirsty and hungry and all alone.

As he picked up a stone, a voice said,

‘Turn it to bread,’ and he could have…

but he let the stone be a stone.

Unsure, when what was bright turns dark

And life, it seems, has lost it’s way,

We question what we once believed

And fear that doubt has come to stay.

We sense the worm that gnaws within

Has withered willpower, weakened bones,

And wonder whether all that’s left

Is stumbling blocks or stepping stones.

Pause

This is the stone that the builders rejected:

He came to his own, but they would not receive him.

They heard him speak, heard him open the scriptures,

but would not listen.

‘Enough, enough!’ They shouted and took him,

stones in hand, to a hill.

Where minds and bodies reel with pain

Which nervous smiles can never mask,

And hope is forced the face despair

And all the things it dared not ask.

Aware of weakness, guilt or shame,

The will gives out, the spirit groans,

And clutching at each straw we find

More stumbling blocks than stepping stones.

Pause

This is the stone that the builders rejected:

He called those who had no calling.

He named those who had no name:

‘What you didn’t manage with fish

you’ll do with people - catch them,’ he said.

‘They call you simple Simon,

I name you Peter, the rock…

and on the likes of you…

on the likes of you, I’ll build my church.’

Where family life has lost its bliss

And silences endorse mistrust,

Or anger boils and tempers flare

As love comes under threat from lust;

Where people cannot take the strain

Of worklessness and endless loans,

What pattern will the future weave -

Just stumbling blocks, no stepping stones?

Pause

This is the stone that the builders rejected:

He bent down to touch the ground, to cradle children,

to kneel with the one whom all despised.

‘Throw your stones,’ he said, ‘Throw them at her,

and let the flawless fling theirs first.’

They went away, stones in hand,

for another day and for him.

Where hearts that once held love are bare

And faith, in shreds, compounds the mess;

Where [thoughts] and prayers no longer speak

And former friends no longer bless;

And when the church, where some belonged

No more their loyalty enthrones,

The plea is made, ‘If you are there,

Turn stumbling blocks, to stepping stones!’

Pause

This is the stone that the builders rejected:

He was edged out of the world,

onto a cross, into a tomb.

And a stone was stationed

to keep the dead away from the living,

but the stone was rolled away

for death was rejected.

Death died and the stone was rolled away.

Ah God, you, with the Maker’s eye,

Can tell if all that’s feared is real,

And see if life is more than what

We suffer, dread, despise and feel.

If some by faith no longer stand

Nor hear the truth your voice intones,

Stretch out your hand to help your folk

From stumbling blocks to stepping stones.

Silence