Virtual Church

Warm up song: Don't stop believing

by Journey (acoustic)

Key of E

Just a small town girl

Livin' in a lonely world

She took the midnight train goin' anywhere

Just a city boy

Born and raised in South Detroit

He took the midnight train goin' anywhere

A singer in a smokey room

The smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on, and on, and on

Strangers, waitin'

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows

Searchin' in the night

Streetlights, people

Livin' just to find emotion

Hidin' somewhere in the night

Workin' hard to get my fill

Everybody wants a thrill

Payin' anything to roll the dice

Just one more time

Some will win

Some will lose

Some were born to sing the blues

Oh, the movie never ends

It goes on and on, and on, and on

Strangers waitin'

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows

Searchin' in the night

Streetlights, people

Livin' just to find emotion

Hidin' somewhere in the night

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to that feelin'

Streetlight, people

Don't stop, believin'

Hold on

Streetlights, people

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to that feelin'

Streetlight, people

Call to worship: The good shepherd tract

People are like sheep,

and Jesus is our shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd.

He provides for all my needs.”

Psalm 23:1

But none of us wanted to

follow the shepherd. We

went our own way instead.

"All we, like sheep, have gone astray.”

Isaiah 53:6

The path we picked

was full of danger.

There is a way that seems right to us,

but it really just leads to death.”

Proverbs 16:25

Soon, we fell into a pit,

and there was no way out.

For everybody sins.

We all fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

We would have died without

hope, but the good shepherd

came to rescue us.

For the penalty of sin is death,

but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

He risked his own life

to climb into the pit

and carry us back out.

But God shows His great love for us, in that

while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us."

Romans 5:8

All we must do is rest in his

arms, knowing that he can

keep us safe.

If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

and believe in your heart that God raised Him

from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

The apostle's creed

I believe in God,

the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,

his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived

by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again

to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of the saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn: The king of my love my shepherd is

(VU 273)

Key of D (tune: St. Columba)

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!

Children's hymn: Are you a shepherd

More Voices 126

Key of C (Chords found in More Voices)

Are you a shepherd, good shepherd who leads us

safely through danger, while calming our fears?

Are you a father who shelters and feeds us,

shares in our laughter and wipes away tears?

Refrain:

Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher,

but you are greater than all that we know.

Holy and living, loving and giving,

God, you are with us wherever we go.

Are you a mother, good mother who bears us,

comforts, protects us and helps us to rest?

Are you a teacher who daily prepares us,

challenging students to offer their best? R

Great, gentle shepherd, forever beside us,

lead all you children in paths that are right.

Great, loving parent, wise teacher, you guide us.

We want to love you and bring you delight. R

Scripture: John 10: 11-18 The message version

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

Gospel hymn: Hard times come again no more

Key of D

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears,

While we all sup sorrow with the poor;

There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;

Oh! Hard times come again no more.

Refrain:

'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary,

Hard Times, hard times, come again no more.

Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;

Oh! Hard times come again no more.

While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay,

There are frail forms fainting at the door;

Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say

Oh! Hard times come again no more. R

There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away,

With a worn heart whose better days are o'er:

Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day,

Oh! Hard times come again no more. R

'Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,

'Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore

'Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave

Oh! Hard times come again no more. R

Pastoral prayer

Closing hymn: Saviour, like a shepherd

Key of Ab (G capo on 1st fret)

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,

Much we need your tender care;

In your pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use your folds prepare:

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,

You have saved us, yours we are.

We are yours, in mercy tend us,

Be the guardian of our way;

Keep from ill, from sin defend us,

Seek us when we go astray:

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,

Hear your children when we pray!

You have promised to receive us,

Poor and sinful though we be;

You have mercy to relieve us,

Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,

Early let us turn to Thee;

Early let us seek your favour,

Early let us do your will;

Blessed Lord and only Saviour,

With your love our spirits fill

Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,

You have loved us, love us still;

Virtual service: April 11, 2021

April 11 title

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

This is the recording for the April 11, 2021 service.

Second Sunday of Easter

Download the Order of Service

Opening music: Beautiful

By Michael Gungor Band

(Key of D)

1

All this pain… I wonder if I’ll ever find my way

I wonder if my life could really change at all

All this earth, could all that is lost ever be found

Could a garden come up from the ground at all

Refrain
You make beautiful things

you make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us.

2

All around life is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos, life is being found in you. R

Bridge:

You make me new, you are making me new R

Welcome and announcements

Confession and forgiveness

Opening hymn: Joyful the one who saves

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth,

O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people,

and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

Isaiah 49.13

Have you believed, Thomas, because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

John 20.29

I pray that your inward eyes may be enlightened, so that you may know how vast are the resources of his power open to us who have faith.

Eph 1: 18-19

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

O Lord, open our lips

and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

O God, make speed to save us.

O Lord make haste to help us

In your resurrection, O Christ,

let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory forever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt

and led them to freedom in the promised land,

so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the loving reign of the risen Christ.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation,

rejoice in this new day you have made

and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

Hallelujah! The Lord is risen indeed:

O Come, let us worship.

(Key of C [G 5th fret])

1

Joyful, joyful we adore thee,

God of Glory, Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee

Op’ning to the sun above

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness

Drive the dark of doubt away

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day

Refrain

You are the one who saves!

You are the one who’s hands

Lift us from the grave

You are the light of life!

The everlasting day!

You are the one who takes

All our sins away!

2

You are giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blessed.

Fountain of the joy of living,

Ocean depths of happy rest R

Bridge:

Jesus, you are my rescue, Jesus you are my rescue

I give you everything I am

Refrain twice

A reading from John 20: 19-20 (English standard version)

Psalm 133

How good it for all is to live together in unity.

How very good and pleasant it is

when kindred live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head,

running down upon the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

running down over the collar of his robes.

How good it for all is to live together in unity.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

which falls on the mountains of Zion.

For there the LORD ordained his blessing,

life forevermore.

How good it for all is to live together in unity.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be

World without end. Amen

Creator of the universe,

from whom all things come,

to whom all things return,

give your people such unity of heart and mind,

that all the world may grow in the life of your eternal kingdom,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

How good it for all is to live together in unity.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn: Immortal, invisible

9VU 264; Key of G [chords found in VU])

1

Immortal, invisible, God only wise;

in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;

most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;

thy justice like mountains high soaring above

thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3

To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,

then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

4

Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light;

thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;

all praise we would render, O help us to see

tis only the splendour of light hideth thee!

Pastoral prayer

Hymn: Leaning on the everlasting arms

(Key of G)

1

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

2

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

3

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

The prayers of the people and Benediction

The Grace

Closing hymn: Precious Lord, take my hand

(Key of G [chords Found in VU])

1

Precious Lord, take my hand,

lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

through the storm, through the night,

lead me on to the light:

take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

2

When my way grows drear,

precious Lord, linger near,

when my life is almost gone,

hear my cry, hear my call,

hold my hand lest I fall:

take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

3

When the darkness appears,

and the night draws near,

and the day is past and gone,

at the river I stand,

guide my feet, hold my hand:

take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Virtual service: April 4, 2021

April 4 title

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

This is the recording for the April 4, 2021 service.

Easter Sunday

Download the Order of Service

Warm up song: The Mary Ellen Carter by Stan Rogers

Key of G

She went down last October

in a pouring driving rain.
The skipper, he’d been drinking

and the Mate, he felt no pain.
Too close to Three Mile Rock,

and she was dealt her mortal blow,
And the Mary Ellen Carter settled low.

There were just us five aboard her

when she finally was awash.
We’d worked like hell to save her,

all heedless of the cost.
And the groan she gave as she went down,

it caused us to proclaim
That the Mary Ellen Carter would rise again.

Well, the owners wrote her off;

not a nickel would they spend.
“She gave twenty years of service, boys,

then met her sorry end.
But insurance paid the loss to us,

so let her rest below.”
Then they laughed at us

and said we had to go.

But we talked of her all winter,

some days around the clock,
She’s worth a quarter million,

afloat and at the dock.
And with every jar that hit the bar,

we swore we would remain
And make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.

Rise again, rise again,

that her name not be lost
To the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best

and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.

All spring, now, we’ve been with her

on a barge lent by a friend.
Three dives a day in hard hat suit

and twice I’ve had the bends.
Thank God it’s only sixty feet

and the currents here are slow
Or I’d never have the strength to go below.

But we’ve patched her rents, stopped her vents,

dogged hatch and porthole down.
Put cables to her, ‘fore and aft

and girded her around.
Tomorrow, noon, we hit the air

and then take up the strain.
And make the Mary Ellen Carter Rise Again.

Rise again, rise again,

that her name not be lost
To the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best

and were with her till the end
Will make the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.

For we couldn’t leave her there, you see,

to crumble into scale.
She’d saved our lives so many times,

living through the gale
And the laughing, drunken rats

who left her to a sorry grave
They won’t be laughing in another day. . .

And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow
With smiling [rascals] lying to you

everywhere you go
Turn to, and put out all your strength

of arm and heart and brain
And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.

Rise again, rise again –

though your heart it be broken
And life about to end
No matter what you’ve lost,

be it a home, a love, a friend.
Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again.

Hymn: Morning has broken, like the first morning

VU 409

Key of G (Chords found in Voices United)

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!

Hymn: Jesus Christ is risen today

(VU 155)

Key of C

1

Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!

our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!

who did once, upon the cross, hallelujah!

suffer to redeem our loss. Hallelujah!

2

Hymns of praise then let us sing hallelujah!

unto Christ, our heavenly King, hallelujah!

who endured the cross and grave, hallelujah!

sinners to redeem and save. Hallelujah!

3

But the pains which he endured, hallelujah!

our salvation have procured; hallelujah!

now above the sky he's King, hallelujah!

where the angels ever sing. Hallelujah!

4

Sing we to our God above, hallelujah!

praise eternal as God's love; hallelujah!

praise our God, ye heavenly host, hallelujah!

praise the Son and Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!

Children's hymn: Another hallelujah

with thanks to the Late Leonard Cohen

Key of C

1.

I Love you Lord with all my heart

You’ve given me a brand new start

And I just want to sing this song to you

Well it goes like this - the forth, the fifth

the minor fall and the major lift

My heart and soul are praising - Hallelujah!

Hallelujah - Hallelujah - Hallelujah - Hallelujah

2.

Well I know that you’re the God above

You’re filling me with grace and love

And now I just want to say “Thank you” to you

You’ve pulled me from the miry clay

You’ve given me a brand new day

Now all that I can say is hallelujah!

Hallelujah - Hallelujah - Hallelujah - Hallelujah

Scripture: Mark 16: 1-8 (The Message version)

Our Gospel tells how three women disciples first learn of Jesus’ resurrection. Coming to the tomb early in the morning, they are astounded to find its huge stone covering rolled back. A young man, in appearance like an angel, announces to them that Jesus is risen and will go before his disciples to Galilee. The event is awesome, even terrifying. The women flee from the tomb, and, for at least a time, report nothing to anyone because of their fear.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?”

Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished.

He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”

They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.

May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture

Amen.

Gospel hymn: I danced in the morning

(VU 352)

Key of F (Chords found in Voices United)

1

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,

and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,

and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;

at Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain:

Dance, then, wherever you may be;

I am the Lord of the dance, said he,

and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,

and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.

2

I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,

but they would not dance and they would not follow me;

I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;

they came with me and the dance went on. R

3

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;

the holy people said it was a shame;

they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,

and left me there on a cross to die. R

4

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;

it's hard to dance with the devil on your back;

they buried my body and they thought I'd gone,

but I am the dance and I still go on. R

5

They cut me down and I leap up high;

I am the life that will never, never die;

I'll live in you if you'll live in me;

I am the Lord of the dance, said he. R

Closing hymn: How great is our God

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace,

who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great shepherd of the sheep,

by the blood of the eternal covenant,

make you complete in everything good

so that you may do his will,

working among us that which is pleasing in his sight,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

Key of A

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

Virtual service: April 2, 2021

Good friday title

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

This is the recording for the April 2, 2021 service.

Good Friday

Download the Order of Service

The first word

Hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross

VU 149

1.

When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

2.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

save in the death of Christ, my God:

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

3.

See from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small:

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

The second word

Hymn: Man of sorrows

Man of sorrows Lamb of God

By His own betrayed

The sin of man and wrath of God

Has been on Jesus laid

Silent as He stood accused

Beaten mocked and scorned

Bowing to the Father's will

He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross - My salvation

Where Your love poured out over me

Now my soul cries out Hallelujah

Praise and honour unto Thee

Sent of heaven God's own Son

To purchase and redeem

And reconcile the very ones

Who nailed Him to that tree

Oh that rugged cross - My salvation (2x)

The third word

Hymn: Lead me to calvary

King of my life, I crown Thee now

Thine shall the glory be

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow

Lead me to Calvary

Refrain

Lest I forget Gethsemane

Lest I forget Thine agony

Lest I forget Thy love for me

Lead me to Calvary

Show me the tomb where thou wast laid,

Tenderly mourned and wept;

Angels in robes of light arrayed

Guarded thee whilst thou slept. R

May I be willing, Lord, to bear

Daily my cross for Thee

Even Thy cup of grief to share

Thou hast borne all for me R

The fourth word

Hymn: Jesus keep me near the cross

VU 142 key of D

1.

Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

2.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me. R

3.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o'er me. R

4.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river. R

The fifth word

Hymn: My faith looks up to thee

VU 663 G capo 2

1.

My faith looks up to thee,

thou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine.

Now hear me while I pray;

take all my guilt away.

O let me from this day be wholly thine.

2.

While life's dark maze I tread,

and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide,

bid darkness turn to day;

wipe sorrow's tears away;

nor let me ever stray from thee aside.

3.

May thy rich grace impart

strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire.

As thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire.

The sixth word

Hymn: Go rest high on that mountain

I know your life

On earth was troubled

And only you could know the pain.

You weren't afraid to face the devil,

You were no stranger to the rain.

Refrain:

Go rest high on that mountain

Son, your work on earth is done.

Go to heaven a-shoutin'

Love for the Father and the Son.

Oh, how we cried the day you left us

We gathered round your grave to grieve.

I wish I could see the angels faces

When they hear your sweet voice sing. R

The last word

Hymn: The old rugges cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain

Chorus

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear lamb of God left his glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see;

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died

To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

It’s shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,

Where his glory forever I’ll share.

Silence

Meditation, prayer and the Lord's Prayer

Virtual service: March 28, 2021

March 28 title

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

This is the recording for the March 28, 2021 service.

Palm Sunday

Download the Order of Service

Holy week and Easter services

April 2, 2021 Good Friday

11:00 .am. CrossWalk @ South Mountain United Church Parking Lot

Physical distancing is required, but we will walk safely through the village
Due to Eastern Ontario Health Unit requirements, there will be no shared lunch this year.

7:00 p.m. Good Friday online oervice on FaceBook Live

April 4, 2021 Easter Sunday

7:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise at Hallville UC in front of church steps

Physical distancing is required, as well as masks.

9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday @ South Mountain United Church

11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday @ Heckston United Church

12:30 p.m. Easter Sunday online worship (12:20 p.m. virtual choir practice)

Hymn: Hosanna, loud hosanna

(VU 123; Key of A [chords found in VU])

1

Hosanna, loud hosanna

the happy children sang;

through pillared court and temple

the joyful anthem rang;

to Jesus, who had blessed them

close folded to his breast,

the children sang their praises,

the simplest and the best.

2

From Olivet they followed

'mid an exultant crowd,

the victory palm branch waving,

and singing clear and loud;

the Lord of earth and heaven

rode on in lowly state,

content that little children

should on his bidding wait.

3

'Hosanna in the highest!'

That ancient song we sing,

for Christ is our Redeemer;

earth, let your anthems ring.

O may we ever praise him

with heart and life and voice,

and in his humble presence

eternally rejoice!

Children's hymn: One more step

(VU 639; Key of G [chords found in VU])

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:

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:

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

keep me travelling along with you.

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:

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

keep me travelling along with you.

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:

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

keep me travelling along with you.

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:

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

keep me travelling along with you.

Scripture: Mark 11: 1-11 (The Message)

When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”

They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,

Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!

He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple.

He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late,

so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

Gospel hymn: Onward! All! Christ's people!

Words by our current United Church Moderator, Rev. Dr. Richard Bott

(Key of A)

1

Onward all Christ’s people, walking on The Way,
living out of God’s love each and every day.
Christ, our guide and teacher, shows how we’re to go
Caring for our friend, our neighbour, even for our foe!

Refrain

Onward all Christ’s people,

walking on The Way,
living out of God’s love,

each and every day.

2

Know tho’ there are moments evil stands its ground;
hate and war and hunger seemingly abound –
in these times, these places, we are called to stand,
acting for God’s peace and justice, offering our hand! R

3

Like one great big family, moves the church of God;
siblings, we are dancing where the saints have trod!
Sometimes we’re divided, lost and feel alone,
then Christ’s Spirit reconciles us, unity is shown. R

4

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in this wondrous song: Glory, laud, and honour unto Christ the King, this through countless ages we, with angels, sing! R

Sermon: The wild path

Pastoral Prayer

Closing hymn: Ride on in majesty

This prayer comes from the Lutheran Book of Worship.

It suggests that each of us is called by God

to be a pioneer - forging our own unique path

as we discover and develop our God-given nature and talents.

For some, the path may be relatively straightforward;

for others, it may bring pain and struggle.

But we all need faith and courage

as we travel into the unknown future:

perhaps we could take this prayer with us on our journey?

Lord God,

you have called your servants to ventures

of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown.

Give us faith to go out with good courage,

not knowing where we go,

but only that your hand is leading us

and your love supporting us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(VU 127; Key of Bb [G with capo on 3rd fret])

1

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry:

O Saviour meek, pursue thy road

with palms and scattered garments strowed.

2

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

O Christ, thy triumphs now begin

o'er captive death and conquered sin.

3

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

The winged squadrons of the sky

look down with sad and wondering eyes

to see the approaching sacrifice.

4

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

bow thy meek head to mortal pain,

then take, O God, thy power, and reign.

Virtual service: March 21, 2021

March 21 title

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

This is the recording for the March 21, 2021 service.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Download the Order of Service

Welcome and announcements, Concerns and Celebrations

Holy week and Easter services

March 28, 2021: Palm Sunday

* If you are able, please have a sprig of cedar or other evergreen for the service

9:30 a.m. In-person worship @ Inkerman United Church

11:00 a.m. In-person worship @ Hallville United Church

12:30 p.m. Online worship on FaceBook Live (12:20 p.m. virtual choir practice)

April 2, 2021: Good Friday

11:00 a.m. CrossWalk @ South Mountain United Church Parking Lot

Physical Distancing is required, but we will safely walk through the village
Due to EOHU requirements, there will be no shared lunch this year.

7:00 p.m. Good Friday online service on FaceBook Live

April 4, 2021: Easter Sunday

7:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service @ 7:00 a.m. at Hallville UC in front of Church steps

Physical distancing and masks are required.

9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday @ South Mountain United Church

11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday @ Heckston United Church

12:30 p.m. Easter Sunday online workshop (12:20 p.m. virtual choir practice)

Warm up song: I can see... ... God's face!

(Key of D)

1

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way.

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

Refrain
It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shiny day. (2x)

2

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone,

All of the bad feelings have disappeared.

Here is the rainbow I've been praying for.

Refrain

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shiny day. (2x)

Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies.

Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue ski-i-i-es.

3

I thought love was only true in fairy tales,

meant for someone else but not for me.

Love was out to get me, that's the way it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams.

Refrain
Then I saw God's face, now I'm a believer.

Without a trace of doubt in my mind.

I'm in love, I'm a believer,

I couldn't leave God if I tried.

4

I thought love was more or less a giving thing,

it seems the more I gave, the less I got.

What's the use in trying, all you get is pain.

When I needed sunshine I got rain.

Refrain

Then I saw God's face, now I'm a believer.

Without a trace of doubt in my mind.

I'm in love, I'm a believer,

I couldn't leave God if I tried.

5

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way.

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

Refrain

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shiny day.

It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-sh

(With additions from the Epistles)

Leader: You shall have no other gods before me.
People: For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! (Romans 11:36)

Leader: You shall not make for yourself an idol.

People: In Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:14)

Leader: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

People: Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that confess his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

Leader: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.

People: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

Leader: Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

People: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1)

Leader: You shall not murder.

People: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32

Leader: You shall not commit adultery.

People: You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20)

Leader: You shall not steal.

People: He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

Leader: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.

People: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Leader: You shall not covet your neighbour's house or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

People: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

(Philippians 4: 11-13)

Hymn: As comes the breath of spring

(VU 373; Key of D [chords found in VU])

1

As comes the breath of spring

with light and mirth and song,

so does your Spirit bring

new days brave, free, and strong.

You come with thrill of life

to chase hence winter's breath,

to hush to peace the strife

of sin that ends in death.

2

You come like dawning day

with flaming truth and love,

to chase all glooms away,

to brace our wills to prove

how wise, how good to choose

the truth and its brave fight,

to prize it, win or lose,

and live on your delight.

3

You come like songs at morn

that fill the earth with joy,

till we, in Christ newborn,

new strength in praise employ.

You come to rouse the heart

from drifting to despair,

through high hopes to impart

life with an ampler air.

4

You breathe and there is health;

you move and there is power;

you whisper, there is wealth

of love, your richest dower.

Your presence is to us

like summer in the soul;

your joy shines forth and then

life blossoms to its goal.

Children's hymn: Come to my heart

(VU 661; Key of F [chords found in VU])

1

Come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

teach me to walk in your way.

Come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

Teach me to walk today.

Give me the peace and joy

That only you can bring.

Come to my heart, Lord Jesus.

Give me a song to sing.

2

Fill me with love, Lord Jesus,

teach me to walk in your way.

Fill me with love, Lord Jesus,

Fill me with love today.

Give me the peace and joy

That only you can bring.

Fill me with love, Lord Jesus,

Give me a song to sing.

3

Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus,

teach me to walk in your way.

Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus,

Answer my prayer today.

Give me the peace and joy

That only you can bring.

Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus,

Give me a song to sing.

Scripture: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Gospel hymn: Whiter than snow

By James Nicholson (c. 1828-1876)

(Key of G)

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7)

God’s people have been placed in their particular circle of influence so they can demonstrate purity and a concern for righteousness. If we do not fulfill this role, who will? It is easy, however, to become so accustomed and hardened to the lust and sin all about us that we lose that fine edge of our Christian witness. In fact, without God’s daily cleansing and renewal, we are easily infiltrated with and influenced by the very lifestyle that we reject in others.

This is another fine hymn text written by a Christian layman. James Nicholson spent his entire life as a clerk in the post office in Philadelphia, yet he was always active in the work of the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The hymn was first published in a pamphlet titled “Joyful Songs” in 1872.

1

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want thee forever to live in my soul.

Break down every idol, cast out every foe

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

2

Lord Jesus, look down from your throne in the skies

And help me to make a complete sacrifice.

I give up myself and whatever I know.

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

3

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat;

I wait, blessed Lord, at thy crucified feet.

By faith, for my cleansing I see your blood flow

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

4

Lord Jesus, You see as I patiently wait;

Come now and within me a new heart create.

To those who have sought you, you never said no

Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow

Sermon: Learning by heart: broken or otherwise

"Memorization is a function of duty; knowledge comes only from love."

MacUser magazine

In Meditatio, the Christian monk committed the divine words of his Lectio to memory as he pondered their meaning and, as he did so, he recited them aloud. This was not a dreary exercise: rabbinical students feel that chanting the sacred words reveals the inner music to the soul, and learning something 'by heart' — a revealing phrase — helps one interiorize it and make it one's own."

Visions of God by Karen Armstrong

Closing hymn: O love that will not

(VU 658; Key of G)

1

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

that in thine ocean depths its flow

may richer, fuller be.

2

O Light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

my heart restores its borrowed ray,

that in thy sunshine's blaze its day

may brighter, fairer be.

3

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

and feel the promise is not vain

that morn shall tearless be.

4

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life's glory dead,

and from the ground there blossoms red

life that shall endless be.

Virtual service: March 14, 2021

March 14 title

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

This is the recording for the March 14, 2021 service.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Download the Order of Service

Call to worship: The confession of St. Patrick

Warm up song: Zombie

By The Cranberries, an Irish band led by the late Dolores O’Riordan

(Key of Em)

1

Another head hangs lowly

Child is slowly taken

And the violence, caused such silence

Who are we mistaken?

2

But you see, it's not me

It's not my family

In your head, in your head, they are fighting

With their tanks, and their bombs

And their bombs, and their guns

In your head, in your head they are crying

3

In your head, in your head

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie

What's in your head, in your head

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie, oh

Du, du, du, du Du, du, du, du

4

Another mother's breaking

Heart is taking over

When the violence causes silence

We must be mistaken

5

It's the same old theme

Since nineteen-sixteen

In your head, in your head, they're still fighting

With their tanks, and their bombs

And their bombs, and their guns

In your head, in your head, they are dying

6

In your head, in your head

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie

What's in your head, in your head

Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, ay, oh, ya ya

Hymn: God is my shepherd

Thought composed by a Scotsman, Brother James’ air was written for his ministry among the Irish in Liverpool.

(VU 748; Key of D)

1

God is my shepherd, I'll not want,

I feed in pastures green.

God grants me rest and bids me drink

from waters calm and clean.

Through daily tasks, I'm blessed and led

by one I have not seen.

2

Restored to life each morning new,

I rise up from the dust

to follow God whose presence gives

me confidence and trust.

I praise the name of God today;

in God I put my trust.

3

When I must pass through shadowed vale,

where loss and death await,

I will not fear for God is there,

my shepherd strong and great,

whose rod and staff will comfort me

and all my fears abate.

4

No enemy can overcome,

no power on earth defeat

the ones anointed by God's grace

and fed with manna sweet.

My cup is filled and overflows

as I my Saviour greet.

5

Goodness and mercy all my days

will surely follow me;

and where God reigns in heaven and earth,

my dwelling place will be.

My shepherd blesses, cares and leads

through all eternity.

Children's hymn: All God's critters

(Key of G) As popularized by Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers

Refrain

All God's critters got a 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

1

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'… R

2

Well the dogs and the cats they take up the middle

The hummingbird hums and the crickets fiddle

The donkey brays and the pony neighs

The old coyote howls… R

3

Listen to the top where the little bird sings

The melody with the high voice ringing

The hoot owl hollers over everything

And the Blue Jay disagrees… R

4

It's a simple song of livin' thats sung everywhere

By the ox and the fox and the grizzly bear

Grumpy alligator and the hawk above

The sly raccoon and the turtle dove… R

Scripture: Jonah 3: 1-5,10

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Gospel hymn: The Lorica of St. Patrick

(Tune: VU 657; Key of D)

1

I bind unto myself today

the strong name of the Trinity,

by invocation of the same,

the Three-in-One and, One-in-Three.

The death of Christ, the cross of shame

his bursting from the spiced tomb,

his coming at the day of doom,

I bind unto myself today.

2

I bind unto myself today

the virtues of the starlit heaven,

the glorious sun's life-giving ray,

the whiteness of the moon at even,

the flashing of the lightning free,

the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

the stable earth, the deep salt sea,

around the old eternal rocks.

3

I bind unto myself today

the power of God to hold and lead,

his eye to watch, his might to stay,

his ear to hearken to my need,

the wisdom of my God to teach,

his hand to guide, his shield to ward,

the Word of God to give me speech,

his heavenly host to be my guard.

4

I bind unto myself the name,

the strong name of the Trinity,

by invocation of the same,

the Three-in-One and, One-in-Three.

of whom all nature has creation,

eternal Father, Spirit, Word.

Praise to the Lord of salvation;

salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Closing hymn: I feel the winds of God

(VU 625; Key of G; Irish folk tune: The star of County Down)

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.

Virtual service: March 7, 2021

March 7 title

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

This is the recording for the March 7, 2021 service.

Third Sunday of Lent

Download the Order of Service

Warm-up song: Inspired by love and anger (The Sally Gardens)

(Tune: Sally Gardens (Irish trad.) c. Wild Goose Publications, c/o The Iona Community; (Key of D)

1

Inspired by love and anger,

disturbed by need and pain,
Informed of God's own bias,

we ask him once again:

"How long must some folk suffer?

How long can few folk mind?
How long dare vain self-interest

turn prayer and pity blind?"

2

From those forever victims

of heartless human greed,
Their cruel plight composes

a litany of need:

"Where are the fruits of justice?

Where are the signs of peace?
When is the day when prisoners

and dreams find their release?"

3

From those forever shackled

to what their wealth can buy,
The fear of lost advantage

provoke the bitter cry:

"Don't query our position!

Don't criticise our wealth!
Don't mention those exploited

by politics and stealth!"

4

To God, who through the prophets

proclaimed a different age,
We offer earth's indifference,

its agony and rage:

"When will the wronged be righted?

When will the kingdom come?
When will the world be generous

to all instead of some?"

5

God asks, "Who will go for me?

Who will extend my reach?
And who, when few will listen,

will prophesy and preach?

And who, when few bid welcome,

will offer all they know?
And who, when few dare follow,

will walk the road I show?"

6

Amused in someone's kitchen,

asleep in someone's boat,
Attuned to what the ancients exposed,

proclaimed and wrote,

A saviour without safety,

a tradesman without tools
Has come to tip the balance

with fishermen and fools.

You may not love anyone or anything more than you love God.

You may not worship, or put more importance on any person or thing, other than God.

You must worship only the Lord, not your parents, not a friend, not a movie star or a sports hero, not a car or boat or skateboard. Nothing.

You may not swear. Use God’s holy name only in a loving way, never to express anger or frustration.

One day of your week should be set aside for rest and the worship of God. Work six days of the week only. You need a special day set aside to relax, to enjoy God’s world, and to meet with other Christians.

Be respectful to your parents. Love them, and the Lord will reward you with a long life.

You may not hate other people; don’t ever think of hurting someone else in any way.

Keep your thoughts and actions pure. Be committed in your relationships. Always.

You may not take and keep anything that doesn’t belong to you. You may not tell lies, especially when that lie will hurt someone else.

You may not be jealous of what others have. You may not be jealous of your friend’s new toy or clothes or the big house your neighbor lives in. Be satisfied with what you have.

Hymn: My hope is built (on Christ the solid rock)

(Key of F [D 3rd Fret])

1

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on 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 veils His lovely 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. R

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. R

Children's hymn: These are the days of Elijah

(Key of G)

1

These are the days of Elijah,

Declaring the word of the Lord:

And these are the days of Your servant Moses,

Righteousness being restored.

And though these are days of great trial,

Of famine and darkness and sword,

Still, we are the voice in the desert crying

'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

Refrain

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,

Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;

Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,

And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

2

These are the days of Ezekiel,

The dry bones becoming as flesh;

And these are the days of Your servant David,

Rebuilding a temple of praise.

These are the days of the harvest,

The fields are as white in Your world,

And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,

Declaring the word of the Lord! R

There's no God like Jehovah.

There's no God like Jehovah!

Scripture: John 2: 13-22

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

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

Gospel hymn: Put your hand in the hand

(Key of G)

1
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

2

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

3

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

Sermon: John 2: 13-22

Hymn: A hymn for the wilderness (Wabash Cannonball)

Key of F [D 3rd Fret])

1

I can’t see where I’m going –

Just wilderness ahead.

This place is fierce and threatening –

O God, where have You led?

But Egypt is behind me

With all You’ve brought me through,

And now You go before me –

I trust and follow You.

2

Your all-engulfing presence

Is shade throughout the day.

Your fire ablaze above me

Lights all my darkened way.

Fresh water in my desert

And bread each morning new –

O tender, faithful Shepherd,

I trust and follow You.

3

Through every daily challenge,

With labours still undone,

I follow in Your footsteps

And take them one by one.

Throughout our great adventure

I keep the Cloud in view,

As all the way to Canaan

I trust and fo(llow You.

Virtual service: February 28, 2021

February 28 title

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

This is the recording for the February 28, 2021 service.

Second Sunday of Lent

Download the Order of Service

Warm up song: I won't back down

By Tom Petty (Key of G)

1

Well, I won't back down

No, I won't back down

You can stand me up at the gates of hell

But I won't back down

2

No, I'll stand my ground

Won't be turned around

And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down

Gonna stand my ground

3

And I won't back down

(I won't back down)

Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out

(I won't back down)

Hey, I will stand my ground

And I won't back down

4

Well I know what's right

I got just one life

In a world that keeps on pushin' me around

But I'll stand my ground

5

And I won't back down

(I won't back down)

Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out

(I won't back down)

Hey, I will stand my ground

And I won't back down

6

Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out

(I won't back down)

Hey, I won't back down

(I won't back down)

Hey, baby, there ain't no easy way out

(I won't back down)

7

Hey, I will stand my ground

And I won't back down

No, I won't back down

Our society talks about personal autonomy.
Newspapers and films are filled with the notion
that we don’t need God to set us free—we are our own masters.
And God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Always ask yourself, “What’s in it for me?”
Remember, you’re number one.
You shall have no other gods before me.

Try to make as much money as you can
and spend all of it on improving your standard of living.
You shall not make for yourself an idol

in the form of anything.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them,
for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.

Don’t worry too much about swearing, because it’s just a habit.
Swearing makes you look tough.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,
for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless

who misuses his name.

Sunday is just another day in which you can do whatever you want to.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work.

Don’t pay any attention to your parents.
They’re old-fashioned and they spoil your fun.
Honour your father and your mother,
so that you may live long
in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

You are entitled to hate people who are nasty
or who in any way make life unpleasant for you.
You shall not murder.

When your marriage gets dull, it’s OK to have an affair or two.
You’re only human.
You shall not commit adultery.

If you have to take what doesn’t belong to you,
make sure you don’t get caught,
because then you have to face the music.
You shall not steal.

Don’t miss out on any gossip about people.
When you put other people down you feel better about yourself.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.

Try to keep up with the Joneses.
Why should other people have more than you do?
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbour’s spouse,
or their hired help, their car or their farm equipment,
or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, then honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Hymn: Great is thy faithfulness

(VU 288; Key of D [Chords found in Voices United])

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.

Children's hymn: Sarah'n Abraham had many kids

Scripture: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you and will make you exceedingly numerous.” Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."

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

Gospel hymn: Just a closer walk with thee

(Key of G)

Refrain
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Precious Jesus, hear my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

1

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. R

2

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. R

3

When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. R

Sermon: Enchantment under the stars

Pastoral prayer and benediction

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 out 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.

Virtual service: February 21, 2021

February 21 welcome

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

This is the recording for the February 21, 2021 service.

First Sunday of Lent

Download the Order of Service

Warm-up song: Unicorn song

Irish Rovers

Key of F (D 3rd fret)

1.

A long time ago, when the Earth was green

There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen

They'd run around free while the Earth was being born

And the loveliest of all was the unicorn

There were green alligators and long-necked geese

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

Some cats and rats and elephants, as sure as you're born

But the loveliest of all was the unicorn

2.

The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him pain

And He says, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain"

He says, "Hey brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do

Build me a floating zoo,

and take some of those...

Green alligators and long-necked geese

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

Some cats and rats and elephants, as sure as you're born

Don't you forget my unicorns

3.

Old Noah was there to answer the call

He finished up making the ark

just as the rain started falling

He marched in the animals two by two

And he called out as they came through

Hey Lord, I've got green alligators and long-necked geese

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn

I just can't see no unicorns"

4.

Then Noah looked out through the driving rain

Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games

Kicking and splashing while the rain was pourin’

Oh, them silly unicorns

There was green alligators and long-necked geese

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

Noah cried, "Close the door because the rain is pourin

And we just can't wait for no unicorns"

5.

The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide

The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried

And the waters came down and sort of floated them away

And that's why you never seen a unicorn to this very day

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

Some cats and rats and elephants, as sure as you're born

You're never gonna see no unicorns

I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods but me.

Lord, help us to love you
with all our heart, all our soul,
all our mind and all our strength.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.

Lord, help us to worship you
in spirit and in truth.

You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord your God.

Lord, help us to honour you
with reverence and awe.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Lord, help us to remember Christ risen from the dead,
and to set our minds on things above,
not on things on the earth.

Honour your father and your mother.

Lord, help us to live as your servants,
giving respect to all,
and love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

You shall not commit murder.

Lord, help us to be reconciled with each other,
and to overcome evil with good.

You shall not commit adultery.

Lord, help us to realize
that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

You shall not steal.

Let us be honest in all we do,
and to care for those in need.

You shall not be a false witness.

Lord, help us always to speak the truth.

You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbour.

Lord, help us to remember Jesus said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’,
and help us to love our neighbours as ourselves;

for his sake.

Introit: Holy Holy Holy

Hymn: When the wind of winter blows

(MV 71; Key of G)

1

When the wind of winter blows,

bringing times of solitude,

fill the silent icy night;

be our hearts’ compassion.

Refrain

Holy Light, warm our night;

warm the time of winter.

Holy Light, warm our night;

warm the time of winter.

2

When we shiver in despair,

when the chill of death comes near,

hold us, Spirit, calm our fear,

while the evening deepens. R

3

When in days of fallen snow,

change confounds or love burns low,

from the ashes may there rise

phoenix of our growing. R

Children's hymn: We are a rainbow

By Brent Holmes © Eagle’s Point Music)

(Key of D)

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 R

Scripture: Genesis 9: 8-17

The Message

Then God spoke to Noah and his sons: “I’m setting up my covenant with you including your children who will come after you, along with everything alive around you—birds, farm animals, wild animals—that came out of the ship with you. I’m setting up my covenant with you that never again will everything living be destroyed by floodwaters; no, never again will a flood destroy the Earth.”

God continued, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I’m putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life. When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth.”

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I’ve set up between me and everything living on the Earth.”

Gospel hymn: Trusting Jesus

Key of G

1

Simply trusting every day,

trusting thru a stormy way

Even when my faith is small,

trusting Jesus that is all.

Refrain

Trusting as the moments fly,

trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate’er befall,

trusting Jesus that is all.

2

Brightly doth his Spirit shine

into this poor heart of mine

While he leads I cannot fall,

trusting Jesus that is all. R

3

Singing if my way is clear,

praying if the path be drear;

If in danger, for Him call R

trusting Jesus that is all.

4

Trusting Him while life shall last,

Trusting Him till earth be past;

Till His gracious advent call,

Trusting Jesus, that is all. R

Pastoral prayer

Hymn: O Jesus I have promises

(VU 120; Key of F)

1

O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;

remain for ever near me, my Saviour and my friend:

I shall not fear the journey if you are by my side,

nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.

2

O let me feel you near me: the world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

my foes are ever near me, around me and within;

but, Jesus, then draw nearer and shield my soul from sin.

3

O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,

above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;

O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;

now speak, and make me listen, O guardian of my soul.

4

O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you,

that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.

And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;

O give me grace to follow, my Saviour and my friend.

Virtual service: February 14, 2021

February 14 title

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

This is the recording for the February 14, 2021 service.

Transfiguration Sunday

Warm up song: How deep the father's love

Key of E

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Prayer and Confession and Call to reconciliation

Hymn: 1 Corinthians 13

Tune: Beech Spring (VU 374 Come and Find the Quiet Centre)

Key of G

Though I speak in every language,

prophecy for God above,

Though I understand all mysteries,

I am nothing without love.
Tho’ thru faith I can move mountains,

give the poor all that I gain

Though I’m burned alive for Jesus,

without love, my life is vain.

Love is patient, kind and selfless,

envies not nor boasts in pride
Is not rude or quickly angered,

never holds a grudge inside.
Love does not delight in evil,

but with truth rejoices e’er;
Trusts, protects, and hopes forever,

perseveres & always cares.

One day prophecies will finish;

tongues will in that day be stilled;
Knowledge too will pass forever,

when God’s Word is all fulfilled.
Now we only know a fraction,

and as children think and speak;
When perfection comes upon us,

childish ways no more we’ll seek.

Now we see as in a mirror,

in a blurred and hazy way.
But reflections soon will vanish;

face to face we’ll see some day.
In that day we’ll all know fully,

as we’re known by God above;
Till then, faith, hope, love still linger,

but the greatest far is love.

Children's hymn: The love round

Key of G

Love the Lord your God

With all your heart and all your soul

And all your mind, and

Love all of mankind as you would love yourself...

Love the Lord your God

With all your heart

And all your soul and mind and

Love mankind...

We’ve got Christian lives to live

We've got Jesus' love to give

We've got nothing to hide

Because in Him we abide!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Gospel hymn: Love lifted me

Key of G1.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;

But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain:

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help, love lifted me.

2.

All my heart to him I give, ever to him I’ll cling,

In his blessed presence live, ever his praises sing;

Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;

Faithful, loving service too, to him belongs. R

3.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;

He will lift you by his love out of the angry waves;

He’s the Master of the sea, billows his will obey;

He your Saviour wants to be, be saved today. R

Closing hymn: Love devine

VU 333

Key of G

1

Love divine, all loves excelling,

joy of heaven to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling,

all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion,

pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation,

enter every trembling heart.

2

Come, almighty to deliver;

let us all thy grace receive;

suddenly return, and never,

nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,

glory in thy perfect love.

3

Finish, then, thy new creation;

pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation

perfectly restored in thee,

changed from glory into glory,

till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee,

lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Virtual service: February 7, 2021

Februray 7 title

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

This is the recording for the February 7, 2021 service.

Second Sunday before Lent

Warm-up song: Song for a winter's night

By Gordon Lightfoot (Key of A)

1

The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top

The snow is softly falling

The air is still in the silence of my room

I hear your voice softly calling

2

If I could only have you near

To breathe a sigh or two

I would be happy just to hold the hands I love

On this winter night with you

3

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead

My glass is almost empty

I read again between the lines upon each page

The words of love you sent me

4

If I could know within my heart

That you were lonely too

I would be happy just to hold the hands I love

On this winter night with you

5

The fire is dying

Now my lamp is growing dim

The shades of night are lifting

The morning light steals across my window pane

Where webs of snow are drifting

6

If I could only have you near

To breathe a sigh or two

I would be happy just to hold the hands I love

On this winter night with you

And to be once again with you

Call to worship Psalm 91

Hymn: Isaiah 35 (in the dessert)

(VU 881; Tune: Good King Wenceslas; Key of G)

1

When the king shall come again,

all his power revealing,

splendour shall announce his reign,

life and joy and healing;

earth no longer in decay,

hope no more frustrated;

this is God's redemption day

longingly awaited.

2

In the desert trees take root,

fresh from God's creation;

plants and flowers and sweetest fruit

join the celebration;

rivers spring up from the earth,

barren lands adorning;

valleys, this is your new birth;

mountains, greet the morning.

3

Strengthen feeble hands and knees;

fainting hearts be cheerful!

God, who comes for such as these,

seeks and saves the fearful;

deaf ears, hear the silent tongues

sing away their weeping;

blind eyes, see the lifeless ones

walking, running, leaping.

4

There God's highway shall be seen

where no roaring lion,

nothing evil or unclean,

walks the road to Zion;

ransomed people homeward bound,

all your praises voicing,

see your Lord with glory crowned,

share in his rejoicing!

Children's hymn: Psalm 42 (as the deer)

(VU 766; Key of D)

1

As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you;

you alone are my heart's desire

and I long to worship you.

Refrain

You alone are my strength, my shield

to you alone may my spirit yield;

you alone are my heart's desire,

and I long to worship you.

2

I want you more than gold or silver,

only you can satisfy;

you alone are the real joy-giver

and the apple of my eye. R

3

You're my friend and you are my brother,

even though you are a king;

I love you more than any other,

so much more than anything! R

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 21-31 (The Message)

Have you not been paying attention?

Have you not been listening?

Haven't you heard these stories all your life?

Don't you understand the foundation of all things?

God sits high above the round ball of earth.

The people look like mere ants.

He stretches out the skies like a canvas—

yes, like a tent canvas to live under.

He ignores what all the princes say and do.

The rulers of the earth count for nothing.

Princes and rulers don't amount to much.

Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted,

They shrivel when God blows on them.

Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind.

"So—who is like me?

Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy One.

Look at the night skies:

Who do you think made all this?

Who marches this army of stars out each night,

counts them off, calls each by name

—so magnificent! so powerful!—

and never overlooks a single one?

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,

or, whine, Israel, saying,

"God has lost track of me.

He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired,

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired,

they walk and don't lag behind. .

Gospel hymn: Isaiah 40 (Comfort, comfort)

(VU 883; Tune: Ode to Joy (VU 232); Key of G)

1

Comfort, comfort now my people;

speak of peace; so says our God.

Comfort those who sit in darkness,

mourning under sorrow's load.

Cry out to Jerusalem

of the peace that waits for them;

tell them that their sins I cover

and their warfare now is over.

2

For the herald's voice is crying

in the desert far and near,

calling all to true repentance,

since God's judgement now is here.

Oh, that warning cry obey!

Now prepare for God a way!

Let the valleys rise in meeting

and the hills bow down in greeting.

3

Then make straight what long was crooked;

make the rougher places plain.

Let your hearts be true and humble,

as befits a holy reign.

For the glory of our God

now on earth is shed abroad,

and all flesh shall see the token

that God's word is never broken.

Closing hymn: Isaiah 55 (You shall go out)

(VU 884; Key of 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 all the trees of the field

will clap, will clap their hands!

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands (X X)

The trees of the field will clap their hands (X X)

The tress of the field will clap their hands (X X)

While you go out with joy!

Virtual service: January 31, 2021

January 31 title

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

This is the recording for the January 31, 2021 service.

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Warm up song: Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Key of Ed (C 3rd Fret)

I took my love, I took it down

Climbed a mountain and I turned around

And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills

'Til the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?

Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been 'fraid of changin'

'Cause I've built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I'm gettin' older, too

Well, I've been 'fraid of changin'

'Cause I've built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I'm gettin' older, too

I'm gettin' older, too

Ah, take my love, take it down

Oh, climb a mountain and turn around

And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills

Well, the landslide will bring it down

And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills

Well, the landslide will bring it down

Oh, the landslide will bring it down

Hymn: Shine Jesus shine

Key of A (G 2nd fret)

Lord, the light of your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness, shining

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us

Set us free by the truth you now bring us

Shine on me, shine on me

Refrain:

Shine, Jesus, shine

Fill this land with the Father's glory

Blaze, Spirit, blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow, river, flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth your word

Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence

From the shadows into your radiance

By the blood I may enter your brightness

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness

Shine on me, shine on me R

As we gaze on your kingly brightness

So our faces display your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell your story

Shine on me, shine on me R

Children's hymn: This little light of mine

The blessing of candles

Key of G

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.

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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: Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Gospel hymn: The light of the world is Jesus

Key of D

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;

The Light of the world is Jesus;

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,

The Light of the world is Jesus.

Refrain:

Come to the Light, ‘tis shining for thee;

Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me,

Once I was blind, but now I can see:

The Light of the world is Jesus.

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;

The Light of the world is Jesus;

We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide,

The Light of the world is Jesus. R

No dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes;

The Light of the world is Jesus;

Go, wash at his bidding, and light will arise,

The Light of the world is Jesus. R

No need of the sunlight in heaven we’re told;

The Light of the world is Jesus;

The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,

The Light of the world is Jesus. R

Closing hymn: Be thou my vision

VU 642

Key of D

1

Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart;

naught be all else to me save that thou art,

thou my best thought, by day or by night,

waking or sleeping thy presence my light.

2

Be thou my wisdom, my calm in all strife;

I ever with thee, and thou in my life;

thou loving parent, thy child may I be,

thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

3

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight

be thou my dignity, thou my delight,

thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower;

raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.

4

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,

thou mine inheritance, now and always;

thou and thou only, the first in my heart,

great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5

Great God of heaven, after victory won,

may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Virtual service: January 24, 2021

January 24 title

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

This is the recording for the January 24, 2021 service.

Third Sunday after Epiphany

Song: Donald where's your troosers

(Key of Em)

1

I've just come down from the Isle of Skye

I'm no very big and I'm awful shy

And the lassies shout when I go by

Donald, where's your troosers?

Refrain

Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low

Through the streets in my kilt, I'll go

All the lassies say hello

Donald, where's your troosers?

2

A lassie took me to a ball

And it was slippery in the hall

And I was feared that I would fall

For I had nae on my troosers R

3

Now I went down to London Town

And I had some fun in the underground

The ladies turned their heads around

Saying, Donald, where are your trousers? R

4

To wear the kilt is my delight

It is not wrong, I know it's right

The Highlanders would get a fright

If they saw me in the trousers R

5

The lassies want me every one

Well, let them catch me if they can

You can not take the breaks off a Highland man

And I don't wear the troosers R

6

Oh, man, I'm all rock and roll

And I'm a-moving and a-grooving to save my soul

Grab your kilt and go, go, go

Hey, Donald, where's your troosers? R

7

I've just come down from the Isle of Skye

I'm not very big and I'm awful shy

And the lassies shout when I go by

Donald, where's your troosers? R

Greetings and welcoming the Trinity

Hymn: O master let me walk with thee

(VU560; Tune: The parting glass, traditional Scottish; Key of 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.

Peom: A passing glimpse by Robert Frost

Hymn: Spirit of God, come dwell within me

(Tune: Leaving of Lismore, traditional Scottish; 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

Poem: Address to a haggis, by Robert Burns

Piping

Prayer

The Lord’s prayer

(Tune: Auld Lang Syne; Key of D)

Our Fa-ther who art in Heav-en

Hallowed be thy name

Thy Kingdom come thy will be done

on earth as in heaven

Give us today our daily bread

And forgive us all our sins

As we forgive each one of those

who sins against us.

And lead us not to the time of trial

But deliver us from evil

For the reign, the glory and the power

Are yours, Amen! Amen!

A time for a' the Laird's wee bairns

Poem: I'll love you forever By Robert Munsch

Hymn: A touching place

(Dream Angus, traditional lullaby, Key of G)

1

Christ’s is the world in which we move,

Christ’s are the folk we’re summoned to love,

Christ’s is the voice which calls us to care,

And Christ is the one who meets us here.

Refrain

To the lost Christ shows his face;

To the unloved, he gives his embrace;

To those who cry in pain or disgrace…

Christ makes with his friends a touching place

2

Feel for the people we most avoid,

Strange or bereaved or never employed;

Feel for the women, and feel for the men

Who fear that their living is all in vain. R

3

Feel for the parents who’ve lost their child,

Feel for the women whom men have defiled,

Feel for the baby for whom there’s no breast,

And feel for the weary who find no rest. R

4

Feel for the lives by life confused,

Riddled with doubt, in loving abused;

Feel for the lonely heart, conscious of sin,

Who longs to be pure, but fears to begin. R

Poem: To a mouse, on turning her up in her nest with a plough, By Robert Burns

Hymn:Thy word is like a garden Lord

(Tune: Rowan tree, traditional; Key: Bd [G 3rd 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.

Poem: The road not taken, By Robert Frost

Hymn: Spirit, open my heart

(MV 79; tune: Wild mountain tyme, traditional Scottish; Key: D)

Refrain

Spirit, open my heart

to the joy and pain of living.

As you love may 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

Poem: A red, red rose, By Robert Burns

Hymn: Love is the welcome

(Tune: Loch Lomond, traditional Scottish; Key of D)

1

Love is the welcome that comes from the heart

and opens its door to the stranger

which makes of its house

a resting place for all,

for the sake of the babe in the manger.

Refrain

Red is the blood of my love the crucified,

And clear is the light of His glory,

Pure is the heart

Of the Christ who died for me,

My love i – s fairer than any.

2

Love is the touch that does no-t dra-w back

from the maimed and the hurt and the broken,

but embraces their pain,

and calls them by their name,

that the word of compassion be spoken. R

3

Love is the life that responds to call

and chooses its truth as its treasures

and walks with the one

who says, “Come and follow me,

for to show you the way is my pleasure.” R

Sung scripture: Pslam 90

(Whoever lives beside the Lord (Psalm 91); Teann a Nall [Gaelic]; Key of G)

1

Whoever lives beside the Lord,

sheltering in th’ Almighty’s shade,

shall say, “My God, in you I trust,

my safety, my defender.”

2

From unseen danger and disease

God will keep you safe and sure;

Beneath his wings a place you’ll find,

A refuge from all danger.

3

You will not dread what darkness brings --

hidden dangers, deadly plague;

nor will you fear in daylight hours

the evil that surrounds you.

4

A thousand may die at your side,

thousands more fall close at hand;

but with God’s truth for strength and shield,

no threat will ever touch you.

5

God says, “I’ll save from every harm

those who know and love my name.

In trouble I will honour them,

And show them my salvation.”

Sung scripture: Psalm 130

(VU 852 [Macpherson’s Farewell]; Key of D)

1

Up from the depths I cry to God:

O listen, Lord, to me;

O hear my voice in this distress,

this mire of misery.

Refrain

I wait for God with all my heart,

my hope is in his word;

and more than *watchmen for the dawn

I'm longing for you, God.

2

If you, my God, should measure guilt

who then could ever stand?

But those who fear your name will find

forgiveness from your hand. R

3

O Israel, set your hope on God

whose mercy is supreme:

the nation mourning for its sins

God surely will redeem. R

Sermon-ish

Prayers of the people

One final poem: The hill we climb, by Amanda Gorman

Saying good-bye to the Trinity

Sung Blessing:Celtic blessing

(Tune: Danny Boy, traditional Scottish; Key: A [G 2nd fret])

Now may the road rise gently up to meet you,

And may the wind be always at your back;

Now may the sun shine warm upon your faces

And may the rains fall soft upon your fields.

Until we meet, until we meet again,

Until we meet, until we meet again;

May God now hold you, hold you, hold you gently;

May God now hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Virtual service: January 17, 2021

January 17 title

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

This is the recording for the January 17, 2021 service.

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Warm up song: Ahead by a century by The Tragically Hip

First thing we'd climb a tree

And maybe then we'd talk

Or sit silently

And listen to our thoughts

With illusions of someday

Cast in a golden light

No dress rehearsal This is our life

And that's where the hornet stung me

And I had a feverish dream

With revenge and doubt

Tonight, we smoke them out

You are ahead by a century

Stare in the morning shroud

And then the day began

I tilted your cloud

You tilted my hand

Rain falls in real time

And rain fell through the night

No dress rehearsal, this is our life

But that's when the hornet stung me

And I had a serious dream

With revenge and doubt

Tonight, we smoked them out

You are ahead by a century

And disappointing you is gettin' me down

Call to worship based on Psalm 139

Hymn: Take my life and let it be

( 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.

Children's hymn: Will you come

(VU 96)

Key of F (cadence according to VU 567)

1

Will you come and see the light from the stable door?

It is shining newly bright, though it shone before.

It will be your guiding star,

it will show you who you are;

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

2

Will you step into the light that can free the slave?

It will stand for what is right, it will heal and save.

By the pyramids of greed

there's a longing to be freed;

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

3

Will you tell about the light in the prison cell?

Though it's shackled out of sight, it is shining well.

When the truth is cut and bruised,

and the innocent abused,

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

4

Will you join the hope, alight in the young girl's eyes,

of the mighty put to flight by a baby's cries?

When the lowest and the least

are the foremost at the feast,

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

5

Will you travel by the light of the babe new born?

In the candle lit at night there's a gleam of dawn,

and the darkness all about

is too dim to put it out:

will you hide, or decide to meet the light?

Scripture: Samuel 3: 1-10

The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli’s direction.

This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested.

Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel answered, “Yes? I’m here.”

Then he ran to Eli saying, “I heard you call. Here I am.”

Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” And so he did.

God called again, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel got up and went to Eli, “I heard you call. Here I am.”

Again Eli said, “Son, I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.)

God called again, “Samuel!”—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, “Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.”

That’s when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, “Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m your servant, ready to listen.’” Samuel returned to his bed.

Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out,

“Samuel! Samuel!”

Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”

Gospel hymn: Softly and tenderly

key of D

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

Ye who are weary come home

Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling

Calling, "O sinner come home"

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

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

Closing hymn: I saw the light

Key of G

I wandered so aimless life filled with sin

I wouldn't let my dear savior in

Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night

Praise the Lord I saw the light

Refrain:

I saw the light, I saw the light

No more darkness, no more night

Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight

Praise the Lord I saw the light

Just like a blind man I wandered along

Worries and fears I claimed for my own

Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight

Praise the Lord I saw the light R

I was a fool to wander and stray

Straight is the gate and narrow's the way

Now I have traded the wrong for the right

Praise the Lord I saw the light R

Virtual service: January 10, 2021

January 10 title

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

This is the recording for the January 10, 2021 service.

Baptism of Jesus

Warm up song: Renegades by X-Ambassadors

Run away with me

Lost souls and reverie

Running wild and running free

Two kids, you and me

Refrain

And I say Hey, hey hey hey

Living like we're renegades

Hey hey heyHey hey hey

Living like we're renegades

Renegades, renegades

Long live the pioneers

Rebels and mutineers

Go forth and have no fear

Come close the end is near R

All hail the underdogs

All hail the new kids

All hail the outlaws

Spielberg's and Kubrick's

It's our time to make a move

It's our time to make amends

It's our time to break the rules

Let's begin R

Call to worship based on Genesis 1: 1-5

Hymn: On Jordan's bank

(VU 20)

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 hymn: In the darkness

(VU 92)

1

In the darkness shines the splendour

of the Word who took our flesh,

welcoming, in love's surrender,

death's dark shadow at his crèche.

Bearing every human story,

Word made flesh reveals his glory.

2

Light of nations, veiled in history,

born of woman's flesh and blood,

calling to the depths of mystery

restless hearts that seek the good.

Healing every human story,

Word made flesh reveals his glory.

3

Broken bread, sustaining us in sorrow,

wine poured out to toast our joy;

exodus and new tomorrow,

life's full promise to enjoy!

Gladdening every human story,

Word made flesh reveals his glory.

4

All God's people, sing in jubilation

of the birth that sets us free,

telling of the revelation:

Jesus, God's epiphany.

Celebrate the human story!

Word made flesh reveals our glory.

Scripture: Mark 1: 4-11

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt round his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Gospel hymn: When Jesus comes to be baptized

(VU 100)

1

When Jesus comes to be baptized,

he leaves the hidden years behind,

the years of safety and of peace,

to bear the sins of humankind.

2

The Spirit of the Lord comes down,

anoints the Christ to suffering,

to preach the word, to free the bound,

and to the mourner, comfort bring.

3

He will not quench the dying flame,

and what is bruised he will not break,

but heal the wound injustice dealt,

and out of death his triumph make.

4

O Spirit help us be like Christ:

to live in love and charity,

to walk in truth and justice now,

and grow in Christian dignity.

5

We praise you, God, source of all life,

we praise you, Christ, eternal Word,

we praise you, Spirit, gracious gift;

your triune presence fills our world.

Gospel hmyn: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

Gospel hymn: Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

1

O what a wonderful, wonderful day

Day I will never forget

After I'd wandered in darkness away

Jesus my Saviour I met

O what a tender, compassionate friend

He met the need of my heart

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling

He made all the darkness depart

Refrain

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

When at the cross my Saviour made me whole

My sins were washed away

And my night was turned to day

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

2

Born of the Spirit with life from above

Into God's fam'ly divine

Justified fully thru Calvary's love

O what a standing is mine

And the transaction so quickly was made

When as a sinner I came

Took of the offer of grace He did proffer

He saved me, O praise His dear name R

3

Now I've a hope that will surely endure

After the passing of time

I have a future in heaven for sure

There in those mansions sublime

And it's because of that wonderful day

When at the cross I believed

Riches eternal and blessings supernal

From His precious hand I received R

Virtual service: January 3, 2021

January 3 title

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

This is the recording for the January 3, 2021 service.

Epiphany Sunday

Download the order of Service

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

Pastoral prayers

Closing hymn: O day of God, draw nigh

(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

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

Prayers of the people and benediction

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

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

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'

Opening prayer and Lord's prayer song

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

Welcome and call to worship

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

Opening prayer and Lord's prayer song

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