As communities of faith, we share our gifts by passing the offering plate. Here are ways we can continue to share our gifts.
Good old post-dated cheques are a familiar way for people to give. Place them in an envelope, sealed with a wet sponge—not licked—and mail them to the church office.
Minister For the brightness of field and the warmth of the sun,
All We give you thanks, O God.
Minister For the changing of seasons and the gentling of friends,
All We give you thanks, O God.
Minister For work to be done and laughter to share
All We give you thanks, O God.
Minister We thank you, and know that through struggle and pain,
in the sometimes slippery path of the new life Jesus offers,
hope will be born
All We give you thanks, O God;
For all shall be well.
Minister 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
(VU 315 v.1)
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, Holy, Holy, Merciful and mighty
God-in-Three-Persons: Blessed Trinity
God, so much of faith is waiting,
like a pregnant woman waiting in hope,
like a people under siege, holding out until relief comes,
like a soul lost in the darkness,
unable to see even a glimmer of light
yet stumbling through the night because somewhere
out ahead, day will surely break.
God, be with us in our waiting. Amen.
* “Waiting” by Helen Steven. The Pattern of our Days. Kathy Galloway, ed.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 395
Chorus:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
1
You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. R
2
God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. R
3
There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family. R
4
There's rest for the weary and health for us all;
there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. R
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And all your soul and all your mind and
love all humankind as you would love yourself
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And all your soul and mind and love all humankind
We've got Christian lives to live
We've got Jesus Christ to give
We've got nothing to hide
Because in God we abide... Love
VU 543
We give thee but thine own,
What e’er the gift may be;
All that we have is thine alone,
A trust O Lord, from thee
Dedication of the offering
VU 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
send us love, send us power, send us grace!
We hardly know what to say, so even praying can seem difficult and
un-focused at best. But that's okay, because the Spirit can help us,
and even pray for us, when we don't know what to say or even how to feel.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." (Rom 8:24-26)
Whatever you do, be sure to hug your loved ones today, and let them know that we will all be held securely in God's arms.
Minister Let us by prayer and intercession with thanksgiving
make our requests to God. (PAUSE)
Gracious God, we pray for peace, justice and reconciliation
throughout the world. We pray for the honouring of human rights,
and for the relief of the oppressed. We give thanks for all
that is gracious in the lives of men, women and children.
All May your kingdom come
and your will be done.
Minister We pray for the renewal of the Church in faith, in love and service.
We pray for Richard the newly installed Moderator of the United
Church of Canada, and for the life and work of the South Mountain
– Hallville Pastoral Charge. We give thanks for the gift of your word,
the grace of the sacraments and the fellowship of your people.
All May your kingdom come
and your will be done.
Minister We pray for our community and for all people in their daily life and
work. We pray for the young - especially those beginning a new
school year; and we pray for the elderly - whose wisdom and joy of
living gives us all hope; for families, and all who are alone. We give
thanks for human skill & creativity & all that reveals your loveliness.
All May your kingdom come
and your will be done.
Minister We pray for those who are in need; for the sick, sorrowful and
bereaved. We pray for all who bring comfort, care and healing.
We give thanks for human love and friendship and for all that
enriches our daily lives.
All May your kingdom come
and your will be done.
Minister Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Prayers may be offered out loud or in the silence of our hearts
Minister Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living
way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to
worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever
All Amen
Today’s Scripture Reading James 3: 1-12 (NRSV)
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,* this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
May God bless to our understanding
this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
VU 559
1
Come, O Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing your grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing
call for songs of endless praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount; I'm fixed upon it,
mount of God's unfailing love.
2
Here I pause in my sojourning,
giving thanks for having come,
come to trust, at every turning,
God will guide me safely home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God,
came to rescue me from danger,
precious presence, precious blood.
3
O, to grace how great a debt
or daily I am drawn anew!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to you.
Prone to wander, I can feel it,
wander from the love I've known:
here's my heart, O, take and seal it,
seal it for your very own.
Benediction & Three-Fold Amen
vv. 1&2 VU 155
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!
Hallelujah! The Lord is Risen!
He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah
Lord God, early in the morning, when the world was young,
you made life in all its beauty and terror,
you gave birth to all that we know.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning, when the world least expected it,
a newborn child crying in a cradle announced
that you had come among us, that you were one of us.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning, surrounded by respectable liars,
religious leaders, anxious statesmen and silent friends,
you accepted the penalty for doing good, for being God:
you shouldered and suffered the cross.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning a voice in a guarded graveyard
and footsteps in the dew proved that you had risen,
that you came back to those and for those
who had forgotten, denied and destroyed you.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning in the rainbow-coloured company of your Church
on earth and in heaven we celebrate your creation, your life,
your death and today, your resurrection,
So Lord, bring your New Life
where we are worn and tired,
Bring Your New Love
where we have turned hard-hearted.
Bring your Forgiveness where we feel hurt
and where we have wounded.
And bring your JOY in the places
we never thought joy could be found
Sisters and brothers of the Risen Christ: He is Risen!
morning has broken and the Lord is risen indeed!
VU 409
1
Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!
2
Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.
3
Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Lord Jesus, we greet you!
Your hands still have holes in them,
Your feet are wet from the dew;
And with memory of our names undimmed
by three days of death you meet us,
Risen from the grave!
We fail to understand how;
we puzzle at the reason why.
But you have come:
Not to answer our questions, but to show us your face.
You are alive, And the world can rejoice again.
Hallelujah! and Amen!
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of thanksgiving
Announcements
Pastoral prayer
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you. Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
VU 352
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
1.
God send His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives
Refrain:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives
2.
How sweet to hold a new born baby,
And feel the pride, and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
3.
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights
The Palm Sunday gospel: Mark 11: 1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom
of our father David!
Hosanna in the highest!”
Silence
Opening Prayer (Together)
Beginner of all Journeys, begin in us again:
take these tired bones and rouse them
to dance your joy from sun-break to sundown.
Help us, O Blessed End,
to shake off our weariness
that we may know New Life in you
and offer it to one another. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it \is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 123
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!
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
Birthdays, anniversaries, concerns & celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
VU 563
1
Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
2
You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
- you will find there my nets and labour.
3
You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving.
4
You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me.
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of thanksgiving
Announcements
Pastoral prayer
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
May God Bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
by Linda Randle
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
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 talk comes easy
when life’s at its best
But it’s down in the valley
of trials and temptation
That’s when faith is really put to the test
Based upon A Song of Faith:
A Statement of Faith of The United Church of Canada, 2006
God is Holy Mystery,
beyond complete knowledge above perfect description.
Yet, in love, the one eternal God seeks relationship.
So God creates the universe and with it the possibility of being and relating.
God tends the universe,
mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.
God enlivens the universe,
guiding all things toward harmony with their Source.
Grateful for God’s loving action,
We cannot keep from singing.
We sing of God the Spirit, faithful and untameable,
who is creatively and redemptively active in the world.
The Spirit challenges us to celebrate the holy
not only in what is familiar,
but also in that which seems foreign.
We sing of the Spirit, who speaks our prayers of deepest longing
and enfolds our concerns and confessions,
transforming us and the world.
We offer worship as an outpouring of gratitude
and awe and a practice of opening ourselves
to God’s still, small voice of comfort,
to God’s rushing whirlwind of challenge.
Through word, music, art, and sacrament, in community and in solitude,
God changes our lives, our relationships, and our world.
We sing Hallelujah. How can we keep from Singing?
How Can we Keep from Singing?
VU 716
1
My life flows on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing:
It finds an echo in my soul -
how can I keep from singing?
2
What though my joys and comforts die?
My Saviour still is living.
What though the shadows gather 'round?
A new song Christ is giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that Rock I'm clinging:
since Love commands both heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
3
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
and hear their death knells ringing:
when friends rejoice both far and near,
how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging:
when friends by shame are undefiled,
how can I keep from singing?
4
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
and day by day this pathway smooths,
since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing:
all things are mine since I am Christ's -
how can I keep from singing?
Birthdays, anniversaries, concerns & celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Holy One: Creator, Loving Son, Guiding Spirit,…
(The minister continues with prayer)
In a time of silence, let us collect our thoughts, our prayers
and prepare ourselves to lay bare our hearts to God
Silence
Jesus, our friend and Saviour, As we ponder your sacrifice, we recognize the self-centred ways in which we lead our lives. You entrust us with the task of sharing your love in this world, yet we often we fall short. We get lost in our own plans and worries and neglect to show love, even to those right beside us. We find some people too difficult to care for. We think some people unworthy of your love and ours. Our own needs seem insurmountable and we cannot reach out to someone else. Forgive us, Lord Jesus. Renew a right spirit within us, so that we find the courage to go on and the compassion to reach out in your name. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
MV 113
1.
Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
waiting in their boats so patiently.
Refrain:
And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets, I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
and your life will never be the same again.”
2.
A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honour the commandments of the Lord
Then sell off all your riches for the poor.”
3.
“If you want to follow me, deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
but nothing is impossible with God.”
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
Pastoral Prayer
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
May God Bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1
Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
2
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, face to face,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
3
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
by Linda Randle
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
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 talk comes easy
when life’s at its best
But it’s down in the valley
of trials and temptation
That’s when faith is really put to the test
The 10 Commandments & reflection
God commands us to not have any other gods.
We should not value anything, not money or popularity or success, above God.
We will love and trust God above all else.
God commands that we should not make idols.
We should not give more value to anything that people make than to God.
We will worship only the holy God
whom we learn about in the Bible.
God commands us not to take his name in vain.
We should not curse, swear, or use bad language.
We will only use the name of God with respect.
God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy.
We should not treat the Lord’s Day like every other day.
We will have special times of rest
and praise God with his people.
God commands that we honour our father and mother. We should not be mean or try to make those in authority, including our parents, angry.
We will respect and obey those
whom God puts in charge of us.
God commands that we not kill. We should not try to hurt other people.
We will help others in need.
God commands us not to commit adultery.
We should not think disrespectful thoughts about others.
We will keep loving relationships pure.
God commands us not to steal. We should not take what does not belong to us.
We will be honest.
God commands us not to lie.
We should not say untrue or even hurtful things about others.
We will build others up with our words.
God commands us not to covet. We should not want what others have.
We will be thankful and content with what we have. We do our best to obey God because we are thankful to God for his many gifts to us.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
1.
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
2.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
3.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
4.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
(Church of Scotland - Book of Common Order)
Count us not as nothing, O God,
Count us not at nothing, O Christ,
count us not as nothing, O kind Spirit,
nor abandon us to eternal loss.
We confess our sins to you,
Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy.Compassionate God of life,
your kindly pardon give:
for our careless talk, our broken oath,
our empty speech;
for all that we have left undone,
for all that we have done amiss.
Jesus, only-begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father
you gave the blood of your body to save us from the grave.
As we receive the Word
and knowledge of your forgiveness,
Enshield us, encircle us, each day,
each night, each dark, each light.
Uphold us, be our treasure,
our triumph everlasting;
strong Son of God most high. Amen
(Kate McIlhagga from Patterns of our Days)
As winter trees Stretch out bare arms to a dark sky
We stretch out in the darkness
to find the touch of love.
As dandelions turn their yellow faces to the sun
We long to find in that warmth
the promise of peace.
As the fire breaks the shell of the seed
so may our pain break the shell of isolation
that protects us from ourselves.
In the security of darkness, the warmth of sunshine, and the promise of fire
may we blossom anew
in the miracle of your saving love, O God
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
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 Sarah 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 His Holy Word. Amen
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (VU 333)
1.
May the Lord our God be with you.
May God also be with you.
Let us lift our hearts and voices.
Yes! We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give our thanks and praise to
God almighty, Lord of Love.
On-ly b-y the Wo-rd that c-a-lls us
is our deepest hunger stilled
2.
We give thanks to you Creator,
maker of the heavens and earth.
You have formed us in your image,
breathed in to us holy breath.
With your people on the earth and
all the company of heaven.
Now we lift your holy name
and join in their unending hymn:
3.
Holy, Holy God of power,
heaven and earth are full of thee
Bless-ed is the one you sent us.
Hosannah in the highest praise!
Holy are you, and most blessed
Is your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Through your Spirit you anointed
Him to be our saving grace.
Spoken Prayer of Consecration (Minister):
On the same night that he was betrayed, Jesus took bread;
and when he had given thanks, he broke it
and gave it to his disciples saying:
"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
Likewise after supper he took the cup;
and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying:
"Drink this; for this is my blood of the New Testament,
which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
4.
In remembrance of these acts,
We give ourselves in thanks and praise.
Holy living sacrifices,
we proclaim faith’s mysteries:
“Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come again one day.”
Pour your Holy Spirit on us,
Gathered in this place today.
5.
Through your Son, our Saviour Jesus,
With the Holy Spirit’s power,
May the Church that you created
Honour you in every hour.
Yours the glory, yours the kingdom,
All who live in love are thine,
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Communion
Prayer after Communion (
The 10 Commandments & reflection
God commands us to not have any other gods.
We should not value anything, not money or popularity or success, above God.
We will love and trust God above all else.
God commands that we should not make idols.
We should not give more value to anything that people make than to God.
We will worship only the holy God
whom we learn about in the Bible.
God commands us not to take his name in vain.
We should not curse, swear, or use bad language.
We will only use the name of God with respect.
God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy.
We should not treat the Lord’s Day like every other day.
We will have special times of rest
and praise God with his people.
God commands that we honour our father and mother. We should not be mean or try to make those in authority, including our parents, angry.
We will respect and obey those
whom God puts in charge of us.
God commands that we not kill. We should not try to hurt other people.
We will help others in need.
God commands us not to commit adultery.
We should not think disrespectful thoughts about others.
We will keep loving relationships pure.
God commands us not to steal. We should not take what does not belong to us.
We will be honest.
God commands us not to lie.
We should not say untrue or even hurtful things about others.
We will build others up with our words.
God commands us not to covet. We should not want what others have.
We will be thankful and content with what we have. We do our best to obey God because we are thankful to God for his many gifts to us.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
1.
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
2.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
3.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
4.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
(Church of Scotland - Book of Common Order)
Count us not as nothing, O God,
Count us not at nothing, O Christ,
count us not as nothing, O kind Spirit,
nor abandon us to eternal loss.
We confess our sins to you,
Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy.Compassionate God of life,
your kindly pardon give:
for our careless talk, our broken oath,
our empty speech;
for all that we have left undone,
for all that we have done amiss.
Jesus, only-begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father
you gave the blood of your body to save us from the grave.
As we receive the Word
and knowledge of your forgiveness,
Enshield us, encircle us, each day,
each night, each dark, each light.
Uphold us, be our treasure,
our triumph everlasting;
strong Son of God most high. Amen
(Kate McIlhagga from Patterns of our Days)
As winter trees Stretch out bare arms to a dark sky
We stretch out in the darkness
to find the touch of love.
As dandelions turn their yellow faces to the sun
We long to find in that warmth
the promise of peace.
As the fire breaks the shell of the seed
so may our pain break the shell of isolation
that protects us from ourselves.
In the security of darkness, the warmth of sunshine, and the promise of fire
may we blossom anew
in the miracle of your saving love, O God
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
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 Sarah 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 His Holy Word. Amen
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (VU 333)
1.
May the Lord our God be with you.
May God also be with you.
Let us lift our hearts and voices.
Yes! We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give our thanks and praise to
God almighty, Lord of Love.
On-ly b-y the Wo-rd that c-a-lls us
is our deepest hunger stilled
2.
We give thanks to you Creator,
maker of the heavens and earth.
You have formed us in your image,
breathed in to us holy breath.
With your people on the earth and
all the company of heaven.
Now we lift your holy name
and join in their unending hymn:
3.
Holy, Holy God of power,
heaven and earth are full of thee
Bless-ed is the one you sent us.
Hosannah in the highest praise!
Holy are you, and most blessed
Is your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Through your Spirit you anointed
Him to be our saving grace.
Spoken Prayer of Consecration (Minister):
On the same night that he was betrayed, Jesus took bread;
and when he had given thanks, he broke it
and gave it to his disciples saying:
"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
Likewise after supper he took the cup;
and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying:
"Drink this; for this is my blood of the New Testament,
which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
4.
In remembrance of these acts,
We give ourselves in thanks and praise.
Holy living sacrifices,
we proclaim faith’s mysteries:
“Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come again one day.”
Pour your Holy Spirit on us,
Gathered in this place today.
5.
Through your Son, our Saviour Jesus,
With the Holy Spirit’s power,
May the Church that you created
Honour you in every hour.
Yours the glory, yours the kingdom,
All who live in love are thine,
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Communion
Prayer after Communion (
* I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
* Redeeming Love
* I Stand Amazed
* Near the Cross
* I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary
(MV 8)
And on this path –
The gates of holiness are open wide….
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide path for my steps under me, and my feet[did not slip;
2 Samuel 22:36-37
And on this path –
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4: 21-24
And on this path –
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty! How I want to be there! I long to be in the Lord's Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrows have built a nest, and the swallows have their own home; they keep their young near your altars, Lord Almighty, my king and my God. How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you. Ps 84: 1-4
And on this path –
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble Be Still, and Know that I am God. Psalm 46: .1-3, 10
So enter in —
(written by the late Rev. Mary Lou Shorthill)
To each is given the power of the Spirit for the good of others.
We lift up the gift of wisdom
from our elders and the gift of vision
from our young people.
We celebrate the ministry of farmers, teachers, medical professionals, musicians, hairdressers, full-time homemakers and volunteers
Children, retired people, business people
politicians – and all others unnamed.
We bring together the wholeness of our church,
of St. Andrews United Church, Heckston our past, our present, our future
God is with us in our ministry. Christ’s light
leads us with hope and the Holy Spirit
gives us the confidence. Let us worship
with prayer, with music and The Word of God
Amen and Amen!
VU 651
1
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
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.
3.
Little children, little children
who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
Pastoral Prayer
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sixers, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift of the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action as to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.
VU 660
1
How firm a foundation, you servants of God,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent word!
What more can be said than to you has been said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
'Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.
3
'When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4
'When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply:
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
5
'The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not - I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never - no, never - no, never forsake!'
Go now in peace,
never be afraid.
God will go with you,
each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others,
so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - men,
Sometimes it is hard to believe what it is we are called to believe. That’s why it’s called “faith” and not certainty. During the Season of Lent we will be opening our worship with the “Apostle’s Creed”: going on by faith, and not by certainty.
Video - “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.
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 saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Birthdays, anniversaries, concerns & celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!
2.
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
4.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
I have decided to follow Jesus 3x
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back.
Now May God’s love be our only message 3 x
No turning back, no turning back.
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
May God Bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1.
I Come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me,
and He talks with me.
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
2.
He speaks and the sound of his voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
3.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But he bids me go – through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
Sometimes it is hard to believe what it is we are called to believe. That’s why it’s called “faith” and not certainty. During the Season of Lent we will be opening our worship with the “Apostle’s Creed”: going on by faith, and not by certainty.
Video - “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.
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 saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Birthdays, anniversaries, concerns & celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!
2.
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
4.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
I have decided to follow Jesus 3x
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back.
Now May God’s love be our only message 3 x
No turning back, no turning back.
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
May God Bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1.
I Come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me,
and He talks with me.
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
2.
He speaks and the sound of his voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
3.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But he bids me go – through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
(inspired by Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 6:20-22)
Minister Happy are we
All when our treasures cannot be quantified.
Minister Happy are we
All when our knowledge is tempered by mystery.
Minister Happy are we
All when our pain is held in the balm of love.
Minister Happy are we
All when our delight comes from beyond ourselves
Minister 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)
Minister Let us worship God in the beauty of holiness
And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Tune: VU 559)
1.
Blessed are the poor in spirit; Download the Order of Service
all God's realm is surely theirs.
Those in mourning will find comfort
as an answer to their prayers.
Meek ones whom this world despises
will inherit everything.
God, your kingdom still surprises;
may we seek the reign you bring.
2.
Blessed, too, are those who hunger
and who thirst for what is right.
They will not be prone to wander,
for your will is their delight.
Those who show God's care and mercy
will receive that mercy too.
God, in Christ you show us clearly
of the joy we have in you.
3.
Those who share the peace God gives them
will find blessings as God's own.
Those oppressed for faithful living
will call heaven's kingdom Home.
When the world's ways seem distressing
and we feel life's painful sting,
God, reminds us of the blessings
of the wondrous life you bring.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
VU 672
1
Take time to be holy, speak oft with your Lord;
abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
2
Take time to be holy, let him be your guide,
and run not before him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
3
Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,
each thought and each motive beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit to fountains of love,
you soon shall be fitted for service above.
The Offering “We Give Thee But Thine Own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Announcements
Pastoral Prayer
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
When you worry, call me, I make you happy…
It will soon pass, whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy
- Bobby McFerrin
Benediction
1.
Blest are the poor, whose spirits know their need;
God’s heav’nly kingdom will be theirs indeed.
Blest those who mourn; God’s comfort will be known.
Blest are the meek; the world will be their own.
2.
Blest, those who seek God’s righteousness each day;
They will be filled and never turned away.
Blest are the kind, for mercy will be giv’n.
Blest are the pure in heart; they’ll see God in heav’n.
3.
Blest, men of peace; they will God’s sons be named.
Blest, those who suffer slander and much shame.
Blest, faithful ones, enduring for your Lord.
Rejoice, be glad, for great is your reward.
4.
I see my need and humbly seek Your face.
Show me Your mercy; all my cares erase.
Keep my heart pure; I long for righteousness.
I know that as Your child I’m fully blest.
In the beginning was the Word: Spoken, and Creating the world.
Jesus; you are the Word of God.
The Word gives life. That life is light.
Jesus; the darkness cannot put out your light.
At the beginning of our time: Speak. Shake our worlds.
Jesus; we're hungry for your words of life.
We cannot live by food alone,
We wait on the words
that come from the mouth of God.
The Word became flesh and blood
and moved into our neighbourhood.
It's time for us to put flesh on your word
That we might be your hands & feet & Heart,
in our homes, jobs and streets.
We will worship the Lord and serve him only.
We will let our light shine in the darkness:
That the world might see, and be transformed
And praise our Father in heaven.
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light!
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.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Loving God, when we come to you hungry,
Perhaps it's because we haven't fed properly from your word.
Word of God, feed me.
There are times when we lose our way and we feel like
we’re going round in circles, unsure of our next steps:
Word of God, lead me.
When we’re stuck in repetitive habits, we know
that you have more for us outside of this mediocrity.
Word of God, shake me.
Part of our hearts are cold towards the world you love.
Fill us with your compassion.
Word of God, break me.
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword.”
Feed me with your wisdom,
lead me with your love,
shake me with your reality,
break me with your perspective
and rebuild me with your Holy Spirit's power.
Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 264
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!
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
MV 79
Refrain:
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love my I love, in receiving and in giving,
Spirit, open my heart.
1.
God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender.
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.
3.
May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
may we welcome one another.
The Offering “We give thee but thine own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night’, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
Vizzini: “No more rhymes now! I mean it!”
Fezzik: “Anybody want a peanut?”
- From the movie “The Princess Bride”
VU 333
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.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
God's glory has risen among you.
Behold, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds its peoples.
But upon you God shall rise.
God's glory will appear among you.
Nations will walk by your light,
their rulers by the brightness of your rising.
Raise your eyes and look around.
All gather together, all come to you.
They will bring your sons from afar.
They will carry your daughters like babes in arms.
Then you will see and be radiant.
Your heart will thrill and rejoice,
because they will bring you the sea's bounty.
The wealth of nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels will cover you,
the young camels of Midian, and Ephah, and Sheba.
They will bring gold and frankincense,
and will herald God's glory.
Your land will no longer hear the cry, 'Violence!'
nor 'Ruin and Destruction' your borders.
But you will call your walls, 'Salvation,'
and your gates, 'Praise.'
No more will you need the sun for your light by day,
nor the moon's brightness by night,
but God will be your everlasting light.
Your God will be your glory.
(Verse 1 and Chorus)
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light!
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.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 81
1
As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore your splendour see.
2
As with joyful steps they sped,
to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before
Christ, whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with eager pace
ever seek your throne of grace.
3
As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger crude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.
4
Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds your glory hide.
5
In the heavenly country bright
none shall need created light;
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
hallelujah to our King.
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
1.
The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of One
To see her own son Jesus Christ
When He was first her Son
When He was first her Son, good man
And Blessed may he be
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
2.
When he was sent to school
3.
To make the blind to see
4.
To read the bible o’er
5.
To bring the dead alive
6.
Upon the crucifix
7.
The last good joy…
To wear the crown of heaven
The offering: “We give thee but thine own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
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 appearedHay. 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
VU 93
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.
Arise, shine, for your light has come.
God's glory has risen among you.
Behold, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds its peoples.
But upon you God shall rise.
God's glory will appear among you.
Nations will walk by your light,
their rulers by the brightness of your rising.
Raise your eyes and look around.
All gather together, all come to you.
They will bring your sons from afar.
They will carry your daughters like babes in arms.
Then you will see and be radiant.
Your heart will thrill and rejoice,
because they will bring you the sea's bounty.
The wealth of nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels will cover you,
the young camels of Midian, and Ephah, and Sheba.
They will bring gold and frankincense,
and will herald God's glory.
Your land will no longer hear the cry, 'Violence!'
nor 'Ruin and Destruction' your borders.
But you will call your walls, 'Salvation,'
and your gates, 'Praise.'
No more will you need the sun for your light by day,
nor the moon's brightness by night,
but God will be your everlasting light.
Your God will be your glory.
(Verse 1 and Chorus)
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord! I saw the light!
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.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Anniversary to you!
May God bless you & keep you the coming year through
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 81
1
As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore your splendour see.
2
As with joyful steps they sped,
to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before
Christ, whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with eager pace
ever seek your throne of grace.
3
As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger crude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.
4
Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds your glory hide.
5
In the heavenly country bright
none shall need created light;
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
hallelujah to our King.
Greeting Christ in all of us - passing the peace
1.
The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of One
To see her own son Jesus Christ
When He was first her Son
When He was first her Son, good man
And Blessed may he be
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
O Father, Son and Holy Ghost for all eternity
2.
When he was sent to school
3.
To make the blind to see
4.
To read the bible o’er
5.
To bring the dead alive
6.
Upon the crucifix
7.
The last good joy…
To wear the crown of heaven
The offering: “We give thee but thine own”
VU 543
We give Thee but Thine own, whate’er the gifts may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
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 appearedHay. 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
VU 93
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.
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. R
3
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born. R
4
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart. R
1
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2
Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns:
let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4
He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
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.
1
Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song? R
3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. R
4
See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise. R
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.
3
For he is our lifelong pattern;
daily, when on earth he grew,
he was tempted, scorned, rejected,
tears and smiles like us he knew.
Thus he feels for all our sadness,
and he shares in all our gladness.
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.
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.
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
1
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
3
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay
close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
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.
Rerain:
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
VU 70
1
There's a star in the East on Christmas morn,
rise up, shepherd, and follow;
it will lead to the place where the Christ was born;
rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Refrain:
Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow,
follow the Star of Bethlehem,
rise up, shepherd, and follow.
2
If you take good heed to the angel's words,
rise up, shepherd, and follow,
you'll forget your flocks, you'll forget your herds;
rise up, shepherd, and follow. R
M: Seasons come and seasons go,
All: but our God endures forever.
M: Our faith exhibits ebb and flow,
All: but our God endures forever.
M: Our lives may freeze up or may grow,
All: but our God endures forever.
M: So, let our souls magnify the Lord our God this day, remembering...
All: HE is the Reason for the Season
MV 11 - Come, Come Emmanuel (2 times)
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Reader 1: And so here, in a “deep and dark December,”
the light and the dark continue to dance.
Sometimes it is lighter, sometimes it is darker.
Reader 2 We see it here in church. Many of our hymns
turn to images of light.
Reader 1 And, the darker it gets, the more candles we light
on the Advent wreath.
Reader 2 In the darkest days of December, our Advent wreath
is at its brightest. As Scripture says,
All The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness has not overcome it
Three Candles are lit
Men We wait for light, and lo! there is darkness;
and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
Women Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
Men For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples.
Women But the LORD will arise upon you,
and nations shall come to your light
Men The sun shall no longer be your light by day
nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night
All For the LORD will be our everlasting light,
and our God will be our glory.
The Fourth candle is lit
VU 7: Hope is a Star
1 Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
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. R
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.
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive thosewho trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, or ever and ever. Amen
(verses 1&2)VU 365
1
Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
in his love we shall be strong.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
2
Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, 'Let them come to me.' R
Based on Isaiah 9 and 11
MV 11 - Come, Come Emmanuel (2 times)
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Reader 1: The following quote from Adele Halliday, who was the Anti-
racism and Equity Officer for the United Church in 2008
Reader 2 “Our ingrained – and at times binary – notions of black/white and darkness/light as inherently good and evil can guide how
we treat each other…
Reader 1 Surely we can expand our vocabulary so that darkness does
not always equate evil, and light does not always equate good.
Reader 2 After all, in reality, such a simplistic dichotomy does not exist.
Reader 1: In reality, darkness can be seen as comfort as a refugee is
fleeing a time of war and unrest; Light in this circumstance,
could lead to death.
Reader 2 Darkness could be seen as a wonder to explore, full of Holy
Mystery; light, could be seen as a harsh reality, revealing
a blinding light.
Reader 1: It is my prayer that we can move beyond simple definitions
Reader 2 of darkness as bad and light as good.
All Let us search for those scriptures that speak
of darkness as goodness and as a comfort.”
Two Candles are lit
Women The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Men Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them has light shined.
Women A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
Men And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest on him
All His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
The Third candle is lit
VU 7: Hope is a Star verses 1, 2 & 3
1
Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
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.
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.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be don36e on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1
Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Refrain:
come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
2
Shepherds in the field abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant Light: R
3
Sages, leave your contemplations;
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star: R
4
Saints before the altar bending,
watching long in hope and fear,
suddenly the Lord, descending,
in his temple shall appear: R
Welcoming Christ - Passing the Peace
1
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
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
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
3
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme
Your eve'time song, ye singers
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
(tune: VU 75)
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
(New Living Translation)
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory, the splendour of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
(Tune: Good King) VU 881
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!
VU 76
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
MV 11 - Come, Come Emmanuel (2 times)
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Advent 2 Based on Psalm 27
Reader 1: In the rich dark of winter, God makes an astounding promise:
Reader 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)
Reader 1 As we, in the North, experience the light
fading throughout the day
Reader 2 Those in the Global South, begin to see,
in this Advent season, the coming of the light.
All It is truly a dance between the dark & the light. The first candle is lit
Men The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Women The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Men I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
Women Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage
All Wait for the LORD!
The Second candle is lit
VU 7: Hope is a Star verses 1 & 2
1
Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
2
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth
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.
Kingsley Raistrick by Profession of Faith Makenna Raistrick by Profession of Faith Doreen Henderson by Transfer of Membership Luella Smail by Transfer of Membership
Preces (Tune: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”)
One May the Lord be with you one and all,
All And also with your spirit.
One Lift up your hearts to our God.
All We lift our hearts up to our gracious God!
One Let us give thanks
All It is right to give our thanks and praise to God!
(Tune: “Good King Wenceslas”)
One Blessing, honour, glory, power unto God Almighty!
Praise to You, eternal Lord, Father of all mercy.
All Long ago You made us Lord,
made us in Your image,
But through sin we broke the form,
of our Lord within us.
Still Your love came shining through,
from heaven You did send us -
Christ to take on human flesh, here to live among us.
He did suffer for our sin, died a death most cruel.
Now He lives and reigns in heaven,
as its brightest jewel.
We the church on earth do sing
with the hosts of heaven:
Glory to the One who died, for He has arisen.
The baby born at Bethlehem is the King of heaven.
And we praise Your blessed name
with the song unending.
(Tune: “Angels We Have Heard on High”)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, all praise be given!
All Your glory fills the earth;
all Your power fills the heavens!
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
Blessed is the King who came, bringing love and light divine.
Blessed is the King who comes, in the Bread and in the Wine.
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
(Tune: “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart and soul and voice.
All On the night He was betrayed,
Jesus to the Father prayed:
One “Bless this bread we are to eat, let it bring forgiveness sweet.
All My body dwells therein; my body dwells therein.”
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Next he took the blessed cup,
praying as He raised it up;
One “In the wine forever more is the way to Heavens door.
All My blood poured out for you (2x)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Eat this Bread and drink this cup,
share the peace that’s from above.
One Angels sing of heaven’s bliss, as we share this Eucharist.
All Christ was born for this; Christ was born for this.
(Tune: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”)
God our Father, God of fame, hallowed be Your saving name;
Everywhere Your kingdom come, far away from here at home;
May we to Your will comply as the angels do on high;
Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
May we, even at our worst, show forgiveness shown us first.
Guard us from the tempting devil, & deliver us from evil.
Yours the kingdom so sing we, pow’r and glory ever be.
Unto You while ages run. Yea AMEN! So be it done!
Unto You while ages run. Yea, AMEN! So be it done!
Communion
(Tune: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”)
O Lamb of God from Bethlehem,
where Mary gave You birth,
Grant us Your grace and mercy,
Redeemer of the earth.
O Lamb of God forgive us,
for we still live in sin.
Enter our hearts and guide our lives,
give us Your peace within.
(tune: VU 75)
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
Offertory Prayer
The Peaceful Kingdom
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
MV 11 - Come, Come Emmanuel
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Reader One: Advent is a season of anticipation.It’s a season of
remembering that light came into the darkness:
Reader Two It’s also a time when we have to deal with the darkness
that we experience in our lives and in the real world.
Reader One Advent gives us space to grow and even to groan
as we anticipate the light to shine brighter still:
All Jesus is Coming
Reader Two This Advent, we will be exploring ideas about light
and darkness and how both are the creations of God.
and God said it is Good!
All Come, Lord Jesus. Shine brighter still!
The first candle is lit
Women In the beginning when God created the heavens
and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness
covered the face of the deep.
Men A wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Then God said, "Let there be light."And there was light.
And God saw that the light was good.
Women God separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.
All And there was evening and there was morning,
the first day.
VU 6: Hope is a Star, verse 1
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.
Denver Holmes
Amelia Milne-Servage
Explanation of Confirmation
Introducing the Confirmands
Professions of Faith
Laying on of Hands
Presentation of Certificates & Bibles
Preces (Tune: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”)
One May the Lord be with you one and all,
All And also with your spirit.
One Lift up your hearts to our God.
All We lift our hearts up to our gracious God!
One Let us give thanks
All It is right to give our thanks and praise to God!
(Tune: “Good King Wenceslas”)
One Blessing, honour, glory, power unto God Almighty!
Praise to You, eternal Lord, Father of all mercy.
All Long ago You made us Lord,
made us in Your image,
But through sin we broke the form,
of our Lord within us.
Still Your love came shining through,
from heaven You did send us -
Christ to take on human flesh, here to live among us.
He did suffer for our sin, died a death most cruel.
Now He lives and reigns in heaven,
as its brightest jewel.
We the church on earth do sing
with the hosts of heaven:
Glory to the One who died, for He has arisen.
The baby born at Bethlehem is the King of heaven.
And we praise Your blessed name
with the song unending.
(Tune: “Angels We Have Heard on High”)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, all praise be given!
All Your glory fills the earth;
all Your power fills the heavens!
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
Blessed is the King who came, bringing love and light divine.
Blessed is the King who comes, in the Bread and in the Wine.
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
(Tune: “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart and soul and voice.
All On the night He was betrayed,
Jesus to the Father prayed:
One “Bless this bread we are to eat, let it bring forgiveness sweet.
All My body dwells therein; my body dwells therein.”
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Next he took the blessed cup,
praying as He raised it up;
One “In the wine forever more is the way to Heavens door.
All My blood poured out for you (2x)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Eat this Bread and drink this cup,
share the peace that’s from above.
One Angels sing of heaven’s bliss, as we share this Eucharist.
All Christ was born for this; Christ was born for this.
(Tune: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”)
God our Father, God of fame, hallowed be Your saving name;
Everywhere Your kingdom come, far away from here at home;
May we to Your will comply as the angels do on high;
Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
May we, even at our worst, show forgiveness shown us first.
Guard us from the tempting devil, & deliver us from evil.
Yours the kingdom so sing we, pow’r and glory ever be.
Unto You while ages run. Yea AMEN! So be it done!
Unto You while ages run. Yea, AMEN! So be it done!
Communion
(Tune: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”)
O Lamb of God from Bethlehem,
where Mary gave You birth,
Grant us Your grace and mercy,
Redeemer of the earth.
O Lamb of God forgive us,
for we still live in sin.
Enter our hearts and guide our lives,
give us Your peace within.
(tune: VU 75)
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
Offertory Prayer
The Peaceful Kingdom
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Minister Wonder-making God by your Word you created all that is.
People By your living Word, Jesus,
you bring us to salvation.
Minister By your Spirit, source of your written Word,
through prophets and apostles, You guide and renew us.
People As we gather today to worship and pray,
share testimony and learn.
Minister Help us to receive yourWord and catch your vision.
People Help us to believe your Word
and hold to it even when our faith is tested.
Minister Help us to release your Word into a world
gasping for its holy breath of life.
People Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path (Psalm 119: 105)
Minister Family of God, from whom does our help come?
People Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Psalm 124:8
Minister Let us Worship God.
(VU 315)
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons: Blessed Trinity!
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2.
In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The Love of God was magnified -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
3.
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
Passing the Peace - Meeting Jesus in each other
’ve got the Joy, Joy Joy Joy down in my heart….
Down in my heart to stay
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart (2x)
2 I’ve got the love of Jesus
3 I’ve got peace the passes understanding
4 I’ve got the wonderful love of the blessed redeemer
deep down in the depths of my heart.
5 And if the devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack
verse 3 & Chorus
VU 520
Refrain:
and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
we thank you, God, O holy God,
for all your love.
3
We thank you then, O Maker,
for all things bright and good,
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food;
accept the gifts we offer
for all your love imparts,
and, what from us you long for,
our humble, thankful hearts. R
We thank you then, O Maker, for all things bright and good,
The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, and, what from us you long for, our humble, thankful hearts. All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; we thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (New Living Translation)
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
1
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory!
2
While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav'ling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
4
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open–
We shall tread the streets of gold.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Invitation & dedication of the offering
Minister Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all the generations. (Psalm 90:1)
All You, O Lord, have been a dwelling place
for us and our children.
Minister Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2)
All You, O Lord, have been with us
for these one hundred and fifty-nine years!
Minister God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
All You, O Lord, have been our refuge
and our strength!
Minister The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:7, 11)
All You, O Lord, are the eternal One
and we have trusted you.
Minister Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, f
or his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23)
All You, O Lord, have been our faithful One!
Minister Jesus said, "I will build my church
and the gates of hell will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18)
All You, O Lord, have built your church in this place
and we have been blessed.
Minister Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
All and a light unto my path (Psalm 119: 105)
Minister Family of God, from whom does our help come?
People Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Psalm 124:8
VU395
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
1
You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. R
2
God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. R
3
There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family. R
4
There's rest for the weary and health for us all;
there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. R
Almighty God…(Minister continues with Prayer)
God of mercy,
In recalling all that you are and all you have done,
For us in our individual lives and as the
Mountain-South Mountain Congregation
We remember who we are and what we have done.
We admit that at times
we pull away from being generous.
We are hesitant to share our gifts.
We are unsure about the path ahead.
Guide us and give us courage,
we pray in Jesus’s name, the Lord of love and life,
Amen.
The Lord’s prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 635
1
All the way my Saviour leads me;
what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy
who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
here by faith in him to dwell,
for I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2
All the way my Saviour leads me,
cheers each winding path I tread,
gives me grace for every trial,
feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
and my soul athirst may be,
gushing from the rock before me,
lo, a spring of joy I see!
3
All the way my Saviour leads me;
O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
in my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed, immortal,
wings its flight to realms of day,
this my song through endless ages,
'Jesus led me all the way!'
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
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.
Reading "In Flanders Fields," Lt. Col. John McCrae
Minister 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.
Roll Call WW I (1914-1918)
WW II (1939-1945)
Korea (1950-1953)
U.N. & NATO Missions
** War of 1812
Last Post
– Silence –
Rouse
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
VU 508
1
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4
Just as I am, thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
* Denver Holmes (Hallville)
* Thomas Kennedy (Heckston)
* Kingsley Raistrick (South Mountain)
* Makenna Raistrick (South Mountain
* Ruby Robinson (Heckston)
Candle Lighting
Land Acknowledgement
Letting Our Souls Catch Up
Tin foil Prayers
Elderly Woman in a Nursing Home
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering & Offertory
(VU 520) We thank you then, O Maker, for all things bright and good, the seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, and, what from us you long for, our humble, thankful hearts. All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; we thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.
God promises us justice,
and teaches us persistence.
God promises us compassion,
and teaches us not to lose heart.
God promises to be with us
and teaches us to tend to each other.
So let us worship our God of comfort and challenge,
We will offer prayers and praise
to our God of hope and healing.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
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 vigourfades,
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.
Loving and Holy God
(Minister continues with Prayer)
Although following you brings joy, O God,
we confess the way is sometimes hard for us.
There are times we get tired
and would eagerly settle for an easier road.
Some days we find the task
of loving others hard.
Sometimes we choose anger
over forgiveness,
or ignore the needs of our neighbours.
Forgive us when our commitment to you wavers. Forgive us when we take that easier path.
Stir the embers of our devotion
And kindle a brighter flame.
Strengthen our determination
to follow where you lead
and renew our energy to serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
Sarah n’ Abraham had many kids!
Many kids had Sarah n’ Abraham
I am one of them. And so are you!
So let’s just praise the Lord
Right Arm/Left Arm Right Foot/Left Foot
Chin Up/Chin Down Turn Around Sit Down
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen
1.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call Resting in my Saviour as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
VU 666
1
In lonely mountain ways
of this world's trial and care,
my heart knows naught of fear-scarred days;
the Master's hand is there.
2
My journey may be long,
the pathway rough and steep;
sufficient for each day my song;
my way the Lord does keep.
3
And though when evening falls,
a stone my pillow shapes,
the vision of our kingdom calls
and here a Bethel makes.
Sung Blessing Go Now In Peace
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day. Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see – God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - men.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering & Offertory
(VU 520) We thank you then, O Maker, for all things bright and good, the seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, and, what from us you long for, our humble, thankful hearts. All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; we thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.
God promises us justice,
and teaches us persistence.
God promises us compassion,
and teaches us not to lose heart.
God promises to be with us
and teaches us to tend to each other.
So let us worship our God of comfort and challenge,
We will offer prayers and praise
to our God of hope and healing.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
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 vigourfades,
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.
Loving and Holy God
(Minister continues with Prayer)
Although following you brings joy, O God,
we confess the way is sometimes hard for us.
There are times we get tired
and would eagerly settle for an easier road.
Some days we find the task
of loving others hard.
Sometimes we choose anger
over forgiveness,
or ignore the needs of our neighbours.
Forgive us when our commitment to you wavers. Forgive us when we take that easier path.
Stir the embers of our devotion
And kindle a brighter flame.
Strengthen our determination
to follow where you lead
and renew our energy to serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
Sarah n’ Abraham had many kids!
Many kids had Sarah n’ Abraham
I am one of them. And so are you!
So let’s just praise the Lord
Right Arm/Left Arm Right Foot/Left Foot
Chin Up/Chin Down Turn Around Sit Down
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen
1.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call Resting in my Saviour as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
VU 666
1
In lonely mountain ways
of this world's trial and care,
my heart knows naught of fear-scarred days;
the Master's hand is there.
2
My journey may be long,
the pathway rough and steep;
sufficient for each day my song;
my way the Lord does keep.
3
And though when evening falls,
a stone my pillow shapes,
the vision of our kingdom calls
and here a Bethel makes.
Sung Blessing Go Now In Peace
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day. Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see – God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - men.
(VU 520)
1
We plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by your almighty hand;
you send the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
we thank you, God, O holy God,
for all your love.
2
You only are the maker
of all things near and far;
you paint the wayside flower,
you light the evening star;
the winds and waves obey you,
by you the birds are fed;
much more to us, your children,
you give us daily bread. R
3
We thank you then, O Maker,
for all things bright and good,
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food;
accept the gifts we offer
for all your love imparts,
and, what from us you long for,
our humble, thankful hearts. R
Minister Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
People Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Minister Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;
People We are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Minister Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
People Give thanks to him, bless his name.
Minister For the Lord is good;
People his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Minister Family of God, from whom does our help come?
People Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
Minister Let us Worship God.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 291
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
Passing the Peace
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.
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.
(Refrain: VU 218)
For all the times we laughed until our sides ached; for all the times we were troubled, and friends we didn’t know we had sprang up from nowhere and ministered to us; for all the times we could have chosen wrong over right, but didn’t; for all the times we could have been hurt, but weren’t; for all the times we had the choice between life and death, and we chose life.
O Lord, we give you Thanks.
We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.
For the sheer wonder of creation, for our redemption; for the privilege of prayer, the gift of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit; for the everlasting arms beneath us, the watchful eye above us, the friends around us, and the trust within us; For our church, and all things good and godly they have done and been; for all the saints whom we have laid to rest; and for our little children, who shall one day lay our bodies to rest and carry on in our stead;
O Lord, we give you Thanks.
We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o'ertake us, you will not forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.
For seedtime and harvest and food enough for all; for every good night’s sleep and every good day’s work; for every good friend and every grand sunset; for warm memories of the past and the promise of an eternal tomorrow; for eyes to see beauty, ears to hear a bird’s song, hands to hold someone else’s hands, and someone else’s hands to hold; For all those whose love for us is unconditional, and in whose presence we can drop all pretence, be ourselves, and know that we shall be accepted; for the one who calls us long distance and the one who calls us darling, and the one who calls us Dad or Mom; for the one who shall one day call us into eternity;
O Lord, we give you Thanks.
With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance and have taken possession of it and live in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there. And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.
“And you shall make response before the Lord your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labour. Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O Lord, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God and worship before the Lord your God. And you shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you.
VU 236
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
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
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.
All 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?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
Faithful God,
(Minister continues with Prayer)
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 and forgive us.
(Silent Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 264
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!
VU 316
1
Praise our Maker, peoples of one family:
God is love, God is love!
Praise our Maker, peoples of one family:
God is love, God is love!
2
Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus:
God is love, God is love!
Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus:
God is love, God is love!
3
Care for others, children of the Spirit:
God is love, God is love!
Care for others, children of the Spirit:
God is love, God is love!
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.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen
1. May the Lord our God be with you.
May God also be with you.
Let us lift our hearts and voices.
Yes! We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give our thanks and praise to
God almighty, Lord of Love.
Only by the Word that calls us
is our deepest hunger stilled
2. We give thanks to you Creator mater of the heavens and earch,
You have formed us in your image,
breathed into us holy breath.
With your people on the earth and
all the company of heaven
Now we life your holy name and join their unending hymn:
3. Holy, Holy God of power,
heaven and earth are full of thee
Blessed is the one you sent.
Hosannah in the highest praise!
Holy are you, and most blessed
Is your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Through your Spirit you anointed
Him to be our saving grace.
Spoken Prayer of Consecration (Minister):
On the same night that he was betrayed, Jesus took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it
and gave it to his disciples saying:
"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
Likewise after supper he took the cup;
and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying:
"Drink this; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me."
4. By baptism in his suffering, death, and ressurection life
You gave birth to Christ’s new body,
Spirit born and water blessed
. You delivered us from wrong,
from our slavery to sin,
And have made of us new creatures
Now the church tells out its faith.
5. In remembrance of these acts,
We give ourselves in thanks and praise.
Holy living sacrifices,
we proclaim faith’s mysteries:
“Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come again one day.”
Pour your Holy Spirit on us,
Gathered in this place today.
6. Through your Son, our Saviour Jesus, With the Holy Spirit’s power,
May the Church that you created
Honour you in every hour.
Yours the glory, yours the kingdom,
All who live in love are thine,
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Communion
Benediction
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.
God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.”But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.
This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting—life itself corrupt to the core.
God said to Noah, “It’s all over. It’s the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I’m making a clean sweep. “Build yourself a ship from teakwood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle, and upper. “I’m going to bring a flood on the Earth that will destroy everything alive under Heaven. Total destruction.
“But I’m going to establish a covenant with you: You’ll board the ship, and your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives will come on board with you. You are also to take two of each living creature, a male and a female, on board the ship, to preserve their lives with you: two of every species of bird, mammal, and reptile—two of everything so as to preserve their lives along with yours. Also get all the food you’ll need and store it up for you and them.”
Noah did everything God commanded him to do.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
VU 288
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
Good and gracious God,…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
O God, you made a covenant with us in faithfulness,
but we confess we are not always so faithful to you.
We grow tired and restless when things don’t go our way.
We lose patience with others.
We lack compassion for our neighbours in need,
We even forget to express love for those closest to us.
Forgive us, gracious God.
Lead us in the way we should go.
Make us prisms of your love,
making rainbows of your light,
creating beauty and deepening hope wherever we go,
for the sake of Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ship landed on the Ararat mountain range. The water kept going down until the tenth month. On the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains came into view. After forty days Noah opened the window that he had built into the ship. He sent out a raven; it flew back and forth waiting for the floodwaters to dry up. Then he sent a dove to check on the flood conditions, but it couldn’t even find a place to perch—water still covered the Earth. Noah reached out and caught it, brought it back into the ship. He waited seven more days and sent out the dove again. It came back in the evening with a freshly picked olive leaf in its beak. Noah knew that the flood was about finished. He waited another seven days and sent the dove out a third time. This time it didn’t come back.
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.”
VU 229
1
God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
2
God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
3
God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
4
God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
5
God of the neighbour God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
6
God of the ages God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
The Royal Anthem
Candle-lighting
Welcome & announcements
God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.
God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.”But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.
This is the story of Noah: Noah was a good man, a man of integrity in his community. Noah walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting—life itself corrupt to the core.
God said to Noah, “It’s all over. It’s the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I’m making a clean sweep. “Build yourself a ship from teakwood. Make rooms in it. Coat it with pitch inside and out. Make it 450 feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. Build a roof for it and put in a window eighteen inches from the top; put in a door on the side of the ship; and make three decks, lower, middle, and upper. “I’m going to bring a flood on the Earth that will destroy everything alive under Heaven. Total destruction.
“But I’m going to establish a covenant with you: You’ll board the ship, and your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives will come on board with you. You are also to take two of each living creature, a male and a female, on board the ship, to preserve their lives with you: two of every species of bird, mammal, and reptile—two of everything so as to preserve their lives along with yours. Also, get all the food you’ll need and store it up for you and them.”
Noah did everything God commanded him to do.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
slider title="Opening praise: Worship the Lord" class="icon"}
(Tune: Uttingen 12 10 12 10)
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
Bow down before him, God’s glory proclaim;
Gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore him: the LORD is God’s name
slider title="Opening prayer and confession" class="icon"}
Opening prayer
Good and gracious God …
(Minister continues with prayer)
O God, you made a covenant with us in faithfulness,
but we confess we are not always so faithful to you.
We grow tired and restless when things don’t go our way.
We lose patience with others.
We lack compassion for our neighbours in need,
We even forget to express love for those closest to us.
Forgive us, gracious God.
Lead us in the way we should go.
Make us prisms of your love,
making rainbows of your light,
creating beauty and deepening hope wherever we go,
for the sake of Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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
Chorus
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 ...
Chorus
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
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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
Chorus
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
On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ship landed on the Ararat mountain range. The water kept going down until the tenth month. On the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains came into view. After forty days Noah opened the window that he had built into the ship. He sent out a raven; it flew back and forth waiting for the floodwaters to dry up. Then he sent a dove to check on the flood conditions, but it couldn’t even find a place to perch—water still covered the Earth. Noah reached out and caught it, brought it back into the ship. He waited seven more days and sent out the dove again. It came back in the evening with a freshly picked olive leaf in its beak. Noah knew that the flood was about finished. He waited another seven days and sent the dove out a third time. This time it didn’t come back.
1
We’re the light of all the world, we are a city on a hill,
We’re a candle on a stand proclaiming light,
We will not hide our lamp beneath a bushel any more,
We will shine a ray of hope that’s burning bright.
Chorus
We are a rainbow, sign of covenant and peace,
For the flood of tears will finally cease to be,
Come shine your rainbow, splash your hues across the sky,
Paint the world in colors proud and bold and free.
2
We’re a coat of many colors, sewn from many different threads,
Covering all in warmth, in welcome and in grace,
God said “Let there be light”, created every varied shade,
In the rainbow each of us can find a place.
Chorus
3
We are hope to still believe in tomorrow’s better day,
We are peace in a world that’s torn apart,
We are joy that will last in all the struggles that we face,
We are love that blooms and grows in every heart.
Chorus
4
When we face the storms of life, we will never be alone,
For our God will be with us on the way,
Hand in hand, side by side, we won’t be frightened anymore,
As the mourning night of tears breaks into day.
Chorus
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.”
Watch the worship service live on Facebook at
9:30 a.m.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
Photo by Ryan Johns on Unsplash
Inkerman Anniversary Service: 139 years of ministry
Guest preacher: David von Noppen
Minister: Rev. Blair Paterson
Organist: Frances Wesley
Minister God calls to the lost, the least, and all who long for home;
All God calls when we wander
from the path chosen for us
and waste the gifts we have been given.
Minister God calls and welcomes us back to worship this day;
All let us celebrate and rejoice
in God’s presence forever;
Minister Family of God, from whom does our help come?
All Our help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Minister Let us worship God.
MV 315
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy Merciful and Mighty.
God in three persons, blessed Trinity
Opening prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
By Hank Williams Senior
1
I wandered so aimless, life filed with sin
I wouldn't let my dear Saviour 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
2
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
3
I was a fool to wander and stray
For 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
The parable of the Good Samaritan
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
David, owner and co-founder of More Than Enough Financial Fitness, is passionate to see people find financial hope and freedom to pursue their God-given dreams and goals. He is a financial coach, certified More Than Enough coach trainer, licensed mortgage specialist, blogger, speaker and father of five. David's journey in the financial industry started in 2008, when he became one of the co-creators of the More Than Enough Financial Fitness coaching program.
After 20 years of working, managing and running his family automotive business, this system became an outflowing of those years of experience, alongside a newly ignited passion to see people set free from the burden of debt. After helping 100 families pay off over four million dollars of debt in four years, he was contracted by the Canadian National Christian Foundation to develop the Freedom Initiative, a national debt relief coaching program staffed by local churches to bring financial freedom to their communities.
He returned to More Than Enough in 2013 as a mortgage agent and coach, and now as owner, continues to lead the business in coaching, mortgages, tax planning, and equipping and training.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Called to move, as Jesus did, among the people;
to feel with them; to care for them; to touch them and be touched by them.
Called to discern those gifts of life
God has hidden deep within each one of us.
Called to discover and to share those gifts of our hearts,
our hands, our whole selves.
Called to place our gifts in God’s hands:
the holy hands from which they came.
Called to follow Jesus
and yes, we can answer; and yes, we can follow,
because we have been called first to love.
Called to be God’s children.
Called by our very own names.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
MV 161
1.
I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you;
all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.
2.
I will help you learn my name as you go;
read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name,
speak the word your soul can claim,
offer Jesus’ body given long ago.
3.
I know you will need my touch as you go;
feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out,
choosing faith in spite of doubt,
hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.
4.
I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul,
make my wounded children whole;
go and tell my precious people they are mine.
Story-telling God…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
We gather in Jesus’ name to hear the stories he told,
to gain wisdom and to know your Spirit’s guidance.
Yet we confess that pride prevents us
from hearing the good news
and that we resist the power of your Word to change us. Forgive what we have been,
help us amend who we are and set us free
to be who you have called us to be. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to:
Refrain:
He said, “Freely, freely you have received -
Freely, freely give;
Go in my name and, because you believe,
Others will know that I live”.
2.
All power is given in Jesus' name
In earth and heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to R
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
Ninety & Nine
“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
The Story of the Lost Coin
"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbours: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
VU 266
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.
2
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
3
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4
The Lord has promised good to me,
this word my hope secures;
God will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
5
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.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Called to move, as Jesus did, among the people;
to feel with them; to care for them; to touch them and be touched by them.
Called to discern those gifts of life
God has hidden deep within each one of us.
Called to discover and to share those gifts of our hearts,
our hands, our whole selves.
Called to place our gifts in God’s hands:
the holy hands from which they came.
Called to follow Jesus
and yes, we can answer; and yes, we can follow,
because we have been called first to love.
Called to be God’s children.
Called by our very own names.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
MV 161
1.
I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you;
all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.
2.
I will help you learn my name as you go;
read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name,
speak the word your soul can claim,
offer Jesus’ body given long ago.
3.
I know you will need my touch as you go;
feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out,
choosing faith in spite of doubt,
hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.
4.
I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul,
make my wounded children whole;
go and tell my precious people they are mine.
Story-telling God…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
We gather in Jesus’ name to hear the stories he told,
to gain wisdom and to know your Spirit’s guidance.
Yet we confess that pride prevents us
from hearing the good news
and that we resist the power of your Word to change us. Forgive what we have been,
help us amend who we are and set us free
to be who you have called us to be. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to:
Refrain:
He said, “Freely, freely you have received -
Freely, freely give;
Go in my name and, because you believe,
Others will know that I live”.
2.
All power is given in Jesus' name
In earth and heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to R
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
Ninety & Nine
“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
The Story of the Lost Coin
"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbours: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
VU 266
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.
2
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
3
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4
The Lord has promised good to me,
this word my hope secures;
God will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
5
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.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
One God, who may be a guest in your house,
or who may dwell on your holy mountain?
All One who leads a blameless life,
who does what is right,
who speaks truthfully from the heart;
One One whose tongue is free from malice, who never wrongs a friend,
who utters no reproach against a neighbour;
All One who cannot respect the unworthy,
but honours those who fear God;
who stands by a promise given,
though it be to personal disadvantage;
One One who will not take interest on a loan,
nor accept a bribe to testify against the innocent.
All: Whoever does this shall never be overthrown.
One Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
(VU 315)
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons: Blessed Trinity!
God of all beginnings,
we come today with praise on our lips and in our hearts…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
God of loving kindness, Jesus called us to love you above all else, and our neighbour as ourselves. Yet we often fail to act in loving ways. We are distracted by our own needs, forgetful of the needs of others. We let differences divide us and excuse ourselves from reaching out. Forgive us, O God. Create in us new hearts so we can live and love faithfully in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
2
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed
And our spirit shall sorrow no more
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest R
3
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days. R
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
Sometimes in our lives
we all have pain We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show
You just call on me brother,
when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem
that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me….
You just call on me sister,
when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem
that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
VU 665
1
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
Refrain:
Saviour, Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
2
Let me at thy throne of mercy
find a sweet relief,
kneeling there in deep contrition;
help my unbelief. R
3
Trusting only in thy merit,
would I seek thy face;
heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace. R
4
Thou the spring of all my comfort,
more than life to me,
whom have I on earth beside thee?
Whom in heaven but thee? R
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
One God, who may be a guest in your house,
or who may dwell on your holy mountain?
All One who leads a blameless life,
who does what is right,
who speaks truthfully from the heart;
One One whose tongue is free from malice, who never wrongs a friend,
who utters no reproach against a neighbour;
All One who cannot respect the unworthy,
but honours those who fear God;
who stands by a promise given,
though it be to personal disadvantage;
One One who will not take interest on a loan,
nor accept a bribe to testify against the innocent.
All: Whoever does this shall never be overthrown.
One Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
1
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
2
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
in a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.
3
When you heard the wonder of the word,
I was there to cheer you on;
you were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
4
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk till rising sun.
5
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young.
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
6
When the evening gently closes in
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
7
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
South Mountain United Church
Logan Jeffrey McDermott
Son of Jessica (Hofer) & Jeffrey McDermott
Born 05 April 2021 at Winchester, Ontario
St. Andrew’s United Church, Heckston
Tristan Alexander Davison
Son of Barb (Bennett) & Stuart Davison
Born 17 July 2020 at Kingston, Ontario
Godparents: Heather & Steve Onyschuk
Ryatt Michael Wade Rushton
Son of Chelcie Selleck-Higgins & Steven Rushton
Born 03 May 2022 at Winchester, Ontario
Godparents: Kelsey Rushton, Nicholas & Michael Higgins
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
1.
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
2
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed
And our spirit shall sorrow no more
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest R
3
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days. R
Luke 10: 25-37 (English Standard Version)
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
VU 665
1
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
Refrain:
Saviour, Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
2
Let me at thy throne of mercy
find a sweet relief,
kneeling there in deep contrition;
help my unbelief. R
3
Trusting only in thy merit,
would I seek thy face;
heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace. R
4
Thou the spring of all my comfort,
more than life to me,
whom have I on earth beside thee?
Whom in heaven but thee? R
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Go now in peace,
never be afraid.
God will go with you,
each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others,
so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - men,
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons: Blessed Trinity!
Happy are they who fear the Lord and have great delight in his commandments!
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness will last for ever.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
It is good for them to be generous in lending and to manage their affairs with justice.
For they will never be shaken;
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
They will not be afraid of any evil rumours;
their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord.
Their heart is established and will not shrink,
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
They have given freely to the poor,
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honour.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
1
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Oh, come, come, come, come,
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
2
Oh, come to the church in the wildwood,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb.
3
How sweet on a clear Sunday morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale.
4
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
Creator God, You have made a world of such amazing diversity –
Minister continues with Prayer…
Creator God,
The diversity in your creation amazes us
but we confess we prefer what seems familiar.
We’d like everyone to speak our language.
We wish others held our values and shared our customs.
We don’t understand discrimination that hurts others.
We don’t recognize how our own preferences
affect other people and the earth itself in harmful ways.
Forgive our familiar assumptions,
and open our minds and hearts to the stories of others
and the cries of suffering throughout the earth.
Assurance of pardon
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
MV 176
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 vigourfades,
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.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Communion Hymn Come, Let us Sing (vv 1&2)
VU 574
1
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
2
Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
Welcome to the Lord’s Table
The Warrant
Prayer over the Bread & Distribution
Communion Hymn Come, Let us Sing (vv 3&4)
VU 574
3
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
4
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
Prayer over the Cup & Distribution
Prayer after Communion - The Lord’s Prayer
VU 651
1
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
(VU 315)
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons: Blessed Trinity!
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2: 8, 11-12
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water;
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
The just man walketh in his integrity:
his children are blessed after him Proverbs 20: 5&7 KJV
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
1
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Refrain:
Oh, come, come, come, come,
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
2
Oh, come to the church in the wildwood,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb. R
3
How sweet on a clear Sunday morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale. R
4
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
O God, our Heavenly Father, we are all in need of your care. We thank you for the love you give to each of us,
and we ask that
(say your father's name)
feels Your care this day. We are grateful for the men, who help us grow in so many ways, and care for us. We thank you them, and for all the men in our lives. Bless our family. Help us show more patience than impatience; more laughter than anger; more understanding than disregard; more care than indifference. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
VU 296
1
This is God's wondrous world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is God's wondrous world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
God's hand the wonders wrought.
2
This is God's wondrous world:
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is God's wondrous world:
God shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass or mountain pass,
God's voice speaks everywhere.
3
This is God's wondrous world:
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is God's wondrous world:
why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, let the heavens ring:
God reigns, let earth be glad!
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of His Holy Word.
Amen
Today we will be receiving the Elements of Communion in a pre-packaged form. There are two seals: one for the bread and one for the “wine”. Rev. Blair will instruct you on which one to open and at what time.
In our Church, everyone - no matter who you are - is welcome to receive the Sacrament of Communion. If you have any concerns, you can talk to Rev. Blair Paterson, but he will just affirm that EVERYONE is welcome to receive.
Communion hymn: Come, Let us Sing (vv 1&2)
VU 574
1
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
2
Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
Welcome to the Lord’s table
The Warrant
Prayer over the bread & distribution
Communion hymn: Come, Let us Sing (vv 3&4)
VU 574
3
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
4
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
Prayer over the cup & distribution
Prayer after Communion - The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 651
1
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
Benediction & The Grace
Three-Fold Amen
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
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
And on this path –
The gates of holiness are open wide….
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide path for my steps under me, and my feet[did not slip;
2 Samuel 22:36-37
And on this path –
Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
Joshua 4: 21-24
And on this path –
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty! How I want to be there! I long to be in the Lord's Temple. With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrows have built a nest, and the swallows have their own home; they keep their young near your altars, Lord Almighty, my king and my God. How happy are those who live in your Temple, always singing praise to you.
Psalm 84: 1-4
And on this path –
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble Be Still, and Know that I am God. Psalm 46: .1-3, 10
So enter in —
(Written by the late Rev. Mary Lou Shorthill)
To each is given the power of the Spirit for the good of others.
We lift up the gift of wisdom
from our elders and the gift of vision
from our young people.
We celebrate the ministry of farmers, teachers, medical professionals, musicians, hairdressers, full-time homemakers and volunteers
Children, retired people, business people
politicians – and all others unnamed.
We bring together the wholeness of our church,
of St. Andrews United Church, Hallville: our past, our present, our future
God is with us in our ministry. Christ’s light
leads us with hope and the Holy Spirit
gives us the confidence. Let us worship
with prayer, with music and The Word of God
Amen and Amen!
VU 644
1
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
2
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
in a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.
3
When you heard the wonder of the word,
I was there to cheer you on;
you were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
4
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk till rising sun.
5
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young.
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
6
When the evening gently closes in
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
7
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Kolson Kyle Wylie
Son of Megan Coleman and Kyle Wylie
Born 06 October 2021 at Winchester, Ontario
Godchild of Hailee Coleman & Emmett Graham
(vv 1, 2, 4 VU 402
1
We are one as we come,
as we come, joyful to be here,
in the praise on our lips
there's a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing,
as we seek, we are found;
and we come needful of God's grace
as we meet, together in this place.
2
We are one as we share,
as we share brokenness and fear,
in the touch of a hand
there's a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care,
as we heal, we are healed;
and we share warmth in God's embrace
as we pray together in this place.
4
We are one as we hear,
as we hear, heart and hand unite;
in the word we receive
there's a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave,
as we love, we are loved;
and we seek justice in God's ways
as we move together from this place.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
VU 563
1
Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
2
You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
- you will find there my nets and labour. R
3
You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving. R
4
You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me. R
We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints— and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
VU 807, 238, “Because he Lives, 288)
Loving God, we give you thanks for calling us to faith through your Word and bringing us together in the body of Christ; For awakening us to our mission in this place, For the privilege of taking your Word into all the world;
We give you humble thanks and praise.
And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of my hand.
This day, O Lord, we remember the past: We remember the missionary vision of those who first came to North Mountain - Hallville - and believed the Church ought to be here. We remember their determination to show others how beautiful it is to live with Jesus;We remember their willingness to say, in the midst of life - of tragedy and triumph: “How Great Thou Art!”
Give us, we pray, that same vision and determination.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
This day, O Lord, we reflect on our ministry We reflect on being equipped with the power of your Word; We reflect on being chosen as your ambassadors; We reflect on being entrusted with the message of Love. Because He Lives, lead us to action.
Because He Lives - I can face tomorrow
Because He Lives - all pain is gone.
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives
This day, O Lord, we look forward to rejoicing that will last; To the rejoicing that will be ours in heaven; To the rejoicing others will experience through our ministry To the rejoicing that takes place in heaven when one live is changed, one hope restored, one love revealed
May that future joy be ours now and always. Amen.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
VU 332
1
The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation by water and the word;
from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
2
Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth,
her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
3
'Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation of peace for evermore,
till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
4
Yet she on earth hath union with God the three in one,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee
Go now in peace,
never be afraid.
God will go with you,
each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others,
so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - men,
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
(VU 315)
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons: Blessed Trinity!
Minister Spirit of God, Wind of Hope, blow far from us
All all dark despair, all deep distress, all groundless fears, all sinful desires, all Satan’s snares, all false values,
all selfish wishes, all wasteful worries.
Minister Spirit of God, Wind of Joy, blow into us
All your holy presence, your living love, your healing touch, your splendid courage your mighty strength, your perfect peace, your caring concern, your divine grace,
your boundless joy.
Minister Spirit of God, Wind of Creation
blow strong, blow fresh, blow into us now,
All Make our tired old bones live; truly live.
1.
Search me, O God, And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts, I
pray. See if there be Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin And set me free.
2.
I praise Thee, Lord, For cleansing me from sin; Fulfill Thy Word, And make me pure within. Fill me with fire Where once I burned with shame; Grant my desire To magnify Thy Name.
3.
Lord, take my life, And make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart With Thy great love divine. Take all my will, My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord In me abide.
4.
O Holy Ghost, Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need; For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.
Holy God, from our scattered lives we gather to praise you,
(Minister continues with Prayer)
Almighty God, you poured out your Spirit to guide your disciples, and empower your church with gifts for ministry. We confess we often resist the Spirit’s guidance. The challenge to change makes us uncomfortable. We overlook the gifts others can offer and fail to live out Christ’s love for the world. Forgive us, O God. Send your Holy Spirit to us again to open our minds and hearts to the challenges in ministry you set before us in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace The Ministry of Music
MV 4 All who are thirsty, all who are weak,
Come to the fountain.
Dip your heart in the stream of life.
Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away in the waves of his mercy
as deep cries out to deep. We sing
Come, Lord Jesus, come. (4X)
Holy Spirit, Come! (4X)
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and
set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around
among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold,
they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I
answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones,
and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to
these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay
sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and
put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of His Holy Word. Amen
VU 625
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.
The Gifts of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23 &1 Cor 12: 4-5) Minister The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
All love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Minister There are different kinds of spiritual gifts,
All but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
Minister There are different kinds of service,
All but we serve the same Lord.
Minister God works in different ways,
All but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. In all of us;
Everywhere; all the time. Amen.
The Grace & Go Now in Peace
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* The Offertory - In Gratitude and Humble Trust (tune: VU 164 Ellacombe)
In gratitude and humble trust
we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
* Dedication of the Offering
Scripture sentences
Minister In the beginning, God created. God created the heavens and the earth;
Light from darkness, day from night;
Waters below from waters above, earth from seas;
Lights in the sky – sun and moon and stars.
People And God saw that it was good.
1. Each blade of grass, ev’ry wing that soars,
the waves that sweep across a distant shore,
make full the circle of God.
Each laughing child, ev’ry gentle eye,
a forest lit beneath a moon-bright sky,
make full the circle of God.
Minister Then God spoke and the earth brought forth vegetation;
Plants bearing flowers and fruit, Trees and shrubs.
People And God saw that it was good.
Minister And God spoke again, and the seas filled with fish,
Birds flew in the sky, and animals of all kinds roamed the earth.
People And God saw that it was good.
2. Each silent paw, ev’ry rounded stone,
the buzz that echoes from a honey’d comb,
make full the circle of God.
Each fire-brimmed star, ev’ry out-stretched hand,
the wind that leaps and sails across the land,
make full the circle of God.
Minister Then God spoke into being humankind, male and female,
created in the image of God, given the world to care for,
filled with breath, Spirit of the creator.
People God saw everything that was made,
and indeed it was very good
Minister God sees us,
gathered as the body of Christ throughout the world:
Let us worship our creator.
3. Each icy peak, ev’ry patterned shell,
the joyous chorus that the dawn foretells,
make full the circle of God.
Each cosmic hue, ev’ry creature’s way,
all form the beauty of this vast array,
making full the circle of God.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the useful—
Minister with granite, with gravity, with grapes.
People And God gave us minds and hands
to engineer the granite,
to probe the forces of gravity,
to squeeze the grapes.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the beautiful—
Minister with marble, with molds, with marigolds.
People And God gave us compassion and imagination
to shape the marble into sculptures,
the molds into medicines,
the marigolds into tapestries of yellow & bronze
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the comic—
Minister with croaking bullfrogs, with the buoyancy of water,
with duck-billed platypuses.
People And God gave us, as image-bearers of God,
a sense of humour and different ways of seeing
in order to delight in the world.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with mystery—
Minister with living cells and dying stars, with black holes
and the speed of light, with human beings.
People And God gave us dominion over the earth,
to till it and to nurture it
with curiosity and creativity.
Minister At the beginning of time, God gave us a world.
People And we pray for the wisdom
to appreciate this gift. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in all of us - Passing the peace
VU 226
1
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2
For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light, R
3
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, R
4
For each perfect gift sublime
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven, R
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
VU 675
1
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife,
when the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift or firm remain?
Refrain:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
fastened to the rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!
2
It will surely hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers tell that the reef is near;
though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow. R
3
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill our latest breath;
on the rising tide it can never fail
while our hopes abide within the veil. R
4
When our eyes behold, through the gathering night,
the city of gold, our harbour bright,
we shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
with the storms all past for evermore. R
VU 666
1
In lonely mountain ways
of this world's trial and care,
my heart knows naught of fear-scarred days;
the Master's hand is there.
2
My journey may be long,
the pathway rough and steep;
sufficient for each day my song;
my way the Lord does keep.
3
And though when evening falls,
a stone my pillow shapes,
the vision of our kingdom calls
and here a Bethel makes.
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Minister As a mother comforts her child
so I will comfort you, says the Lord. I
saiah 66:13
All Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child
of her womb? Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
Isaiah 49:15
Minister As an eagle stirs up her nest, and hovers over her young;
as she spreads her wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft
on her pinions, God will guide you.
Deut 32: 11-12
All How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge
in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36: 7
Minister 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
1
Would you bless our homes and families,
Source of life who calls us here;
in our world of stress and tension
teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles,
love's expressed in many ways.
2
When our way is undemanding,
let us use the time that's ours
to delight in simple pleasures,
sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking
and a heavy path we plod,
teach us trust in one another
and in you, our gracious God.
3
From the homes in which we're nurtured,
with the love that shapes us there,
teach us, God, to claim as family
every one whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer,
may we in your love remain;
may the love we share in families
be alive to praise your name.
4
Let us reach beyond the boundaries
of our daily thought and care
till the family you have chosen
spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles
love's expressed in many ways.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in all of us - Passing the peace
(Hymnary 609)
1.
When mothers of Salem
their children brought to Jesus,
The stern disciples drove them back
and bade them to depart:
But Jesus saw them ere they fled
and sweetly smiled and kindly said,
“Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
2.
“For I will receive them and fold them to My bosom:
I’ll be a shepherd to these lambs,
O drive them not away;
For if their hearts to Me they give,
they shall with Me in glory live:
Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
3.
How kind was our Saviour to bid these children welcome!
But there are many thousands
who have never heard His Name;
The Bible they have never read,
they know not that the Saviour said,
“Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
4.
O soon may the people of every tribe and nation
Fulfill Thy blessèd Word and cast their idols all away!
O shine upon them from above
and show Thyself a God of love,
Teach the little children to come unto Thee!
A Mother’s day montage
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Saviour of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
(tune: VU 703 - In the Bulb)
1.
Motherhood, sublime, eternal,
lives in God's great heart of Love;
Ever holds us, safe enfolds us,
underneath, around, above;
Patient, tender, kind, forgiving,
though in devious paths we roam;
Gently chides us, ever guides us,
and all-loving, leads us home
2.
Ev’ry wrong will sure be righted;
ev'ry evil swept away;
Truth upspringing, justice bringing,
ushers in the brighter day
Mother calls her earthly children,
loves them, lifts them when they fall;
Striving, calling, fainting, falling,
Motherlove enfolds them all
3.
God is love, and love forever
in the motherheart is blest;
Lives the longest, lifts the strongest,
far outreaching all the rest;
Not by might, and not by wisdom
comes our lifting from the sod:
Love's pure glory tells the story
in the Motherheart of God
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - m
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
The Law of Love (Mark 12: 29-31)
Minister Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
All Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Minister This is the first and the great commandment.
All The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
VU 714
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.
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
God of this day and all days…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
If our neighbour does not know your name
because you have not been introduced, forgive us.
If our neighbour has been searching for answers
that we already hold, forgive us.
If they have yet to see the change
that lies hidden in our hearts, forgive us.
If we have yet to find the courage to share our faith,
revive us.
If our neighbour does not know your name
because you have not been introduced,
empower us. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
(Tune: VU 625) MV 169
1.
When hands reach out beyond divides
and hope is truly found,
each chain of hate will fall away
and bells of peace shall sound,
and bells of peace, of peace shall sound,
and bells of peace shall sound,
each chain of hate will fall away
and bells of peace shall sound.
2.
When fear no longer guides our steps
and days of war are done,
God’s dream for all shall live anew;
our hearts will heal as one,
our hearts will heal, will heal as one,
our hearts will heal as one,
God’s dream for all shall live anew;
our hearts will heal as one.
3.
When race and creed blind us no more,
a neighbour’s face we’ll see,
and we shall dance the whole world round,
for love will set us free,
for love, yes love will set us free,
for love will set us free,
and we shall dance the whole world round,
for love will set us free.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (New Living Translation)
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory!
2
While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav'ling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh. R
4
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open–
We shall tread the streets of gold. R
1.
There were 90 and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold.
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare.
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. (2x)
2.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy 90 and 9;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer:
“This of Mine Has wandered away from Me;
Although the road be rough & steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep, (2)
3.
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry,
Sick and helpless and ready to die; (2x)
4.
Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way
That mark out the mountain’s track?”
“They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.”
“Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?”
“They are pierced tonight by many a thorn; (2x)
5.
And all through the mountains, thunder riven
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own! (2x)
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
I pray that having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you may know
what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches
of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power towards us who believe Ephesians 1: 18,19
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psalm 118: 22-23
The Law of Love (Mark 12: 29-31)
Minister Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
All Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Minister This is the first and the great commandment.
All The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.