Introit to Epiphany: I saw the light

(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.

Welcome and Land acknowledgement

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Concerns & Celebrations

Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Anniversary to you!

May God bless you & keep you the coming year through

Opening prayer and 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.

Hymn: As with gladness of men of old

 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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: The seven joys of Mary

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

A time for all God's children

The offering

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 and Pastoral prayer

Today's bible story: Vistors from the East, Matthew 2:1-12

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

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

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had 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

Sermon: Keep Herod in Christmas

Hymn: When Heaven's bright with mystery

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.

Hope is a star

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

Joy to the world

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.

It came upon a midnight clear

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.

Angels we have heard on high

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

One in royal David's city

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.

O little town of Bethlehem

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.

Hark the herald angel's sing

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

Away in a Manger

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.

Silent Night

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.

Go tell it on the mountain

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

Hymn: There is a star in the east

 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

An advent call to worship

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

Lighting of the advent candle

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.

Ministry of Music

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 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

Children's hymn: Jesus loves me

(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

Children present: A very mixed up Christmas Pagent

The advent wreath

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.

Opening prayer and the Lord's prayer

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.

Carol: Angels from the realms of glory

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Ding dong! Merrily on high

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!

A time for all God's children

The Offertory: In gratitude and humble trust

(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.

Prayer of thanksgiving and pastoral prayer

Reading of the day: Isaiah 35:1-10

(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

Hymn: When the King shall come again

(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!

Sermon: Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight

Carol: See amid the winter snow

 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

Benediction and Sung  blessing

MV 220

Joy shines as the solitary star,

Faith is the inner light.

You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,

And Illumine the pathway home.

The advent wreath

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.

Welcome and announcements

Welcome & Land Acknowledgment

Birthdays & Celebrations

Welcoming of new members

Kingsley Raistrick by Profession of Faith Makenna Raistrick by Profession of Faith Doreen Henderson by Transfer of Membership Luella Smail by Transfer of Membership

Sacrament of holy communion

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!

Prayer of great thanksgiving

(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. 

The song of praise

(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!

Words of institution

(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.

The Lord's prayer

(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

Prayer after 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.

The offering: In gratitude and humble trust

(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

Special presentation to retired choir members

The ministry of music-Our choir shines

Reading of the day: Isaiah 11:1-10

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.

Sermon: Stubborn as a donkey

Benediction and the Sung blessing

Sung Blessing : Hope shines                   

MV 220

Hope shines as the solitary star,

Faith is the inner light.

You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,

And Illumine the pathway home.

The advent wreath

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.

Welcome and announcements

Welcome & Land Acknowledgment

Birthdays & Celebrations

Service of confirmation

Denver Holmes

Amelia Milne-Servage

Explanation of Confirmation

Introducing the Confirmands

Professions of Faith

Laying on of Hands

Presentation of Certificates & Bibles

Sacrament of holy communion

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!

Prayer of great thanksgiving

(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. 

The song of praise

(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!

Words of institution

(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.

The Lord's prayer

(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

Prayer after 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.

The offering: In gratitude and humble trust

(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

Special presentation to retired choir members

The ministry of music-Our choir shines

Reading of the day: Isaiah 11:1-10

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.

Sermon: Stubborn as a donkey

Benediction and the Sung blessing

Sung Blessing : Hope shines                   

MV 220

Hope shines as the solitary star,

Faith is the inner light.

You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,

And Illumine the pathway home.

Welcome and announcements

Candle-Lighting

Land acknowledgment

Call to worship

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.

Doxology

(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!

Opening prayer and 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.

Hymn: In Christ alone

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Down in my heart

’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

A time for all God's children

The offering: We plough trough the fields

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

Offertory prayer and The minute for mission

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. 

Pastoral prayer

Today's scripture: 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. 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.

Gospel hymn: When we all get to heaven

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.

Sermon: Participation prizes all around

Hymn: THe ninety and nine

Welcome and announcements

* Land Acknowledgement

* Celebrations & Concerns

 * Birthdays & Anniversaries

Invitation & dedication of the offering

Call to worship

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

Hymn: Come in, come in and sit down

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

Prayer and confession

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.

Assurance of pardon and The Lord's 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.

The ministry of music

Hymn: All the way my saviour leads me

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!'

A time for all God's children

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

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.

Hymn: Take my life and let it be

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.

Anniversary message, Lynn Boyd

Act of Remembrance

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

Benediction and the grace

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

Hymn: Just as I am without one plea

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.

Worship leaders

* Denver Holmes (Hallville)

* Thomas Kennedy (Heckston)

• Amelia Milne-Servage (Hallville)
• Brigette Meunier-Grimes (Heckston)

* Kingsley Raistrick (South Mountain)

* Makenna Raistrick (South Mountain

* Ruby Robinson (Heckston)

Welcome and announcements

Candle Lighting

• This Little Light of Mine

Land Acknowledgement

• Song: Grab Another Hand

The centre of the bible

• Song: Dance: Come Dancing with Me

1 Corinthians 12 Choral Reading

Uniquely gifted for God's purposes

• Song: Amazing Grace, in the Jungle

Letting Our Souls Catch Up

Tin foil Prayers

Elderly Woman in a Nursing Home

Handout in small groups

• Medley: Rejoice, God’s Love, Rock-a my soul

An Old Jewish Story

Prayers of the people

• Mungu Nimimwa

Footprints

1 Corinthians 13 Choral Reading

Blessings the Lord's prayer song

Welcome and announcements

* 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.

Call to worship

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 

Hymn: Three things I promise Holy God

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.

Opening prayer and confession

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. 

Assurance of pardon and 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.  

Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace 

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Sarah n Abraham had many kids

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 

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Genesis 15: 1-6 NRSV

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 

Hymn: Standing on the promises

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.

Sermon: The scandal of the particular

Hymn: In lonely mountain ways

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.

Pastoral prayer, benediction and the Grace

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. 

Welcome and announcements

* 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.

Call to worship

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 

Hymn: Three things I promise Holy God

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.

Opening prayer and confession

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. 

Assurance of pardon and 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.  

Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace 

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Sarah n Abraham had many kids

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 

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Genesis 15: 1-6 NRSV

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 

Hymn: Standing on the promises

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.

Sermon: The scandal of the particular

Hymn: In lonely mountain ways

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.

Pastoral prayer, benediction and the Grace

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. 

Welcome and announcements

• Candle-Lighting & Land Acknowledgement

• Welcome & Announcements
• Birthdays, Anniversaries and Celebrations
• Dedication of the Offering

Offertory

(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

Call to Worship: Psalm 100

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.

Opening prayer and 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.

Hymn: All things bright and beautiful

 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

• Sacrament of Holy Baptism (Inkerman)
• Dedication of Sign (Hallville)

Passing the Peace

The ministry of music

Gospel hymn: Bringing in the sheaves

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.

A time for all God's children

Pastoral prayer

(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!

Today's bible reading: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11

“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.

Sermon: Thank you

Hymn: Now thank we all our God

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

Welcome and announcements

 * Land Acknowledgement 

 * Celebrations & Concerns 

 * Birthdays & Anniversaries 

 * Dedication of the Offering

Call to worship: (Based on 10 commandments) All put God first

Give worth to the one who gives worth to you.  

Use God’s name with respect and love.  

All Spend time thinking about God.  

Honour and love your whole family.  

Live towards other people with love and generosity.  

Find the richness in faithfulness towards others.  

All Celebrate what you have  

rather than dwell on what you don’t.  

Speak well of others and truthfully to yourself.  

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 

Opening prayer and confession

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) 

Assurance of pardon and 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.  

Hymn: Immortal, invisible, God only wise

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!

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Praise our maker, people of one family

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!

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Philippians 3:46-44

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 

Sermon: "Lost-ness and Found-ness"

The Lord's Supper

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 

Welcome and announcements

  * Land Acknowledgement

   * Celebrations & Concerns

   * Birthdays & Anniversaries

  * Dedication of the Offering

Call to Worship: Genesis 6:5-22

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

Opening hymn: Great is thy faithfulness

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

Opening prayer and confession

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.

Assurance of pardon and 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.

A song of praise; The unicorn song by The Irish Rovers

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

The ministry of music

Today's bible story: Genesis 8:6-12

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.

Children's hymn and Children's story

Today's bible story: Genesis 9: 8-17

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.”

Sermon:

Pastoral prayer and Benediction

Closing hymn: God of the sparrow

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

Welcome and announcements

The Royal Anthem

Candle-lighting

Welcome & announcements

• Land Acknowledgement
• Celebrations & concerns
• Birthdays & anniversaries
• Dedication of the offering

Call to worship: Genesis 6: 5-22

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.

Assurance of pardon and the Lord's 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.

A song of praise: The unicorn song

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

Greeting Christ in all of us: Passing the Peace

Ministry of music

Photo by David Beale on Unsplash

Bible story: Genesis 8: 6-12

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.

Children's hymn: We are a rainbow

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

A time for all God's children

Bible story: Genesis 9: 8-17

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.”

Sermon

“…not just Leprechauns”

Pastoral prayer

Photo by Pedro Lima on Unsplash

Benediction and the Grace

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

Closing hymn: Deep in our hearts

 MV 154

Welcome and announcements

Inkerman Anniversary Service: 139 years of ministry

Guest preacher:  David von Noppen

Minister:              Rev. Blair Paterson

Organist:             Frances Wesley

Call to worship

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.

Song of praise: Holy, Holy, Holy

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 and the Lord's Prayer

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.

Children's hymn: Jesus loves me

VU 365 

Greeting Christ in all of us: Passing the Peace

A time for all God's children

Hymn: I saw the light

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

Scripture lesson: Luke 10: 25-37

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.’

Sermon: David von Noppen

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.

Prayers of the people

Photo by Pedro Lima on Unsplash

Benediction

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

Closing hymn: Here I am Lord

 VU 509

Refreshments

Please join us for refreshments after the service.

Welcome and announcements

 * Land Acknowledgement

* Celebrations & Concerns 

* Birthdays & Anniversaries

* Dedication of the Offering

Call to worship

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

Opening hymn: I have called you by your name

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.

Openin prayer and confession

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.

Assurance of pardon and 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.

Hymn: God forgave my sin - freely, freely

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: He's my rock, my sword, my shield

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Luke 15:1-10 from The Message

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

Sermon: Lost-ness and Found-ness

Pastoral prayer and Benediction and The Grace

Closing hymn: Amazing grace

 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.

Welcome and announcements

 * Land Acknowledgement

* Celebrations & Concerns 

* Birthdays & Anniversaries

 * Dedication of the Offering

Call to worship

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

Opening hymn: I have called you by your name

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.

Openin prayer and confession

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.

Assurance of pardon and 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.

Hymn: God forgave my sin - freely, freely

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: He's my rock, my sword, my shield

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Luke 15:1-10 from The Message

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

Sermon: Lost-ness and Found-ness

Pastoral prayer and Benediction and The Grace

Closing hymn: Amazing grace

 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.

Welcome and announcements

 * Land Acknowledgement

 * Celebrations & Concerns

 * Birthdays & Anniversaries

 * Dedication of the Offering

Call to worship: Psalm 15 adapted from Voices United

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

Introit: Holy, Holy, Holy

(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!

Opening prayer and confession

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.

Assurance of pardon and 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.

Hymn: In the sweet by and by

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Lean on me (Bill Withers)

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

A time for all God's children

Today's bible story: Luke 10: 25-37 (ESV)

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

Gospel hymn: Pass me not, O gentle Saviou

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

Sermon High Art

Pastoral prayer, Benediction and The Grace

Welcome and announcements

* Land Acknowledgement

* Celebrations & Concerns

* Birthdays & Anniversaries

* Dedication of the Offering

Call to worship: Psalm 15 adapted from Voices United

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

Hymn: I was there to hear your boring cry

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

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

• Teaching from Scripture:
• Promises of the Parents & Godparents

• Promises of the Congregation
• The Baptism
• Blessing & Presentations

Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace

Hymn: In the sweet by and by

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

A time for all God's children

Todays bible story: The parable of the good Samaritan

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

The ministry of music

Sermon: High art

Hymn: Pass me not, O gentle Saviour

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

Pastoral prayer and 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.

Benediction, The grace and 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,

Welcome and announcements

* Land Acknowledgement

* Celebrations & Concerns

* Birthdays & Anniversaries

* Dedication of the Offering

Doxology

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!

Call to worship

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

Opening hymn: The Church in the wild wood

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.

Prayer and confession

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

The ministry of music

Children's hymn: Three things I promise

 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,