Join our Facebook GroupCéad míle fáilte / One hundred thousand welcomes internet-styleAs communities of faith, we share our gifts by passing the offering plate. Here are ways we can continue to share our gifts.
Good old post-dated cheques are a familiar way for people to give. Place them in an envelope, sealed with a wet sponge—not licked—and mail them to the church office.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* The Offertory - In Gratitude and Humble Trust (tune: VU 164 Ellacombe)
In gratitude and humble trust
we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
* Dedication of the Offering
Scripture sentences
Minister In the beginning, God created. God created the heavens and the earth;
Light from darkness, day from night;
Waters below from waters above, earth from seas;
Lights in the sky – sun and moon and stars.
People And God saw that it was good.
1. Each blade of grass, ev’ry wing that soars,
the waves that sweep across a distant shore,
make full the circle of God.
Each laughing child, ev’ry gentle eye,
a forest lit beneath a moon-bright sky,
make full the circle of God.
Minister Then God spoke and the earth brought forth vegetation;
Plants bearing flowers and fruit, Trees and shrubs.
People And God saw that it was good.
Minister And God spoke again, and the seas filled with fish,
Birds flew in the sky, and animals of all kinds roamed the earth.
People And God saw that it was good.
2. Each silent paw, ev’ry rounded stone,
the buzz that echoes from a honey’d comb,
make full the circle of God.
Each fire-brimmed star, ev’ry out-stretched hand,
the wind that leaps and sails across the land,
make full the circle of God.
Minister Then God spoke into being humankind, male and female,
created in the image of God, given the world to care for,
filled with breath, Spirit of the creator.
People God saw everything that was made,
and indeed it was very good
Minister God sees us,
gathered as the body of Christ throughout the world:
Let us worship our creator.
3. Each icy peak, ev’ry patterned shell,
the joyous chorus that the dawn foretells,
make full the circle of God.
Each cosmic hue, ev’ry creature’s way,
all form the beauty of this vast array,
making full the circle of God.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the useful—
Minister with granite, with gravity, with grapes.
People And God gave us minds and hands
to engineer the granite,
to probe the forces of gravity,
to squeeze the grapes.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the beautiful—
Minister with marble, with molds, with marigolds.
People And God gave us compassion and imagination
to shape the marble into sculptures,
the molds into medicines,
the marigolds into tapestries of yellow & bronze
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with the comic—
Minister with croaking bullfrogs, with the buoyancy of water,
with duck-billed platypuses.
People And God gave us, as image-bearers of God,
a sense of humour and different ways of seeing
in order to delight in the world.
Minister At the beginning of time and space, God gave us a world.
People And God filled it with mystery—
Minister with living cells and dying stars, with black holes
and the speed of light, with human beings.
People And God gave us dominion over the earth,
to till it and to nurture it
with curiosity and creativity.
Minister At the beginning of time, God gave us a world.
People And we pray for the wisdom
to appreciate this gift. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in all of us - Passing the peace
VU 226
1
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2
For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light, R
3
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, R
4
For each perfect gift sublime
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven, R
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
VU 675
1
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife,
when the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift or firm remain?
Refrain:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
fastened to the rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!
2
It will surely hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers tell that the reef is near;
though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow. R
3
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill our latest breath;
on the rising tide it can never fail
while our hopes abide within the veil. R
4
When our eyes behold, through the gathering night,
the city of gold, our harbour bright,
we shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
with the storms all past for evermore. R
VU 666
1
In lonely mountain ways
of this world's trial and care,
my heart knows naught of fear-scarred days;
the Master's hand is there.
2
My journey may be long,
the pathway rough and steep;
sufficient for each day my song;
my way the Lord does keep.
3
And though when evening falls,
a stone my pillow shapes,
the vision of our kingdom calls
and here a Bethel makes.
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Minister As a mother comforts her child
so I will comfort you, says the Lord. I
saiah 66:13
All Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child
of her womb? Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
Isaiah 49:15
Minister As an eagle stirs up her nest, and hovers over her young;
as she spreads her wings, takes them up, and bears them aloft
on her pinions, God will guide you.
Deut 32: 11-12
All How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge
in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36: 7
Minister Family of God, from whom does our help come?
All Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
1
Would you bless our homes and families,
Source of life who calls us here;
in our world of stress and tension
teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles,
love's expressed in many ways.
2
When our way is undemanding,
let us use the time that's ours
to delight in simple pleasures,
sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking
and a heavy path we plod,
teach us trust in one another
and in you, our gracious God.
3
From the homes in which we're nurtured,
with the love that shapes us there,
teach us, God, to claim as family
every one whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer,
may we in your love remain;
may the love we share in families
be alive to praise your name.
4
Let us reach beyond the boundaries
of our daily thought and care
till the family you have chosen
spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles
love's expressed in many ways.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in all of us - Passing the peace
(Hymnary 609)
1.
When mothers of Salem
their children brought to Jesus,
The stern disciples drove them back
and bade them to depart:
But Jesus saw them ere they fled
and sweetly smiled and kindly said,
“Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
2.
“For I will receive them and fold them to My bosom:
I’ll be a shepherd to these lambs,
O drive them not away;
For if their hearts to Me they give,
they shall with Me in glory live:
Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
3.
How kind was our Saviour to bid these children welcome!
But there are many thousands
who have never heard His Name;
The Bible they have never read,
they know not that the Saviour said,
“Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
4.
O soon may the people of every tribe and nation
Fulfill Thy blessèd Word and cast their idols all away!
O shine upon them from above
and show Thyself a God of love,
Teach the little children to come unto Thee!
A Mother’s day montage
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! This is how we know we're living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He's given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Saviour of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
(tune: VU 703 - In the Bulb)
1.
Motherhood, sublime, eternal,
lives in God's great heart of Love;
Ever holds us, safe enfolds us,
underneath, around, above;
Patient, tender, kind, forgiving,
though in devious paths we roam;
Gently chides us, ever guides us,
and all-loving, leads us home
2.
Ev’ry wrong will sure be righted;
ev'ry evil swept away;
Truth upspringing, justice bringing,
ushers in the brighter day
Mother calls her earthly children,
loves them, lifts them when they fall;
Striving, calling, fainting, falling,
Motherlove enfolds them all
3.
God is love, and love forever
in the motherheart is blest;
Lives the longest, lifts the strongest,
far outreaching all the rest;
Not by might, and not by wisdom
comes our lifting from the sod:
Love's pure glory tells the story
in the Motherheart of God
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
A—men. A – men. A - - - m
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
The Law of Love (Mark 12: 29-31)
Minister Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
All Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Minister This is the first and the great commandment.
All The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
VU 714
1
Come, we that love the Lord,
and let our joys be known,
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.
We're marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we're marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.
2
Let those refuse to sing
who never knew our God;
but children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King
may speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad. R
3
The hill of Zion yields
a thousand sacred sweets
before we reach the heavenly fields,
before we reach the heavenly fields
or walk the golden streets,
or walk the golden streets. R
4
Then let our songs abound,
and every tear be dry;
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground,
we're marching through Emmanuel's ground
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high. R
God of this day and all days…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
If our neighbour does not know your name
because you have not been introduced, forgive us.
If our neighbour has been searching for answers
that we already hold, forgive us.
If they have yet to see the change
that lies hidden in our hearts, forgive us.
If we have yet to find the courage to share our faith,
revive us.
If our neighbour does not know your name
because you have not been introduced,
empower us. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
(Tune: VU 625) MV 169
1.
When hands reach out beyond divides
and hope is truly found,
each chain of hate will fall away
and bells of peace shall sound,
and bells of peace, of peace shall sound,
and bells of peace shall sound,
each chain of hate will fall away
and bells of peace shall sound.
2.
When fear no longer guides our steps
and days of war are done,
God’s dream for all shall live anew;
our hearts will heal as one,
our hearts will heal, will heal as one,
our hearts will heal as one,
God’s dream for all shall live anew;
our hearts will heal as one.
3.
When race and creed blind us no more,
a neighbour’s face we’ll see,
and we shall dance the whole world round,
for love will set us free,
for love, yes love will set us free,
for love will set us free,
and we shall dance the whole world round,
for love will set us free.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
2 Timothy 4: 6-8 (New Living Translation)
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we'll sing and shout the victory!
2
While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav'ling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh. R
4
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open–
We shall tread the streets of gold. R
1.
There were 90 and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold.
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains wild and bare.
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. (2x)
2.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy 90 and 9;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer:
“This of Mine Has wandered away from Me;
Although the road be rough & steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep, (2)
3.
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry,
Sick and helpless and ready to die; (2x)
4.
Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way
That mark out the mountain’s track?”
“They were shed for one who had gone astray
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.”
“Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?”
“They are pierced tonight by many a thorn; (2x)
5.
And all through the mountains, thunder riven
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of Heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own! (2x)
Go now in peace, never be afraid.
God will go with you, each hour of every day.
Go now in faith: steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others, so all the world can see –
God will be there, watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
I pray that having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you may know
what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches
of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power towards us who believe Ephesians 1: 18,19
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psalm 118: 22-23
The Law of Love (Mark 12: 29-31)
Minister Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
All Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Minister This is the first and the great commandment.
All The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
VU 412
1,4
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made, that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice,
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made.
2
Open to us, open to us
your gates, O God, your gates, O God;
we will go in, we will go in,
to your holy place, to your holy place.
Open to us your gates, O God,
we will go in to your holy place.
Open to us, open to us
your gates, O God.
3
You are our God, you are our God,
we will praise your name, we will praise your name;
we will give thanks, we will give thanks,
for your faithfulness, for your faithfulness.
You are our God, we will praise your name,
we will give thanks for your faithfulness.
You are our God, you are our God,
we will praise your name.
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow…
(Minister continues with Prayer)
O God of might and mercy, in raising Jesus from the dead, you showed us your power to defeat all that brings fear and sorrow to our lives. In his resurrection, Jesus promised to be with us everywhere and always. Yet we confess we are sometimes uncertain about your promises. We doubt the promise of resurrection for our own lives. Upheaval and anxiety eat away at our peace. Forgive us when we struggle to trust your goodness and your steadfast love for us. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Greeting Christ in All of Us - Passing the Peace
(tune: Good King Wenceslas)
1.
Spring has now unwrapped the flowers,
Day is fast reviving
Life in all her growing powers
toward the light is striving
Gone the iron touch of cold,
winter time and frost time
Seedlings working through the mold
now make up for lost time.
2.
Herb and plant that winter long
slumbered at their leisure
Now bestirring green & strong,
find in growth their pleasure
All the world with beauty fills,
gold the green enhancing
Flowers make glee among the hills
And set the meadows dancing.
3.
Through each wonder of fair days
God himself expresses
Beauty follows all his ways
as the world he blesses
So as he renews the earth, artist without rival
In his grace of glad new birth
We must seek revival.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
VU 264
1
Immortal, invisible, God only wise;
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes;
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3
To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.
4
Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
'tis only the splendour of light hideth thee!
VU 670
1
Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
2
When my way grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call,
hold my hand lest I fall:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
3
When the darkness appears,
and the night draws near,
and the day is past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet, hold my hand:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
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,
vv. 1&2 VU 155
1
Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!
our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!
who did once, upon the cross, hallelujah!
suffer to redeem our loss. Hallelujah!
2
Hymns of praise then let us sing hallelujah!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, hallelujah!
who endured the cross and grave, hallelujah!
sinners to redeem and save. Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! The Lord is Risen!
He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah
Lord God, early in the morning, when the world was young,
you made life in all its beauty and terror,
you gave birth to all that we know.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning, when the world least expected it,
a newborn child crying in a cradle announced
that you had come among us, that you were one of us.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning, surrounded by respectable liars,
religious leaders, anxious statesmen and silent friends,
you accepted the penalty for doing good, for being God:
you shouldered and suffered the cross.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning a voice in a guarded graveyard
and footsteps in the dew proved that you had risen,
that you came back to those and for those
who had forgotten, denied and destroyed you.
Morning has broken!
And the Lord is Risen
Early in the morning in the rainbow-coloured company of your Church
on earth and in heaven we celebrate your creation, your life,
your death and today, your resurrection,
So Lord, bring your New Life
where we are worn and tired,
Bring Your New Love
where we have turned hard-hearted.
Bring your Forgiveness where we feel hurt
and where we have wounded.
And bring your JOY in the places
we never thought joy could be found
Sisters and brothers of the Risen Christ: He is Risen!
morning has broken and the Lord is risen indeed!
VU 409
1
Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!
2
Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.
3
Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!\
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
Lord Jesus, we greet you!
Your hands still have holes in them,
Your feet are wet from the dew;
And with memory of our names undimmed
by three days of death you meet us,
Risen from the grave!
We fail to understand how;
we puzzle at the reason why.
But you have come:
Not to answer our questions, but to show us your face.
You are alive, And the world can rejoice again.
Hallelujah! and Amen!
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you. Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
May God bless to us this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
VU 352
1
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.
2
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the dance went on. R
3
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die. R
4
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on. R
5
They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he. R
1.
God send His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives
Refrain:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives
2.
How sweet to hold a new born baby,
And feel the pride, and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
3.
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
* Dedication of the Offering
God spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Honour your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. You shall not covet your neighbour’s dwelling; you shall not covet your neighbour’s spouse, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Silence
Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” and he said:
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love
your neighbour as yourself.’
On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.”
Opening Prayer (Together)
Beginner of all Journeys,
begin in us again:
take these tired bones and rouse them
to dance your joy from sun-break to sundown.
Help us, O Blessed End,
to shake off our weariness
that we may know New Life in you
and offer it to one another. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 123
1
Hosanna, loud hosanna
the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the joyful anthem rang;
to Jesus, who had blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
2
From Olivet they followed
'mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving,
and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
content that little children
should on his bidding wait.
3
'Hosanna in the highest!'
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer;
earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence
eternally rejoice!
VU 639
1
One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.
2
Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me: R
3
As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you'll be telling me the way, I know: R
4
Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough,
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you: R
5
You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me,
ever old and ever new,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.
When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.” This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:
Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,
poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
foal of a pack animal.”
The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!” As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?” The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”
May God Bless to our understanding the reading of The Holy Word.
Amen
VU 560
1
O Master, let me walk with thee
in lowly paths of service free;
teach me thy secret, help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.
2
Help me the slow of heart to move
with some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.
3
Teach me thy patience; still with thee,
in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sure and strong,
in trust that triumphs over wrong,
4
in hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future's broadening way,
in peace that only thou canst give,
with thee, O Master, let me live.
Words by our Moderator, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard Bott
1.
Onward all Christ’s people,
walking on The Way,
living out of God’s love
each and every day.
Christ, our guide and teacher,
shows how we’re to go
Caring for our friend, our neighbour,
even for our foe!
Refrain:
Onward all Christ’s people,
walking on The Way,
living out of God’s love,
each and every day.
2.
Know tho’ there are moments
evil stands its ground;
hate and war and hunger
seemingly abound –
in these times, these places,
we are called to stand,
acting for God’s peace and justice,
offering our hand! R
3.
Like one great big family,
moves the church of God;
siblings, we are dancing
where the saints have trod!
Sometimes we’re divided,
lost and feel alone,
then Christ’s Spirit reconciles us,
unity is shown. R
4.
Onward then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices
in this wondrous song:
Glory, laud, and honour
unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages
we, with angels, sing! R
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, Great is the Lord!”
Psalm 40:16
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Romans 11:36
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2: 8-11
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23
The splendour of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the Earth rejoice All the Earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end; Beginning and the end.
The Godhead Three in One Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
(2X)
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
God of Mystery and mercy… (Minister continues with Prayer)
God of love and mercy,
when we pause for a moment in your presence,
the daily details of our lives press in on us.
We recall things left undone, opportunities ignored.
We remember careless words spoken,
disappointments that trouble our souls.
In silence we offer to you our misspent moments
and missed opportunities: Silence
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1.
When He cometh, when He cometh
to make up his jewels,
all his jewels, precious jewels,
his loved and his own
Refrain:
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for his crown.
2.
He will gather, He will gather
the gems for His kingdom,
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and his own.
3.
Little children, little children
who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honour your father and mother.” He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!” Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go. Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.” That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture.
Amen
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.
VU 586
1
We shall go out with hope of resurrection;
we shall go out, from strength to strength go on;
we shall go out and tell our stories boldly;
tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted;
we'll dream our dreams of hurts that can be healed;
we'll weave a cloth of all the world united
within the vision of new life in Christ.
2
We'll give a voice to those who have not spoken;
we'll find the words for those whose lips are sealed;
we'll make the tunes for those who sing no longer,
expressive love alive in every heart.
We'll share our joy with those who still are weeping,
raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief,
we'll leap and dance the resurrection story,
including all in circles of our love.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
God commands us to not have any other gods.
We should not value anything, not money or popularity or success, above God.
We will love and trust God above all else.
God commands that we should not make idols.
We should not give more value to anything that people make than to God.
We will worship only the holy God
whom we learn about in the Bible.
God commands us not to take his name in vain.
We should not curse, swear, or use bad language.
We will only use the name of God with respect.
God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy.
We should not treat the Lord’s Day like every other day.
We will have special times of rest
and praise God with his people.
God commands that we honour our father and mother. We should not be mean or try to make those in authority, including our parents, angry.
We will respect and obey those
whom God puts in charge of us.
God commands that we not kill. We should not try to hurt other people.
We will help others in need.
God commands us not to commit adultery.
We should not think disrespectful thoughts about others.
We will keep loving relationships pure.
God commands us not to steal. We should not take what does not belong to us.
We will be honest.
God commands us not to lie.
We should not say untrue or even hurtful things about others.
We will build others up with our words.
God commands us not to covet. We should not want what others have.
We will be thankful and content with what we have. We do our best to obey God because we are thankful to God for his many gifts to us.
1.
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
2.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
3.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
4.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
(Church of Scotland - Book of Common Order)
Count us not as nothing, O God,
Count us not at nothing, O Christ,
count us not as nothing, O kind Spirit,
nor abandon us to eternal loss.
We confess our sins to you,
Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy.Compassionate God of life,
your kindly pardon give:
for our careless talk, our broken oath,
our empty speech;
for all that we have left undone,
for all that we have done amiss.
Jesus, only-begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father
you gave the blood of your body to save us from the grave.
As we receive the Word
and knowledge of your forgiveness,
Enshield us, encircle us, each day,
each night, each dark, each light.
Uphold us, be our treasure,
our triumph everlasting;
strong Son of God most high. Amen
(Kate McIlhagga from Patterns of our Days)
As winter trees Stretch out bare arms to a dark sky
We stretch out in the darkness
to find the touch of love.
As dandelions turn their yellow faces to the sun
We long to find in that warmth
the promise of peace.
As the fire breaks the shell of the seed
so may our pain break the shell of isolation
that protects us from ourselves.
In the security of darkness, the warmth of sunshine, and the promise of fire
may we blossom anew
in the miracle of your saving love, O God
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.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understandthese things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1
Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes;
eternal power, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise.
2
Eternal life, raise me from death;
eternal brightness, make me see;
eternal Spirit, give me breath;
eternal Saviour, come to me,
3
until by your most costly grace,
invited by your holy word,
at last I come before your face
to know you, my eternal God.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (VU 149)
1.
May the Lord God be with you all.
And May God also be with you.
O Let us lift our hearts on high.
We lift them to the Lord of Hosts.
2.
We give you thanks Creator God
maker of earth and heaven above.
Your hands have formed us from the clay,
You breathed into us holy breath.
3.
It was your Son Lord Jesus Christ
Who on this night, showed us his love
by breaking bread and washing feet:
The King of Kings serves one and all.
3.
And so with all your people here,
And with the company of heaven.
We now lift up your holy name
and join in their unending hymn:
4.
Holy, Holy, O Holy Lord
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory
Hosannah in the highest praise!
Bless-ed is he
who comes in your name.
Spoken Prayer of Consecration (Minister):
On the 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."
5.
In memory of these gracious acts,
We give ourselves in thanks and praise.
So we proclaim
faith’s mysteries:
Christ died, is ris’n,
and will come again.
6.
O Breathe your Spirit on these gifts:
Make them to be the body and blood
of Jesus Christ, hope of the world.
Amen, Amen, in his name, Amen.
Communion
Prayer after Communion (
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
God commands us to not have any other gods.
We should not value anything, not money or popularity or success, above God.
We will love and trust God above all else.
God commands that we should not make idols.
We should not give more value to anything that people make than to God.
We will worship only the holy God
whom we learn about in the Bible.
God commands us not to take his name in vain.
We should not curse, swear, or use bad language.
We will only use the name of God with respect.
God commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy.
We should not treat the Lord’s Day like every other day.
We will have special times of rest
and praise God with his people.
God commands that we honour our father and mother. We should not be mean or try to make those in authority, including our parents, angry.
We will respect and obey those
whom God puts in charge of us.
God commands that we not kill. We should not try to hurt other people.
We will help others in need.
God commands us not to commit adultery.
We should not think disrespectful thoughts about others.
We will keep loving relationships pure.
God commands us not to steal. We should not take what does not belong to us.
We will be honest.
God commands us not to lie.
We should not say untrue or even hurtful things about others.
We will build others up with our words.
God commands us not to covet. We should not want what others have.
We will be thankful and content with what we have. We do our best to obey God because we are thankful to God for his many gifts to us.
1.
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
2.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
3.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
4.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
(Church of Scotland - Book of Common Order)
Count us not as nothing, O God,
Count us not at nothing, O Christ,
count us not as nothing, O kind Spirit,
nor abandon us to eternal loss.
We confess our sins to you,
Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy.Compassionate God of life,
your kindly pardon give:
for our careless talk, our broken oath,
our empty speech;
for all that we have left undone,
for all that we have done amiss.
Jesus, only-begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father
you gave the blood of your body to save us from the grave.
As we receive the Word
and knowledge of your forgiveness,
Enshield us, encircle us, each day,
each night, each dark, each light.
Uphold us, be our treasure,
our triumph everlasting;
strong Son of God most high. Amen
(Kate McIlhagga from Patterns of our Days)
As winter trees Stretch out bare arms to a dark sky
We stretch out in the darkness
to find the touch of love.
As dandelions turn their yellow faces to the sun
We long to find in that warmth
the promise of peace.
As the fire breaks the shell of the seed
so may our pain break the shell of isolation
that protects us from ourselves.
In the security of darkness, the warmth of sunshine, and the promise of fire
may we blossom anew
in the miracle of your saving love, O God
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.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understandthese things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1
Eternal light, shine in my heart;
eternal hope, lift up my eyes;
eternal power, be my support;
eternal wisdom, make me wise.
2
Eternal life, raise me from death;
eternal brightness, make me see;
eternal Spirit, give me breath;
eternal Saviour, come to me,
3
until by your most costly grace,
invited by your holy word,
at last I come before your face
to know you, my eternal God.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (VU 149)
1.
May the Lord God be with you all.
And May God also be with you.
O Let us lift our hearts on high.
We lift them to the Lord of Hosts.
2.
We give you thanks Creator God
maker of earth and heaven above.
Your hands have formed us from the clay,
You breathed into us holy breath.
3.
It was your Son Lord Jesus Christ
Who on this night, showed us his love
by breaking bread and washing feet:
The King of Kings serves one and all.
3.
And so with all your people here,
And with the company of heaven.
We now lift up your holy name
and join in their unending hymn:
4.
Holy, Holy, O Holy Lord
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory
Hosannah in the highest praise!
Bless-ed is he
who comes in your name.
Spoken Prayer of Consecration (Minister):
On the 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."
5.
In memory of these gracious acts,
We give ourselves in thanks and praise.
So we proclaim
faith’s mysteries:
Christ died, is ris’n,
and will come again.
6.
O Breathe your Spirit on these gifts:
Make them to be the body and blood
of Jesus Christ, hope of the world.
Amen, Amen, in his name, Amen.
Communion
Prayer after Communion (
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(gradually getting quieter)
Equal with God: Jesus is Lord
Emptied himself: Jesus is Lord
Came as a slave: Jesus is Lord
Found as a man: Jesus is Lord
Humbly obeyed: Jesus is Lord
Went to his death: Jesus is Lord
Death on a cross: Jesus is Lord
(getting louder)
God raised him up: Jesus is Lord
Gave him the name: Jesus is Lord
Higher than all: Jesus is Lord
Every knee bow: Jesus is Lord
All tongues confess: Jesus is Lord
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Ps 124:8
VU 337
1
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of the Spirit, washed in Christ's blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.
2
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. R
3
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blessed;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with God's goodness, lost in Christ's love. R
God of Power and Possibility…(Minister continues with Prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ,
we pray for the coming of your kingdom week by week,
but we confess we’re not exactly clear
on what that means.
Will you come to set things straight in the world?
Will you come to judge us
and show us where we’ve all gone wrong?
Will you bring all things to an end,
or will you offer us a new beginning?
Jesus, forgive us when we mix up our own desires
with your purposes for your people.
Teach us how to live out your truth.Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2.
In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
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.
Benediction & The Grace (Together)
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
VU 333
1
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.
2
Come, almighty to deliver;
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
3
Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
VU 766
1
As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you;
you alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship you.
Refrain:
You alone are my strength, my shield
to you alone may my spirit yield;
you alone are my heart's desire,
and I long to worship you.
2
I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy;
you alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye. R
3
You're my friend and you are my brother,
even though you are a king;
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything! R
Almighty and everlasting One
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, deigning to approach the Throne of Grace, we offer praise, and honesty to the one who knows us inside and out.
(A time for Silent reflection)
God, whose name is love,
we confess our faults and failings,
knowing you know us through and through. You tell us love is patient and kind,
and you know when our patience
and kindness fell short.
You tell us love is never rude or selfish,
and you see the times we insisted on our own way. Forgive us the excuses we make to ourselves
when our love falters.
Strengthen us by your Spirit
so that our love is genuine and reliable. Amen. Assurance of Pardon & The
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy tried and true; with thanksgiving,
I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
Jesus came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water." The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this 'living water'? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?" Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so I won't ever get thirsty, won't ever have to come back to this well again!"
1.
Like the woman at the well I was seeking For things that could not satisfy:
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
“Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
2.
There are millions in this world who are craving The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Jesus said, "Go call your husband and then come back." "I have no husband," she said. "That's nicely put: 'I have no husband.' You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough." “Oh, so you're a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?" "Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration." The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story." "I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn't believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it. The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, "Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?" Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman's witness: "He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!" They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Saviour of the world!"
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture Amen
Benediction & 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.
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
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
VU 766
1
As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you;
you alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship you.
Refrain:
You alone are my strength, my shield
to you alone may my spirit yield;
you alone are my heart's desire,
and I long to worship you.
2
I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy;
you alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye. R
3
You're my friend and you are my brother,
even though you are a king;
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything! R
Almighty and everlasting One
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, deigning to approach the Throne of Grace, we offer praise, and honesty to the one who knows us inside and out.
(A time for Silent reflection)
God, whose name is love,
we confess our faults and failings,
knowing you know us through and through. You tell us love is patient and kind,
and you know when our patience
and kindness fell short.
You tell us love is never rude or selfish,
and you see the times we insisted on our own way. Forgive us the excuses we make to ourselves
when our love falters.
Strengthen us by your Spirit
so that our love is genuine and reliable. Amen. Assurance of Pardon & The
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy tried and true; with thanksgiving,
I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
Jesus came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water." The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this 'living water'? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?" Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so I won't ever get thirsty, won't ever have to come back to this well again!"
1.
Like the woman at the well I was seeking For things that could not satisfy:
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
“Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
2.
There are millions in this world who are craving The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Jesus said, "Go call your husband and then come back." "I have no husband," she said. "That's nicely put: 'I have no husband.' You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough." “Oh, so you're a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?" "Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration." The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story." "I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn't believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it. The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, "Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?" Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman's witness: "He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!" They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Saviour of the world!"
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture Amen
Benediction & 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.
VU 665
1
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
Refrain:
Saviour, Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others thou art calling,
do not pass me by.
2
Let me at thy throne of mercy
find a sweet relief,
kneeling there in deep contrition;
help my unbelief. R
3
Trusting only in thy merit,
would I seek thy face;
heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace. R
4
Thou the spring of all my comfort,
more than life to me,
whom have I on earth beside thee?
Whom in heaven but thee? R
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
The Lord makes springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode
you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied
with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine,
and bread to strengthen the human heart.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
Let us Worship God
God of light and life,…
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, desiring to be a transformed people,
we bring to you our prayers of confession
(Silence)
God of all life and our lives,
we gather in worship week by week,
seeking your refreshing presence.
But we confess sometimes we are discouraged by things happening around us.
We don’t expect your presence
to make a difference for us.
Forgive us when we give up on you
and end up feeling unfulfilled.
By your grace, refresh us
when we are weary or worried,
and renew our trust in you.
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.
Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus
ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture Amen
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice, resist evil,
to Proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
The Lord makes springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode
you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied
with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine,
and bread to strengthen the human heart.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
Let us Worship God
God of light and life,…
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, desiring to be a transformed people,
we bring to you our prayers of confession
(Silence)
God of all life and our lives,
we gather in worship week by week,
seeking your refreshing presence.
But we confess sometimes we are discouraged by things happening around us.
We don’t expect your presence
to make a difference for us.
Forgive us when we give up on you
and end up feeling unfulfilled.
By your grace, refresh us
when we are weary or worried,
and renew our trust in you.
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.
Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.” She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus
ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim. “Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,” Jesus said, and they did. When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture Amen
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice, resist evil,
to Proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.”
Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds
towards the children of man.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
Let us Worship God
God ever creating, ever loving, ever leading…
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, desiring to be a transformed people,
we bring to you our prayers of confession
(Silence)
Merciful God, you call us to fullness of life
but we have settled for so much less.
We have wandered from your ways and wasted
your gifts. We ignore the pain of others,
and turn our faces from injustice.
At times we have hidden from the truth,
especially when it calls us to do
what we are afraid to do.
We have given up in despair
when problems around us seem overwhelming.
Forgive us our small faith.
Give us courage to listen
and respond when you call. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” he two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter[or Rock]).
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.”
Come and see what God has done:
he is awesome in his deeds
towards the children of man.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
Let us Worship God
God ever creating, ever loving, ever leading…
(The Minister Continues in Prayer)
And so, desiring to be a transformed people,
we bring to you our prayers of confession
(Silence)
Merciful God, you call us to fullness of life
but we have settled for so much less.
We have wandered from your ways and wasted
your gifts. We ignore the pain of others,
and turn our faces from injustice.
At times we have hidden from the truth,
especially when it calls us to do
what we are afraid to do.
We have given up in despair
when problems around us seem overwhelming.
Forgive us our small faith.
Give us courage to listen
and respond when you call. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” he two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter[or Rock]).
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Reader 1: It is the time we have been waiting for.
Reader 2: Think about how hard it is to wait for something
you’ve wanted for a long time. It’s hard isn’t it.
Now imagine that it’s God who is waiting for you!
Reader 1: Today we light all the candles of the Advent wreath.
Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is
All HOPE,
the second candle is
All PEACE,
the third candle is
All JOY,
and the fourth candle is
All LOVE.
The centre candle is the Christ candle and it tells us that
All JESUS IS WITH US
The Centre candle is lit.
Reader 2 :Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Reader 1: O God of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Reader 2: As Mary and Joseph welcomed you into the world,
now help us welcome you into our lives.
All Give us courage to hope; strength to seek peace.
Fill our spirits with joy; and our hearts with love.
Through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all. Amen.
(vv 1, 3 & 5)
VU 60
1
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
come and behold him, born the King of angels;
Refrain:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
3
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God in the highest: R
5
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: R
(vv 1, 2 & 4)
VU 71
1
'Twas in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou
sent angel choirs instead;
before their light the stars grew dim,
and wandering hunters heard the hymn:
Refrain:
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria.
2
Within a lodge of broken bark
the tender babe was found,
a ragged robe of rabbit skin
enwrapped his beauty round;
but as the hunter braves drew nigh,
the angel song rang loud and high: R
4
O children of the forest free,
the angel song is true,
the holy child of earth and heaven
is born today for you.
Come, kneel before the radiant boy,
who brings you beauty, peace, and joy: R
Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
after the reading
One: In the beginning was the Word and is the light of all people.
All The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
(vv 1, 2 &4)
VU 62
1
Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattleshed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
2
He came down to earth from heaven
who, with God, is over all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall.
There among the poor and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.
4
And our eyes at last shall see him,
through his own redeeming love;
for that child who seemed so helpless
is our Lord in heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.
Luke 2: 1-7
after the reading
One: The Word of the Lord became flesh
All And dwelt among us.
VU 43
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.
1
While shepherds kept their watching
o'er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light. R
2
The shepherds feared and trembled
when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Saviour's birth! R
3
Down in a lonely manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent our salvation
that blessed Christmas morn. R
Luke 2: 8-14
after the reading
One: Behold! I Bring you Glad Tidings of Great Joy!
All Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good-will towards all people.
VU 48
1
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!'
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!'
2
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! R
3
Hail, the heavenborn Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. R
Luke 2: 15-20
after the reading
One: My soul magnifies the Lord,
All And my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour
at 2: 1-2, 9-11
after the reading
One: The dawn from on high has broken upon us
All to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
1.
We Three Kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we travel afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain:
O – star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
2.
Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
3.
Frankincense to offer have I
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
4.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in a stone cold tomb.
5.
Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Sounds through the earth and skies.
VU 67
1
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
2
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight:
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah,
Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.
3
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Hope is a Star - VU 7 - 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.
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.
A Loving others the way God loves us is not an
easy task. In fact, it is impossible; but we are
still called upon to try every day.
B Think about what loving looks like when it is hard, when you don’t want to be loving, or what it means making a sacrifice. A lot of us wonder what the days before Jesus’ birth looked like for Mary and Joseph and the loving sacrifices they had to have made
A Today we light the first, second, third, and fourth candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is
All HOPE.
THE CANDLE IS LIT.
A the second candle is
All PEACE,
THE CANDLE IS LIT.
A the third candle is
All JOY
THE CANDLE IS LIT.
A and the Fourth candle is
All LOVE.
THE CANDLE IS LIT.
B John 13:34 – Jesus said to them, I give you a new
commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another. By this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have
love for one another.
A Loving God, your mercy and compassion endure
forever.
B Open our hearts, that we may receive your
love; and following the example of your Son,
All May we spread that love to a love-starved world. Through Jesus Christ, who loved us to the end. Amen
I believe in the promise of Christmas and the importance of celebrating in the church.
I believe in the God at the centre of Christmas whose hope for the world was imagined by prophets.
I believe in Mary, who turned the world upside down, and who allowed her life to be disrupted by God.
I believe in Joseph, whose broken heart broke the rules to do the right thing.
I believe in the smell of the stable.
I believe there is no place that God will not go.
I believe in the shepherds, those humble ones open to hear the angels’ song.
I believe in the Magi, the ones outside the faith, outside the community who searched out the holy.
I believe in Jesus, born in poverty, soon a refugee, raised in faith, lived seeking justice, died speaking forgiveness, rose with a love that cannot be stopped.
I commit to use this season to seek out the holy, both in God among us and in God beyond us.
I open myself to an advent journey of great joy.
Barb Jones, Fort Runge UC, Winnipeg, Ma
"Lord’s Prayer" Sign language, entire Sunday School
“I am the Church”` The entire Sunday School
“Jesus was Born on Christmas” The entire Sunday School
“Away in a Manger” The entire Sunday School
"Jingle Bells" Ardron Trio – Landon, Adalyn and Liam
“Christmas!” Poem, Amelia
"Joy to the World"/“Jolly old St Nicholas” Piano, Adalyn
Deck the Halls” Piano, Landon
"Jingle Bells" Ukulele, Tobey
"Rhythm Band” All welcome to join in, led by the
Hyndman Sisters
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope – the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Hope is a Star
(VU 7)
1
Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
2
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.
3
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born.
A There are many different ways to find joy.
B There is joy in being together, Joy in accomplishing a hard task, or helping others. Think about the different ways you have felt joy this season.
What brings you joy in your daily life?
A Today we light the first, second, and third candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is
All Hope
The candle is lit
A The second candle is lit.
All Peace
The candle is lit.
A And the third candle is lit.
All Joy
A The candle is lit
B (Isaiah 55:12) You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
A Let us Pray: Gracious God, you came to us in human flesh.
B And you abide with us in the Holy Spirit.
All Fill us with your joy, and help us shine as a light to the world. Through Jesus Christ, who makes our joy complete. Amen.
(VU 59)
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.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1
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!
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 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.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen
(VU 879)
1
The race that long in darkness pined
have seen a glorious light;
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death's surrounding night.
2
To hail you, Sun of Righteousness,
the gathering nations come,
rejoicing as when reapers bear
their harvest treasures home.
3
To us a child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given;
*him shall the people all obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.
4
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.
5
His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
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
(Tune: VU 48)
1
Watchman, tell us of the night,
what its signs of promise are;
Trav’ler, o’er yon mountain’s height
see that glory beaming star
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
aught of hope or joy foretell?
Trav’ler, yes; it brings the day,
promised day of Israel. (2x)
2
Watchman, tell us of the night;
higher yet the star ascends;
Trav’ler, blessedness & light,
peace and truth its course portends
Watchman will its beams alone
gild the spot that gave them birth
Trav’ler ages are its own,
see, it bursts o’er all the earth. (2x)
3
Watchman, tell us of the night,
for the morning seems to dawn;
Trav’ler, darkness takes its flight;
doubt and terror are withdrawn
Watchman, let thy wand’ring cease,
hie thee to thy quiet home!
Trav’ler, Lo, the Prince of Peace,
* Land Acknowledgement
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Invitation & Dedication of the Offering
Hope is a Star - VU 7 - 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.
2.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth
A Being at peace helps us be able to see and feel God’s love. Think about how
It feels when people are at peace in your home, at work or at school
B This is also a time to share God’s peace with others, How might you share
that peace this week?
A Today we light the first and second candles of the Advent wreath. Each
candle has a meaning.
The first candle is
All HOPE
The seconde candle is
All PEACE.
B Colossians 3:15- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace.
A Let us pray: Almighty God, you offer rest for our hearts, and peace for our
souls.
B Give us grace to seek peace in our lives.
All peace in this community, and peace in the world. Through Jesus Christ,
the prince of peace. Amen.
Tune: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
One May the Lord be with you one and all,
All And also with your spirit.
One Lift up your hearts to our God.
All We lift our hearts up to our gracious God! One Let us give thanks
All It is right to give our thanks and praise to God!
(Tune: “Good King Wenceslas”)
One Blessing, honour, glory, power unto God Almighty! Praise to You, eternal Lord, Father of all mercy.
All Long ago You made us Lord,
made us in Your image,
But through sin we broke the form,
of our Lord within us.
Still Your love came shining through,
from heaven You did send us -
Christ to take on human flesh, here to live among us. He did suffer for our sin, died a death most cruel. Now He lives and reigns in heaven, as its brightest jewel.
We the church on earth do sing with the hosts of heaven: Glory to the One who died, for He has arisen. The baby born at Bethlehem is the King of heaven. And we praise Your blessed name with the song unending.
(Tune: “Angels We Have Heard on High”)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, all praise be given! All Your glory fills the earth;
all Your power fills the heavens!
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
Blessed is the King who came, bringing love and light divine. Blessed is the King who comes, in the Bread and in the Wine. Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
(Tune: “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart and soul and voice.
All On the night He was betrayed,
Jesus to the Father prayed:
One “Bless this bread we are to eat, let it bring forgiveness sweet.
All My body dwells therein; my body dwells therein.”
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Next he took the blessed cup, praying as He raised it up;
One “In the wine forever more is the way to Heavens door.
All My blood poured out for you (2x)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Eat this Bread and drink this cup, share the peace that’s from above.
One Angels sing of heaven’s bliss, as we share this Eucharist.
All Christ was born for this; Christ was born for this.(Tune: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”)
God our Father, God of fame, hallowed be Your saving name; Everywhere Your kingdom come, far away from here at home; May we to Your will comply as the angels do on high; Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
May we, even at our worst, show forgiveness shown us first. Guard us from the tempting devil, & deliver us from evil. Yours the kingdom so sing we, pow’r and glory ever be. Unto You while ages run. Yea AMEN! So be it done! Unto You while ages run. Yea, AMEN! So be it done!
Tune: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”)
O Lamb of God from Bethlehem, weather Mary fave 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 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
1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free:
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
2
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
3
Born thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us for ever;
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
4
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Invitation & Dedication of the Offering
Hope is a Star - VU 7 - 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.
A The prophets of the Old Testament spent years telling people about the hope that God would send a saviour to change the world.
B And He did. Just think about what it feels like to wait in hope and what it feels like to get a gift you’ve been waiting for.
A Today we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. This first candle is
All HOPE.
THE CANDLE IS LIT.
B Psalm 33:20 – We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
A Let us Pray: “Eternal God, as we await the coming of our saviour, give us the courage to hope.
B Give us grace to see your plans of redemption for our lives,
All for this community, and for the world. Through Jesus Christ, the source of our redemption and hope. Amen.
Tune: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
One May the Lord be with you one and all,
All And also with your spirit.
One Lift up your hearts to our God.
All We lift our hearts up to our gracious God! One Let us give thanks
All It is right to give our thanks and praise to God!
(Tune: “Good King Wenceslas”)
One Blessing, honour, glory, power unto God Almighty! Praise to You, eternal Lord, Father of all mercy.
All Long ago You made us Lord,
made us in Your image,
But through sin we broke the form,
of our Lord within us.
Still Your love came shining through,
from heaven You did send us -
Christ to take on human flesh, here to live among us. He did suffer for our sin, died a death most cruel. Now He lives and reigns in heaven, as its brightest jewel.
We the church on earth do sing with the hosts of heaven: Glory to the One who died, for He has arisen. The baby born at Bethlehem is the King of heaven. And we praise Your blessed name with the song unending.
(Tune: “Angels We Have Heard on High”)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, all praise be given! All Your glory fills the earth;
all Your power fills the heavens!
Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
Blessed is the King who came, bringing love and light divine. Blessed is the King who comes, in the Bread and in the Wine. Glo-ria in excelsis Deo! Glo-ria in excelsis Deo!
(Tune: “Good Christian Friends Rejoice”)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart and soul and voice.
All On the night He was betrayed,
Jesus to the Father prayed:
One “Bless this bread we are to eat, let it bring forgiveness sweet.
All My body dwells therein; my body dwells therein.”
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Next he took the blessed cup, praying as He raised it up;
One “In the wine forever more is the way to Heavens door.
All My blood poured out for you (2x)
One Good Christian friends rejoice with heart & soul & voice.
All Eat this Bread and drink this cup, share the peace that’s from above.
One Angels sing of heaven’s bliss, as we share this Eucharist.
All Christ was born for this; Christ was born for this.(Tune: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”)
God our Father, God of fame, hallowed be Your saving name; Everywhere Your kingdom come, far away from here at home; May we to Your will comply as the angels do on high; Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n Grant that we, our sin’s forgiv’n follow in the way of heav’n
May we, even at our worst, show forgiveness shown us first. Guard us from the tempting devil, & deliver us from evil. Yours the kingdom so sing we, pow’r and glory ever be. Unto You while ages run. Yea AMEN! So be it done! Unto You while ages run. Yea, AMEN! So be it done!
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
1
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free:
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
2
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
3
Born thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us for ever;
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
4
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Watch the worship service live on Facebook at
9:30 a.m.
This is the recording of the November 14th service.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(gradually getting quieter)
Equal with God: Jesus is Lord
Emptied himself: Jesus is Lord
Came as a slave: Jesus is Lord
Found as a man: Jesus is Lord
Humbly obeyed: Jesus is Lord
Went to his death: Jesus is Lord
Death on a cross: Jesus is Lord
(getting louder)
God raised him up: Jesus is Lord
Gave him the name:Jesus is Lord
Higher than all: Jesus is Lord
Every knee bow: Jesus is Lord
All tongues confess:Jesus is Lord
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Ps 124:8
VU 337
1
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of the Spirit, washed in Christ's blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.
2
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. R
3
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blessed;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with God's goodness, lost in Christ's love. R
God of Power and Possibility…(Minister continues with Prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ,
we pray for the coming of your kingdom week by week,
but we confess we’re not exactly clear
on what that means.
Will you come to set things straight in the world?
Will you come to judge us
and show us where we’ve all gone wrong?
Will you bring all things to an end,
or will you offer us a new beginning?
Jesus, forgive us when we mix up our own desires
with your purposes for your people.
Teach us how to live out your truth.Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1.
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2.
In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
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.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
VU 333
1
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.
2
Come, almighty to deliver;
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
3
Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.
This is the recording of the November 7th service.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
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
(VU 395)
Refran:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
1
You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. R
2
God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. R
3
There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family. R
4
There's rest for the weary and health for us all;
there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. R
Almighty God…(Minister continues with Prayer)
God of mercy,
In recalling all that you are and all you have done,
For us in our individual lives and as the
Mountain-South Mountain Congregation
We remember who we are and what we have done.
We admit that at times
we pull away from being generous.
We are hesitant to share our gifts.
We are unsure about the path ahead.
Guide us and give us courage,
We pray in Jesus’s name, the Lord of love and life,
Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
1
When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
2
He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own. R
3
Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell[b] with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
(VU 806)
1
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
2
under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure,
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
3
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5
Time like an ever-rolling stream
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
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
Lament Flowers of the Forest
Rouse
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
(VU 686 [tune: 651])
1
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
now fulfil your church's story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
2
Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn your Christ, assail your ways;
fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days.
3
Cure your children's warring madness,
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton selfish gladness,
rich in goods and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
4
Set our feet on lofty places,
gird our lives that they may be
armoured with all Christlike graces,
pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not them nor thee
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
With all my heart I seek you, God
With all our hearts we seek you.
Blessed are you, God
And blessed are those who learn your ways.
I shall not forget your Word
We will treasure your truth in our hearts.
I do your will with great delight
We rejoice in your wisdom.
With all my heart I seek you, God
With all our hearts we seek you.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path (Ps 119: 105)
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Ps 124:8
(VU 343)
1
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
2
I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God's own holy Word. R
3
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. R
Blessed are you, Lord our God…(Minister continues with Prayer)
Loving God you have given us so much – your Word to guide us, your love to heal us, your spirit to encourage us – and you have given us each other, so that in community we may be your love in the world. But we confess that we often fail to live as your chosen and beloved people. Impatient and intolerant, we fail to see your presence in the other person; we hide precious truths which we hold in trust; we let the possibility of peace slip through our fingers. Loving and forgiving God may we learn to forgive each other, may we be open to the transforming power of your love, may we be recreated as a people of peace.
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
1
Ge-ne-sis and Ex-o-dus, next we have Le-vit-i-cus.
Num-bers, Deu-te-ron-o-my,
Joshua, Judg-es, Ruth you'll see,
Two of Sam-uel, two of Kings,
Tells us what life often brings.
2
Chron-i-cles, books 1 & 2, fam’ly names & other clues
Ez-ra, Ne-he-mi-ah next,
Est-er, Job, and Psalms, great text!
Pro-verbs, Ec-cle-si-as-tes,
Song of Sol-o-mon will please,
3
I-sai-ah, Jer-e-mi-ah,
La-men-ta-tions in Judah,
E-zekiel and Dan-i-el,
Ho-se-a and then there’s Joel.
Amos, O-ba-di-ah, who?, Jonah,Micah, Na-hum too,
4
What a name like Ha-bak-kuk,
Zeph-an-i-ah, are you stuck?
Haggai, Zech-a-ri-ah then,
Mal-a-chi will mark the end,
Of the test-a-ment of old, with all those events fore-told,
5
Now its the new test-a-ment,
All about the Son God sent.
Mat-thew, Mark and Luke and John,
Acts and Ro-mans, Corint-thi-ans,
Ga-la-tians, E-phe-si-ans, Phillip-ians, Co-los-si-ans.
6
Thes-sa-lonians, one and two,
Timothy one and Timothy two.
Titus on to Phil-e-mon,
He-brews, James, Pe-ter and John.
Jude is very near the end,
Re-ve-la-tion is the end!
But don’t let [life’s hard times] faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers— why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another— showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
5
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. R
Benediction & The Grace (Together)
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
(VU 660)
1
How firm a foundation, you servants of God,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent word!
What more can be said than to you has been said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
'Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.
3
'When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4
'When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply:
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
5
'The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not - I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never - no, never - no, never forsake!'
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
VU 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
Eternal God…(Minister continues with Prayer)
Ever present God, When you invite us to your table, you ask us to come with clean hands and clean hearts. You ask us to come in peace, seeking reconciliation with you and with each other. We confess that the church has not always sought reconciliation within or beyond its walls. In this silence, we hand over to you the broken relationships, disagreements and disappointments that keep us from living in your peace.
(A time of silence is kept)
Free us from the burdens we carry, so that we may be a source of peace in
this troubled world in the name of Christ who is our peace. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
He's got the whole wide world in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got you and me, brother, in his hands.
He's got you and me, sister, in his hands.
He's got everybody here in his hands.
He's got the whole world in his hands.
He's got the little bitty baby in his hands…
He's got Trudeau and O’Toole in his hands…
He’s got Sens and Leafs in his hands…
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He's got Algonquins and Mohawks in his hands…
He's got the world's refugees in his hands…
He's got Grenville/Dundas County farmers in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands
He's got Jews and Muslims in his hands…
He's got saints and troublemakers in his hands…
He's got Protestants and Catholics in his hands…
He’s got the whole world in his hands
“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.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
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.
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.
Welcome to the Lord’s Table
The Warrant - The Story of the Table
Prayer over the Bread
Prayer over the Wine
Prayer after Communion
Benediction & The Grace (Together)
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
VU 508
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.
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I have said to God, 'You are my God;
from you alone comes all my prosperity.'
All my delight is in the faithful who dwell in the land,
and in those who excel in virtue.
But as for those who run after other gods,
their troubles shall be multiplied.
Libations of blood I will not offer to those gods,
nor will I take their names upon my lips.
You, God, are my allotted portion and my cup;
you yourself have cast my lot.
My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;
indeed I have a noble heritage.
I will thank you, God, for giving me counsel;
at night also you teach my heart.
I keep you always before me;
you are on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
So my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
for my body shall also rest in safety.
For you will not surrender me to the Grave,
nor suffer your beloved to see the Abyss.
You will show me the path of life.
In your presence is fullness of joy;
and from your right hand flow delights
for evermore.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Ps 124:8
VU 649
Refrain:
Walk with me, I will walk with you
and build the land that God has planned
where love shines through.
1
When Moses heard the call of God
he said, 'Lord, don't send me.'
But God told Moses, 'You're the one
to set my people free.' R
2
Now Peter was a most unlikely
man to lead the flock;
but Jesus knew his holiness
and he became the Rock. R
3
Young Mary Magdalene was sure
her life could be much more,
and by her faith she dared to let
God's love unlock the door. R
4
And when you share your faith with me
and work for life made new,
the witness of your faithfulness
calls me to walk with you. R
God of all creation…(Minister continues with Prayer)
God of all creation,
you have opened the world around us
and filled it with wonder,
but we confess our eyes are not always open
to its harsher realities.
Our ears are sometimes deaf to cries of need.
Our minds are often shut
to opinions which differ from our own.
Forgive us when we seek greatness
instead of goodness.
Forgive us when we miss the wisdom
you intend us to embrace. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
More Voices 18
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
pure and holy tried and true; with thanksgiving,
I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Out of the slavery, their cry for help rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain." But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, "What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I am who I am." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, "I am has sent me to you.' " God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, "The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you': This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
But Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Then the Lord said to him, "Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak." But he said, "O my Lord, please send someone else." Then the angel of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, "What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’ve never known
But then things change and you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone
Refrian:
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night
You talk of faith when you’re up on the mountain
But the talk comes easy when life’s at it’s best
But it is down in the valley of trials and temptation
That’s when faith is really put to the test
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
VU 344
1
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer's ear!
It soothes the sorrows, heals the wounds,
and drives away all fear.
2
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.
3
Dear Name! the rock on which I build,
my shield and hiding-place,
my never-failing treasury, filled
with boundless stores of grace.
4
Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.
5
The effort of my heart is weak,
and cold my warmest thought;
but when I see you whom I seek,
I'll praise you as I ought.
* Land acknowledgement
* Celebrations & concerns
* Birthdays & anniversaries
O Lord, open our Lips
And our mouth shall show forth your praise Ps 51:15
O God make speed to save us
O Lord make haste to help us Ps 70:1
How lovely is your dwelling place, God of hosts!
My soul longs, even faints for the courts of God;
my heart and my flesh cry for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a house,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young,
at your altars, God of hosts, my sovereign, my God.
Happy are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise.
Happy are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their heart on pilgrimage.
Going through the valley of Baca
they find a spring from which also to drink;
the early rain also covers it with pools of water.
They go from strength to strength,
to appear before God in Zion.
O God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob.
Behold, O God, our shield,
look on the face of your anointed.
Truly a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For you, God, are a sun and shield, you will give grace and honour.
No good thing will you withhold from those who live the upright life.
O God of hosts,
happy are those who put their trust in you.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth Ps 124:8
1
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
God of majesty and mystery…. (The Minister continues in prayer)
God of mystery and mercy,
you know the details of our lives.
You see the sin and the sorrow we bear;
you see the problems and the possibilities we face.
You see how we take advantage of each other,
how we overlook one another.
O God, we confess we do not always see what you see
in our own lives and in the lives that touch ours.
Open our eyes to the truth of our times
and cleanse our hearts with your grace.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 460
1
All who hunger, gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
2
All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion's love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
3
All who hunger, sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table
live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked towards the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
1
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy:
And then I heard my Saviour speaking:
Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Refrain
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
2
There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord. R
Benediction & The Grace (Together)
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
1
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2
Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will…
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will…
3
All you may need He will provide, God Will…
Nothing you ask will be denied, God Wi…
4 No matter what may be the test, God Will…
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God Will…
* Land Acknowledgement
* Celebrations & Concerns
* Birthdays & Anniversaries
O Lord, Open our Lips
And our Mouth shall show forth your praise Ps 51:15
O God make speed to save us
O Lord make haste to help us Ps 70:1
God commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
God rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our Help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
VU 651
1
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
God of majesty and mystery…. (The Minister Continues in Prayer)
Let us pause now, for a moment, to reflect on what we have been given
and our various needs in this life (Silence)
God of mystery and mercy,
you know the details of our lives.
You see the sin and the sorrow we bear;
you see the problems and the possibilities we face.
You see how we take advantage of each other,
how we overlook one another.
O God, we confess we do not always see
what you see—
in our own lives and in the lives that touch ours.
Open our eyes to the truth of our times
and cleanse our hearts with your grace.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
VU 460
1
All who hunger, gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
2
All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion's love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
3
All who hunger, sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table
live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked towards the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. nd when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
1.
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy:
And then I heard my Saviour speaking:
“Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Refrain:
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
2.
There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord. R
Benediction & 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.
1.
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will…
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will…
3.
All you may need He will provide, God Will…
Nothing you ask will be denied, God Will…
4.
No matter what may be the test, God Will…
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God Will…
Home: 613-448-2725
Cell: 613-850-2725
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O Lord, Open our Lips
And our Mouth shall show forth your praise! Psalm 51:15
O God make speed to save us
O Lord make haste to help us Psalm 70:1
Every day we will bless you
and praise your name forever.
O God, you are great and highly to be praised;
your greatness is beyond all measure.
One generation shall praise your works to another,
and declare your marvellous deeds.
I will speak of your splendour and glory,
and all your wonderful works.
You, God, are righteous in all your ways,
and loving in all your deeds.
You are near to all who call to you,
to all who call on you in truth.
You fulfil the desire of those who revere you;
you hear their cry and you save them.
You watch over all who love you,
but the wicked you will destroy.
My mouth will speak your praise, O God.
Let every creature bless your holy name forever.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
1.
I Come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me,
and He talks with me.
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
2.
He speaks and the sound of his voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. R
3.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But he bids me go – through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. R
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some chose to Believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see
Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me
All of us under it’s spell, We know that it’s probably Magic
Have you been fast asleep
And have you heard voices,
I've heard them calling my name,
Is this the sweet sound that calls
The young sailors,
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that i'm supposed to be,
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection...
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La lala la lala la la la lala la la la
After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee (some call it Tiberias). A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him do among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the Feast of Passover, kept annually by the Jews.
When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”
One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”
Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.
When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted.” They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.
The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, “This is the Prophet for sure, God’s Prophet right here in Galilee!” Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture
Amen
Some bright morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away
Refrain:
I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars I’ve flown
I’ll fly away R
Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I’ll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I’ll fly away R
Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I’ll fly away R
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen
(Psalm 42) - VU 766
1.
As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you;
you alone are my heart's desire
and I long to worship you.
Refrain:
You alone are my strength, my shield
to you alone may my spirit yield;
you alone are my heart's desire,
and I long to worship you.
2.
I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy;
you alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye. R
3.
You're my friend and you are my brother,
even though you are a king;
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything! R
He said to them,
Come away to a deserted place
all by yourselves and rest a while.
For many were coming and going,
and they had no leisure even to eat.
(Mark 6:31, NRSV)
Come away and rest awhile
Lest you be crushed by the load.
Get away and rest
Lest the world and its troubles
Trouble your soul into amnesia
And you forget why you are here
And how important you are to God.
Go away and rest awhile
Lest temptation's noose find a soft spot
Around your neck
And destroy you.
Come away and rest awhile
In the presence of our God.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
(VU 374)
Key of F (Chords found in Voices United)
1.
Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
2.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, face to face,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
3.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spa
God our Maker,
in summer we easily marvel at the world you have made,
the colours of sunrise and sunset filling the horizon,
the intricate beauty of flower gardens and natural parks,
the quiet dignity of a river in its course,
and the steadfast presence of a rock face carved over time.
You show us how each small piece of your creation
depends in many ways on all the others.
Summer growth depends on spring rains;
health for each creature depends on the wise balance
you have set between each species;
the quality of life on the respect we show one another.
Wise and patient God, we marvel at the world you love.
Our worship joins the songs of all creation to bring you praise,
honouring you and the relationships you have set between us all,
And as we reflect on your goodness, we confess that
as we marvel at your creation,
we realize we often take it for granted.
We don’t know what to make
of reports about the damage human life causes.
We prefer to live as if our lifestyles
make no impact on the earth.
We confess we don’t really want to change.
Yet we wonder if the way we live is pleasing to you.
For all the ways we put your creation at risk
and harm the earth,
we ask for your forgiveness.
Teach us how to live in this marvellous world
with love and respect
for you and for your whole creation. AMEN
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(MV 18)
Key of D
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.
The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes′aret, and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran about the whole neighbourhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
Key of D
We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains,
cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea; echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom,
when the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free;
highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Puritan Sabbath keepers agreed that “good Sabbaths make good Christians.”
They meant that regular, disciplined attention to the spiritual life
was the foundation of faithfulness.
Another dimension of the saying opens us if we imagine a worshipping community
helping one another step off the treadmill of work-
and-spend and into the circle of glad gratitude for the gifts of God.
Taken this way, good Sabbaths make good Christians
by regularly reminding us of God’s creative, liberating, and redeeming presence,
not only in [the doing, but also in the being].
From “Keeping Sabbath” by Dorothy C. Bass
in Practicing Our Faith
Key of G
1.
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
And time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair.
When the saved of earth shall gather
Over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there
Refrain:
When the Roll is called up yonder
When the Roll is called up yonder
When the Roll is called up yonder…
When the Roll is called up yonder I’ll be there
2.
On that bright and cloudless morning
When the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of his resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather
To their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
3.
Let us Labour for the Master
From the dawn til setting sun,
Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over,
And our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
by U2
(Key of D)
1
The heart is a bloom
Shoots up through the stony ground
There's no room
No space to rent in this town
2
You're out of luck
And the reason that you had to care
The traffic is stuck
And you're not moving anywhere
3
You thought you'd found a friend
To take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand
In return for grace
Refrain
It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
4
You're on the road
But you've got no destination
You're in the mud
In the maze of her imagination
5
You love this town
Even if that doesn't ring true
You've been all over
And it's been all over you
Refrain
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day
Touch me
Take me to that other place
Teach me love
I know I'm not a hopeless case
6
See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
7
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colours came out
Refrain
It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day
Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case
8
What you don't have, you don't need it now
What you don't know, you can feel it somehow
What you don't have, you don't need it now
Don't need it now
Was a beautiful day
(VU 356; key of D [Chords found in VU])
1
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and God's righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, hallelujah.
Refrain
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
Hallelu, hallelujah
2
Ask and it shall be given unto you;
seek and you shall find;
knock and the door shall be opened unto you.
Hallelu, hallelujah. R
3
We do not live by bread alone,
but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Hallelu, hallelujah. R
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(VU 345; Key of G [Chords found in VU])
1
Come, children, join to sing: Hallelujah!
Praise to our Servant King: Hallelujah!
Let all with heart and voice,
saved by God's gracious choice,
now in this place rejoice: Hallelujah!
2
Come, lift your hearts on high: Hallelujah!
Let praises fill the sky: Hallelujah!
Christ calls his people friends,
the helpless he defends,
a love that never ends: Hallelujah!
3
Praise yet our Christ again: Hallelujah!
Raise high the joyous strain: Hallelujah!
The whole creation o'er
let all God's love adore,
Mark 10:13-16
And they were bringing children to him,
that he might touch them;
and the disciples rebuked them.
But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them,
"Let the children come to me, do not hinder them;
for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God
like a child shall not enter it."
And he took them in his arms and blessed them,
laying his hands upon them.
Luke 17:20-21
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees
when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied,
“The kingdom of God does not come
with your careful observation,
nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’
because the kingdom of God is within you.”
(VU 671; key of G)
1
I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice but thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee.
O bless me now, my Saviour;
I come to thee.
2
I need thee every hour; stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. R
3
I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide, or life is vain. R
4
I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises in me fulfil. R
(Key of D)
1
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
Alone I would perish, undone would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.
Refrain
Hiding in Thee,
hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.
2
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its pow’r;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee. R
3
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. R
by Audioslave
(Key of F)
1
Pearls and swine bereft of me
Long and weary my road has been
I was lost in the cities
Alone in the hills
No sorrow or pity for leaving I feel
Refrain
I am not your rolling wheels
I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride
I am the sky
2
Friends and liars don't wait for me
I'll get on all by myself
I put millions of miles
Under my heels
And still too close to you I feel R x 2
3
I am not your rolling wheels….
4
I am not your blowing wind…
(VU 563; Key of D)
1
Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat's left on the shoreline behind me;
by your side I will seek other seas.
2
You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
- you will find there my nets and labour. R
3
You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving. R
4
You, who have fished other oceans,
ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
my loving friend, as thus you call me. R
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(Key of G)
1
I have decided to follow Jesus 3x
No turning back, no turning back.
2
Though none go with me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back.
3
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back.
4
Now May God’s love be our only message 3 x
No turning back, no turning
Jesus left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”
But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?” They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.
Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honour in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:
“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
(Key of Ab [G 1st fret])
1
Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.
2
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.
3
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Come on pilgrimage.
Let us walk together the road of life.
We will go on well trodden paths,
And also open us new ways.
We will seek, we will search, we will rejoice,
And perhaps we will sing.
From a poem in Road of Life
by David Adam, Lindisfarne (Holy Isle)
(VU 660; Key of G)
Isaiah 43: 1-4
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honoured, and I love you
1
How firm a foundation, you servants of God,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent word!
What more can be said than to you has been said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2
'Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.
3
'When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4
'When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply:
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
5
'The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not - I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never - no, never - no, never forsake!'
by Jim Payne and performed by Great Big Sea
(Key of E [D 2nd fret])
1
Oh me name Able Rogers a share man am I
On a three-masted scooner from Twilingate Isle
I've been the world over North, South, East and West
But the middle of nowhere's where I likes it best
Refrain
Where it's wave over wave sea over bow
I'm as happy a man as the sea will allow
There's no other life for a sailor like me
Than to sail the salt sea boys to sail the sea
There's no other life but to sail the salt sea
2
Well I leave my wife lonely ten months of the year
For she built me a home and raised my children there
She never come out to bid farewell to me
Or can why a sailor must sail the salt sea R
3
Oh the work it is hard and the hours are long
But my spirit is willing my back it is strong
And when the works over the whisky will pour
We'll dance with the girls upon some foreign shore R
4
I've sailed the world over for decades or more
And oft times I wonder what I do it for
I don't know the answer it's pleasure and pain
But with life to live over I'd do it again R
(VU 405; Key of Eb [D 1st fret])
1
New every morning is the love
our wakening and uprising prove;
through sleep and darkness safely brought,
restored to life, and power, and thought.
2
New mercies each returning day
hover around us while we pray;
new perils past, new sins forgiven,
new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
3
If on our daily course our mind
be set to hallow all we find,
new treasures still of countless price
God will provide for sacrifice.
4
The trivial round, the common task,
will furnish all we ought to ask,
room to deny ourselves, a road
to bring us daily nearer God.
5
Only, O God, in your dear love
fit us for perfect rest above;
and help us, this and every day,
to live more nearly as we pray.
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(VU 578; key of F; tune: In the Bulb there is a flower)
1
As a fire is meant for burning
with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission,
giving glory to God's name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs,
but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations,
finding neighbours everywhere.
2
We are learners; we are teachers;
we are pilgrims on the way.
We are seekers; we are givers;
we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions,
we would show that Christ is light.
In a humble, listening Spirit,
we would live to God's delight.
3
As a green bud in the springtime
is a sign of life renewed,
so may we be signs of oneness
mid earth's peoples, many-hued.
As a rainbow lights the heavens
when a storm is past and gone,
may our lives reflect the radiance
of God's new and glorious dawn.
After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, “My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.” Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him.
A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.
At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”
But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.
Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”
* * *
While he was still talking, some people came from the leader’s house and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?”
Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.”
He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John. They entered the leader’s house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: “Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn’t dead; she’s sleeping.” Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn’t know what he was talking about.
But when he had sent them all out, he took the child’s father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child’s room. He clasped the girl’s hand and said, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, get up.” At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.”
(VU 238; Key of Bb [G 3rd fret])
1
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
2
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. R
3
But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin. R
4
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim, 'My God, how great thou art!' R
(VU 670; Key of G)
1
Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
2
When my way grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call,
hold my hand lest I fall:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
3
When the darkness appears,
and the night draws near,
and the day is past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet, hold my hand:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light:
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Indigenous people have for over 500 years been the victims of “well meaning” people who thought they knew what was best for them. People of many nations have been preached to, rarely listened to, and even today their voices are drowned out by those who think they know better. The most important advice that can be given to someone meeting an Indigenous person is to listen. And practical reconciliation is together “building a bridge of care”. We look forward to the day “when the storm is past” and we have true reconciliation in this land.
By The Foo Fighters
(Key of E [C 4th Fret])
1
Too alarmin' now to talk about
Take your pictures down and shake it out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around
Refrain
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary
2
Don't the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out?
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around R
3
Kudos, my hero, leavin' all the mess
You know my hero, the one that's on R (x2)
(Key of G)
1
These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'
Refrain
Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.
2
These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord! R
There's no God like Jehovah.
There's no God like Jehovah!
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(Key of D, VU 296)
1
This is [my Father’s] world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is [my Father’s] world,
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
God's hand the wonders wrought.
2
This is [my Father’s] world,
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is [my Father’s] world,
God shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass or mountain pass,
God's voice speaks everywhere.
3
This is [my Father’s] world,
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is [my Father’s] world,
why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, let the heavens ring:
God reigns, let earth be glad!
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
(VU 574; Key of Eb [D 1st fret])
1
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
2.
Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
3
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
4
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
(Key of G)
1
Faith of our Fathers! living still
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword:
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word.
Refrain
Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
2
Our Fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free:
How sweet would be their children's fate,
If they, like them, could die for thee! R
3
Faith of our Fathers! we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife:
And preach thee too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life. R
by Coldplay
(Key of Eb [C Fret 3rd])
1
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
2
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something, you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
3
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
4
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth
5
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something, you cannot replace
6
Tears stream down your face and I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you, I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face and I
7
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tune: To God be the glory” (Key of G)
1
To what can the kingdom of God be compared?
A mustard seed falls where a field's been prepared,
And there, where predictable plantings should be,
There grows up a wild bush — as big as a tree!
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds - signs of birth - faithful Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is amazing, your ways still astound,
Just like that new life springing forth from the ground.
2
A small bit of leaven will change the whole bread:
A poor woman sees that her neighbors are fed,
A church reaches out to the youth in the town,
A man shares his faith and God's blessings abound.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds - signs of birth - faithful Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is among us, creation is blessed,
When even a few faithful lives change the rest.
3
While some look for treasure or one priceless pearl,
God's reign is the gift wise ones seek in this world.
A girl sells possessions to help those in need;
A boy chooses faithfulness rather than greed.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds - signs of birth - faithful Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is a treasure that wise ones pursue;
May we seek your kingdom in all that we do.
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(Key of G)
1
Birds are singing, woods are ringing
With Thy praises, blessed King;
Lakes & mountain, field & fountain
To Thy throne their tribute bring
Refrain
We, thy children, join the chorus,
Merrily, cheerily, gladly praise thee;
Glad hosannas, glad hosannas,
Joyfully we lift to thee.
2
Waters dancing, sunbeams glancing,
Sing thy glory cheerily,
Blossoms breaking, nature waking,
Chant thy praises merrily. R
3
Angels o’er us join the chorus
Which on earth we sing to thee;
Heaven’s ringing, earth is singing,
Praises to thee joyfully. R
[Jesus] said,
‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,
and would sleep and rise night and day,
and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
The earth produces of itself,
first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.
But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle,
because the harvest has come.’
He also said,
‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God,
or what parable will we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;
yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs,
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
With many such parables he spoke the word to them,
as they were able to hear it;
he did not speak to them except in parables,
but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
(Key of D)
1
The love we have for you, O Lord,
is only a shadow of your love for us,
only a shadow of your love for us,
your deep abiding love.
Refrain
Our lives are in your hands,
our lives are in your hands.
Our love for you will grow, O Lord;
your light in us will shine.
2
Our own belief in you, O Lord,
is only a shadow of your faith in us,
only a shadow of your faith in us,
your deep and lasting faith.
3
The dreams we share today, O Lord,
are only a shadow of your dreams for us,
only a shadow of your dreams for us,
if we but follow you.
4
The joy we share today, O Lord,
is only a shadow of your joys for us,
only a shadow of your joys for us,
when we meet face to face.
(MV 175; Key of C)
1
Soil of God, you and I, stand ready to bear
seeds of faith nourished by God’s tender care.
Growing in everyone for here God is found.
All stand together, we are…
Holy ground.
2
Soil of God, you and I, now ready to be
part of God’s promise, for others to see.
Open to everyone for here God is found.
All stand together, we are…
Holy ground.
3
Soil of God, you and I, now called to re-birth,
joining as partners with all of the earth.
Living in harmony for here God is found.
All stand together, we are…
Holy ground.
1
An old man turned 98
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic, don't you think?
Refrain
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would've thought, it figures
2
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down, he thought
"Well, isn't this nice?"
And isn't it ironic, don't you think? R
3
Well, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay
and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out
When you think everything's gone wrong
and everything blows up In your face
4
A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic, don't you think?
A little too ironic
And, yeah, I really do think R
And, yeah, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out
Helping you out
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.
Family of God, from whom does our help come?
Our help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(Key of G)
1
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!
2
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
3
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
brighter than snow you may be today.
4
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see his face,
will you this moment his grace receive?
(Key of D)
I found love deeper than the ocean
I found love that rockets into space
I found love more amazing than the Tooth Fairy
I found it in God's grace
I found it in God's grace
I found it in God's grace
I found this love (4x)
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field;
on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
(Key of G)
1
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
2
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
3
I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.
(VU 669; Key of C)
1
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.
2
Other refuge have I none;
hangs my helpless soul on thee.
Leave, ah! leave me not alone;
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenceless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
3
Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
more than all in thee I find.
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness:
false and full of sin I am,
thou art full of truth and grace.
4
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound;
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.
By the Foo Fighters
(Chords: D, Am, C, Em)
1
I, I'm a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away
Then follows you back home
I, I'm a street light shining
I'm a wild light blinding bright
Burning off alone
Refrain
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again
2
I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I’m a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?
Refrain
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(Arfon Major; Key of D)
1
I believe in God almighty
Author of all things that be
Maker of the earth and heavens
Keeper of the sky and sea
I believe in God’s Son, Jesus
Now for us both Lord and Christ
Of the Spirit and of Mary
Born to bring abundant life
2
I believe that Jesus suffered
Scourged and scorned and crucified
Taken from the cross, was buried
True Life there had truly died
I believe that on the third day
Christ was raised up from the grave
Then ascended to God’s right hand
He will come to judge and save
3
I believe in God’s own Spirit
Bonding all the saints within
One church, catholic and holy
Where forgiveness frees from sin
In the body’s resurrection
For the breaking of death’s chain
Gives the life that’s everlasting
This the faith that I have claimed
(Key of D)
1
If I were a white Charolais,
I’d thank you Lord for giving me hay.
And if I were a Holstein cow,
I’d thank you Lord, for showing me how.
If I were a curly haired sheep, I’d jiggle my tail
And I’d give you a bleat, but…
I just thank you God for making me “me”
Refrain
‘Cause you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and made me his child
And I just thank you, God, for making me “me”
2
If I were a Case-I.H.,
I’d thank you Lord, for giving me fuel.
If I were a green John Deere,
I’d be thankful for my power-shift gears.
And if I were an old, blue Ford, I’d finish my work
And I’d take on more, but…
I just thank you God for making me “me” R
3
If I were a flower bed,
I’d thank you Lord, for my blooming stems,
And If I were a garden plot,
it’s tough to be thankful for the bugs and whatnot.
And as I mow my lawn I’ll say,
“It’s a lot like farming in my own special way,” but …
I just thank you God for making me “me.” R
There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.”
Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”
“How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?”
Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”
Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?”
Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics? Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?
“No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
(Key of D [G 5th Fret])
1
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev'ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
4
I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
(VU 686; Key of G)
1
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
now fulfil your church's story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
for the facing of this hour.
2
Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn your Christ, assail your ways;
fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days.
for the living of these days.
3
Cure your children's warring madness,
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton selfish gladness,
rich in goods and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
4
Set our feet on lofty places,
gird our lives that they may be
armoured with all Christlike graces,
pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not them nor thee.
that we fail not them nor thee.
by Apologetix (a parody of Brian Adams’ Summer of ’69)
(Key of D)
Genesis 5:1-32, Romans 10:6-9
1
You got to learn a little history
Oldest man in Bible times
Name was called Methuselah
Was nine hundred and sixty-nine
We had some guys come close
Almost ran for a thousand yards
Didn't they quit till they got buried
They should've known it just was too hard
2
When we look back now
Those fellas seemed to live forever
And you just get annoyed
Yeah cause you don't wanna believe it
Those guys were blessed with such long lives
Ain't no use in explainin'
If you're gonna doubt the truth
Spent your life doubtin' the Bible
When it's the fountain of youth yeah
Refrain
Standin' knockin' on your door
He told ya you could live forever
I hope you understand
The truth is it's now or never
These are the last days of your life - Oh Yeah!
That should be somethin' that sticks in your mind
3
Yeah, we're runnin' out of time
But the young forget that they need eternal life
To get somethin' that last forever -- forever -- Whoa! Yeah!
And all the time we're agin'
Look at every wrinkle comin' on
Some guys don't even live to be 16
Think about that while I end this song
Refrain
Standin' knockin' on your door
He told you how to live forever
I hope you understand
Hebrews three says it's now or never
These are the last days of your life
That should be somethin' that sticks in your mind
(Read it in Romans 10: 6 to 9)
That should be somethin' that sticks in your mind
That should be somethin' that sticks in your mind
That should be somethin' that sticks in your mind
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(VU 375; key of D)
Refrain
Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
blow thro' the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, wind on the sea.
1
You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. R
2
You swept thro' the desert, you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded with their idols and lies,
then you spoke thro' your prophets to open their eyes. R
3
You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. R
4
You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions your people arise. R
(MV 4)
All who are thirsty, all who are weak,
come to the fountain.
Dip your heart in the stream of life.
Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away
in the waves of his mercy
as deep cries out to deep. We sing
1. Come, Lord Jesus, come. (4X)
2 Holy Spirit come. (4X)
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”
Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”
Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
“In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below,
Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.”
(Key of G)
1
There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Refrain
O, come, come, come, come
Come to the church in the wildwood,
O, 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 wwill weep by the side of the tomb. R
3
How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh, come to the church in the vale. R
4
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night;
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
(VU 384; key of F)
1
The lone, wild bird in lofty flight
is still with you, nor leaves your sight.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me too.
2
The ends of earth are in your hand,
the sea's dark deep and far-off land.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me too.
3
Each secret thought is known to you,
the path I walk my whole life through;
my days, my deeds, my hopes, my fears,
my deepest joys, my silent tears.
4
In secret depths you knit my frame,
before my birth you spoke my name;
within my soul, as close as breath,
so near to me, in life, in death.
5
O search me, God, my heart reveal,
renew my life, my spirit heal;
for I am yours, I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me too.
"Prospect” is a tune that appears in William Walker's Southern Harmony (1835),
which stands alongside Benjamin Franklin White's The Sacred Harp (1844)
as one of the most important compilations of shape-note hymns —
a genre of singing and method of teaching that originated in 19th-century American churches.
Like many folk tunes, it is pentatonic (including notes 1-2-3-5-6 of the major scale),
and this simplicity of melody lends itself to rich harmonization. In Southern Harmony, the tune is attributed only to “Graham.”
A Parody of Van Halen/The Kinks “You Really Got Me”
(Proverbs 31:10-31, 1 Peter 3:3-4, Genesis 2:18-24)
Key of Am
Girl, you're really godly now
You're godly so much more than Wonder Woman
Girl, you're really godly now
Without Him no one can be that nice
Girl, you're really godly now
You probably know exactly where I'm goin', yeah
Oh, yeah, you're really godly now
You're Proverbs 31 -- you're that type
You're really godly - oh
You're really godly - oh oh
You're really godly
Please don't ever fret, baby
I know you wanna be my pure bride
Please don't ever fret, baby
The Holy One will be by your side
Girl, you're really godly now
You're godly though I know you're only human, yeah
Oh, yeah, you're really godly now
You're godly, so our kids they act right
You're really godly - uh huh
You're really godly - uh huh
You're really godly
Oh, don't go
Girl, you're really godly now
The God we serve He sure knows what He's doin'
Girl, you're really godly now
He brought me someone who's made just right
Girl, you're really godly now
You're godly so we both know where we're goin', yeah
Oh, yeah, you're really godly now
You're godly so I can't just backslide
You're really godly
You're really godly - ohhh
You're really godly
Oh oh oh!
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Words: Jim Strathdee Music: Anon; arr. by Al Oppenheimer; accomp. by Jim Strathdee. In The faith we sing (2000). A supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).
(VU 644)
Key of G
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.
(VU 556)
Key of D
1.
Would you bless our homes and families,
Source of life who calls us here;
in our world of stress and tension
teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles,
love's expressed in many ways.
2.
When our way is undemanding,
let us use the time that's ours
to delight in simple pleasures,
sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking
and a heavy path we plod,
teach us trust in one another
and in you, our gracious God.
3.
From the homes in which we're nurtured,
with the love that shapes us there,
teach us, God, to claim as family
every one whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer,
may we in your love remain;
may the love we share in families
be alive to praise your name.
4.
Let us reach beyond the boundaries
of our daily thought and care
till the family, you have chosen
spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other
with a love that constant stays;
teach us when we face our troubles
love's expressed in many ways.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
This Hymn, written by Rev. J. S. Cutler, has its roots in the Mother-God theology of the 14th Century English mystic Dame Julian of Norwich. It was included in the 1941 Baptist/Disciples of Christ hymnal "Christian Worship". It's listed as "for Mother's Day", and puts an intriguing theological spin on this commercial holiday. It is interesting to note that folks in some Episcopal (Anglican) churches seem to groove on "Mothering Father" (taking "Mothering" as a better equivalent of "Merciful" in Hebrew, which is from the root "womb")
Key of F (tune: In the Bulb - VU 703)
1.
Motherhood, sublime, eternal,
lives in God's great heart of Love;
Ever holds us, safe enfolds us,
underneath, around, above;
Patient, tender, kind, forgiving,
though in devious paths we roam;
Gently chides us, ever guides us,
and all-loving, leads us home.
2.
Ev'ry wrong will sure be righted;
ev'ry evil swept away;
Truth upspringing, justice bringing,
ushers in the brighter day;
Mother calls her earthly children,
loves them, lifts them when they fall;
Striving, calling, fainting, falling,
Motherlove enfolds them all.
3.
God is love, and love forever
in the motherheart is blest;
Lives the longest, lifts the strongest,
far outreaching all the rest;
Not by might, and not by wisdom
comes our lifting from the sod:
Love's pure glory tells the story
in the Motherheart of God.
“And you, Jesus, sweet Lord, are you not also a mother? Truly, you are a mother, the mother of all mothers, who tasted death in your desire to give life to your children.”
-- St. Anselm (1033-1109, England)
The God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight;
Amen.
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen
(VU 713)
Key of Eb (D with capo on 1st fret)
Refrain:
I see a new heaven.
I see a new earth
as the old one will pass away,
where the fountain of life flows
and without price goes
to all people who abide in the land.
1.
There, there on the banks of a river bright and free,
yielding her fruit, firm in her root,
the Tree of Life will be. R
2.
There, there where death dies and our lives are born again,
body and soul, struggling but whole
like flowers after the rain. R
3.
There, there where the darkness brings visions from above.
There where the night, bearing new light,
reveals the promise of love. R
4.
There, there where we work with the love of
healing hands.
Labour we must, true to our trust
to build a promised new land. R
Watch the worship service live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m.
This is the recording for the May 2, 2021 service.
By Apologetix (parody of Hells Bells by AC/DC)
(Key of Am)
Luke 16:19-31, Rev. 14:11, 20:10-15, Matt. 5:22-30; 7:13-14,10:28, 13:36-42, 13:48-50; 18:9, 23:33, 25:41; Mark 9:42-47; James 3:6, Jude 7,13; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:7; Romans 2:5-12, Revelation 20:10-16
I'm goin' under, I roared in pain
It wasn't fun like I heard 'em claim
My life was flashin' before my eyes
You woke me up but I'm traumatized
Oh, won't take no visitors
Once there, you'll find
Nobody's partyin' up all night
Ah, it's hard to sell a one-way ticket to hell
You know the stench is rank and wretched
'Cause hell smells
Yeah, hell smells
You won't believe it
Hell smells
The stench is so vile
Hell smells
I've been through Revelation - up and down you'll find
If you're into evil it's the end of the line
See the White Throne Judgment as He splits them wide
Puts them goats on the left and lines the sheep up to the right
Won't take no visitors
Won't take no bribes
Nobody's put in by surprise
Ah, it's not so swell when God forsakes you to hell
They won't accept a late confession
Hell smells
Oh, hell smells
You got deceived and
Hell smells
The tempter just lied
Hell smells
Hell smells
Stinks - it's rotten, P.U.
Hell smells
You're wrinklin' your nose
Hell smells
The tempter just lied
Hell smells
The cross divides
Hell smells
So take your cue now
Hell smells
Before you go under
Hell smells
God can spare your life
Hell smells
There's no way but Christ, yeah!
Ow!
Ow ow!
Ow! Yeah heh!
Hell smells!
Matthew 13:42
They will throw them into the blazing furnace,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
