Service Sunday May 11th, 2025
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
We acknowledge that above all, this territory belongs to God ...
Wakan ... Creator. It has been cared for by many generations of people before us; both Indigenous Peoples and settlers.
May we, in true humility, be thankful to be on this territory today.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Come as people open to the Spirit’s movement among and within us.
ALL: We come in anticipation and with openness to God’s word.
One: Come as people wishing to work for new creation.
ALL: We come to listen and to worship as we embrace the good news.
One: As we gather, let us join our hearts in prayer:
ALL: Gather us in, O God, as people yearning for your loving.
Gather us in, O Christ, as people longing for your freedom.
Gather us in, O Spirit, as people seeking your enthusiasm and your joy. Gather us in, each one to another, helping us to strengthen the bonds of faith.
Gather us in, stranger and family, foe and friend, in and out, establishing our common identity in the risen Christ. Amen.
Written by Gord Dunbar, Kincardine, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.53. Used with permission.
HYMN: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” VU #326
1 O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God's grace.
2 Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life and health and peace.
3 He speaks, and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful broken-hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.
4 Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones,
your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes,
and leap, you lame, for joy!
5 My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of your name.
OPENING PRAYER: Read In Unison
Creator God, parent of us all, we are your precious children who live within family units of all kinds and sizes. We gather here with you and within this church family ready to worship you and to be embraced in your love. Amen
Written by Tammy Fergusson, Grace U.C., Gananoque, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.53. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC:
LEARNING TOGETHER:
HYMN: “Like a Healing Stream” MV #144
1. Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives
as in a dream unfolding,
promising revival and rebirth
like a healing stream
2. Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil
to coax a new creation
yearning for an end to want and need
like a gentle rain.
3. Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel
in a new direction,
calling for an end to hate and war
like a river strong.
4. Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons,
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts
to shape a new tomorrow:
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a mighty sea, like a river strong,
like a gentle rain, like a healing stream.
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: John 10 : 22 - 30
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“What Stays the Same in Times of Change”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU #921)
HYMN: “Faith of Our Fathers” VU #580
1. Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy,
whene'er we hear that glorious word:
faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.
2. Faith of our mothers, daring faith,
your work for Christ is love revealed,
spreading God's word from pole to pole,
making love known and freedom real:
faith of our mothers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.
3. Faith of our sisters, brothers too,
who still must bear oppression's might,
raising on high, in prisons dark,
the cross of Christ still burning bright:
faith for today, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.
4. Faith born of God, O call us yet;
bind us with all who follow you,
sharing the struggle of your cross
until the world is made anew.
Faith born of God, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Here we are, God, as your invited family, as people who love the risen Christ, as those who are woven together as one by the Spirit’s power. Take what we offer: our hearts, our living, our time, our talent, and our treasure. May you so bless what we give that we become transformed for love—a love that fosters good news for the broader fabric of this world.
Amen
Written by Gord Dunbar, Kincardine, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.53. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: VU #574 vs 4
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. ©
SENDING FORTH:
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
