Service Sunday May 18th, 2025
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Paul Reed
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
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The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
As we gather, we are reminded that we are situated on treaty land that is steeped in rich Indigenous history. As a faith community we have a responsibility for the stewardship of the land on which we live and work. Today we acknowledge the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Scugog Island First Nation and the Chippewas of Beausoleil First Nation, Georgina Island First Nation and the Rama First Nation that are all signatories of the Williams Treaty (1923) and Treaty 20(1818) on whose traditional territory we are meeting.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Imagine a place where all are welcome …
All: and everyone hears the sound of their name.
One: Imagine, having enough food and water
All: and a home free of hatred and fear.
One: Imagine a place where creativity is valued
All: and the spirit is nurtured in love.
One: Imagine, just imagine,
All: his is that place.
HYMN: “Let us build a House” MV #1
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;
a banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
5. Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace;
let this house proclaim
from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
OPENING PRAYER: Read In Unison
We praise you, O God, for the gift of creation and the surprise of re-creation. Open our eyes to see new things. Open our minds to think fresh thoughts. Open our communities to welcome new partners. Open our spirits to follow your Spirit. Amen.
WORDS OF HOPE (responsive)
One: Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you,
you also should love one another.
ALL: But what about those with challenging personalities or who are not attractive in appearance? But what about those who disregard others and abuse creation? What about those with whom we seem to share nothing in common or who do not interest us in any way? What about our own places of unloveliness? What about our own actions that dim your presence?
One: Behold! God is here, in our midst, making all things new. Hopeless despair and lonely pain are no more, silent grief and sorrow disappear in God’s presence. We are living in God’s new creation.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC:
LEARNING TOGETHER:
HYMN: “I See a New Heaven” VU #713
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.
THE WORD
Scripture: Revelation 21:1–6
Scripture: John 13:31-35
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“Getting the Feet Wet”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU#595)
HYMN: “How Firm a Foundation” 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!'
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS:
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of eternal love, we begin again this weekly journey ever mindful of all that you have done for us, and we rededicate ourselves to travel with Jesus, to remember your promises, and to spread the good news of your never-ending, undying, unconditional love for all people. Accept the gifts that we offer, and accept our promise, to love, serve, and follow, in Christ’s name. Amen.
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:
BLESSING
One: Go to love others as Christ loves you and to celebrate God’s goodness with all of creation.
ALL: We go surrounded by God’s Spirit.
One: The former things have gone away; God is making all things new. God dwells among us even now.
All: We go to help make God’s dream come true.
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.
