Service Sunday May 4th, 2025
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
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The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:
LIGHTING THE OF CHRIST CANDLE:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
As we gather, we take a moment to remember that the territory we call the Haliburton Highlands is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe peoples. We seek to learn about past wrongs, act with justice in the present, and pray for a better future together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
Written by Natacha Pearen, Trinity-St. Stephen’s U.C., Amherst, N.S.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.45. Used with permission
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”
ALL: And three times Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
One: Each time, Jesus responded, “Then feed my sheep.”
ALL: Every day Jesus asks us, “(Your name), do you love me?”
One: If we answer, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” then we must be ready to serve Christ’s people.
ALL: We have come to worship today to ready ourselves for this discipleship of service.
Written by Catherine Tovell, Kilworth U.C., London, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.44. Used with permission.
HYMN: “Will You Come and Follow Me” VU #567
1 Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the 'you' you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?
5 Christ, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
A NEW CREED: Read In Unison
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 and 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.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
NEW HYMN: “Jesus Saw Them Fishing” MV #113
1. Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
waiting in their boats so patiently.
Refrain
And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets, I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
and your life will never be the same again.”
2. A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honour the commandments of the Lord
Then sell off all yor riches for the poor.” Refrain
3. “If you want to follow me, deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
but nothing is impossible with God.” Refrain
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: John 21:1 - 19
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“We’re In The Boat Together!”
OUR REPSPONSE CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (sung VU #960)
HYMN: “Will Your Anchor Hold” 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. Refrain
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. Refrain
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. Refrain
AFFIRMING MOMENT:
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Welcoming God, receive our hearts and fill us with your Spirit that we may be able to offer ourselves in service to you. Strengthen us when our resolve weakens and we put ourselves first. Awaken us as a congregation to recognize the need around us. Make us a community of love and service, joining with the efforts and energy of all those who strive to make your children and planet whole. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Written by Gill Le Fevre, Walton Memorial U.C., Oakville, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.49. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: VU #161 vs 2
2 Earth with joyful welcome clothes itself for spring;
greets with life reviving our returning king:
flowers in every pasture, leaves on every bough,
speak of sorrows ended; Jesus triumphs now!
Welcome, happy morning! age to age shall say;
hell today is vanquished, heaven is won today! ©
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.
