Service Sunday May 5, 2024
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All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole service using YouTube.
The Gathering
Welcome and Announcements.
Focusing Moment.
Acknowledgement of Land
We acknowledge that above all, this land 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 land today.
Call to Worship:
One: Now, with voices joined as one, we offer our commitment as the church of Jesus Christ:
ALL: that peace within us and joy about us be obvious to all, by the words we share, the actions we take and the compassion we show—each a hallmark of Jesus and every one worthy of emulating. For by them, we are as Christ to one another and the world.
One: By God’s grace and favour, may it be so. May it be so, indeed.
ALL: Amen, amen. Again we say, amen!
Written by Bill Perry, Consecon P.C., Carrying Place, Ont..
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2024, p.42. Used with permission.
HYMN: “Come to My Heart” VU #661
1 Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
come to my heart today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.
2 Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
fill me with love today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.
3 Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
Answer my prayer today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.
A NEW CREED: 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 TIME FOR THE YOUTHFUL
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.
THE WORD
Scripture: John 15: 9 - 13
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“The Web of Life”
Listen to an audio recording of the message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: spoken VU #921
HYMN: “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet” VU #245
1 Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
praise the Lord with the gentle-sounding flute.
Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.
Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or
snow or in the morning light.
Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord on the highest hill,
praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.
2 Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord with the pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.
Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.
Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord every moment,
nothing let your praise destroy.
Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way!
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Offertory Prayer (In Unison)
Loving God, we express our thanksgiving for your blessing through these offerings. May they further our work in the Christian church, community, and beyond. Amen.
Written by Taylor Croissant, Southminster U.C., Lethbridge, Alta.
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2024, p.48. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: VU# 602 vs 1
1 Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the unity of heart and mind
is like to that above. ©
Sending Forth: In Unison
One: Dwell in Christ’s love with sweet song. Proclaim blessings in Christ’s name. We dwell in Jesus’ reign. We are God’s creations. We will loosen chains, offer rest, and share God’s bounty. Go then, in the power of the Holy Spirit and in God’s love.
ALL: Amen!
Written by Robin Wardlaw, Toronto, Ont.
Gathering, Lent-Easter 2024, p.49. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2023 - 25/10/2024; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 2024 05 05
“The Web of Life”
John 15: 9 - 13
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $50 bill.
There were 200 participants in the room and another 100 on the Zoom call and he asked,
“Who would like this $50 bill?”
There wasn’t a person in the room who didn’t raise their hand.
Even people on Zoom started to click the raise hand button!
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked, “Who still wants it?”
Still the hands were up in the air and more little “raised hands” reactions were on the screen.
“Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?”
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.
“Now who still wants it?”
Still the hands went into the air and even more little raised hands flashed on the screen.
“My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson.
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $50.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, isolated or free, you are still priceless to God.
I share this story with you because it reflects the same kind of love that Jesus talked about.
Jesus says, “Make yourselves at home in my love” and “love one another the way I have loved you.”
But what is this love.
You all know I love sweets and butter tarts are one of my favourites!
They taste so good.
Is that the kind of love Jesus means?
To some people in our world love is just a warm feeling or a rush of emotion.
To some it is merely romantic or even less - lust.
The Greek of the New Testament use three different words for love.
One is eros; from which we get the word erotic.
Eros love is a self-serving love.
Eros means I love you because you can give me something.
Another of the Greek words for love is phileo.
This is brotherly love or family love.
Philadelphia is literally translated the city of brotherly love.
This love is loving those who are similar to you or family.
Then there is agape.
This is unconditional love.
It is love for the sake of the other.
What does Jesus mean by “love one another?”
Jesus offers us a definition in the passage.
He says “This is the very best way to love.
Put your life on the line for your friends.”
The context of these words is important.
Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples.
He had washed their feet and served them communion.
Judas had just left to betray Jesus.
These words of love were spoken in the shadow of the cross.
Jesus gave his life for his friends.
He gave his life showing all, then and now, what love means.
That is love.
This is surely unconditional love.
This is the agape love that loves for the sake of others.
Even those who have been stepped on and crumpled.
Having said that, the definition of “unconditional love” pales in comparison to what Jesus did.
His life and death was a living example of the kind of love we should live.
When Jesus said, “Love one another,” he meant live this kind of love for one another.
On Wednesday, there was a volunteer fair in Minden and we recently celebrated volunteer week in April.
Today as part of our service we are honouring those who work so hard to help make this church a wonderful community of faith.
These are the people in our community that give financially or give of themselves serving others.
Some of them are neighbours helping neighbours.
Some are friends and family from near and far.
Some are even strangers in other cities and parts of Ontario that just wanted to do whatever they can do to help.
We also need to be aware of the personal cost that comes with helping another.
In many cases, it is only the cost of giving of your time but in some cases, equipment & tools may be needed to help.
These gifts of equipment, supplies and talent are offered generously to assist.
The gift of your time, your volunteer time, is a special gift.
It is a precious gift because we are giving a piece of our life to another.
Supplies, tools, even equipment can be replaced.
But we only get one life in this world.
Some might argue that we all should be more selective with our time and make sure we make the most of it.
I agree, we should not waste our lives in front of the TV but doing the things that give us true purpose and meaning in life.
That is easier said than done sometimes.
Jesus gives us a hint of what the meaning is when he says that giving of your life is the very best way to love.
Soon it will be the Victoria Day long weekend, when we mark the unofficial beginning of summer.
It sure felt like summer yesterday!
Many of us will be going to the beach or the lake or camping or just going outside.
As we do, remember the example - the living definition of love given by those who are serving to keep us safe and out of harms way.
Those who are also working alongside all those volunteers to ensure our safety.
The EMS, the police, the Hydro One workers, doctors and nurses all working together to keep us safe.
And when you think that Jesus calls us to love one another, this is what he meant.
But wait a minute.
Very few of us are ever placed in the situation of actually giving up our whole lives for another.
Is it impossible for us to love like Jesus did?
No, we may never, I hope, be challenged to actually give up our whole lives for another.
But we can make little sacrifices to place others first.
Jesus gave us another example of this love in the upper room.
He washed his disciple’s feet.
How willing are you to humble yourself to help another?
What sacrifices will you make?
We honour the sacrifices made by so many volunteers and the daily work helping others by people employed to help in times of emergencies.
They give their lives.
They are living examples of Agape love helping to hold the web of life together.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
