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God calls us to create a community of faith where all are welcome and encouraged to participate fully: no matter where you’re from, when you were born, however you self-identify, whom you love,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
Live in the light and do what is kind.
Following Jesus we share our lives with others.
Live in the light!
The light shall open our hearts.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Creation calls us to celebrate!
We are all a part of God’s creation.
We honour the good earth and give thanks, for all that sustains life.
With love and gratitude, we gather to worship.
OPENING PRAYER
Holy One, we come as we are, ready to hear a word from you. Draw us close and teach us your ways of justice and truth. Increase our faith that we might follow in the ways of your love. We gather and we pray, in the name of the Christ. Amen
HYMN #30 More Voices “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
Refrain And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry and sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore, Refrain
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the summer breeze joins the song, Refrain
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings, Refrain
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
HYMN 229 Voices United “God of the Sparrow”
God of the sparrow, God of the whale, God of the swirling stars,
how does the creature say Awe? How does the creature say praise?
God of the earthquake, God of the storm, God of the trumpet blast,
How does the creature cry Woe? How does the creature cry Save?
God of the rainbow, God of the cross, God of the empty grave,
How does the creature say Grace? How does the creature say Thanks?
God of the hungry, God of the sick, God of the prodigal,
How does the creature say Care? How does the creature say Life?
God of the neighbour, God of the foe, God of the pruning hook?
How does the creature say Love? How does the creature say Peace?
God of the ages, God near at hand, God of the loving heart,
How do your children say Joy? How do your children say Home?
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
FOCUS SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 13:45-46
Romans 12:3-13
Mark 1:40-45
MESSAGE – Rev. Dr. Lloyd Nyarota “Power of Touch”
HYMN #703 Voices United “In the Bulb there is a Flower”
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed an apple tree;
In cocoons a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free.
In the cold and snow of winter lies a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Preparing a Place of Healing”
HYMN #510 Voices United “We Have this Ministry” (verse 2)
O Christ, the treat of life, our end and our beginning,
We grow to fullest flower when rooted in your love.
Brothers, sisters, clergy, lay, called to service by your grace,
Different cultures, different gifts, the young and old a place.
We have this ministry, O God, receive our giving.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
… And now we raise our voices together, as Jesus encouraged us to pray, each in the language of our hearts:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come. Your 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 Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
HYMN #3 Then Let Us Sing “A whisper from the universe”
A whisper from the universe as distant stars appear;
the murmur of a whippoorwill, the sleeping forest, deep and still;
each wordless voice we hear reveals that God is near.
But God did more than scatter stars or make the planets spin;
in humble love God came to earth, took human form to show our worth,
when Christ redeemed our sin to let new life begin.
To guide and guard our life of faith the Holy Spirit came,
as once to breathe life into dust now sent again to mend mistrust,
and sealed with wind and flame all those who bear God’s name.
More named than fathomed Mystery, Triune and unbegun,
reveal through us your boundless life, to heal and bless, tame hate and strife,
and help your will be done to make all people one.
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
HYMN #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope”
May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Refrain Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,
working, for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed. Refrain
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Together We Worship for the Liturgy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle to remind us
that God sends Christ to be a light to our path. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16)
We who abide in the shadow of the eternal God,
We say to God, “Our refuge and our rock.”
We are gathered under God’s protecting wings.
We are safe from enemies and threats.
We call to God and are answered.
We will see God’s saving acts. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (inspired by Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15)
HYMN #21 More Voices “Open Our Hearts”
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION (inspired by 1 Timothy 6:6-19)
THEME TIME “Be A Good Ancestor” by Leona Prince & Gabrielle Prince
HYMN #30 More Voices “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
Refrain And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry and sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore, Refrain
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the summer breeze joins the song, Refrain
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings, Refrain
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
FOCUS SCRIPTURE
1 Timothy 6:6-19 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON – Brenda Watt
HYMN #37 More Voices “Each Blade of Grass”
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.
Each silent paw, ev’ry rounded stone, the buzz that echoes from the honey comb, make full the circle of God.
Each fire-brimmed star, ev’ry outstretched hand, the wind that leaps and sails across the land, make full the circle of God.
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 creatures way, all form the beauty of this vast array, making full the circle of God.
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Inuinnaqtun Language Revival Group”
HYMN # 227 Voices United “For the Fruit of All Creation” (verses 1 & 2)
For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safe keeping, thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (inspired by Luke 16:19-31)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
… we pray in Jesus’ name and in Jesus’ way:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come. Your 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 Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
HYMN #506 Voices United “Take My Life and Let it Be”
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and purposeful for the.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee;
Take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it thing; it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
The world is filled with confusion and doubt.
Let us be seeds of compassion and hope.
The world is filled with the love of power.
Let us witness to the power of love.
The world is full of those who have much and do little.
Let us do much with what we have. Amen.
BLESSING (based on 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 5:28)
HYMN #420 VU “Go To The World” verses 1 & 2
Go to the world! Go into all the earth. Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth.
Baptising as the sign of our rebirth, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Go to the world! Go into every place. Go live the Word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Brenda Watt, Together We Worship, for the sermon and Rev. Murray Speer, Calgary, for the Liturgy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORY
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We gather with gratitude for their stewardship of this land and we acknowledge that we too are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation as we undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
The Spirit comes to help Jesus’ love shine out from our lives.
May this candle center us in our minds, bodies and souls as we seek to follow Jesus.
CALL TO WORSHIP (inspired by Psalm 113:1-2)
Praise our Creator!
Praise our Creator!
Praise, O servants of all creation the name of the Maker:
Cosmic Christ and Sustaining Spirit.
Let us come and shout out gratitude for the Maker of All.
We will praise God together and then go forward to serve all God’s children.
OPENING PRAYER (inspired by Psalm 113:3-4)
God who makes the sun rise and set,
By making the Earth turn in its seasons,
Thank you!
Help us come and hear from you,
sun-maker and sky-lover
May your wisdom call from above and below,
from the heights of the Milky Way to the muskeg in Northern Alberta,
You are our Creator – high above all nations and yet lives also under our feet.
Bless our time together and may it strengthen us to be good stewards of all you made,
Through Christ, Amen.
HYMN #21 More Voices “Open Our Hearts” (x2)
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts.
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
FOCUS SCRIPTURE
Luke 16:1-13 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
HYMN #409 Voices United “Morning Has Broken”
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!
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.
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!
SERMON –Rev. Scott Reynolds
HYMN #266 Voices United “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” (verses 1, 3, & 5)
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN # 227 Voices United “For the Fruit of All Creation” (verse 2)
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Bread For The Journey”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…Because we follow Jesus, we pray, each in the language of our hearts:
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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
In our coming and going, our rising and sleeping,
you never leave us.
Remain tangible and help us to serve you as we are able.
We go to follow Jesus.
May God’s Spirit travel with us and sustain us through every season.
We go in trust to be faithful servants.
HYMN #420 VU “Go To The World” (verses 1 & 2)
Go to the world! Go into all the earth. Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth.
Baptising as the sign of our rebirth, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Go to the world! Go into every place. Go live the Word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Rev. Scott Reynolds, Chinook Winds Region for the sermon and Rev. Leigh Sinclair, St. David’s Leduc, AB for the Liturgy.
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
We light this candle to remind us
that God sends Christ to be a light to our path. Amen
CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 14)
It is foolish to assume that God does not care.
God is seeking the wise and faithful.
God is present with those who have love.
Those who struggle and suffer find refuge in God.
The people of God will find blessed community.
Foolishness of the past will be forgotten. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (inspired by 1 Timothy 1:12-17)
HYMN #21 More Voices “Open Our Hearts”
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts, open our minds.
Open our lives to you, O loving God.
Open our hearts.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION (inspired by Jeremiah 18:1-11)
THEME TIME “When We Were Alone” by David Robertson
GODLY PLAY “Creation”
HYMN #608 Voices United “Dear God, Who Loves All Humankind” (verses 1, 4 & 5)
Dear God, who loves all humankind, forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind; in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence, praise.
Drop thy still dews of quietness till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire: speak through the earthquake, wind and fire, O still small voice of calm!
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
FOCUS SCRIPTURE
Luke 15:1-10 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON –Rev. Cheryl Meban
HYMN #574 Voices United “Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love”
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.
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.
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.
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.
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism”
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN # 227 Voices United “For the Fruit of All Creation” (verse 2)
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (inspired by Luke 15:1-10)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…We now gather all our prayers into one, we pray in Jesus’ name and in Jesus’ way, each in the language of our hearts:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come. Your 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 Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
PSALM 23 (p. 747 Voices United)
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
he makes me down to lie in pastures green;
he leadeth me, the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make within the paths
of righteousness, even for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill; for thou art with
me and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes; my head thou dost
with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me, and in God’s house
for evermore my dwelling-place shall be.
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH (inspired by Jeremiah 18:1-11)
Jeremiah delivered God’s difficult message.
May we stay faithful in difficult times.
We have a part to play in God’s plans.
May we take the shape of grace in the world.
God is on the side of the weak and downtrodden.
May we share our power with others. Amen.
BLESSING (based on 2 Corinthians 13:13)
HYMN #420 VU “Go To The World” (verses 1 & 2)
Go to the world! Go into all the earth. Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth.
Baptising as the sign of our rebirth, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Go to the world! Go into every place. Go live the Word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. Thanks to Rev. Cheryl Maben, Presbyterian Church, N. Ireland for the sermon and Rev. Murray Speer, Calgary, AB for the Liturgy.