First United Church, Wetaskiwin

 

 

 

 

You-Tube     https://youtu.be/go19hCfgQts

 

 

WELCOMING THE LIGHT You’re invited to take a deep breath and make space for the Spirit.

 

GATHERING #326 Voices United “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” verses 1 – 3
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.

 

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP
When the wind howls, We can hear God’s voice.
When the night is long, Dawn still comes.
When the future is unknown, The Spirit is moving.
When space is empty, Love fills the gap.
When the Messiah is ascended, The community becomes the body of Christ.
In the waiting and the wondering, in our hopes and fears, God is with us, we are not alone!

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS Psalm 1 p. 724 VU with Refrain,  Acts 1:6-8

 

HYMN #40 More Voices “Never Ending Joy”
Refrain Never ending joy, never ending joy, never ending joy, (repeat)

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
God of love … You wait upon us.

God of all our yesterdays, God of all our tomorrows, we are thankful that You are supremely the God of our todays. You have given us an exciting and challenging time in which to live. You strengthen us to face the tasks that confront us with commitment, daring and imagination. We remember with gratitude the people who have loved us, who have given of their courage and strength, even in the midst of fear and weakness, so that truth and justice would live on. God of love … You wait upon us.
Generous God, give us the wisdom to value this gift we have received. You call us to be a part of Your family of faith. Together may we discover the value each of us brings to this community. Give us the courage to open ourselves in prayer and worship, that we might develop deep, caring relationships. Help us nurture the best in one another. May this community of faith encourage hope to thrive and make room for acceptance. God of love … You wait upon us.
Christ be our teacher. Equip us for the task of love, to reach out with compassion to those who have no sense of belonging anywhere, to those who no longer value themselves. Comfort those who mourn, renew our own sense of the wonder and beauty of the world. We pray for those awaiting or recovering from surgery, for care-givers, for people without a place to call home, of for those where home is not a safe place. We offer in silence those prayers too deep for words …
time for silent prayer.
Shepherding God, show us ways to extend your hospitality. God of love … You wait upon us.
May we carry our worship into the living of our everyday routines. Transform us by Your Spirit into signs of hope and new life. Keep us alert to new possibilities for discipleship and open to the Spirit’s guiding. We ask in Jesus’ name, who taught his friends to pray together saying, Our Father, who art in heaven.. Amen

 

 

HYMN #212 More Voices   “Sent out in Jesus Name”
Sent out in Jesus name, our hands ready now
To make the world the place in which the kin-dom comes.
Sent out in Jesus name, our hands ready now
To make the world the place in which the kin-dom comes.

 

 

CHANGING THE LIGHT Now wherever you go the light goes with you.

 

ON THE WAY
We could linger in the peace of this time, Stamp feet but justice needs us.
We could linger in the consolation of the past, Stamp feet but neighbours need us.
We could linger in the company of the dead, Stamp feet but the realm of God needs us.
May you hear God’s love in the voices around you; May you taste Christ’s joy in the feasts you share.
May the Spirit be your guide, into goodness and mercy, And know in your hearts,
God is with us. Hallelujah and Amen!

 

Sending Forth #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope” verse 2
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.

 

 

 

 

Facebook   https://fb.watch/5nNfKrcPqy/

 

You-Tube     https://youtu.be/OrJ5Es5hubg

 

WELCOMING THE LIGHT You’re invited to take a deep breath and make space for the Spirit.

 

GATHERING #30 All God’s Children Sing    “Glory to God”
Refrain Glory to God, Glory to God, Praise and alleluia!
Glory to God, glory to God, praise the name of the Lord!

 

 

 

 

 

 

EASTER LITANY
Breath of Life: You call forth the rivers of justice When hearts grow rigid as stone.
Who will answer Your call?
Where difference and apathy close doors, You call forth the bread of compassion.
Where hearts are fearful and limited. You call forth seeds of courage.
Where spirits are buried alive, and dreams are crushed.
You call us to the table of hope.
You call forth and wait in silence. Grant us imagination and daring to answer Your call.

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 55:1 – 3 John 15:9 – 17

 

HYMN #154 More Voices “Deep in our Hearts”
Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story, telling Creation that we are one.

 

 

 

 

GOOD NEWS   “Hungering for Community”

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Healing, holy God…Hear our prayer.
Spirit of life, in the beginning you brooded over the waters of creation. You called forth life from nothing and brought order out of chaos. Sometimes the chaos is all we feel and see. Move amongst us yet again. Help us to recognize your presence at work around us and within us. Teach us gratitude and humility. Open our eyes to see your possibilities, wash away the fear and dust that clutters our lives and chokes out the well-spring of joy. Healing, holy God…Hear our prayer.
God of all good things, we give thanks for the many moments of joy. For love received and shared, for birds that sing, for the warmth of sun and refreshing cool of wind and rain. As we go about our days, keep us rooted in your love. Remind us to drink deeply of your life-giving joy, that we might bear fruits of love in the office, at school, in the coffee shop or at home, wherever strangers wait to become friends. Healing, holy God…Hear our prayer.
Christ who comes that we might have life, we pray for those people and places where life is denied. For people seeking to rebuild communities in the wake of climate change, colonialism, corruption. For people who are overwhelmed by despair, for those lost in grief, for those facing uncertain futures, for those separated from family and friends, for those who search for meaningful work, for those unable to work. Help us to be a community which provides comfort and hope for all your people and learns from one another how to live with respect in creation.
Healing, holy God…Hear our prayer.
We offer these prayers, and those too deep for words, to you, Gentle friend and we pray in the words you taught us saying, Our Father… Amen.

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION “Grandmother’s Change Attitudes”

 

HYMN #222 Voices United   “Come, Let us Sing to the Lord”
Come let us sing to the Lord our song, we have stood silently too long;
Surely the Lord deserves our praise, so joyfully thank God for our days.

 

 

 

 

CHANGING THE LIGHT Now wherever you go the light goes with you.

 

ON THE WAY
Go into a world that needs the joy you bring, the hope you share, the faith you live.
We go with confidence, born in love.
May the God of all blessing grant us the grace to be like fruitful trees,
Greening in the Spirit’s presence, rooted in Christ’s living water, and bearing fruit for God’s glory. Hallelujah and amen!

 

Sending Forth #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope” verse 2
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.

 

A video of this service will be available on our Facebook page and You-Tube channel on Sunday, May 2 at 10:30 am. Links to those sites are provided below.

 

Facebook    https://fb.watch/5ez2yqYwQb/

 

You-Tube    https://youtu.be/Yz29oll8zJM

 

WELCOMING THE LIGHT You’re invited to take a deep breath and make space for the Spirit.

 

GATHERING #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 there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

 

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP
We are called to grow a community with grace sufficient for healing.
Christ is the vine – we are the branches.
We are rooted in a power loving enough to change lives.
Christ is the vine – we are the branches.
In this time of worship, we reconnect with one another and with the Holy.
Christ is the vine – we are the branches.
From this time of worship, we reach out to others in fruitful blessing.
Christ is the vine – we are the branches.
Let us worship in the Spirit, with gratitude and hope!

 

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS Psalm 78 p. 792 VU with Refrain    1 John 4:7 – 12; John 15:1 – 5

 

HYMN #357 VOICES UNITED “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” verses 1 – 3
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear, things I would ask him to tell me if he were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

 

 

 

GOOD NEWS “In Love made Known”

 

WELCOME TO THE TABLE    You’re invited to have your grape juice and bread ready.
We are not alone, we live in God’s world. Therefore we invite each other to the table with these words: Come you who are weary and heavily burdened, at this table God meets the wounded of the world and tends them. At this table God’s brokenness restores our wholeness, God’s love knits our fractured human community together. This is the table, not of the United Church, but of the Good Shepherd – it is made ready for those who love Jesus and for those who want to love him more.
So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, You who have been here often and you who have not been here long, You who have tried to follow and you who have failed.
Come because it is the Christ who invites you.
It is God’s will that those who seek should meet God here. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

The Peace of Christ be with you! And also with you!

 

HYMN #357 Voices United “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” verses 4 & 5
Into the city I’d follow the children’s band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
One of his heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas! Jesus is king!

 

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God, You are with us. Today and wherever we journey.
In sorrow and in joy, at work and at rest, We are part of creation’s holy dance.
For the love that over and around us lies, We thank You.
We believe in You, God who has created and is creating,
Who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new,
You work in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in You, Holy One.
You call us to be part a great family of faith We lean into that ancient story today.
Together with angels and archangels, with saints present and saints past,
We join with those in every age who sing Your praise:

 

With this song in our hearts and thanks on our lips, We gather around this table in remembrance:
We remember how Your love took shape in Jesus, the one we call Light of the World;
Who washed the feet of his friends, and washes us with Your Grace.
Who sat at table with those who would betray and abandon him,
and reminded them of the gift that is sacrificial love.
We gather at this table seeking the strength to love as we have been loved.
After the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it, saying,
Whenever you break the bread like this, I’ll be there.
Jesus also took the cup, filled with the fruit of the vine, gave thanks and shared it with them saying, Whenever you share the cup like this, I’ll be there.
In the broken bread we recall Jesus’ life broken open in love.
In the cup poured out, we remember the one life poured out for sake of the many.
Into the wonder and the woundedness, we sing the mystery of our faith:

 

Embracing the mystery of our faith, as a gathered community, we name our purpose.
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.
With this purpose in mind, we bring to You, Holy One, the prayers of our hearts:
…for those who need to know Your presence: …for respect and healing of Your creation:
…for those who need love and care: …for those who need justice:
…for those who need the courage and skills to resist evil:
…for those facing death and wondering about resurrection:
…for those who judge and those who face judgment: …for those who need hope:
…and for each of us with all our failures and regrets, hopes and dreams.

Come, God, who has created and is creating. Come, Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Come, Spirit, who works in us and others. Come, Creator in whom we trust.
Let this meal nourish us, body, mind, and spirit, that we may be Your presence in this world.
By Your grace may we bring hope, justice, love, and live out the truth which embraces us:
In life, in death, in life beyond death, You are with us. We are not alone.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit,
Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

SHARING AT TABLE
… These are the gifts of God, for the people of God.
Thanks be to God! Come and feast at the resurrection table!

 

 

HYMN #288 Voices United “Great is Thy Faithfulness”

 

 

 

 

CHANGING THE LIGHT Now wherever you go the light goes with you.

 

ON THE WAY
Longer than the sun rises, the grass grows, or the river flows, God is with us.
Wherever our journey takes us, whomever our companions, God is with us.
Whatever we have done, however we have loved, God is with us.
May you hear God’s voice calling you by name; May you taste Christ’s joy in the feasts you share.
May the Spirit be your guide, into goodness and mercy,
And know in your hearts, God is with us. Hallelujah and Amen!

 

Sending Forth #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope” verse 2
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 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.

 

 

Facebook   https://fb.watch/55m1Xu_xKg/

 

COMING CLOSE TO THE LIGHT You’re invited to take a deep breath and make space for the Spirit.

 

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP
Creator God …. You feed our soul.
With all the neighbours who gather in Your circle, You feed our soul.
With all the creatures that move upon the earth, You feed our soul.
With the wind and the rain, You feed our soul.
With all the stars in the sky, You feed our soul.
With the bread from Your table, You feed our soul.
And we grow strong, in heart, and mind and Spirit in Your Love!

 

 

DISCOVERY CIRCLE “Parable of the Good Shepherd ~ Part 1: Getting Ready”

 

EASTER LITANY
We are a community: Shaped in love;
Molded with grace; Destined for service in Christ’s name.
When we forget our calling, God remind us.
Where we let prejudice or suspicion flourish, God, sow Your seeds of understanding.
When we give in to fear, God, speak Your calm through us.
In our lack of listening, in our hasty judgements, God, draw us back to you.
Let us rejoice in the differences that strengthen us.
Let us give thanks for the faith that unites us.

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS Psalm 23 p. 749 VU with Refrain #2 John 10:11 – 18

 

HYMN #135 More Voices   “Called By Earth and Sky”
Refrain Called by earth and sky, promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust, treasure of life sanctified, called by earth and sky.

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD NEWS “Parable of the Good Shepherd ~ Part 2″

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
You’re invited to a quiet time of reflection or conversation with those in your household …

Take a few deep breaths and be comfortable…
You’re invited to think of five to ten things you’ve done this week…
I wonder what you enjoyed most about the week? I wonder what you would tell God about this week?
I wonder if you felt sad this week? I wonder what it’s like to be comforted?
I wonder what friends you want God to bless today? I wonder who else needs your prayers today?
It’s okay to ask God for help … Take some time to thank God for …

 

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION “Camp Rainbow”

 

HYMN #289 Voices United   “It Only Takes a Spark”
It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it:
You spread God’s love to everyone, you want to pass it on.

 

 

 

CHANGING THE LIGHT Now wherever you go, the Light of Easter goes with you.

 

VESPERS    “Day is Done” and “The Mizpah Benediction”
Day is done, gone the sun
from the lake, from the hills, from the sky
all is well, safely rest, God is nigh!

 

May the Lord watch, between me and you, While we are absent, one from the other. Amen.

 

ON THE WAY
When our path is unclear, The Good Shepherd shows us the way.
When the demands we face are greater than our response,
The Good Shepherd gives us courage and strength.
When we feel alone, or the future looks bleak, The Good Shepherd offers peace and hope.
Go into every place and every day brimming with the love of God. Be graceful in Spirit, hopeful in word and faithful in deed. Christ is risen! Hallelujah and Amen!

 

Sending Forth #884 Voices United    “You Shall Go Out with Joy” [x 2]
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
There’s be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field, will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, [X X ]
The trees of the field will clap their hands, [X X ] The trees of the field will clap their hands [X X]
While you go out with joy!

 

 

 

 

Face-book      https://fb.watch/4Y5ttyz7ma/

 

You-Tube      https://youtu.be/xOLeX2OBaJo

 

COMING CLOSE TO THE LIGHT You’re invited to take a deep breath and make space for the Spirit.

 

GATHERING #50 All God’s Children Sing “Every Morning is Easter Morning” verses 1 & 2
Refrain – Ev’ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev’ry day’s resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

 

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP
In the stillness at dawn, – God calls us, Tend my sheep.
In the winds that melt ice, and ripple water – God calls us, Feed my lambs.
In this time, with all creation, we are called to worship and wonder;
To let the love of Christ loose in our lives.
We gather in answer to the Good Shepherd’s call.
May our lives make visible God’s love of all creation.

 

 

DISCOVERY CIRCLE “Knowing Jesus in New Way – In the Morning”

 

EASTER LITANY
Welcome Stranger, sit with us in this time between death and dawn.
Too often we are swept away on this journey from grief to new life.
Question Asker, hear us into speech.

Our story, Your story is too often silenced in despair.
Surprising Companion, feast us with your hope;
Teach us to cast ourselves deeply into resurrection.
Expand our understanding to recognize You, living Christ;
Not always what we expect, but more than what we need!
Then send us out to extend your welcome;

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS   Psalm 30 p. 757 VU with Refrain John 21:1 – 23

 

HYMN #253 Voices United   “Sing Your Joy” verses 1, 3, 4
Sing your joy, proclaim God’s glory! Rise and sing, the morning has come.
Bless our God and praise all creation; song of the earth, and light from heaven.
Refrain God is alive! Hallelujah!

 

 

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
God of Grace … teach us Your Way.
Creator, thank you , for the warm sun and glowing moon, for the life force flowing into trees and plants,
For the flashing rivers and wavy seas. We join with the Earth and with each other for the healing of Creation and the renewal of all life. Thank you for this time of worship, for the life force of Your hope and resurrection grace that flows into us and through us to bless the world.
God of Grace … teach us Your Way.
Friend of fishermen and prostitutes, tax collectors and children, you call us into the world, to serve in your name, to fish for people, reminding them and us of your great love. We offer prayers in the silence of our hearts for the many people and any places in our world where love is forgotten, or withheld.

Time for silent prayer
God of Grace … teach us Your Way.
Spirit of new life, breathe your peace into our words and actions this week. Where there is sadness, may we offer comfort, where there is despair, may we bring hope, where there is injury, your healing love. We pray in Jesus’ name, who taught us to pray together saying… 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. 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

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION  “Combatting Racism” – Morogoro’s Women’s Training Centre

 

HYMN #649 Voices United   “Walk with Me” verses 2 – 4
Refrain Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned
where love shines through.

 

 

CHANGING THE LIGHT    Now wherever you go the light goes with you.

 

ON THE WAY
Jesus asks the ones who have abandoned him, “Do you love me?”
Yes Jesus, you know that we love you. Feed my lambs.
Jesus asks the ones who have forgotten hope, “Do you love me?”
Yes Jesus, you know that we love you. Tend the waters and respect the good earth.
Jesus asks the ones whom he calls friends, “Do you love me?”
Yes Jesus, you know that we love you.
Go into every place and every day brimming with the love of God. Be graceful in Spirit, hopeful in word and faithful in deed.

 

Sending Forth #884 Voices United “You Shall Go Out with Joy” [x 2]