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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 OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 138)
We give our thanks with our whole hearts
We are thankful for your steadfast love and faithfulness
You increased the strength of our souls
Even in the midst of trouble, you stretch out your hand
Your right hand guides me to fulfil your purpose for me
Your steadfast love, O God, endures forever.
We worship God together in gratitude and faith, Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN #79 More Voices “Spirit, Open My Heart”
Refrain Spirit, Open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.
God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender. Refrain
Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word and deed, may my living bring you glory. Refrain
May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another. Refrain
PASSING OF THE PEACE
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
HYMN #427 Voices United “To Show by Touch and Word”
To show by touch and word devotion to the earth,
To hold in full regard all life that comes to birth,
We need, O God, the will to find the good you had of old in mind.
Renew our minds to choose the things that matter most,
Our hearts to long for truth till pride of self is lost.
For every challenge that we face we need your guidance and your grace.
Let love from day to day be yardstick rule and norm,
And let out lives portray your word in human form.
Now come with us that we may have your wits about us where we live.
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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Luke 5:1-11 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages,
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON – Reverend Ibi Chuan
HYMN #222 Voices United “Come Let Us Sing”
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!
O thirsty soul, come drink at the well, God’s living waters will never fail.
Surely the Lord will help you to stand, strengthened and comforted by God’s hand.
You dwell among us and cause us to pray, and walk with each other following your way;
Our precious siblings and neighbours will grow in the fulling love they know.
Deserts shall bloom and mountains shall sing to the desire of all living things.
Come, all you creatures, high and love, let your praises endlessly flow.
God Invites Us to Respond in Faith and Hope
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #191 More Voices “What Can I Do?”
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. [repeat]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
… God of all, continue to inspire us as we share these universal words, given to us as a gift by Jesus, each in the language of our heart:
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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Farming Against the Odds”
We Go into the World to Share God’s Love
SENDING FORTH
This day, the Spirit of God waits on the threshold of our experience
Waits to be embodied as always in responsive human lives
So let us renew out commitment to be the vehicles of that Spirit
And let us go forth with joy, to set that Spirit free in our daily living. Amen
CHANGING THE LIGHT
HYMN #173 More Voices APut Peace into Each Other=s Hands@
Put peace into each other=s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other=s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God=s creation.
Put peace into each other=s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands, held out in trust and blessing.
Where words fall short, let hands speak out, the heights of love expressing.
Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other=s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.
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. Ibi Chuan, Cranbrook United, Cranbrook, BC for the Sermon.
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. We acknowledge that we, too, are treaty people, called to live with respect in Creation. We undertake our responsibilities as members of Treaty Six.
WELCOMING THE LIGHT
Jesus Christ, light of the world,
be with us in this place. Amen.
GATHERING MUSIC #79 More Voices “Spirit, Open My Heart” verses 1 & 2
Refrain Spirit, Open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.
God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender. Refrain
Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word and deed, may my living bring you glory. Refrain
CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 71:1-6)
In you, God of all, I take my shelter.
In your goodness, make me free.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Hear my plea, and I will be healed.
You alone are my hope,
In you I have trusted since my youth.
OPENING PRAYER (Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
God of compassion and courage,
we give you thanks for all the varied gifts we have been blessed with.
We come to worship, not to see and hear,
but to be seen and heard by you.
We come not to help ourselves,
but to seek your help and to be helpful in our turn.
The apostle Paul reminds us that without love,
all our efforts are in vain,
but when we nurture the gift of love in our midst,
we can endure all manner of hardships.
Help us to find the places where our love is needed.
Help us to strengthen our gifts of faith, hope, and love. Amen.
HYMN #595 Voices United “We are Pilgrims” Verses 1, 2, 4, & 6
We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road;
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.
I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow, till we’ve seen this journey through.
Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION (Inspired by Luke 4:21-30)
When we gather for worship, some of us come carrying burdens of grief, pain, shame, fear, or anger. Let us carry all our burdens, large and small, to the one who is always ready to listen, in faith that God’s renewing love can transform all our pain. Please pray with me:
God of compassion and courage, we gather with an awareness that our priorities are not always your priorities. We are grateful for all the ways you send your word, your spirit, and your teachers into our lives to remind us of your boundless love and grace. Too often we think about what you can do for us, instead of what we can do for others. Too often we focus on achieving prosperity, instead of pursuing justice for all. Help us to follow where Christ leads and send your spirit of renewal to open our eyes and guide our feet. Amen.
DISCOVERY CIRCLE Humility
God is good?
All the time!
All the time?
God is good!
SCRIPTURE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
Luke 4:21-30 New Revised Standard Version
Bless to our understanding these living words of our faith. Amen.
HYMN #372 Voices United “Though I May Speak”
Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed.
GOOD NEWS – Reverend Greg Powell
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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.
GRATITUDES
HYMN #460 Voices United “All Who Hunger” Verses 1 & 3
All who hunger, gather gladly; holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food.
Refrain Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good!
All who hunger, sing to together; Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table live their lives in gratitude. Refrain
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, gracious God…
… we join in the song of all creation to
proclaim your goodness:
HYMN #203 More Voices “Holy, Holy, Holy”
O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space
All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.
Hosanna in the highest heaven, creation sings your praise.
And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!
We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends…
…that our lives may proclaim the mystery of faith:
HYMN #204 More Voices “Memorial Acclamation”
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
Send, O God…
…God most holy, now and forever.
HYMN #205 More Voices “Great Amen”
Amen, amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen, O Holy One, Hosanna and Amen!
The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are now ready
Please come forward up the centre aisle and return to your seats by the side aisles.
The Bread of Life. Amen.
The Cup of Blessing. Thanks be to God.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give thanks…
And the people say…
Amen!
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
The God who makes us calls us to speak.
May we go forward without fear.
The God who renews us calls us to serve.
May we seek justice and peace.
The God who sustains us calls us to love.
May we know God’s presence in those we meet. Amen.
BLESSING (based on 2 Corinthians 13:13)
ON THE WAY #173 More Voices APut Peace into Each Other=s Hands@ Verses 1, 2, & 5
Put peace into each other=s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other=s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God=s creation.
Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other=s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.
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. Greg Powell, James Bay United, Victoria, BC for the Sermon and Rev. Murray Speer, Calgary AB for the Liturgy.
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,
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 OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
OPENING PRAYER (Based on Psalm 19)
HYMN #79 More Voices “Spirit, Open My Heart”
Refrain Spirit, Open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.
God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender. Refrain
Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word and deed, may my living bring you glory. Refrain
May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another. Refrain
PASSING OF THE PEACE
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
GODLY PLAY
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
HYMN #145 More Voices “Draw the Circle Wide”
Refrain Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.
God the still point of the circle, round whom all creation turns.
Nothing lost but held forever in God’s gracious arms. Refrain
Let our hearts touch far horizons, so encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call. Refrain
Let the dreams we dream be larger, than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us, open every door. 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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Luke 4:14-21
SERMON – Reverend Andria Irwin
HYMN #1 More Voices ALet us Build a House@
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:
Refrain All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place!
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: Refrain
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: Refrain
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 the stranger bear the image of God=s face:
Let us bring an end to fear and danger: Refrain
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and chimed 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: Refrain
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MISSION AND SERVICE “A Network of Hope”
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #115 More Voices ABehold! Behold!@ [x2]
Behold! Behold! I make all things new beginning with you and starting from today!
Behold! Behold! I make all things new, my promise is true, for I am Christ the way!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
… We pray all this with the words Jesus taught us, each in the language of our hearts:
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.
SENDING FORTH
CHANGING THE LIGHT
HYMN #173 More Voices APut Peace into Each Other=s Hands@
Put peace into each other=s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other=s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God=s creation.
Put peace into each other=s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye: our life is meant for caring.
Give thanks for strong yet tender hands, held out in trust and blessing.
Where words fall short, let hands speak out, the heights of love expressing.
Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other=s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.
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. Andria Irwin-Barkley, Calgary, AB for the Sermon and the Liturgy.
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 OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, O Come Emmanuel and be born in us today.
Come and break open our hearts once more.
Come, O people of God,
and let love extend to the heavens.
With the Christ, heaven is found right here!
OPENING PRAYER
Holy God, creator of all things,
stir us with the wonder of this season of light.
Create in us a new desire for truth and justice.
Encourage us to live into the gifts you give in your Spirit. Amen.
HYMN #82 More Voices “Bathe Me in Your Light”
Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
Bathe me in your love, O Source of Awe and Wonder;
Help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace.
May I be attentive to the musings of your presence,
Drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release.
Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us greet one another in the name in which we gather, the One who is our peace:
“The peace of Christ be with you”
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
HYMN #82 Voices United “A Light is Gleaming”
Refrain A light is gleaming, spreading its arms through-out the night – Living in the light -.
Come share its gladness, God’s radiant love is burning bright, – living in the light.
When light comes pouring into the darkest place, it hurts our eyes to see the glow.
Sometimes a word of hope reminds us of our fear–s, our memories and tears. Refrain
When night is round and every shadow grows, a star is there to light our way.
It tells a story of Jesus who comes near to say: “God’s light will ever stay.” Refrain
And Jesus showed us a brighter path to walk. He showed us things we hadn’t seen.
Now we, like Jesus, can help creation shi–ne, and this will be a sign: Refrain
So let us live in the brightness God has giv’n, and let us rise to see the dawn.
We trust that God is here a sparkle and a bla–ze, – warming all our days. 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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 36 (Refrain p. 762 VU)
Refrain Your steadfast love, O God, extends to the heavens.
Your steadfast love, O God, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains, O God,
your judgments are like the great deep;
all living things you save. Refrain
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights. Refrain
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
Continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright in heart. Refrain
John 2:1-11
SERMON – Reverend Scott Reynolds
HYMN #333 Voices United “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou are all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.
Come, almighty to deliver; let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temple leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS “Empowering Bold Leadership”
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #191 More Voices “What Can I Do?”
What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. [repeat]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Gold, Incense and Myrrh, we seek your glory, we offer you our prayers and we cry out to you in our suffering. Take our gifts and use them, so that all people may know your love.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…we continue to pray with one voice, in the way that Jesus taught, each in the language of our heart:
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, forever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN #331 Voices United “The Church’s One Foundation” verses 2-5
Called forth from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
one charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name professing and at one table fed,
to one hope always pressing, by Christ’s own Spirit led.
Though with a scornful wonder the world sees us oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, “How long?”
But soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of our war,
we wait the consummation of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious our longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
We now on earth have union with God the Three in One,
and share through faith communion with those whose rest is won.
Oh, happy ones, and holy! Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
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
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 and Pacific Mountain Regions, based in Red Deer, AB.