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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.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 66:1-12)
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.
We come with thankful, awe-filled hearts for the bounty of the earth.
Come and see the changing beauty all around us.
Through the changing seasons we are reminded there is a time of letting go for the renewal of all things.
Come and hear the call of creation beckoning us to awaken our senses.
We come, we see, we hear, we give thanks for God’s abundance.
OPENING PRAYER
Today we set aside all that may trouble our hearts, that we may remember the blessings around us. Open our hearts and minds to the wonders that astound, and to our capacity to love, to heal, to renew, and to live in gratitude. Amen.
HYMN # 227 Voices United “For the Fruit of All Creation”
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.
For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
GODLY PLAY “Abraham”
VIDEO INTRODUCING THE 45TH MODERATOR OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA, REV. DR. KIMBERLY HEATH
HYMN #245 Voices United “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”
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.
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.
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 Chronicles 16:28-34
Psalm 95 Part One p. 814 VU with Refrain
Refrain Come, let us bow down and worship; let us kneel before God our maker.
O come, let us sing to God,
let us shout with joy to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyously shout to God with songs of praise. Refrain
For you are a great God,
high sovereign above all gods.
In your hand are the depths of the earth;
to you belong the heights of the mountains.
The sea is yours, for you made it;
your hands also formed the dry land.
You are indeed our God;
we are your people, the flock that you shepherd. Refrain
Luke 17:11-19
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages
The divine word to us today. Amen.
MESSAGE – Rev. Dr. Lloyd Nyarota “Thanks For Who God Is”
HYMN #10 More Voices “Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom”
Come and seek the ways of Wisdom, she who danced when earth was new.
Follow closely what she teaches, for her words are right and true.
Wisdom clears the path to justice, showing us what love must do.
Listen to the voice of Wisdom, crying in the marketplace.
Hear the word made flesh among us, full of glory, truth and grace.
When the word takes root and ripens, peace and righteousness embrace.
Sister Wisdom come, assist us; nurture all who seek rebirth.
Spirit guide and close companion, bring to light our sacred worth.
Free us to become your people, holy friends of God and earth.
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Setting More Tables Together”
HYMN #242 Voices United “Let All Things Now Living” (Verse 1)
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God our Creator triumphantly raise;
who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, by guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us, pure light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night;
till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished, as forward we travel from light into Light.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN 50 More Voices “Alleluia (Duncan)”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We pray for… Hear our silent meditation…
HYMN 50 More Voices “Alleluia (Duncan)”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We pray for… Hear our silent meditation…
HYMN 50 More Voices “Alleluia (Duncan)”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We pray for… Hear our silent meditation…
HYMN 50 More Voices “Alleluia (Duncan)”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let us continue to pray using the words Jesus invited us to live, 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 #209 More Voices “Go Make a Diff’rence” (Verses 2-3)
Refrain Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
We are the hands of Christ, reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain
So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain
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.