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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,
GATHERING IN SILENCE
GREETING
The grace of the Risen Christ, that Beloved, the Love of God, the Lover and the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s Power be with you all!
And also with you!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
HYMN #155 Voices United “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” verses 1, 2, & 4
Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah! our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!
who did once upon the cross, hallelujah! suffer to redeem our loss. Hallelujah!
Hymns of praise then let us sing hallelujah! unto Christ, our heavenly King, hallelujah!
who endured the cross and grave, hallelujah! sinners to redeem and save. Hallelujah!
Sing we to our God above, hallelujah! praise eternal as God’s love, hallelujah!
praise our God, ye heavenly host, hallelujah! praise the Son and Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!
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.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you!
And also with you!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
Hallelujah!
HYMN #179 Voices United “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks”
Refrain Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Give thanks to the risen Christ; Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Give praise to
God’s name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth, first born of all creation. Refrain
Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and is risen. Refrain
We have been crucified with Christ, now we shall live forever. Refrain
Come let us praise the living God, joyfully sing to our Saviour. Refrain
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN #175 Voices United “This Is the Day That God Has Made”
Refrain This is the day that God has made! Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!
This is the day that God has made! Rejoice! Rejoice! Hallelujah!
Christ has conquered death at last, left the tomb that held him fast!
Gone the sorrow, gone the night, dawns the morning clear and bright! Refrain
Jesus lives who once was dead, lives forever, as he said!
Risen now our Saviour, King; songs of gladness let us sing! Refrain
DISCOVERY CIRCLE “Mary of Magdala Sees Jesus”
(The Family Story Bible, Written by Ralph Milton, Illustrated by Margaret Kyle)
God is good?
All the time!
All the time?
God is good!
HYMN #121 More Voices “Hey Now! Singing Hallelujah! verses 1, 3, & 5
Refrain Hey now! Singing hallelujah! Hey now! The morning has come!
Hey now! Singing hallelujah! The tomb was empty at the rising sun.
Jesus loved people and the made them friends. Hey now, the tomb was empty.
He called to the children and the women and men. Hey now, the tomb was empty. Refrain
Jesus loved people and they said he was a king. Hey now, the tomb was empty.
He turned all the tables on everything. Hey now, the tomb was empty. Refrain
Jesus loves people and he lives again! Hey now, the tomb was empty.
Calls us disciples and he calls us his friends. Hey now, the tomb was empty. Refrain
SCRIPTURE
Loving God, you speak to us in so many ways.
Speak to us now through the reading of the scriptures.
John 20:1-18 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
GOOD NEWS – Reverend Jeffrey Rock
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY HYMN #541 Voices United “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God from whom all blessing flow,
Praise God, all creatures high and low,
Give thanks to God in love made know:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
A NEW CREED #918 Voices United
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN #468 Voices United “Let us Talents and Tongues Employ”
Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy;
Bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain Jesus lives again earth can breathe again, pass the Word around: loaves abound! (X 2)
Christ is able to make us one, at the table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express. Refrain
Jesus calls us in, sends us out, bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere! Refrain
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
This is the table of the risen Christ.
In this feast comes the root of our joy.
In this feast gleams the promise of the earth and the glory of all creation.
In this feast comes the Christ,
Saviour and Friend to all.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
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.
… we join in the song of a new day, to sing your praise:
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 give thanks, blessing above blessing, for Jesus Christ, son of Mary, Word of life.
We remember Jesus, faithful friend and living hope: attesting truth before the powers; seeking the forgotten and abused; setting the prodigal and the righteous at the feast of forgiveness. We remember Jesus, risen and eternal One, Christ who comes to meet us.
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!
Holy Spirit, unite us at this table and strengthen us to live the resurrected life of Christ in the world.
Help us to love as Christ loved. Knowing our own weakness, may we stand with all who stumble. Sharing in his suffering, may we remember all who suffer. Held in his love, may we embrace all whom the world denies. Rejoicing in his forgiveness, may we forgive all who sin against us.
Holy God, Holy One, Holy Three.
Praise now! Praise tomorrow! Praise forever!
HYMN #205 More Voices “Great Amen”
Amen, amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen, O Holy One, Hosanna and Amen!
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.
The Bread of Life. Amen.
The Cup of Blessing. Thanks be to God.
…through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
And the people say…
Amen!
HYMN #483 Voices United “Now Let Us from This Table Rise”
Now let us from this table rise renewed in body, mind and soul;
with Christ we die and live again, his selfless love has made us whole.
With minds alert, upheld by grace, to spread the word in speech and deed,
we follow in the steps of Christ, at one with all in hope and need.
To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care;
the work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share.
Then give us grace, Companion – God, to choose again the pilgrim way
and help us to accept with joy the challenge of tomorrow’s day.
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
We have journeyed with Jesus from cradle to cross. We have stood at the tomb, discovering the good news—
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Now the task is ours—to share his story with all.
To live the promises of the kingdom each and every day.
The blessing of God, the Lover,
Jesus, the Beloved,
and the Holy Spirit, Loves Power
be ours, now and always. Amen.
ON THE WAY HYMN #213 More Voices “Take Up His Song” verse 1
Take up his song of peace and go into the world. Take up his song of peace in every moment.
In every moment of the journey, we’re laying down our lives; lay them down in peace, lay them down,
And take up his song.
This service of worship was initially prepared by Together We Worship. It has been edited to match First United, Wetaskiwin’s worship style. Thanks to Rev. Jeffrey Rock, Canadian Memorial United, Vancouver, BC for the sermon.
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,
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.
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.
LENTEN CANDLES – PALM SUNDAY: INACTION
PRAYER
Loving God, help us to not let inaction be our response to injustice in the world. Help us to be advocates for justice, peace and reconciliation. Let us speak truth to power with courage and tenacity. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 118)
Open the doors of the church that we may enter and give thanks.
This is the day that God has made.
with palm branches in hand, let us join the parade.
We will rejoice and be glad!
The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
HYMN #123 Voices United “Hosanna! Loud Hosanna!”
Hosanna, loud hosanna, the happy children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang;
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast,
The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed ‘midst an exultant crowd.
The victory palm branch waving, and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
Content that little children should on his bidding wait.
“Hosanna in the highest!” that ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
And in his humble presence eternally rejoice!
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
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!
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 READING
Luke 19:28-40 (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 #357 Voices United “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” verses 1, 2, & 4
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.
First let me hear how the children, stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus’ face.
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!
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND IN FAITH AND HOPE
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
MISSION & SERVICE ~ “Supporting a Rights-Based Approach to Growing Food”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
…each in the language of our own 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,
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
ON THE WAY HYMN #120 Voices United “O Jesus, I Have Promised” verses 1 & 4
O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
remain forever near me, my Saviour and my friend:
I shall not fear the journey if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.
O Jesus you have promised to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Saviour and my friend.
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, Calgary for the sermon; Nancy Chegus, Sunnybrook United, Red Deer, AB for the liturgy.
RECOGNITION OF THE LAND AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
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.
LENTEN CANDLE LITURGY ~ Isaiah 43:16-21
CALL TO WORSHIP
… when he shared his last meal with his friends.
Whether our bones are dry, our spirits weary,
or we are filled with energy, ready to go;
this is our time to be together—
listening for the Sprit,
loving one another,
worshipping our God!
Worshipping our God!
OPENING PRAYER
You, who are the Holy Spirit, moving the waters,
you, who are the Creator, whispering in Ezekiel’s ear,
you, who are the Christ, breathing new life into the church,
you, who are the Wind that Makes All Winds Blow,
your people are here.
Your world is here.
Dry bones, wondering if there is still life in us.
Speak to the winds, we pray.
Fill us again, with life,
life abundant, life made new.
Fill us again, that we might breathe, loving God!
Amen.
HYMN #12 More Voices “Come Touch Our Hearts (Come Touch and Bless)” Verse 1
Come touch our hearts that we may know compassion, from failing embers build a blazing fire;
Love strong enough to overturn injustice, to seek a world more gracious, come touch and bless our hearts.
WITNESS OF THE STEWARDS
For the stories we have shared,
for the lives we have lived,
for the love you have given—
Thank you, God!
May the stories of our friends
remind us, all,
that we are on the Way, together!
Thank you, God! Amen!
HYMN #142 More Voices “Oh a Song Must Rise”
Refrain Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Oh a song must rise once again.
Singing out God’s praises and glory, the faithful voices blend,
Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend.
From the mountains to the valleys, from the desert to the sea, a song must rise once again.
From the voices of our leaders, the voice of you and me,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Refrain
From poverty and riches, from the voice of young and old, a song must rise once again.
From the free and the imprisoned, the timid and the bold,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Refrain
From ev’ry house of worship, in ev’ry faith and tongue, a song must rise once again.
From the villages and cities a new song must be sung,
a song must rise for the spirit to descent. Refrain
SCRIPTURE ~ Linnea Good – “O Dry Bones”
performed by Linnea Good & David Jonsson on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MSY_xcBbgt0?si=52BD_X9VX0A7SUqc
Ezekiel 37:1-14
This is the witness of God’s people.
Thanks be to God!
REFLECTION “Who’d Have Thunk It?”
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.
THE OFFERING
MINUTE FOR MISSION “The Next Century: Youth Leading the Way”
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.
PRAYER
What we have, we freely share,
loving God.
Blessed by your love,
may we be a blessing in your world.
May what we offer always be used
in service of your grace,
your peace, and your love.
Amen!
PRAYER PRACTICES
~How, when, where, why do you pray?
~What role does music play in your prayer practices?
~What are your favourite hymns?
HYMN from “Something Sacred” Day 8, “Singing with My Heart”
~lyrics by Richard Bott, music by Augustus Toplady
God of life and God of love,
Holy Spirit, Blessed Dove,
in each moment of my life,
in times joyful, times of strife,
listen to the words I share,
as I come to you, in prayer.
Sometimes questions, hopes, and dreams,
sometimes painful, wordless screams,
sometimes just my gratitude,
sometimes all my attitude,
on your shoulders, I can pour,
losses, joys, and so much more!
You hold my words, my silence, too,
as I share concerns with you,
about my life, about the world,
hopes and fears, like flags unfurled,
each one you cherish, each understood,
do with them as your love would.
In this conversations time,
help me with your love align;
help me turn my words of prayer
into actions, filled with care;
as I open to your will,
let your grace from my life spill!
Not all things I want can be,
in creation’s tapestry;
in those things that can’t be changed,
help my heart be rearranged;
knowing that, once and again,
I can come with my “Amen!”
~~copyright © 2024 Richard Bott. Reprinted with permission.
BENEDICTION AND COMMISSIONING
Each step on Christ’s Way, each step of our lives,
takes us to new places, new times.
Some of those are times to rest—
like Jesus did, when he stopped to pray.
Some are times to be challenged—
as Jesus was, by the woman from Syrophonecia.
Some are times to celebrate, even in the face of grief—
as Jesus did, when he shared his last meal with his friends.
With bones given flesh, and lives renewed,
let us go into God’s world—
listening for the Sprit,
loving one another,
worshipping our God!
And the peace of Christ,
that passes all understanding, rests and remains with us,
now and forever.
AMEN!
HYMN #216 More Voices “Wherever You May Go I Will Follow”
Refrain Wherever you may go, I will follow, and your people shall be my people too.
Wherever you may go, I will follow, for I would be faithful, loyal and true.
Say the word and I will stay, I will never go away.
We will travel side by said, and God’s love will be our guide. Refrain
From beginning to the end, I will always be your friend,
When you need me I’ll be there, you can trust my faithful care. Refrain
This worship liturgy was initially prepared by The Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, with reflections by the Rev. Dave Jagger, a member of the Philanthropy Unit Team, and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. © 2020 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
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.
LENTEN CANDLE LITURGY ~ Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
…Let us pray:
Covenant God,
your grace infuses our lives each day. As we extinguish this fourth candle of Lent, may we be reminded of all the grace-filled times in our lives. May your grace enliven us today, and may we find grace in all that we offer and do. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP AND OPENING PRAYER
…let’s get ready to worship God!
Thank you, Holy Spirit.
… And the people said –
Amen!
HYMN #12 More Voices “Come Touch Our Hearts (Come Touch and Bless)” Verse 1
Come touch our hearts that we may know compassion, from failing embers build a blazing fire;
Love strong enough to overturn injustice, to seek a world more gracious, come touch and bless our hearts.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us celebrate the unique way we form community in this place by sharing the peace of Christ with one another. Saying – The peace of Christ be with you,
and also with you.
As we gather ourselves together once again, let us continue in prayer.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 23
…A part of your household, forever!
Amen.
REFLECTION “I’ve Had Enough!”
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
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Every day is a day of thanksgiving,
every choice an opportunity
for us to sing praise to you,
God of all,
because all these days,
all of these moments,
all of these possibilities,
come from your love and our love—
a blessing forever!
Thank you, Creator.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
OFFERING RESPONSE HYMN #115 More Voices “Behold! 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!
MISSION AND SERVICE “Breaking Barriers: Women in Theology and Leadership”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
…it might be something far away.
We pray all of these things,
sharing the words that Jesus gave to all of his disciples,
including us…
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,
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Let’s go into the world as people of gratitude.
Let’s go into the world as people of hope.
Let’s go into the world as people of joyfulness.
Let’s go into the world ready to share Christ’s love!
And let us go knowing this: we are never, ever alone.
The peace of Christ holds us,
the love of the Creator enfolds us,
and the wings of the Holy Spirit carry us,
today and always.
Amen!
HYMN #216 More Voices “Wherever You May Go I Will Follow”
Refrain Wherever you may go, I will follow, and your people shall be my people too.
Wherever you may go, I will follow, for I would be faithful, loyal and true.
Say the word and I will stay, I will never go away.
We will travel side by said, and God’s love will be our guide. Refrain
From beginning to the end, I will always be your friend,
When you need me I’ll be there, you can trust my faithful care. Refrain
This worship liturgy was initially prepared by The Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, with reflections by the Rev. Dave Jagger, a member of the Philanthropy Unit Team, and has been revised to fit practices of Wetaskiwin First United Church. © 2020 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike Licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.