First United Church is a registered charitable organization. This ministry is made possible by the generous donations of people like you! Tax receipts are issued for all contributions to this ministry. Find out more on “Contact Us – Donate”
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
CALL TO WORSHIP
We come to praise God,
the One who has searched and known us.
We come to praise God,
the One who knows us through and through.
We come to praise God,
The One who formed us,
knit together in our mothers’ wombs.
We come to praise God,
for God is with us,
from beginning to end,
and everywhere in between.
OPENING PRAYER
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
THEME TIME
HYMN #563 Voices United “Jesus, You have Come to the Lakeshore” (verses 1-3)
Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
you only asked me to follow humbly.
Refrain O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
and while smiling, have spoken my name;
now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me,
by your side I will seek other seas.
You know so well my possessions;
my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
you will find there my nets and labour. Refrain
You need my hands, full of caring
through my labours to give others rest,
and constant love that keeps on loving. 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
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
SERMON –Rev. Murray Speer
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 fulfilling 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 #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 known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Our Past, Present, and Future”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…We gather these and all our prayers as 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
HYMN #567 Voices United “Will You Come and Follow Me” (verses 1, 2, & 4)
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
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. Murray Speer, Calgary, AB for the sermon and Rev. Graham Brownmiller, Jubilee United, Burnacy, BC 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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Everlasting God, we have come to worship you.
We bring our shouts of praise and our deepest sorrows,
knowing that in your love, we are held.
May we be lifted by your Spirit as we gather together.
May we be challenged by your Word.
May we be joined together in compassion and curiosity,
building your kingdom here, one moment at a time.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray: God, you are with us. In our yesterday, our today, and our tomorrow, we are not alone. We sacrifice our praise to you, giving all that we are in this moment, turning our precious attention to you. Through you alone we can face what this time and place requires of us. Thanks be to God! Amen.
HYMN #1 More Voices “Let 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
PASSING OF THE PEACE (based on Luke 14:7-14)
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
THEME TIME
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.
Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose; deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message, justice and peace in harmony.
Deep in our hearts there is a common longing; deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current, flowing to freedom like a stream.
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.
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 14:1, 7-14 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
HYMN #371 Voices United “Open my eyes”
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit Divine!
SERMON –Rev. Hilde Seal
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.
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES “Education Shaped by Compassion”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…We pray all this with the word Jesus taught us, 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
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 Rev. Hilde Seal, Sydney, BC, for the sermon and Rev. Andria Irwin, Calgary 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.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
We light this candle to remind us
that God sends Jesus to be a light to our path. Amen.
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.
Speak the word, and I will be healed.
You alone are my hope,
In you I have trusted since my youth.
OPENING PRAYER (inspired by Jeremiah 4:1-10)
Let us pray. Holy God, we give you thanks for all the ways you speak to us, and all the ways you speak through us to others. We come to worship not to see or hear, but to be seen and heard by you. We come not to help ourselves, but to seek your help and be helpful in turn. We pray that you will continue to inspire and support us in our work of witness in the world. Give us confidence in your call, so that we will always move with intention and shed your grace wherever we go. Amen.
HYMN #1 More Voices “Let us Build a House” (verses 1, 3, and 5)
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 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 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
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you
Let us rise and greet one another with peace.
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION (inspired by Luke 13:10-17)
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 13:10-17 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON –Rev. Lesley-Ann Wilson
HYMN #352 Voices United “I Danced in the Morning” (verses 1, 3, 4, & 5)
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die. Refrain
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on. Refrain
They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he. Refrain
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.
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (inspired by Hebrews 12:18-29)
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Framed by Creation”
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 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
God calls us to seek renewal and hope.
May we bring renewal and hope into the world.
God gives us strength and courage.
May we welcome the needs of others.
God sends us to be relief to the world.
Let us lessen burdens wherever we go. Amen.
BLESSING (based on Hebrews 13:20-21)
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 Rev. Lesley-Ann Wilson, Chaplain in Juvenile Justice, Northern Ireland, for the sermon and Rev. Murray Speer, Calgary for the Liturgy.
First United Church is grounded on the traditional lands of the Nehiyawewin, people of the Sundance Culture in the Battle River watershed, which is a part of the North Saskatchewan River basin in the Metis homeland.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 82)
Come to worship wandering children of God.
God cries out to the world as it is:
How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?
Come to worship followers of Jesus.
God gives birth to the world Jesus loves:
Asking that we give justice to the weak and the orphan
and maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
We come to worship the God who “rescues the weak and the needy,”
Whether we are strong or needy – we are called to worship.
OPENING PRAYER (based on Psalm 80:3)
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
All around is anxiety, division and the struggle to do what is good and just.
Within ourselves- anxiety, division and struggle.
Within our communities- anxiety, division and struggle.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
God, remind us today that Jesus said this would happen – we were not promised peace without pain but rather peace as we experience faithful living.
Come and help us regain your peace without denying the world’s pain,
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved, through Christ’s power, Amen.
HYMN #1 More Voices “Let us Build a House” (verses 1, 2, 4, and 5)
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 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
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you
And also with you
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION (including Hebrews 12:1-2)
HYMN #382 Voices United “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one with thine, to do and to endure.
Breath one me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.
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
Isaiah 5:1-7 (Common English Bible)
Luke 12:49-56 (Common English Bible)
This is the trustworthy witness of God’s faithful people through the ages.
The divine word to us today. Amen.
SERMON –Rev. Leigh Sinclair
HYMN #691 Voices United “Though Ancient Walls” (verses 1, 2, 3, & 5)
Though ancient walls may still stand proud and racial strife be fact,
though boundaries may be lines of hate, proclaim God’s saving act!
Refrain Walls that divide are broken down; Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside; Christ is our liberty!
When vested power stands firm entrenched and breaks another’s back,
when waste and want live side by side, it’s Gospel that we lack. Refrain
The truth we seek in varied scheme, the life that we pursue,
unites us in a common quest for self and world made new. Refrain
This broken world seeks lasting health and vital unity.
God’s people by God’s Word renewed, cast off all slavery!
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
MINUTE FOR MISSION “Ladles of Love”
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.
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.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
…May we rest easy in Your promise to be with us always.
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
HYMN #672 Voices United “Take Time to be Holy”
Take time to be holy, speak oft with your Lord; abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak, forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, let him be your guide, and run not before him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul, each thought and each motive beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit to fountains of love, you soon shall be fitted for service above.
WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
CHANGING THE LIGHT
SENDING FORTH
Go now – reconciled children of God.
God sends us out to bring forgiveness to the world.
Go now – followers of Jesus.
Jesus sends us out to bring peace to the world.
Go in the Spirit who will never leave you alone:
May the Spirit help us encounter Christ in everyone we meet.
HYMN #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope Go with Us”
May the God of hope go with us everyday, 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 Rev. Leigh Sinclair, St. David’s United, Leduc, AB for the Sermon and the liturgy.