Welcome to worship through First United Church!
There are so many ways to come close to the holy! We hope you make time regularly to refresh your spirit, learn some and commit some to being some of the visible presence of love in this world!
 
You can join us in the sanctuary in person each week or catch up with us on-line anytime. Worship is at 10:30 am, Sunday in person and live-streamed to You-Tube.  There are also a number of services and Godly Play stories already on line for you to check out. 
 
If you’re going to be traveling and want to check out other United Churches …
The United Church of Canada offers a map of all the UCC congregations across Canada who are on-line.
 
Thank you for making time to nurture your spirit and add to the goodness in Creation!
 
You can read over the print version for our Sunday services below.
 
Thank you for worshiping with us. If you’d like to know more about First United, you can call our office at 780-352-2157; check us out on Facebook at First United, Wetaskiwin or on this web page. Worship and Godly Play videos can also be found on our You-Tube channel (firstunitedwetaskiwin). 

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”
First United Church, Wetaskiwin – April 6, 2025
 
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,
or what you believe.
 
WELCOME & NEWS OF INTEREST
 
This service was live-streamed to You-Tube beginning with announcements at 10:20 am and worship at 10:30 am. Link is provided below.
 

 

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, Wetaskiwin – March 30, 2025
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,
or what you believe.
 
WELCOME & NEWS OF INTEREST
This service was live-streamed to You-Tube beginning with announcements at 10:20 am and worship at 10:30 am. Link is provided below.
 
 
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.

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.

 

First United Church, Wetaskiwin – March 23, 2025
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,
or what you believe.
 
WELCOME & NEWS OF INTEREST
This service was live-streamed to You-Tube beginning with announcements at 10:20 am and worship at 10:30 am. Link is provided below. 
 
 
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.

 

LENTEN CANDLE LITURGY ~ Isaiah 55:1-9

…Let us pray:

Covenant Keeper, your promise of unconditional love has upheld us ever since our birth and baptism.  We know ourselves to be your beloved children.  Throughout this Lenten journey, continue to make us strong to serve you, as Jesus was strengthened through an outpouring of your Holy Spirit.  Grateful for Jesus’ dedication to drawing humanity close to you, we draw close to Jesus, joining in and studying his ministry.  Amen.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

OPENING PRAYER

Creator, touch our minds –

that we may worship with understanding.

Christ, touch our eyes –

that we may recognize each other.

Holy Spirit, touch our voices –

that our words would always praise you.

Love Divine, touch our hearts –

that your compassion would overflow.

God of all, touch our hands –

that all we touch would be blessed,

that all we touch would be transformed,

that all we touch would be made new,

by your love.

With all that we are –

we worship you.

Amen.

 

CHILDREN’S STORY

 

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.

              

LENTEN PRACTICE

For the stories we have shared,

for the lives we have lived,

for the love you have given –

Thank you, God!

 

 

HYMN #567 Voices United “Will You Come and Follow Me” Verses 1, 2, 4, & 5

               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?

               Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

 

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 95:1-7 Part One p. 814 VU with Refrain

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:  Come, let us bow down and worship; let us kneel before God our maker.

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:  Come, let us bow down and worship; let us kneel before God our maker.

 

REFLECTION “Are You Regular?”

 

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

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION “Springtime of the Spirit”

 

THE OFFERING

 

INVITATION

 

PRAYER

God of all creation, we know that all that we have, all that we are, is blessed and blessing.

In this sharing, we add our blessing to yours.

May all of these blessings bring hope and healing to your world.

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.

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

The psalmist said, “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!”

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God,

thirsting for you, my God.

Our hearts beat with thanksgiving, God.

They mark every moment that we live in you!

For the earth and all its goodness;

for the seas and the waves so high;

for the air, which surrounds this planet;

and for all the creatures with whom we live – we say,

thank you, loving God!

For the relationships we share

with all creation,

with each other;

for the love that brings new life –

thank you, loving God!

For your presence in and with all things,

every heartbeat, every day,

for the fact that you are always with us –

thank you, loving God!

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God,

thirsting for you, my God.

As a forgiven and forgiving people,

we remember others who are in need.

For the world and all that lives in it…

For the people and places damaged by war and conflict…

For people whose humanity is diminished

by racism, ableism, sexism, classism, heterosexism,

and all the other -isms we live…

For all who are afraid, all who are lonely,

all who are hurting, in body, mind, or spirit…

For our neighbours –

those we know and those we will never meet…

For our families…

For ourselves…

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,

thirsting for you, my God,

thirsting for you, my God.

Hear the prayers of our hearts…

We pray all of these things,

sharing the words that Jesus gave to all of his disciples,

 

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.

 

HYMN #424 Voices United “May the God of Hope Go with Us”

               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   

 

BENEDICTION AND COMMISSIONING

Creator, touch our minds –

that we may worship with understanding.

Christ, touch our eyes –

that we may see each other.

Holy Spirit, touch our voices –

that our words would always praise you.

Love Divine, touch our hearts –

that your compassion would overflow.

God of all, touch our hands –

that all we touch would be blessed,

that all we touch would be transformed,

that all we touch would be made new,

by your love.

As we go into your world –

we worship you!

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, Wetaskiwin – March 16, 2025
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,
or what you believe.
WELCOME & NEWS OF INTEREST
This service was live-streamed to You-Tube beginning with announcements at 10:20 am and worship at 10:30 am. Link is provided below.
 
 
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.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Blessed and blessing, loving and loved, God’s people, Wetaskiwin First United Church, come to this place!

We’re ready!

From times of work, from times of play, from times of busy-ness, from times away, God’s people of Wetaskiwin First United Church, come!

We’re set!

To speak and to receive, to sing and to pray, God’s people of Wetaskiwin First United Church, come!

We’re here!  We’re here!  We’re here to worship God!

 

OPENING PRAYER

God of smooth road, God of the rough places,

God of the wilderness paths, thank you.

Thank you for calling us out when we want to wrap ourselves up and hide.

Thank you for giving us safe space when everything is just too much.

Thank you for blessing all creation with your presence, and with your love.

Open our hearts, we pray-open our minds-open our souls and, by your grace,

Fill them with your abundant love, not only so that we would be changed,

Not only so that we would be blessed, but so that we can be blessing

And people of transformation, in your world.

In Jesus’ name we ask it.  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.

              

LENTEN PRACTICE

 

HYMN #634 Voices United “To Abraham and Sarah” in the tune of Hymn #331 Voices United

               To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear:

“Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.

You need not fear the journey for I have pledged my word:

That you shall be my people and I will be your God.”

               From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race,

Dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace;

And in their heart was written by God this saving word:

“That you shall be my people and I will be your God.”

               We of this generation on whom God’s hand is laid,

Can journey to the future secure and unafraid,

Rejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word:

“That you shall be my people and I will be your God.”

DISCOVERY CIRCLE

 

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-4a

 

REFLECTION “Bless You!”

 

HYMN #699 Voices United “Live Into Hope”

               Live into hope of captives freed, of sight regained, the end of greed.

The oppressed shall be the first to see the year of God’s own jubilee!

               Live into hope the blind shall see with insight and with clarity,

Removing shades of pride and fear, a vision of our God brought near.

               Live into hope of liberty, the right to speak, the right to be,

The right to have one’s daily bread, to hear God’s word and thus be fed.

               Live into hope of captives freed from chains of fear or want or greed.

God now proclaims our full release to faith and hope and joy and peace.

 

MINUTE FOR MISSION “Building Climate Resiliency”

 

THE OFFERING

 

PRAYER

God of all creation, we know that all that we have, all that we are, is blessed and blessing.

In this sharing, we add our blessing to yours.

May all of these blessings bring hope and healing to your world.

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.

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kindom 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 kindom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

 

HYMN #169 More Voices “When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides”

               When hands reach out beyond divides and hope is truly found,

each chain of hate will fall away and bells of peace shall sound,

and bells of peace, of peace shall sound, and bells of peace shall sound,

each chain of hate will fall away and bells of peace shall sound.

               When fear no longer guides our steps and days of war are done,

God’s dream for all shall live anew; our hearts will heal as one,

our hearts will heal, will heal as one, our hearts will heal as one,

God’s dream for all shall live anew; our hearts will heal as one.

               When race and creed blind us no more, a neighbour’s face we’ll see,

and we shall dance the whole world round, for love will set us free,

for love, yes love will set us free, for love will set us free,

and we shall dance the whole world round, for love will set us free.

 

BENEDICTION AND COMMISSIONING

Blessed and blessing, loving and loved, God’s people, Wetaskiwin First United Church, go from this place!

We’re ready!

To times of work, to times of play, to times of busy-ness, to times away, God’s people of Wetaskiwin First United Church, go to the world!

We’re set!

To speak and to listen, to sing and to pray, to be a blessing, each and every day.

God’s people of Wetaskiwin First United Church, go and be stewards of the faith, Jesus’ people on the Way.

We go, knowing we are never alone! Carried by the wings of the Holy Spirit,

moving forward with Christ’s peace, enfolded in the Creator’s love, we go!

Amen. Amen! AMEN!

 

HYMN #216 More Voices   “Wherever You May Go I Will Follow” Verse 1

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

              

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.