BUC Worship Service – June 30
Balzac Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada
Sunday June 30, 2024 – Canada Day Weekend
Presider: The Rev. Bob Mutlow, McDougall United Honorary Associate
Music Ministry: Dr. Alex Shawn and Lee Dowan
Prelude My Faith Looks Up to Thee arr. K. Renfrow
Welcoming and Land Acknowledgement
“As we gather together, let us pause to remember that we live, work and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the nations of Treaty 7. As Christ’s people, may we be people of love, of truth, and of reconciliation. May we live with respect on this land, and in peace and friendship with its people.”
Service link
Bulletin link
Reflection link
special music link
Lighting the Christ Candle
We gather with a common desire to follow Christ.
We light a candle to recall
that we are the body of Christ,
and the light of Christ shines amongst us.
Litany of Thanksgiving for Canada Day
Holy One we bless you for this our land of Canada
For its beauty from coast to coast to coast.
For blue oceans and great prairies,
Vast forest and stretching tundra.
For polar bears and whales, mighty moose and coyotes,
Salmon and beaver, Canada geese and birch bark.
For Canadians, rich in cultural diversity, race and color,
Indigenous and Settlers, Long-timers and Newcomers,
For “All our Relations” – our Indigenous sisters and brothers,
Teaching us to live with respect in creation.
Gracious God, tune our hearts to truly sing your praise,
To sing together of our sacred living trust,
Hymn Called by Earth and Sky MV 135
Opening Prayer (The Church of the Four Winds)
We call upon the earth, our Mother and home, With its beautiful depths, soaring heights, and deep waters, Its vitality and abundance of life, and together we ask that it:
Teach us and show us the way.
We call upon the land which grows our food, the nurturing soil, the fertile fields, abundant gardens, and we ask that they
Teach us and show us the way.
We call upon the creatures of the fields and forests and the waters, our brothers and sisters the wolves and deer, the eagle and bear, the great whales and the fish. We ask them to:
Teach us and show us the way. We call upon those who have lived on this earth, our ancestors and friends, who dreamed the best for future generations, and upon those whose lives are built, and with thanksgiving, we call upon them to:
Teach us and show us the way.
A Time of Confession
For all that separates our hearts from God
And from all that closes our eyes to God’s love.
For what we have done, left undone,
And from all that keeps us from living in God’s love.
For the struggles that prevents us from forgiving others,
And from all that turns us away from God’s plan for us. (Silence)
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
And renew a right spirit within us.
Declaration of Pardon & Passing of the Peace
Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation VU 227
Scripture Readings
First Reading:
2 Samuel 1.1, 17-27 “King David’s Lament”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72 (Selected Verses) – “Dominion of Canada”
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 5.21-43 “Number 12”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Special Music They All Call It Canada Arr. By S. Finn Listen to the Choir here
Reflection: “Heart Stories” Listen to the reflection here
Hymn Oh a Song Must Rise MV 142
Presentation Of The Offering
Offertory Response MV 191 Verse 1 What Can I Do?
Dedication Of The Offering
Holy mystery, the one we name as God, we bring the bustle of each day, the energy created by our work, the enthusiasm of our eager hearts. May our joy in following Jesus strengthen us that our living may also extend your hospitality and compassion to our sisters and brothers on this Canada Day. Amen.
Prayers for the Day
…we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
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, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus VU 664
Joseph Scriven 1855 – Canada’s Famous Hymn
Commissioning & Blessing
National Anthem VU 524 (Official Lyrics)
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Postlude