BUC Worship Service – May 10, 2026
Balzac United Church
Easter 6 May 10, 2026
Mother’s Day
Guest Minister: Rev. Robert Mutlow
Music Ministry: Dr. Alex Shawn
Balzac United Choir
A Service of Holy Baptism
Prelude: There is None Like You L. LeBlanc
Welcome and Announcements
Service audio link
Baptism audio link
Message audio link
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.
Lighting The Christ Candle
Call to Worship: Easter 6 – Holy Baptism – Mother’s Day
Easter people, let us gather with joyful hearts,
To welcome this child of God in Holy Baptism.
Easter people, let us gather with thankful hearts,
To honor our mothers, who gave us life.
Easter people, let us gather with hope-filled hearts,
To witness to Jesus, our Advocate and Helper.
Easter people, let us gather in worship,
To celebrate the God who has birthed us to life.
Opening Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You VU 232
Candles of Joy, Concern, & Sorrow
(Congregational members are invited to come forward and offer prayer requests and light candles.)
Prayer for Mother’s Day
On this day of celebrating mothers,
We remember and lift up our mothers to the Lord.
Mothers of young children, first-time mothers,
Working mothers, and retired mothers.
Grieving mothers who have lost a child too soon,
And those who desire to be mothers.
All those who are missing their mothers,
And mothers who are missing their children.
Mothers who birthed us in the womb,
And women, who were like mothers to us.
In times of empty nests and empty cradles,
In all these God tends the flock like a shepherd.
As a mother comforts her child,
God comfort all the children of the world.
Hymn Draw the Circle Wide 145 MV
Scripture Lessons:
1 Peter 3.13-22 – Keeping Hope Alive
Response: Don’t Be Afraid 90 MV (2X) (Seated)
Don’t be afraid. My love is stronger,
My love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid. My love is stronger
And I have promised, promised to be always near. (X2)
John 14.15-21 – “I will not leave you orphaned”
Anthem/Solo: The Deer’s Cry Lisa Kelly
Message: Easter: Hellos & Goodbyes
Hymn: I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry 644 VU
Offertory: Thy Word M. Smith
Celebration of Holy Baptism
Introduction:
Presentation of Baptism Candidate: (Balzac United)
On behalf of Balzac United, I present Bayle Finlay Chitwood,
Child of Jodanna Rose Frebrowski & Ian James Chitwood for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism.
Sponsors (Godparents): Megan and Artie Eggins, Cale and Kaylyn Staden
PARENTS & SPONSORS PROFESSION OF FAITH:
Do you desire to have Bayle Finlay baptized?
I DO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
Will you be responsible for seeing that Bayle Finlay
is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
I WILL, WITH GOD’S HELP.
Will you by your prayers and witness help Bayle Finlay
to grow into the full stature of Christ?
I WILL, WITH GOD’S HELP.
VOWS OF THE PARENTS AND SPONSORS:
Desiring the freedom of the new life in Christ:
Do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER.
Will you follow in the way of Jesus?
I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER.
Will you join with your sisters and brothers,
to share in the life, work and ministry of Jesus Christ?
I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER.
TO THE CONGREGATION
As Balzac United Faith Community, do you commit –
to support and nurture this family,
with a community of faith, which worships God,
loves and serves others, seeks justice, and resists evil?
We do, by the grace of God.
Affirmation of Faith: A New Creed 918 VU
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.
Blessing the Water of Baptism:
God of water
When nothing existed but chaos,
You swept across the dark waters
and brought forth light.
In the days of Noah
you saved those on the ark through water.
After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow.
When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt,
You led them to freedom through the sea.
Their children you brought through the Jordan River,
to the land which you had promised.
In the fullness of time you sent Jesus,
nurtured in the water of a womb.
He was baptized by John in the Jordan River
and anointed by your Spirit.
He called his disciples to share in the Baptism
of his death and resurrection,
and to make disciples of all nations.
Pour out your Holy Spirit to bless this gift of water
and those who receive it, to wash away their sin,
and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives,
that dying and being raised with Christ,
they may share in his final victory.
All praise to you, Eternal God,
Through your Son Jesus Christ,
In the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.
THE ACT OF BAPTISM
Bayle Finlay, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all.
Amen.
Anointing with Oil
Bayle Finlay, with the sign of the cross,
you are marked as Christ’s forever. Amen.
Laying on of Hands
Bayle Finlay may the power of the Holy Spirit
work within you, that being born of the water and the Spirit you may be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ
all the days of your life. Amen.
Declaration of Membership
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the Church,
I declare that Bayle Finlay has this day been received into the holy catholic church. Amen.
Presentation of Baptism Candle & Bible
Sung Refrain: Halle, Halle, Hallelujah (Repeat) VU Page 958
Closing Prayer for Newly Baptized & Lord’s Prayer:
Closing Hymn: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling VU 333
Benediction
Postlude: Think About His Love W. Harrah