BUC Worship Service – May 17, 2026

BALZAC UNITED CHURCH SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026 
WORSHIP LEADER: Rev. Pat Dyson 
Music Ministry: Dr. Alex Shawn 
Pianist: Beth Harrison 

Prelude: Moment by Moment – in the setting of Camille Saint-Saëns Le Cygne arr. C. Berry 

THEME: THAT WE ONE WITH GOD 
John share Jesus last prayer before this crucifixion. Jesus pray for his followers to be one as he is one with God. As we walk in the footsteps of those first follower we are called to walk as one. 

The Introit My Faith Looks Up to Thee VU 663 

Welcome And Announcements 
Service audio link
Message audio link

Land Acknowledgement 

Today, we honour the Treaty 7 peoples–the Siksikka (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood), Piikani (Peigan), Stoney-Nakoda and Tssut’ina. These five nations lived on the land of southern Alberta and northern Montana. They worked, hunted, played and celebrated, through ceremony, their culture and their people. Today, we also honour the Metis people of this territory, Districts 5 and 6, and thank them for enriching this land by their presence. The Metis people are a distinct Indigenous group with a unique history, culture and language, descended from unions between First Nations women and European men, primarily fur traders. We honour all Indigenous peoples who lived on this land before us. 

Lighting The Christ Candle 

May the lighting of this candle remind us that we are connected through our commitment to being a follower of Jesus the Christ to the God of creation and the Spirit of guidance and strength. We are not alone in our faith travels for we are one. (The Christ Candle is lit) 

The Call To Worship 

God’s love enfolds us, uniting us as one community of faith. 

Thanks be to God, our support and guide. 

God’s presence surrounds us, sustaining us in this hostile world. 

Thanks be to God, our help and strength. God’s guidance opens paths of life never imagined before, always encouraging us to follow the path of faith. 

Thanks be to God, now and always. 

Opening Hymn Open My eyes, That I May See VU 371 

Candles Of Joy, Concern and Sorrow 

Opening Prayer 

God of the journey, you call us to step forward and take a path of trust. You call us to walk the way “less travelled.” You promise that you will remember even if we forget. We come today seeking insight into your ways and guidance for our journey. Amen. 

Hymn God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness VU 260 

A Time Of Child Honouring 

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-11 

Reflection: “That We Be One” 

Hymn We Are One VU 402 

Offertory: As the Deer arr. R. House 

Prayer Of Dedication 

Prayers Of The People 

The Prayer Of Jesus Closing 

Hymn Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation VU 325 

The Blessing And Sending Forth 

Our loving God has given us a vision of uniting in a changing world, a world that is not able to overpower us. 

May the vision touch the ragged edges of our lives, bringing our tattered pieces to wholeness. 

Let us go forth in the name of our living God: Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. 

Amen 

Postlude: A Joyful Song H. Livingston Jr.