Order of Service – July 23, 2023 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Leader: Rev. Kelly Warner
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan & Dr Alex Shawn
Prelude : Glorify Thy Name – arr. M. Ham
Welcome and Announcements
Service link
Bulletin link
Sermon 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 of the Christ Candle
Christ, the light in the world;
Christ, the light in our homes;
Christ, the light in our hearts;
Christ, the Light.
Call to Worship
In the seed that lies unseen, resting, cold,
and still God is–
and hope grows.
In the possibilities that await us, unknown,
unimagined God is–
and life grows.
In our hurt and emptiness, masked, buried,
overlooked, God is–
and healing grows.
In this time of worship, singing, praying, and
being, we come to know this God who is–
And we grow.
We gather to worship and remember that even in the most barren of times, God is at work.
May the Spirit be our guide and strength. Amen.
Opening Hymn Come Now, Thou Almighty King VU 314 (A: 313)
Opening Prayer (Wetaskiwin Writers, Gathering 2023)
God of seeds and soil, our time is in your hands.
Till our lives and soften our hearts. Sift the stony places of our souls so there is room to grow. Pour out your Spirit upon us in this time of worship. Together may we create a place where we all are welcome, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling VU 333
Scripture Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Psalm Reading Psalm 139 VU p. 861
Reflection Judging the Weeds in Our Life – Listen to the sermon here
Special music: Reach the World -arr. R. Kingsmore (Duet: Michelle Kotelko / Alex Shawn) – Listen here
Dedication of Gifts: Heavenly Father, we dedicate our offerings to you and your service. Please accept these gifts of time, talent, and treasure, with love and gratitude for all your blessings. Amen.
CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
WELCOMING TO THE TABLE
You are welcome at this table, no matter who you are. This is Christ’s table where everyone is invited…. regardless of your age, faith tradition, ability, gender, or sexual orientation or other differences. Come because you are loved and there is a place set just for you. If you are hungry for more than bread and thirsty for more than wine, this table is for you. These are the gifts of a good earth and a gracious God for you.
The Holy One is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is good to offer thanks and praise.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is indeed good and right to gives thanks and praise, O God of many names. You made a covenant with Noah and caused nations, in their amazing diversity, to spread over the face of the earth.
As of old you led your people out of a land of enslavement to a land of promise, so too, you led our ancestors, and came among us, into lands of possibility–there to find you anew.
In the fullness of time, Jesus was born, In every aspect human as we are.
He grew up in a small town in Galilee, far from the
seat of religious and civil power. He spoke with a distinct accent.
He learned of the breadth of your grace,
from a loving mother and a steadfast father.
Beside Jacob’s well he was moved by an encounter with a minority woman and disclosed his messianic identity.
Therefore, with these and other ancestors in the faith, both named and unnamed, who through the ages and over all the world have borne courageous witness
to the hope within them, we praise you saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy, God,
Power of life and love!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna through the ages!
Blest is the One who comes
to bring justice to the world!
BREAKING THE BREAD AND PRAYERS
On the last night he spent with his friends,
Jesus took an age-old tradition of his people
and transformed it into something new.
He took bread, a staple food of his land,
bessed and broke it, and gave it to those around him saying,
“Take eat; this is my body, broken for you.
Whenever you do this, remember me.”
Again, after supper he took a cup of wine, common drink of his people, gave it to them saying,
“Drink this, all of you, this will be a symbol of new life.
Each time you do this, remember me.”
By remembering Jesus in this way now, we claim our common heritage as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Holy God, we remember your Son,
his life with the humble,
his death among the wretched,
his resurrection for us all:
your wisdom our guide,
your justice our strength,
your grace our path to rebirth.
Holy God, we beg for your Spirit.
Enliven this bread, awaken this body,
pour us out for each other.
Transfigure our minds, ignite your church.
Nourish the life of the earth.
Make us, while many, united.
Make us, though broken, whole.
SHARING BREAD for the JOURNEY AND THE CUP of NEW LIFE
COMMUNION MUSIC Instrumental: O How I Love Jesus -arr. M. Hayes
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We give thanks, almighty God,
that you have refreshed us at your table
by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ.
May his presence among us
provoke such longing for your realm,
that we will never be satisfied
until the whole earth knows
your justice, your peace, and your love.
May your gifts of love transform and enliven us
that we may live lives of thanksgiving.
Strengthen our faith,
increase our love for one another,
and send us forth into the world
united in courage and peace,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Closing Hymn Be Thou My Vision (v.1,2,4,5) VU 642
Commissioning and Benediction
Postlude See You In September Medley – arr. L. Dowan – Listen here
Lyrics to: See You in September
I’ll be so sad every Sunday now.
Church will recess, but to this we vow:
See You in September.
See you when the summer’s through.
Here we are saying goodbye to inspiration
Summer vacation is taking us away.
Have a good time, but remember we will recess
While the summer moon’s above.
We will see you in September
And worship in this church we love.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!
