BUC Worship Service – June 14, 2026
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Balzac United Church June 14, 2026
Pentecost 3 – Abraham & Sarah Jesus Names the Apostles The Lord’s Supper
Guest Minister: Rev. Bob Mutlow
Music Ministry Dr. Alex Shawn
Pianist: Michelle Johnston
Theme: Sarah & Abraham: Sarah Laughed
Prelude: Here I Am to Worship arr. C. Tornquist
Welcome and Announcements
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 (Abraham’s Hospitality – Oak Tree)
God meets us in surprising yet ordinary places
Under a tree, in the smile of a stranger, in a meal.
God speaks to us in surprising yet ordinary ways,
In voices of care, glimpses of love, moments of laughter.
God fulfils God’s promises in surprising yet ordinary ways,
In acts of kindness, generous gifts, wonderful support.
God gathers us in surprising yet ordinary ways,
In worship as we sing, “Songs of Praise to the Maker.”
Opening Hymn: It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker MV 30
Opening Prayer: (in unison)
Loving God, help us to hear the stories of your people:
Sarah, who in old age, conceived a son;
Apostles named and given a ministry on the open road,
Faithful witnesses through the ages,
Siblings around this Table where strangers become friends. Amen.
Candles of Joy, Concern, & Sorrow
Congregation members are invited to come forward and light prayer candles.
Prayer of Confession & Declaration of Pardon:
Gracious God, you came alongside Abraham and Sarah,
And asked them to dream the impossible dream:
To hold on to your promise of new beginnings,
To trust that they would birth a new people.
Through faith in you, they believed your promises,
And journeyed on in faith living with the doubts.
Forgive us, Great Creator when we lose our way,
When we can no longer hear your gift of promise,
(Silence for Confession)
Help us, Loving God, to pay attention to your nudges,
To receive your blessings, to be carriers of hope.
May Almighty God, pardon and deliver you…
Time for Young and Young at Heart: “On the Road”
Song: Simon, Simon, a Fisherman VU597
Scripture Lessons:
First Reading: Genesis 18.1-15 Sarah Laughed
Sung Response: There is Room for All MV 62 (X2) Seated
Gospel: Matthew 9.35 – 10:8 Named & Sent
Message: Hospitality: Meeting Angels
Hymn: When a Poor One VU 702 Seated Refrain: Congregation Verses : Alex Shawn
Offertory: The Deer’s Cry
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you, And also with you. Lift up your hearts, We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God, It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is right and good to give thanks to the God of Laughter and Joy:
To rejoice in everyday miracles:
For laughter shared between friends,
for love shared in community,
for greening of our land that leaves us speechless with joy
for our call to be Co-creators with the Great Creator.
Holy God, birthing in us laughter and joy:
Holy Hope carrying us in good times and bad.
Teaching us to trust in your promises to us,
Taking our place in living Jesus’ mission mandate.
Strengthening our hands and feet for service
Warming our hearts to sing our faith.
So, with all your creatures, great and small,
with angels and archangels, with saints and servants,
with those of every time and place we proclaim:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
As beloved apostles, baptized and named in Christ Jesus,
we pray for the church…for the earth…for the nations…
as beloved children of God, we pray for our loved ones…
(Names may be offered in silence or vocally.)
For those who have died and those who grieve…
Hear our prayers this day for all creation. Amen.
The Story of the Last Supper:
The Mystery of Faith:
Gracious God, by the death of Jesus,
You have destroyed the power of death,
And by raising him to life, you have given us life forevermore.
And so, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Blessing of the Bread and Wine & Lord’s Prayer
Recalling Jesus’ death, proclaiming his resurrection,
and looking for Christ’s coming again in glory,
We offer you, Holy One, this bread and this cup.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts,
that all who eat and drink at this table
May be one body and one holy people,
living out the way of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
All glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven…
Spiritual: I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me VU575 (Seated)
Breaking of the Bread & Blessing of the Cup
Communion: (Communion is served. All are welcome to receive. Please hold the bread and wine so as to partake together.)
Prayer after Communion: (unison)
God of prophets and apostles,
We give you thanks that in the breaking of bread:
strangers can become friends
and become the face of angels in our midst. As you greeted old Abraham and Sarah with news of wonder and life.
So, fill our hearts with the wonder and awe of faith and guide our feet in the way of Jesus. Amen
Closing Hymn: To Abraham and Sarah VU 634 (Tune: 633)
Benediction
Postlude: Give Thanks Arr. T. Fettke
Rublev: Trinity Icon – 1400 CE