Bulletin – Sunday, June 21, 2020

Sunday, June 21, 2020
Father’s Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

We gather in the presence of God’s Spirit.
The Spirit is life and peace.

The Spirit offers promise of each new day.
The Spirit brings hope out of despair.

And even in death – through God’s Spirit we discover life.
God’s Spirit dwells within us.

We gather to worship in the presence of God’s Spirit.
Thanks be to God.

(written by Frances Flook, Gathering, Pentecost, 1 2020, page 33)

Hymn – “We are all One People”

We are all one people,
We all come from one creation way on high.
We are all one nation under on great sky,
You and I.
We are all one people.
We are all one colour in his eye.

We are all one people,
We all come from one creation way on high.
We are all one nation under one great sky,
You and I.
We are all one people.
We are all one colour in her eye.

We are all one people…
We are all one nation…
We are all one colour if we try.

Prayer

Gracious God, who creates, sustains and redeems all life, we come seeking your disturbing presence and comforting peace. We praise you for the joy of being your people. May your Spirit be with us and move within us, in this time of worship.

Give us hearts to hear your Word and minds that are open to the transforming power of your love.

We admit, Loving God, that there are times when you challenge us out of our comfort zones and we become afraid. We become afraid of where you are calling us to go and we resist.

Give us the strength of courage to follow you when your presence becomes disturbing, when we are challenged out of complacency and into places unknown, always knowing that you are there with us. Amen.

(adapted from Ryan McNally, Gathering, Pentecost, 1 2020, page 37)

Words of Assurance

Time for All Ages

Hymn – “God of the Bible”

God of the Bible, God in the Gospel,
Hope seen in Jesus, hope yet to come,
You are our centre, daylight or darkness,
Freedom or prison, you are our home.

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.

God in our struggles, God in our hunger,
Suffering with us, taking our part,
Still you empower us, mothering Spirit,
Feeding, sustaining, from your own heart.

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.

Those without status, those who are nothing,
You have made royal, gifted with rights,
Chosen as partners, midwives of justice,
Birthing new systems, lighting new lights.

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.

Not by your finger, not by your anger
Will our world order change in a day,
But by your people, fearless and faithful,
Small paper lanterns, lighting the way.

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.

Hope we must carry, shining and certain
Through all our turmoil, terror and loss,
Bonding us gladly one to the other,
Till our world changes facing the Cross

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.
Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, you do not change.

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 21:8-215
Matthew 10:34-39

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “When Fear Stops Us”

Anthem – “We Do Not Know What Lies Ahead”

The Response

Prayer

We call to mind our concerns and commitments, and join our prayers for peace and well-being to the prayers of the whole church as they are offered this day for the whole world. Let us pray: We remember the people we know who are in trouble, and pray for healing and happiness for all. We lift up in prayer to you this day those in this community whom we hope will feel your gentle presence in their lives…
God, hear our prayer.

We seek God’s encouragement: for honest trade and just commerce; for medicine and education; for the gifts and aptitudes in every person which serve justice in community living.
God, hear our prayer.

We pray for peace on earth: for the generous sharing of the earth’s resources and the responsible sharing of the earth’s problems; for the understanding of others and willingness to regard the diversity of human culture as more stimulating than threatening; for the turning of swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.
God, hear our prayer.

We pray for the church, by all its names and in all its places: for its continuing usefulness as a channel of grace and hope; for its rescue from bureaucracy and stagnation; for its witness to unity and justice; for its commitment to hospitality and compassion.
God, hear our prayer.

Hear us as we continue to pray in the words that Jesus taught us:
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, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – “Will Your Anchor Hold”

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave and the wild winds blow,
Shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

Will your eyes behold through the morning light,
The city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will your anchor safe by the heavenly store
When life’s storms are past for evermore?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

Benediction

May the God who brought us into being to care for creation and one another bless us as we conclude worship.

May we be blessed in the air we breathe, the relationships we nurture, and the acts through which love is shared.

May we do this so that God’s blessings of light, love, and compassion, and peace will be known by all we meet.

Go in peace and be God’s blessing to the world. Amen.

Response – “Send Us Out”

Send us out in the power of Your Spirit, Lord,
May our lives bring Jesus to the world.
May each thought and word bring glory to Your name,
Send us out in Your Spirit, Lord, we pray