South Stormont Pastoral Charge

 Today’s Gospel reading comes from Matthew 13. It was a time when Jesus’ ministry was facing growing challenges. At first, many people welcomed him and followed him. Through Jesus, they experienced God’s love and care. But not everyone welcomed Jesus. The religious leaders, in particular, became suspicious of him and began to oppose him. Even some of those who followed Jesus did not fully understand his mission. They expected him to become a political or military leader who would free them from Roman rule. It was in this situation that Jesus told the parable in today’s reading. Many of you already know this story well. We can read it in at least three ways. First, we can focus on the four kinds of soil that receive the seed. Second, we can pay attention to the remarkable harvest at the end. Finally, we can reflect on the sower who goes out into the field and scatters the seed. In fact, this story is usually called the Parable of the Sower. There is certainly value in focusing on th...

  # Gathering Hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful (#291 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Welcome to this service in the midst of summer warmth and colour.   All: We have come, excited to experience God’s Word in scripture. One: We are here to praise our Creator and give our thanks.   All: We have come to raise our spirits to the heavens in song. One: We are here to offer prayers for a better world for everyone. All: We gather here as one community to worship together and be reminded to love one another. One: We have come as one family of God, eager to be prompted in the ways of holy goodness and loving-kindness. All: Come, let us worship God. *Rosemary Godin. Gathering Pentecost 1 2026. Page 39. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus (#664 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Generous God, you sow your word in our lives with patience and love. Yet we confess that our hearts ...

Isaac is now old enough to marry. So, Abraham calls his most trusted servant and asks him to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s hometown. The servant sets out on a journey to the north, and after travelling about 1,000 kilometres, or 620 miles, he eventually arrives at the city of Nahor. Near the city, there is a well where young women gather to draw water. When the servant comes to the well, he asks a young woman for a drink. Her name is Rebekah. She gives water not only to him but also to his ten camels. This takes quite a while because a thirsty camel can drink a lot. But Rebekah is willing to do it. As the servant sees her kindness, he asks about her family and whether there is a place for him to stay. He wants to find out if she belongs to Abraham’s family. It turns out that she is the granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. Then the servant explains the purpose of his journey to Rebekah and her family. When her family asks whether she is willing to go with him, she answers, ...

# Gathering Hymn This is God’s Wondrous World (#296 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: We gather in the presence of the God who has guided our ancestors in faith and still leads us today.    All: We come to worship with grateful hearts and listening spirits. One: God’s love moves through generations, not only in words, but in acts of courage, generosity, and trust.    All: May this love take root in us, and may it bless those who come after us. One: Let us worship God, whose steadfast mercy is from age to age. All: We come with joy and hope. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn The Church Is Wherever God’s People (#579 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Faithful God, you have called your people to walk in your ways and to receive one another with dignity and care. Yet we confess that we do not always live as your people. You have entrusted us with faith, memory, community, and hope. Still, we sometimes fail t...

It is shocking. In the first reading from Genesis today, God tells Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham has already sent his first son, Ishmael, into the wilderness with great pain. Now God commands him to take his beloved son to the land of Moriah. Isaac is the child born after many years of waiting. His name means "laughter," and he is Abraham's joy. He carries the future of Abraham’s family and the promise of God. So, this command is not only about giving up someone he loves. It is about letting go of his hope, his security, and even his identity. However, we need to remember something very important if we want to understand this story properly. The God of the Bible does not delight in human sacrifice. God abhors it. In Leviticus 18, the people are commanded not to offer their children to Molech. Deuteronomy also says that other nations burned their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods, but Israel must never do such a thing. God does no...

  # Gathering Hymn This is God’s Wondrous World (#296 VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: We come to worship the God who meets us in hard places.    All: God is with us when the way is unclear. One: We come with our questions, our fears, and our hopes.    All: God receives us with mercy and love. One: On the mountain, Abraham named the place, “God will provide.” All: We trust the God who sees, provides, and makes a way. One: Come, let us worship God. All: We come with open hearts. Thanks be to God. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Jesus Loves Me (#365 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Providing God, we confess that we do not always trust your care. When life feels uncertain, we try to control what we cannot hold. When we are afraid, we sometimes forget your promise. When others are in need, we may look away instead of sharing what we have. Renew our hearts, O God. Teach us to listen for your voice and ...