Order of Serivce/ Christian Family Sunday / May 12, 2024

*Gathering Hymn God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness (#260 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Creator, parent of the human family,

  All: we gather to worship you.

One: In baptism, we are called beloved children of God, as such,

  All: we gather to worship you.

One: Friends, neighbours, siblings in faith,

  All: we gather to worship in song, in prayer, in readings from your story and our story, in thoughts and reflections. Let us worship God.

*The United Church of Canada.  Kin to One Another: Worship Resources for Christian Family Sunday. (2018).

Opening Prayer (Unison)

God, creator of us all, we gather to worship you. We come as individuals, we come in family units, we come as neighbours and friends. We come here where we are known by name, welcomed with all our fragilities and strengths. We gather with kindred spirits who long to live faithful to your calling. Guide us, inspire us, challenge us, comfort us, and nurture us in this time of worship so that we might be enabled to return to our daily lives ready to engage fully with all of your creation. We pray. Amen.

*The United Church of Canada. Kin to One Another: Worship Resources for Christian Family Sunday. (2018).

[*Passing the Peace - For Inlgeside Congregation 

One: When we share “Peace be with you,” we are offering the very same words with which Jesus greeted his disciples after the resurrection. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus once again engages with us through these words of blessing and comfort.

“Peace be with you.”

  All: And also with you.]

*Opening Hymn Come In, Come In and Sit Down (#395 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Loving God, relationships are hard. There’s the rushing, running, yacking, and clutter of the day. You call us to be present to one another, when we want to be alone, still, silent, asleep, and away. You want us to love each other, yet sometimes we break the rules and hurt others in our family. We forget to listen, to notice, to reach out, and to care. Whatever it is that blocks the way in our relationships, whatever it is that stops us from living your word and your way, forgive us. (a time of silent reflection) Amen.

*Tammy Fergusson. Gathering L/E 2022. Page 53.

Words of Assurance

One: All is not lost!

  All: We are God’s people, adopted into God’s family.

One: We are precious in God’s sight.

All: We are forgiven by God’s grace. Thanks be to God!

*Tammy Fergusson. Gathering L/E 2022. Page 53.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Draw the Circle Wide (MV 145), Refrain)

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

Let this be our song: no one stands alone.

Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

1 John 5:9-13 The testimony of God is greater than human testimony.

Psalm 1 (VU p. 724) Blessed are those who delight in God’s law.

John 17:6-11 May my joy be made complete in them.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth (#320 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU| Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

praise God, all creatures high and low;

give thanks to God in love made known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Creator God, you have blessed our lives with relationships that both inspire and challenge. We offer these gifts so that we might continue to build relationships with one another and with your whole creation. Bless these gifts that they may bring wholeness and life abundance to all your people. We pray. Amen.

*The United Church of Canada. Kin to One Another: Worship Resources for Christian Family Sunday. (2018).

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Would You Bless Our Homes and Families (#556 VU)

*Commissioning

One: We remember those who have shown us the way, and who invite us to live as part of the family of God each new day.

  All: We depart to share the truth we have received and to live with the hope that we cherish as part of the family of God.

*Bill Steadman. Gathering L/E 2024. Page 53.

*Commissioning Song God Now in Peace (#211 MV)

Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ.

So you may be, nourished by the Word of Life. (x2)

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