Order of Service / Rural Life Sunday / May 25, 2025

*Gathering Hymn Touch the Earth Lightly (#307 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: After a long winter, the earth begins to wake up.

  All: Green plants push through the warm soil. Birds sing in the morning.

One: The fields are open, ready for seeds, sunshine, and rain.

  All: We are also waiting for God to make us new.

One: Come, everyone - whether you're from the farm, the forest, the garden, or the town.

All: God made us and is still making new life all around us.

One: Let us worship God.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn God, Whose Farm Is All Creation (#300 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Holy One, we have not always cared for the land or those who work to feed us. We have taken more than we need and forgotten to listen with thanks. Forgive us. Help us live with care, sharing the earth’s gifts and honouring every hand that helps bring food to our tables. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God hears our prayers and holds us in mercy.

  All: We are forgiven and made new.

One: We are set free to live with gratitude and care.

All: We will honour the earth and those who help bring food to our tables.

One: This is the good news of God’s love.

  All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

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

Zechariah 8:9-12 God promises strength and blessing for those who rebuild in hope.

Psalm 67 (VU p. 786) Let the light of God’s face shine upon us.

Matthew 13:31-32 God’s kingdom is like a seed that grows into a shelter for all.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn God of the Farmlands (#306 VU|vs. 1,2,6)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#541 VU)

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)

Loving God, we give these gifts of money and seeds with thankful hearts. Please bless them so they may help the earth grow and feed all living things. Help us to care for the land and share what we have with others. Use our gifts and our lives to bring hope, beauty, and blessing to your world. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn We Plough the Fields (#520 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Let us go with open eyes and thankful hearts.

All: We go to care for the earth with love.

One: Let the land guide us and the seasons teach us trust.

All: We go to grow in kindness and share in hope.

One: As the earth gives, let us give with open hands and open hearts.

All: We go with joy, ready to live gently and well.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

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