Order of Service / Annual Meeting Sunday / March 1, 2026

*Gathering Hymn Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love (#574 VU | vs. 1&2)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: On this Annual Meeting Sunday, with gratitude for the vision of all those who have come before and gratitude for the vision that will lead us into tomorrow and the years ahead,

  All:  we come to this place of worship with heads bowed and hearts open.

One: As God’s Spirit has touched the spirits of so many of our forebears in the faith,

  All: may God’s Spirit touch our spirits this day.

One: Come, Holy Spirit, come with your call and vision for this community of faith.

* Sheryl Spencer. Gathering ACE 2022/23. Page 52.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn We Are One (#402 VU|vs.1,2,4)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God of mercy, we admit that we do not always love well. We have used words that wounded. We have made choices that left others carrying the cost. Forgive us, O God. Open our eyes to what we need to change. Give us the grace to restore what we can, and the humility to learn when we have been wrong. In silence, we pause for personal prayer, trusting you hear what we cannot yet say out loud. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God’s mercy is deeper than our failure. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and welcomed into a new beginning. The Holy Spirit is at work among us, renewing this congregation for love, justice, and peace.

All: We accept grace. We live God’s hope. Thanks be to God.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve God Peace Like a River, VU #557)

I‘ve got peace like a river, I‘ve got peace like a river,

I‘ve got peace like a river, in-a my soul. (Hallelujah) x2

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Genesis 12:1-4a God calls Abram to be a blessing.

Psalm 121 (VU p. 842) I lift my eyes to the hills.

John 3:16-17 God so loved the world.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn To Abraham and Sarah (#634 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#581 VU, v. 2 | When We Are Living)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

We belong to God, we belong to God.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
God of generous love, we offer these gifts with gratitude. Use these offerings to strengthen this congregation for worship and learning, for caring relationships, and for acts of justice and compassion in our community and beyond. Make us faithful stewards of all we receive, so that our life together reflects Christ’s hope and welcome. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn We Have This Ministry (#510 VU)

*Commissioning

One: In the midst of tough choices and difficult situations,

All: Jesus shares our full humanity and guides our living.

One: In the midst of deep holes of despair and disappointment,

  All: the Spirit moves us to places of renewal and hope.

One: In the midst of the scabs and scars of sin and sorrow,

All: God’s grace buoys us with healing love.

One: Go into the world to live in the light of Christ.

All: We go to live with the gift of faith and within the assurance of God’s eternal embrace.

* Gord Dunbar. Gathering LE 2026. Page 49.

*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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