Order of Service / Easter 6 & Christian Family Sunday / May 10, 2026

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

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Come to this time of worship as a child, trusting in God’s goodness.

  All: We come, wanting to bring the enthusiasm, trust, and innocence of a child.

One: Come to remember who you are, and more importantly, whose you are.

All: We are children of God, coming once again to remember and celebrate who God is and what God has done for us.

One: Let us worship God together.

*Catherin Tovell. Gathering L/E 2026. P 51.

Opening Prayer

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

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, we confess that at times we have struggled to be fully present to our siblings and other family members, both within our biological families and in this Christian family. Sometimes our patience has worn thin, and we have failed to listen with compassion and understanding and missed opportunities to show kindness and care. Forgive us, O God, and help us remember that you are always with us, loving us even when we fall short. May your love inspire us to love others more fully, even when it is difficult. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: Through all the joys and all the struggles of living in relationship, one truth is offered to each and every one of us:

All: God has loved us, is loving us and will always love us. Thanks be to God for this unending gift of love.

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

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Little by Little, TLUS 134)

Little by little by little. Little by little by little.

Little by little by little I know, the tiniest seeds will grow.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

1 Peter 3:13-22 Do not repay evil for evil.

Psalm 66:8-20 (VU p. 784-785 |P. 2&3) God preserved us.

John 14:15-21 The Advocate, the Spirit, will be with you.

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, 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: Each of us has a biological mother, that is true. Yet we are raised by many who are mother and father and parent figures in our life.

All: As we go forth on this Christian Family Sunday, may we be aware of the voices of those who call to us, unconditionally and lovingly, to be—well, just to be us!

One: We go forth in the love of God who loves us unconditionally and completely just as we are. Amen.

*Jim McKean. Gathering L/E 2023. Page. 54

*Commissioning Song I Am Sending You Light (#99 TLUS)

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

No matter where you go, no matter where you’ve been;

You’ll never walk alone. I feel you deep within.

I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you.

I am sending you light to hold you in love. x2

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