Order of Service / Pentecost 7 / July 12, 2026

 # 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 are not always ready to receive it. Sometimes we are closed, distracted, or afraid. Sometimes our faith has shallow roots, and we give up too quickly. Sometimes worries, busyness, and desire for more crowd out your voice. Forgive us, O God. Break up the hard ground within us. Remove what keeps us from growing in your way. Plant your love deeply in us, so that our lives may bear fruit in kindness, justice, mercy, and peace. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering Pentecost 1 2026. Page 47.

Words of Assurance

One: God does not give up on the soil of our lives.

All: God continues to sow grace, mercy, and new life.

One: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, renewed, and invited to grow again.

All: Thanks be to God. We are loved, forgiven, and made new. Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy)

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart,

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.

And I’m so happy, so very happy;

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

And I’m so happy, so very happy,

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Romans 8:9-11 Set the mind on the Spirit is life.

Psalm 118:105-112 (VU p. 841) Your word is a lamp for my feet.

Matthew 13:1-9 The parable of the sower and the seed.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn We Plough the Fields (#520 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn In Gratitude and Humbe Trust (#544 VU | tune: VU 518)

In gratitude and humble trust

We bring our best today

To serve your cause and share your love

With all along life’s way.

O God, who gave yourself to us

In Jesus Christ, your Son,

Teach us to give ourselves each day

Until life’s work is done

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
 Generous God, all that we have comes from your hand. Receive these gifts as seeds of love and service. Bless them, and bless us, so that through our giving, your compassion may grow in our community and in the world. May our lives bear good fruit for the sake of Christ. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn I See a New Heaven (#713 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Go into the world as people of good soil.

All: We will listen for God’s word and let it grow in us.

One: Go with patience when growth is slow.

All: We will trust God’s Spirit at work.

One: Go with courage to share love, kindness, and justice.

All: We will bear fruit for God’s world.

One: May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the strength of the Holy Spirit go with us.

  All: Thank be to God. We go in peace to love and serve.


*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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