JuLY 27, 2025
SEVENTH SUNDAY in PENTECOST WORSHIP ON THE LAWN!
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Celebration, and, of Worshiping Out in Nature.
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Elizabeth Wegg
Special Musical Guest: Brian Pearson
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
(Elizabeth Kubler-Ross)
PRELUDE
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
INTROIT: (This little opening Introit comes to us from the Iona Community)
VU # 955 (Sung through 2 or 3 times…)
“Grant to us your peace on earth,
grant to us your peace, O God.
Dona nobis pacem in terra,
dona nobis pacem, Domine.”
WELCOMING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGING THE TERRITORY (Unison)
May each of us know that where we sit is Holy Ground and that our Indigenous brothers and sisters want each of us to hold this land in trust for we share what the Creator God has given each of us and we share it in friendship and in the knowing that we are all connected.
A SPECIAL GIFT OF MUSIC ----- BRIAN PEARSON
OPENING CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: Come, for now is the time for worship…come, for now is the time to bring your hearts to the Living God.
ALL: We come to sit in the presence of holiness…we come to enter ourselves into prayerful and meaningful worship as we spend some time together on the lawn.
Leader: It is in this place, this outside sanctuary, where friendships grow and where new folk and those visiting are truly welcomed. It is in this place where the Spirit comes alive.
ALL: Each one of us are important to the whole…each one of us are special not only in the eyes of each other, but in the eyes of the God of music, the God of love..
Leader: Be alive to the presence of God; be aware of the power of the Spirit; be attuned to the peace of Christ.
ALL: We WILL be alive to the presence of God; we WILL be aware of the power of the Spirit; we WILL be attuned to the peace of Christ. O Great Spirit, hear our words of prayer:
OPENING PRAYER: (Unison – with hands together)
O Gracious God, these words of this prayer to you speak of partnership, one of the mainstays of mission and service projects, one of the mainstays of your involvement with each of us. As we join our hands in prayer, we see our thumb, and in opposition to the rest of our hand, it reminds us of the Spirit
which holds us. The first finger reminds us of those who lead us and point the way. The tallest finger reminds us of the strong who lend us their strength. The next finger, too weak to accomplish much on its own, reminds us of those who need help, and the littlest finger reminds us of those who need it most – the children and this morning we are all reminded of the many remains of little children being found in places under- ground where the silence has cried out for decades and decades. Life-giving Spirit in whose hands we are all held, to those who have hunger, grant them food, and to those who have food, grant them hunger – for justice….Amen
ASSURANCE of PARDON: (Leader)
After Jesus had spent time alone in prayer, the disciples noticed that he was different, so they asked him to teach them to pray. Jesus told them that a forgiving and forgiven spirit is necessary when one prays. We rest in assurance that it is God’s will that we should be forgiven and brought into communion with God and restored to right relationship. Thanks be to God…Amen.
*HYMN: VU # 375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Engaging the Sacred Text
(Reader: Elizabeth Wegg)
1st Scripture Passage:
PSALM 85 God restores fortunes and pardons sins…
A GIFT OF SONG ----- BRIAN PEARSON
Gospel Reading:
LUKE 11:1-13 (Rev. Jope) Jesus teaches the disciples to pray…
Message: “The Day I Met Paul”
ANOTHER GIFT OF MUSIC --- BRIAN PEARSON
Responding
WORDS FOR OUR OFFERING:
Leader: In gratitude for the love that we have received, we offer our lives and our living to carry God’s message of love into the world and into the communities in which we live, including this faith community. Our offerings have now been given in different ways and may we take a moment to have them blessed…
Leader: Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN: VU # 639 “One More Step Along the World I Go”
Blessing
CLOSING PRAYER/MEDITATION:
This is a Peace Prayer taken from Juanita Austin who wrote it on April 9, 2008 after the murder of three little girls in her community, Trinity U.C., Merritt, B.C. May we use these words upon this day, to remind us of the ones whose lives have been taken so unjustly, not only here in Canada, but throughout our world.)
ALL: With all our hearts we pray for peace through justice in all of our lands. Not peace through victory, not peace through incarceration, not peace through the silencing of voices of dissent, but peace through right relationships, peace through the touch of compassion to every howling, broken spirit, peace through the provision of enough food, income, security, and freedom for every person. Peace enough to cradle and soothe the pain residing in every bruised and broken heart, peace
enough to recognize the holiness and humanity in each other and in ourselves. With all our hearts we pray for peace that comes through freedom from addictions, freedom from vengeful thoughts and actions, freedom from self-abuse. With all our hearts we pray for peace which flows from Holy Love, which permeates all living beings, which permits children to play – open and unafraid, which welcomes sleep and dreams of rest and renewal, which breaks down barriers of fear and anger. With all our hearts, with all our hearts, we pray…..
Leader: And now, let us pray together the words of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever…Amen.
*HYMN: VU # 586“We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection”
COMMISSIONING & BLESSING: (Unison)
As we’ve sung the songs and prayed the prayers, as we’ve felt the calm and been embraced by movement, may each of us go out into the world and make of it a place of peace for all who live and breathe upon its hills and valleys and shores and rock… Amen!
BENEDICTION MUSIC: BRIAN PEARSON
POSTLUDE MUSIC
HAVE A SPIRITED SUMMER SEASON!
Scripture Readings - Sunday, August 3rd, 2025
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Guest Presider: Fiona Hayes
HOSEA 11:1-11 God cares for Israel like a mother for a child….
PSALM 107:1-9, 43 God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry…
COLOSSIANS 3:1-11 Set your mind on things that are above….
LUKE 12:13-21 The rich fool who builds bigger and bigger barns…