Weekly Bulletins                            

May 26, 2019:

God’s People Together           Lakeview United Church     Welcome to WORSHIP!!             May 26, 2019 (Year ‘C’)        

Sixth Sunday of Easter

“Mother Wisdom, known as Chochma in Hebrew and Sophia in Greek is the manifestation of the Divine Mother. Yahweh is the masculine aspect of God.”                                                         Rabbi Rami Shapi

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude               

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations. This is also the land of the Metis Region 3.

* Introit:         VU# 374           “Come and Find the Quiet Centre”

Call to Worship:                              (Doug Reid, Gathering)      

Leader: I invite you into worship today with the following words:

when we arrive here in this space, we come as we are:

ALL: questioning,

wondering,

hoping.

Leader: We come knowing that God accepts us just as we are:

ALL: learning,

praying,

singing.

Leader: Let us quiet our minds and still our hearts,

So that in this place we might strengthen our lives

and find our spirits inspired.

ALL: Let’s feel the spirit of God here amongst us today and always.

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer:                                     (Wendy MacLean, Gathering)

Great Spirit, gracious loving God,

over the centuries,

your people have looked for you

and found you

in the beauty around them

in the quiet confidence of your presence

in the challenging words of scripture

and in the gathering of souls come together,

as we are, to praise you and give thanks.

Today may our worship awaken our hearts,

tune our lives and open our understandings.

Amen                        

*Hymn:         VU# 222              “Come , Let Us Sing”

A Time for All Ages:      

Hymn:              VU# 249            “Rejoice in the Lord Always”

Readings:                                                                  (Sue Spratt)

         ACTS 16:9-15       Page 900

         PSALM  67           Page 460            

          JOHN 14:23-29        Page 877                     

Message:         “Women, Paul and the Church”                     

Responding

*Hymn:         MV# 117        “By the Well a Thirsty Woman”           

Offering:

Offertory            LUC choir      “The First One Ever”

* Doxology:      VU# 541   “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”  

Prayer of Dedication:

Blessing

Prayers of the Community

Hymn:                         MV# 90         “Don’t Be Afraid”

*Commissioning: (unison)                        (Gord Dunbar, Gathering)

Leader: God sends us out as her beloved children.

            ALL: We go prepared for the rain,

            but ready to splash in the puddles,

            delighting in the joy of sharing God’s love.

Leader: God sends us out as her beloved children.

            ALL: We go still warmed by her generous hugs,

            motivated by her kisses

            and smiles of encouragement,

            eager to bring more friends home to meet her.

Leader: God sends us out with promises to always be near us.

            ALL: We go trusting in her unconditional love,

            Tingling in anticipation

            At exploring new relationships,

            Laughing with joy in the gift of life and of faith.

*Closing Hymn:   VU# 649     “Walk With Me” 

Benediction MV# 215     “Peace Be With You”

Postlude

May 19, 2019:

God’s People Together           Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             May 19, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                    

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The United Church of Canada and the Apologies to First Nations Peoples

We did not hear you when you shared your vision. In our zeal to tell you the good news of Jesus Christ we were closed to the value of your spirituality.                                    Rt. Rev. Robert Smith, Moderator 1986

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations. This is also the land of the Metis Region 3.

* Introit:         VU# 282           “Long Before the Night”

Call to Worship:                              (Celebrate God’s Presence 8F006)

Leader: This is the season of Easter:

ALL: The celebration of resurrection,

Leader: The festival of hope,

ALL: the promise of new beginnings,

Leader: the dance of faith,

ALL: the song of joy,

Leader: the music of gladness,

ALL: the hymn of love.

Leader: Let us worship our life-giving God! 

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer:                                               (Richard Bott, Gathering)

In this world,

where the turn of the globe

seems to bring new stories

of destruction and death,

open our hearts to life, O Christ.

Open our senses

to the beauty of birdsong,

to the hope in a smile,

to the wonders of a gentle touch.

Open our hearts,

that we might know your

love resurrected in our love,

every moment,

every day.

May it always be so.                     

*Hymn:         VU# 333               “Love Divine”

A Time for All Ages:           “Whoever You Are”         by Mem Fox

Hymn:              VU# 372          “Though I May Speak”  

Readings:                                                             ( Nancy Prince )

           ACTS 11:1-18      Page 895

         REVELATION 21:1-6    Page 1007                    

              JOHN 13: 31-35        Page 877                      

Message:         “God’s Inclusive Love”                            

Responding

*Hymn:         MV# 79        “Spirit, Open My Heart”                    

Offering:

Offertory            LUC choir      “Jesus be the Centre”

* Doxology:          VU# 227   “For the Fruit of All Creation” (verse 3)      

Prayer of Dedication:

Blessing

Prayers of the Community

Hymn:                         MV# 14         “Where Two or Three Are Gathered”

*Commissioning: (unison)                        (Robin Wardlaw, Gathering)

From the coldness of the ground comes beauty.

From the horror of the cross comes grace.

From faith shattered comes the passion for justice.

Go from here to live in beauty, with grace and for justice.

*Closing Hymn:   VU# 713     “I See a New Heaven” 

Benediction

Postlude

May 12, 2019:

God’s People Together           Lakeview United Church     Welcome to WORSHIP!!             May 12, 2019 (Year ‘C’)    

Fourth  Sunday of Easter

The root of the difficulty lies in the fact that Christology in its story, symbol and doctrine has been assimilated to the patriarchal world view, with the result that its liberating dynamic has been twisted into justification for domination.                                     Elizabeth A. Johnson                                                             

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

*Processional Introit:            MV# 154    “Deep in Our Hearts”             

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations. This is also the land of the Metis Region 3.

Call to Worship:                                  (Richard Bott, Gathering)           

Leader: Parents and children, siblings and cousins, grandparents and greats - aunts, uncles and more -

ALL: family in God’s love.

Leader: By adoption, by choice, by birth, or just because -

ALL: family in God’s love.

Leader: People well known, people never met, people near, people far -

ALL: family in God’s love.

Leader: Come as you are. Come as you will be. Come and worship, all you, who are…

ALL: family in God’s love.

Leader: We now bring the light of Christ alive into this sanctuary and into all of our lives once again as the Risen Christ moves through this place.

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer:                 (adapted Celebrate God’s Presence 6F001)

Leader: Beloved, let us love one another,

because love is from God.

            ALL: God’s love was revealed among us in this way,

            Jesus Christ came into the world.

Leader: Since God loved us so much,

we are called to love one another.                      

ALL: We are one in Christ;

We are bound together in his vision of a world,

Where all are accepted and loved,

Where compassion and care are given,

Where justice and right relations are crucial.

Leader: We dream of that day when God’s Shalom,

will be the reality for all creation.

ALL: Let us persevere in our work,

May we listen for Spirit’s wisdom this day

And be ready to respond in love,

Amen              

*Hymn:   VU# 395   “Come in, Come in and Sit Down” (verses 1, 2 & 4)

A Time for All Ages:           “Mars Needs Moms”

Hymn:              MV# 97          “Listen God is Calling”

Readings:                                                                  (Heather Mayers)

                     ACTS 9: 36-43      Page 894   

         Sung PSALM 23     VU# 273             “The King of Love”   

                     interpretation of PSALM 23        (Louis Hart, Gathering)

                     JOHN 10: 22-30        Page 873                        

Message:         “The Importance of Being Named”                               

Responding

*Hymn:         MV# 161        “I Have Called You by Your Name”               

Offering:

Offertory            LUC choir      “A Woman and a Coin”

* Doxology:          VU # 541    

Prayer of Dedication:

Blessing

Prayers of the Community

The Sung Lord’s Prayer     VU# 959

*Commissioning: (unison)

With gladness we continue to build God’s house.

We do not go alone in this journey of building up.

We go with a great cloud of witness, our sisters, brothers,

mothers, fathers, children and youth, the prophets, and the saints.

Go with the grace and love of God.  Amen

*Closing Hymn:   MV# 126     “Are You a Shepherd?” 

Benediction

Postlude

Sunday May 5th, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    Welcome to WORSHIP!!             MAY 5th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                         THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER

{Communion & Blessing of the Peace Pole Benches}   

  “Let’s Go Fishing’” “For the supreme test of fisherman is not how many fish he caught, not even how he caught them, but what he has caught when he has caught no fish.” (John H. Bradley)

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

*Introit:       MV # 16        “Come and Fill Our Hearts”

            “Come and fill our hearts with your peace.

                        You alone, O God, are holy.

             Come and fill our hearts with your peace,

                        Alleluia!”        (Sung through three times…)                 

Call to Worship:         

Leader: From the shores of our lives, Jesus calls us into the life-giving waters and calls upon each of us to come into the celebration of worship.

ALL: We are here! We have gathered. Our spirits have become open to the presence of the Holy and we come to worship.

Leader: From the edge of our worries and our concerns, Jesus calls us into the place of friendship and calls us into a place of hope.

ALL: We have come to claim our hope – our hope in a new Easter dawning as it breaks forth upon our world and in our lives.

Leader: From the shallow places in our hearts, Jesus calls us into the infinite depths of his love for all humanity and all of creation.

ALL: This morning we come together to celebrate in this gift of love which Christ so willingly shared with all.

Leader: From the breaking waves of sadness in our lives or from the rains of spring in our hearts we come here this morning to renew our spirits.

ALL: We gather now, to renew our covenant with God and with each other, God’s faithful people. Let grace and peace and forgiveness fill this place!

Leader: We now bring the light of Christ alive into this place of worship…may we celebrate…may we light up the world!!

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

O God of our journey, O Divine Breath: we find that often each genesis daunts us, each sunrise rekindles us. We cross thresholds into young stories. One step sings hope,   the other step often shouts doubt…..                                      

            O God, midwife us into new beginnings.

O Creator God: we often long for similarities and may we also recognize possibilities as we row between the tides of transformation and resistance….                                        

            O God, midwife us into new beginnings.

O God of our faith communities and of all people: our roots  

            stretch tender into this soil of these communities. Our 

            fabrics are patterned with new colour strands. This

            unknown country will reveal itself one heartbeat at a

            time….

            O God,             midwife us into all our new beginnings….Amen.

*Hymn:         MV # 1    “Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome)”

A Time for All Ages:           “Caught a Shark”

Hymn:            MV # 115       “Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New”

                                                      (Sung through a few times…)

First Reading:      ACTS 9: 1-20                       (Jean Scott) Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

Second Reading:   REVELATION 11-14           (Jean Scott) Worthy is the lamb…

Gospel Reading:    JOHN 21: 1-19                   (Rev. Jope)                Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias…  

Message:       “Things Happen When We Go Fishing”

Responding

*Hymn:         MV # 113        “Jesus Saw Them Fishing”                   

Offering:             “Gavotte,” J.S. Bach    Fiona Hayes, flute

*Offertory Doxology:          (To the tune of VU # 217)   

                  “With hope we walk this road anew;

                        This road includes both me and you…

                             Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

                    It leads us to a place of light;

                        A place of sunrise after night…

                             Sing praises, Sing praises,

                                  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!”         

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

The Sacrament of Communion

(In Lakeview United Church, we serve communion through intinction…you are offered the bread of peace and in turn, it is dipped into the cup and together, words of blessing are offered to you as the Holy Meal takes place…)

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to our God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: God of many names, we thank you for all that you are and for all that you do in the world. As Creator, you made all things and are continually creating. As Divine Parent, you nurture and sustain us. As the One Holy Trinity, you invite us to dance with you to the lilt of life and time. And through Christ, you have named us as your adopted children. Therefore, with all your people, in every time and place, we sing the triumphant hymn of your glory: 

MV # 203     (Holy, Holy, Holy -- Sanctus and Benedictus)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: And we come to this table to remember how you became human under the name of Jesus who on the night when your name was betrayed shared food and wine with those he loved. He took bread, a sign of health and life, broke it and shared it with them naming it for his body, the bread of life. And he took a cup of wine, a sign of celebration and joy and shared it with them naming it after his life blood. We come here to do the same in memory of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Pouring of the Cup

Leader’s Prayer: Come, Spirit of God, and move over these signs of life and celebration, this bread and wine, that we may take them as the bread of life and the wine of blessing. As we stand around this table, may we be your people, committed to your kingdom whose name is peace…Amen.

The gifts of God, for the people of God…come…for all is ready.

(Our communion hymn being sung through distribution is:

                            VU # 468    “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”) 

Blessing

Prayers of this Community of Faith & The Lord’s Prayer VU # 914

*Commissioning (Leader)

For those who would be going to the Upper Hall for refreshments, I offer to you my peace and my blessings…to those who would be coming outside to participate in the short blessings of the Peace Pole Benches, I would invite you to dress warmly for the five or 10 minutes that it will take…and to those who would be leaving, may your lives be filled with countless blessings of spring and summer and of God’s peace…  

Thank-you to our communion servers this morning: Ken & Marlene Villiger Lee & Lynda Miller Daryl Sedor

Sunday April 28th, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             APRIL 28th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

            SECOND SUNDAY of EASTER

                  {Baptismal Sunday}   

                    “Easter happened…So Now What?”    

“For Thomas, ‘seeing is believing’, as the saying goes. However, most of us must be content to see Christ through the eyes of faith. For us, so often believing is seeing. Faith opens up a realm we never, ever dreamed of. Jesus pronounces his blessing on those who have not seen and yet believe…and folks…that’s us!!”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

*Introit:       VU # 409       “Morning Has Broken”                 

Call to Worship:         

Leader: I invite you to this worship service this morning with the following words; ‘when we arrive here in this space, we come as we are’:

ALL: questioning…wondering…hoping…

Leader: We come, knowing that God accepts us just as we are:

ALL: learning…praying…singing…

Leader: Let us quiet our minds and still our hearts so that in this place, we might strengthen our lives and find our spirits inspired.

ALL: May our time together lift us up as we celebrate God’s care for us and for all of creation

Leader: Welcome, O Holy Spirit. Welcome into our midst as we turn to you this morning. Prepare each of us to witness the Risen Christ.

ALL: We have come, for now is the time for worship. We have come, for now is the time for new life.

Leader: We now bring the light of Christ alive into this place of worship and into all of our lives once again as the Risen Christ moves through this gathering of people. 

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

Leader: “You believe because you can see…happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”  (John 20: 29)  

ALL: Every year it happens: earth shakes her sleepy head, still a bit wintered and dull, and feels new life stirring…

Every year cocoons give up their treasures, fresh shoots push through brown leaves, seemingly dead branches shine with green, and singing birds find their way home…

Every year we hear the stories…

Empty tomb, surprised grievers, runners with news and revelation, unexpected encounters, conversations on a road, tales of nets filled with fish, and breakfast on a seashore…

And every year the dull and dead in us meets our Easter challenge:

To be open to the unexpected, to believe beyond our security, to welcome God in every form, and trust in our own greening…

O Risen One, come, meet us in the garden of our lives and may we become ever more convinced that your presence lives on, and on, and on….and on. Awaken us! Awaken us!    Amen.

*Hymn:         VU # 245    “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”

A Time for All Ages:           “Proof of Life”

Hymn:            VU # 412          “This Is the Day”

Sacrament of Holy Baptism

                       Kelly Ann Wilderman

                        Odette Elizabeth Wilderman

“All Who Are Thirsty”    Rev. Jope

(We will share the words of The New Creed during the baptism liturgy)

Baptismal Benediction     VU # 454   “May God Who Creates You” 

First Reading:       PSALM 118: 14-29 (VU # 837) (Gwen Jamieson)

                    God is my strength and my song.…

          Refrain: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Reader: “God is my strength and my song; God has become my  

               salvation.

ALL: There are shouts of joy and deliverance in the tents of the           

         righteous.

Reader: The right hand of God does mighty things; the right hand of 

              God raises up.

ALL: The right hand of God does mighty things.

Reader: I shall not die, but live; and I shall proclaim what God has

             done.

ALL: God indeed punished me but did not give me over to death.

         Refrain: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” 

Reader: Open to me the gates of the temple, that I may enter and give

              thanks to God.

ALL: This is the gate of God; through it the righteous shall enter.

Reader: I thank you for you have answered me; you have become my

              salvation. 

ALL: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief

         cornerstone.

Reader: This is God’s doing, marvellous in our eyes.

ALL: This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be

         glad in it!   

          Refrain: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Reader: Save us, O God, we pray.

ALL: God, we pray, give us success.

Reader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.

ALL: We bless you from the house of God.

Reader: God, our God, has given us light;

ALL: with palm branches in hand let us march to the altar.

Reader: You are my God, and I will thank you;

ALL: you are my God, and I will extol you.

          Refrain: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

Second Reading:   REVELATION 1: 4-8           (Gwen Jamieson)

                     John greets the seven churches of Asia… 

Gospel Reading:    JOHN 20: 19-31                  (Rev. Jope)               

                      Thomas doubts until he sees Jesus for himself… 

Message:         “If Easter Is True…

                                       Now What Do We Do?”

Responding

*Hymn:         VU # 170        “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing”  

(Hallelujah intro and then the four verses found on the next page…)                  

Offering:             Silas Kovats   –   Piano solo

*Offertory Doxology:          (To the tune of VU # 217)   

                  “This Sunday we are shown the wounds

                        Where nails have pierced the healing hands;

                             Hallelujah, hallelujah!

                    Of one who paid with all he had

                        To free our hearts, to free our lands;

                             Sing praises, sing praises,

                                  Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!”          

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Closing Prayers:  (Rev. Jope)                

(Prayers of this Community of Faith) 

The Sung Lord’s Prayer:     VU # 959

*Commissioning: (unison)

This week, as we go about God’s work of peace, reconciliation, and compassion, may we feel surrounded by God’s presence and may we always remember that we are loved beyond measure… we go now in peace...Amen!

*Hymn:        VU # 179       “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks”

Benediction

Sunday April 21st, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             APRIL 14th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

 EASTER SUNDAY  

 One can only say, “Hallelujah!!”     

“Women were not allowed to testify in Roman courts because they were not considered reliable…with this in mind, how important it is that women first saw the resurrected Christ! God’s audacity is clearly revealed in choosing the women as the first witnesses, just as at the birth of Jesus the angels appear not to the emperor but to the lowly shepherds…how important this is!...how inclusive!...how REAL!!” Amen!

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

*Processional Introit:   MV # 121    “Hey Now! Singing Hallelujah!”

         (We will sing verses 1 and 4 and 5 as the ‘Easter Cross’ is unveiled…)                  

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call to Worship:         

Leader: O Spring! Where art thou? Those mornings where the birds are singing, where tulips poke up, where the winds are warm…where art thou?...We know that the Earth testifies for you…it is coming.

ALL: O Lord! Where art thou? The tomb opens, the linens empty, the disciples see him…witnesses testify…he is risen!!!

Leader: O People! Where art we? The piano plays…the pews become filled…the chorus rises…worship testifies, we are at church…Alleluia! Alleluia!...and we come with no doubt 

ALL: We are called: called to be people of the dance, dancing amidst this season, filled with hope. Let us enter into the joy of the risen Christ, in whom we worship.

Leader: Are you prepared to be astonished?

ALL: We come with open hearts and spirits ready to experience amazing things.

Leader: Come then, and ready yourselves for Holy Mystery.

ALL: May grace fill us and awe delight our coming and going, in this time of worship.

Leader: We now bring the light of Christ alive into this sanctuary and into all of our lives once again as the Risen Christ moves through this place.

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Opening Prayer:

Leader: (Explanation of the words for our opening prayer…)  

ALL: The stone has got to be rolled back from the tomb again and again every year so…so, let’s roll up our sleeves.

He is not coming back you know. He is not coming back unless it is we who rise for him, we who lay healing hands on the despicable and rejected like he did on his behalf. He is not coming back unless it is we who rage for righteousness in his insistent voice, we who love the sinner, even knowing that the ‘sinner’ is no farther off than our own heartbeat…

He will not be back to join us at the table, to share God’s extravagant banquet, God’s love feast, all are invited, come as you are…

And so it is you and I who must feed for him, must say the grace and break the bread and pass it to the left and dish up the broiled fish (or pour the wine) and pass it to the right.

And treat each one so tenderly as though just this morning he made the personal effort to make it back from heaven, or from hell, but certainly from death, to be by my side…

Because if by some miracle (and why not a miracle?) he did come back, wouldn’t he want to see us like this?

Wouldn’t it be a miracle to live for just one day so that if he did, by some amazing feat, come riding into town, he would take a look around and say, “This is what I meant!!”

And we would say, “It took us a long time…but we finally figured it out”…

Oh, let us live to make it so…you are the resurrection and the life…you are my heart’s yearning…Amen.

*Hymn:           VU # 155    “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”

A Time for All Ages:           “Easter Gift”

Hymn:              VU # 166          “Joy Comes with the Dawn”

First Reading:       ISAIAH 65: 17-25                   (Barbara Spence)

                    A new heaven and earth; the wolf and the lamb together…

Second Reading:   1 CORINTHIANS 15: 19-26   (Barbara Spence)

                     We die in Adam and are made alive in Christ… 

Gospel Reading:    JOHN 20: 1-18                        (Rev. Jope)               

                      Meeting at the empty tomb… 

Message:         “Who First Shared the Good News 

                                            With Each of You?”

Responding

*Hymn:         VU # 289        “It Only Takes a Spark (Pass It On)”  

(During the singing of the third verse, this would be your opportunity of passing the PEACE to each other, either by your shaking of hands, of allowable hugs, or by ‘Namaste’ intent…)

Offering:             “Hymn of Promise,”   – LUC Choir

(The congregation is invited to join in with verse 3 found in VU # 703)

*Offertory Doxology:          VU # 217   

                  “All creatures of our God and King,

                        Lift up your voice and with us sing:

                             Hallelujah, hallelujah!

                    Bright burning sun with golden beam,

                        Soft shining moon with silver gleam,

                             Sing praises, sing praises,

                                  Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!”           

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Closing Prayers:  (Rev. Jope)

(The closing prayer will be interspersed with VU # 958…Rev. Jope will prompt)

“Hal-le, hall-e, hal-le     lu-jah! Hall-e, hal-le, hal-le     lu-jah!

    Hal-le, hal-le, hal-le     lu-jah! Hal-le-lu-jah! Hal-le-lu-jah”                

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Sung Lord’s Prayer:     VU # 959

*Commissioning: (unison)

From the coldness of the ground comes beauty. From the horror of the cross comes grace. From faith shattered comes the passion for justice. We go from here to live in beauty, with grace, and for justice...Amen!

*Hymn:        VU # 173       “Thine Is the Glory”

Benediction

Sunday April 14th, 2019:

       God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             APRIL 14th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                         PALM SUNDAY   Our Final Entry In To Holy Week      

“In silence you hear the call to turn within. See the light that exists inside you and freely, willingly, shine that light on the world. You never know the impact you can make on another person’s life. You may never know if you made a difference so keep shining anyway. Sometimes the best rewards are no rewards at all…one person can change the course of history. YOU are that person just as Jesus was that person!!”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

*Processional Introit:   VU # 124    “He Came Riding on a Donkey”

         (We will sing verses 1 and 2 as the Palm fronds are placed on the walkway…)

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call to Worship:         

Leader: Jesus is about to approach Jerusalem and we now know that our journey of Lent is nearing its ending.

ALL: There will be a colt waiting for him and he will ride it into the city of “those who crucify their prophets”.

Leader: The crowds will gather around him, crying out… ”Hosanna!! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God!” So wave your palms!...Wave them high!...Sing out loud!....    This is the day!!!  

ALL: We celebrate his arrival in Jerusalem. We take our part in the excited crowd. We bow before the King, riding on a donkey.

Leader: And we wave our palms in the air…and we are all a part of the crowd which celebrates the arrival of the one for whom we’ve been waiting for. Are we ready for what will happen next?

ALL: So we wave our palm fronds…we sing out loud to the triumphant entrance…we all come to worship! So as we are in community and together in worship may we always be reminded that God is here with us and that this entry into Jerusalem needs to happen for our world to break open to peace.

Leader: And so now, we focus ourselves once more upon the extinguishing of our Lenten expressions of light.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: We have now experienced the five Sundays of Lent. In that time, we have seen how God hears and accepts our laments, and how tests in the form of temptations can become a time to build resilience.

ALL: We have seen a God who offers both forgiveness and abundance when we have the courage to let go and trust.

Leader: Today, we join a parade of celebration, one that will unfold much differently than we can imagine.

ALL: So let us extinguish our sixth candle to remind each of us that allow this candle to go out, that there is still light.

                              (Extinguishing of the sixth candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)  

Celebration and joy, O God, are all we want, yet the shadow of the cross falls across our path. Sustain us as the contrasts of light and darkness inform our worship. Guide us to find new realities in your never ending story. Open us to the life you offer from palm to cross and continually open us to the purpose which is found in the relationship that exists between you and ourselves. You know the way to become closer to you as this week unfolds. Creator God, through your wisdom, give us clearer vision of your intention, so that we may find the path of intention that is our calling to be your disciples as we enter into Jerusalem with the great teacher of peace…Amen.

*Hymn:           VU # 124    “He Came Riding on a Donkey”

                                                         (Verse # 3)

A Time for All Ages:           “ The Palm Planes”

Hymn:              MV # 119          “God Our Protector”

                                      (Sung through twice with instrumental bridge)

First Reading:       ISAIAH 50: 4-9a                    (Barbara Penhale)

                       They struck my back and plucked my beard…

Second Reading:   PSALM 118: 1-2, 19-29        (Barbara Penhale) The stone which the builders rejected…

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 19: 28-40                      (Rev. Jope)          Jesus enters into Jerusalem to cheering crowds…   

Message:                     “Our Prayer Walk 

Responding

*Hymn:                 “What the Lord Has Done in Me”                   

Offering:           “How Beautiful,”   T. Paris – LUC Choir

*Offertory Doxology:          MV # 18   

                  “Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary”   (Sung twice)      

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Closing Prayers:  (Rev. Jope)

(The closing prayer will be interspersed with VU # 951…Rev. Jope will prompt)

       “Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!

               My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God!”                

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer:

*Commissioning: (unison) And now, may the grace of God uphold us, the peace of god surround us, the love of God flow from each of us to the other, and may the strength of God protect us and bring us safely through this day and all days. And may our fears flee with the strength of our gathered faith. Amen!

*Hymn:        VU # 352       “I Danced in the Morning”

Benediction

Sunday April 7, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             APRIL 7th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

    FIFTH SUNDAY of the SEASON of LENT   {COMMUNION}

       A Service of Our Focusing on Our Journey into Lent.      

“Everything in life has its own time. There is time to celebrate and there is time to mourn. This is the time for reflection and transformation. Let us look within and change into what we ought to be.” – Aaron Saul

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call into Lent:        MV # 85     “Take, O take Me as I Am”  

                                                                     (Sung through 2X’s)

            “Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be;

                        set your seal upon my heart and live in me.”

A Quieting of Our Heart      (A few moments of Meditation…)

Call to Worship:         

Leader: It is into this place of worship where each of us takes time to centre and to ground ourselves in the Spirit.

ALL: Our lives are sometimes hectic and oftentimes we forget to allow ourselves to just be held in the palm of God’s hand.

Leader: All of us are children of the Lenten journey and we need this time of worship to ‘recharge our spiritual batteries’. We need to know when it’s time to slow down and to allow the Spirit of the Living Christ to replenish our spirits.   

ALL: May the gift of grace surround us this morning as we spend this time in prayer, in song, in reflection, and in being present with each other.

Leader: O come to us O God of the ages, God of the present, and God of our futures. Come and anoint us with the perfume of peace.

ALL: We are ready. We are waiting. We are sensing that today may lead us forward into places where each of us may be called to anoint others with our blessings of hope, of peace, and of reconciliation.

Leader: And so now, we focus ourselves once more upon the extinguishing of our Lenten expressions of light.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: Lest we think that Lent is only a somber time, let us remember that it is also a rich and abundant time.

ALL: Just as the desert is not a barren place but, in fact, a very fertile yet largely unknown place, Lent provides opportunities for us to see and experience incredible abundance and extravagance.

Leader: Too often, we miss these moments because they appear alongside difficulties or sadness.

ALL: So let us extinguish our fifth candle to remind each of us that allow this candle goes out, there is still light.

                              (Extinguishing of the fifth candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)  

(This opening prayer is based upon a Korean vision and taken from: Dare to Dream:

A Prayer & Worship Anthology From Around the World: Geoffrey Duncan, Ed.)

O God, a stone is thrown into a calm lake and the stone makes waves; spreading, reaching to the far end. Let us throw stones into a deadly calm lake, from all edges of the lake, no matter how small is the stone, no matter how small is the wave.

The lake is like the world…..

The lake is like people’s minds…..

The lake is like sisterhood and brotherhood…..

The lake is like human bondage…..

The lake is like chains of oppression…..

The stone brings awakening. The wave is a movement and the movement spreads when all of us, standing together, on all sides around the lake, keep throwing our little stones. The wave will never cease until the whole lake starts bubbling with life… till the whole lake makes its own spring to keep its own life going. We are the ones who can begin this process. We are the ones who are called to create new and living springs…Amen.

*Hymn:           MV # 144              “Like a Healing Stream” 

A Time for All Ages:           “Quinterra Legacy Garden”

Hymn:          VU # 563      “Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”

First Reading:       ISAIAH 43: 16-21                  (Heather Mayers)

                       Look, I am doing something new…

Second Reading:   PHILIPPIANS 3: 4b-14         (Heather Mayers)

                        I count everything as loss, but knowing Christ… 

*Hymn:     VU # 129      “Said Judas to Mary”

Gospel Reading:    JOHN 12: 1-8                          (Rev. Jope)               

                        Mary anoints Jesus with costly ointment…   

Message:       “The Power of Anointing -- 

                                      The Power of Blessing”

Responding

*Hymn:             MV # 79           “Spirit, Open My Heart”                  

Offering:           “All in All,”   Jernigan – LUC Choir

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “May we anoint and bless each one

                       And may the clouds open to sun

              For when we come in unity

                       We build our God’s community.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

The Sacrament of Communion

(In Lakeview United Church, we serve communion through intinction…you are offered the bread of peace and in turn, it is dipped into the cup and together, words of blessing are offered to you as the Holy Meal takes place…)

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to our God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: God of many names, we thank you for all that you are and for all that you do in the world. As Creator, you made all things and are continually creating. As Divine Parent, you nurture and sustain us. As the One Holy Trinity, you invite us to dance with you to the lilt of life and time. And through Christ, you have named us as your adopted children. Therefore, with all your people, in every time and place, we sing the triumphant hymn of your glory: 

MV # 203     (Holy, Holy, Holy -- Sanctus and Benedictus)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: And we come to this table to remember how you became human under the name of Jesus who on the night when your name was betrayed shared food and wine with those he loved. He took bread, a sign of health and life, broke it and shared it with them naming it for his body, the bread of life. And he took a cup of wine, a sign of celebration and joy and shared it with them naming it after his life blood. We come here to do the same in memory of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Pouring of the Cup

Leader’s Prayer: Come, Spirit of God, and move over these signs of life and celebration, this bread and wine, that we may take them as the bread of life and the wine of blessing. As we stand around this table, may we be your people, committed to your kingdom whose name is peace…Amen.

The gifts of God, for the people of God…come…for all is ready.

(Our communion Hymn being sung through distribution is:

                                 VU # 471    “Eat This Bread and Never Hunger”)

Blessing

Closing Prayers:  (Rev. Jope)                 

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer:

*Commissioning: (unison) May we go forth with a spirit that notices the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God…Amen!

*Hymn:        MV # 222       “May the Peace of God Be Your Peace”

Benediction

A Thank-you to our communion servers this morning:

          Louise Poudrette

          Nancy Prince

          Daryl Sedor

          Roger & Beckie Scroggins                                                 

Sunday March 31, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             MARCH 31st, 2019 (Year ‘C’)    

                   FOURTH SUNDAY of the SEASON of LENT

      A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation,  and of Our Continual Journey into Lent.      

“A song isn’t a song until you sing it and love isn’t love until you give it away. The sacred centre is about the songs of our hearts to be given away, about hearing our song and then singing it. Is there a song in stone, in a rock? If one looks at the statue of David which Michelangelo crafted, there is truly a song in stone! When it was unveiled, someone asked him how he had done it…

He replied that he simply looked at the marble, saw David within it, and then chipped away all that was not David…he left the song.”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call into Lent:   MV # 62 “There Is Room for All”   (Sung through 2X’s)

            “There is room for all in the shadow of God’s wing;

                        There is room for all, sheltered in God’s love.

             And I rejoice and sing, “My refuge and my rock,             

                                                                         in whom I trust.”

                        There is room for all, there is room for all!”

A Quieting of Our Heart      (A few moments of Meditation…)

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=3+minute+video+with+nature&&view=detail&mid=47E411CFD5607C974B3147E411CFD5607C974B31&&FORM=VRDGAR

Call to Worship:         

Leader: In the dark hours past midnight, God is sitting alone… waiting;

ALL: waiting for the crunch of tires as the car turns into the driveway; waiting for the turning of the key in the lock and the creaking of the stairs; waiting for the beloved child’s safe return.

Leader: God is waiting…waiting for us; we will come home – yes we will! Yes we will!

ALL: God is our refuge, mighty and secure; God guides us on a treacherous path and carries us in the crook of the arm, a Rock with sure footing, when storms of life would wash us away.

Leader: A new day has come, a new week has begun. We, too, need to be a new people as we walk through this season of Lent. We need to be a people with a new vision and a new purpose.

ALL: We need to be a people with a new understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings; a people with a new desire to live with respect in creation; a people with renewed faith and hope. This is why we’re here…to listen to the voice of the Spirit. Let us worship together, in community, and in knowing that God is here with us.

Leader: And so now, we focus ourselves upon the extinguishing of our third Lenten expression of light.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: The events of Lent and our own personal reflections constantly remind us that no matter where we are or what has happened, God is here and will help us if we ask.

ALL: Today, we hear about a son who was lost and a father who finds him.

Leader: This happens when the son finds the humility to admit his mistakes and ask his father for help.

ALL: How much more our Mother/Father God will help us if we honestly admit our mistakes and accept God’s unconditional forgiveness.

                              (Extinguishing of the third candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)  

O Great Creator…sometimes we wander into far countries of the soul without ever thinking where we are going. We take your love for granted; we presume that we can always find our way back to you when we really need you, when we’re not busy, when it’s more convenient. And then, we find ourselves in places where we do not want to be and we wonder how we got there. Lonely and afraid, sometimes we do not know where to turn…. (Silence….)

So God…speak to us…please…we’re listening…speak to us of mercy and of forgiveness. Stir up within us a longing to be with you once again. Help us find the way to the place where we have always belonged. Open our hearts and our minds to your ways so that we may carry your love to the world. Let the Christ light shine in us and may these words of our hearts be real and from our yearnings to be whole…Amen.

*Hymn:        MV # 1           “Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome)”

A Time for All Ages:           “Puppies For Sale”

Hymn:                MV # 133          “Jesus Laughed Out Loud”

First Reading:       JOSHUA 5: 9-12                    (Sue Spratt)

                       God takes away the shame of Egypt from the people…

Second Reading:  2 CORINTHIANS 5: 16-21    (Sue Spratt)

                        Anyone in Christ is a new creation…

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 15: 1-3, 11b-32          (Rev. Jope)               

                        The prodigal son; the prodigal father… 

Message:       “The Wasteful, Uncontrolled, Extravagant, Profligate, Dissolute, Reckless, and Prodigal – Son!”

               (…and…you just may know who he is…)

Responding

*Hymn:             VU # 229           “God of the Sparrow    

Offering:      “Let Us Stay Together for a Time,”   (Iona community)   LUC Choir

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “This fourth Sunday we’re put to test

                       to pursue love with all the rest

              of lies and cheating, hate and scorn

                       and nurture those who are forlorn.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Prayers of the People:           Elizabeth Marshall      

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Sung Lord’s Prayer:   VU # 959

*Commissioning: (unison) May Christ lead each of us on a path of passionate discipleship that abounds with the joy of the Spirit and the love of God, to always be enjoyed and shared with all…

                                                                                                   Amen!

*Hymn:         VU # 647        “Travel On, Travel On”

Benediction                                                 

Sunday March 24, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             MARCH 24th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                   THIRD SUNDAY of the SEASON of LENT

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Journeying Into Our Lenten Experience.       

“The Lenten season is the spiritual equivalent of an annual physical exam; it’s time to take stock of our lives, our hearts. Keeping Lent, however, is potentially dangerous, precisely of this focus on the heart. After all, it is much easier to read a book on prayer than to spend time leisurely speaking with God. It is much easier to fast from certain foods than it is to totally change your life around. It is much easier to write a cheque than to spend time in ministries of mercy. So consequently, Lent is easily trivialized. The point of Lent is not to give up chocolate; it’s to give up what disconnects you from God.”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call into Lent:     MV # 7   “Gather Us In”      (Sung through twice)

            “Gather us in, ground us in you.

                        Gather us in, ground us in you.

             Gather us in, gather us in,

                        Ground us, ground us in you.”

A Quieting of Our Heart      (A few moments of Meditation…)

Introit:          MV # 117       “By the Well, a Thirsty Woman”

Call to Worship:         

Leader: Come, O you faithful people, come and find the quiet centre where God may enter in. The words, “Be still, be still”, echo silently in our hearts as we yearn for the holy presence.

ALL: We all gather as God’s people: hungry for that holy presence, ready for God’s word to us, and to move to places of action of peace and justice for all.

Leader: Together we seek to know God’s will and to walk in God’s way.

ALL: We journey in the way of faithfulness, trusting in God’s steadfast love.

Leader: Lead us, O God, as we journey into this Lenten season. Teach us to follow the Christ who summons us to new life.

ALL: Let us worship and be strengthened to follow. Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving. And so now, we focus ourselves upon the extinguishing of our third Lenten expression of light.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: Now almost halfway through our Lenten journey, we are invited to look at our own lives and consider what we need to keep and what we need to let go.

ALL: It could be anything from a bad outfit, to an outdated method of relating to others, to a toxic relationship.

Leader: As we honestly examine our own souls, we will find that they are often cluttered.

ALL: Now is the time to let go of all that interferes with our relationship with God and nurture those parts of our lives that lead to wholeness and faithfulness.

                              (Extinguishing of the third candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)   (unison – based upon Luke 19: 3-6)  

O Holy One…this Lent we are yearning to wear a Zacchaeus heart. We are wanting to hear you call our name just as you did his. We are anxious to know that you are inviting yourself to our homes. We are humbled, amazed, excited, and astounded, just as he was. But that is where the desire to wear a Zacchaeus heart stops, because we know what happens when you visit someone’s house. Conversations occur. Choices are presented. Changes happen. That’s because you look for more than dust when you come to visit and you talk about things more vital than the weather. You move into the heart’s dimension. You gaze deeply. You don’t just dwell. You interact. You activate. You dwell so lovingly that the truth cannot be resisted. This Lent, help us to welcome you and yearn for your love. Grant us a Zacchaeus heart that turns around and sees the truth. We need the gaze of your love to remind us of our truest selves. We, too, need the strong call to make amends and to start anew. Come into our time of worship, O Holy One, and stay at our house today…Amen.

*Hymn:           VU # 288              “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

A Time for All Ages:  (Just a bit of humour when we are sometimes so  

                                  surrounded by tragedy and violence of all sorts.)

Hymn:              MV # 115       “Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New”

First Reading:      ISAIAH 55: 1-9                     (Nancy Prince)

                       Come, buy wine and milk without money!…

Second Reading:  1 CORINTHIANS 10: 1-13   (Nancy Prince)

                        I will not let you be tested beyond your strength…

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 13: 1-9                        (Rev. Jope)               

                        The parable of the barren fig tree…             

Hymn:          VU # 111         “As the Sun with Longer Journey”

Message:              “Grace and Manure –

                                          You’ve got to Be Kidding!” Responding

*Hymn:            MV # 174         “Soil of God, You and I”                 

Offering:                  “Body, Mind and Spirit,”    LUC Choir

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “May each of us be touched by grace

                       For we’re together in this place.

              It’s filled with hearts, it’s filled with soul,

                       and community’s the endless goal.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart:    (Rev. Jope)

 (This morning’s closing prayer will be interspersed with: VU # 952)

                “Through our lives and by our prayers

                              your kingdom come.”

Leader: O Gracious One…O One who journeys with each of us through- out our lives; be with us in our Lenten journeys as we experience new- ness or possibly ‘skin-shedding’ as we seek what is life-giving and empowering. The words from Ecclesiastes come to mind and may we offer these changed words to you as prayer – as gift – as a yearning:

ALL: There is a time for everything, a time for every season under heaven: A time to be insecure and a time to have security….a time to have strong opinions and a time to let them go…

              “Through our lives and by our prayers

                              your kingdom come.” 

Leader: A time to be confused and a time to have clarity…a time to be healthy and a time to be sick…a time to be young and a time to be old…

ALL: A time to experience success and a time to know failure…    a time to feel at peace and a time to face conflict…a time to have friends and a time for loneliness…a time to be weak and a time to be strong…

              “Through our lives and by our prayers

                              your kingdom come.”

Leader: A time to feel lost and a time to find the way home…a time to shed the skin and a time to welcome a new one…

ALL: May each of us search for true meanings of what it means to be followers of Christ and may we act upon those understandings.

              “Through our lives and by our prayers

                              your kingdom come.”

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer:   VU # 959

*Commissioning: (unison)

May we go forth with a spirit that notices the best in people,

a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad,

and a soul that never loses faith in God…Amen!

*Hymn:         VU # 639         “One More Step Along the World I Go”

Benediction        

Sunday March 17, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             MARCH 17th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                   SECOND SUNDAY of the SEASON of LENT

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Deep Meditation,

                       and of Journeying Into Our Lenten Experience.       

“Lent is a period of fasting, moderation, and self-denial traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. The length of the Lenten fast was established in the 4th century as 46 days (40 days, not counting Sundays)”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call Into Lent:     MV # 84   “In You There Is a Refuge”                         A Quieting of Our Heart      (A few moments of Meditation…)

Call to Worship:         

Leader: The time has come for us to worship God;

You who are weary, worship in your weariness;

You who are hurting, worship in your pain.

ALL: Give us the courage of Jesus, who did not shrink from confronting evil.

Leader: You who are fearful, worship in your fearfulness;

You who are rejoicing, worship in your joy.

ALL: Give us the dedication of Jesus, who was not diverted from proclaiming God’s dream.

Leader: Lead us, O God, as we journey into this Lenten season. Give us the compassion of Jesus, who saw the suffering ones, and was moved to help them.

ALL: May the warmth of God’s love welcome us. May the grace of Jesus’ life inspire us. May the movement of the Spirit among us lift our hearts in praise. And now, we focus ourselves upon the extinguishing of our second Lenten expression of light.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: As we continue our Lenten journey, we see more of Jesus’ life. We see times when he was angry and hurting, and he cried out to God and to those around him.

ALL: We, too, find ourselves angry, hurting, and needing to lament at times.

Leader: It is in these very times that we can remember Jesus and the God who never tired of his laments (or ours), but rather provided understanding and a way through the difficulty.

ALL: So today, we extinguish this second Lenten light to remind us of Jesus’ humanity. We do this knowing that Jesus had anger and pain. His courage in the face of these human traits provides courage for us in our trials.

                              (Extinguishing of the second candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

This is the wilderness time, when every path is obscure and thorns have grown around the words of hope. Be the wings of our strength, O God, in this time of wilderness waiting.

This is the time of stone, not bread, when even the sunrise feels uncertain and everything tastes of bitterness. Be the wings of our strength, O God, in this time of wilderness waiting.

This is the time of ashes and dust, when darkness clothes our dreams and no star shines a guiding light. Be the wings of our strength, O God, in this time of wilderness waiting.

This is the time of treading life, waiting for the swells to subside and for the chaos to clear. Be the wings of our strength, O God, in this time of wilderness waiting…Amen

*Hymn:           VU # 409              “Morning Has Broken”

A Time for All Ages:           “An Irish Blessing” 

                 https://www.andiesisle.com/an.irish.blessing.html

First Reading:      GENESIS 15: 1-12, 17-18      

                                                                  (Jocelyn Barton Cheffins)

                       “God seals the covenant with Abram and Sarai”…

Second Reading:  PSALM 27    (VU # 754)           

                                                              (Jocelyn Barton Cheffins)

                        “God is my light and my salvation”…

         Refrain: “God is my light and saving health,

                         I shall not be afraid.”

Jocelyn: God is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear?

ALL: God is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Jocelyn: When the wicked close in to devour me,

ALL: it is they, my enemies and my foes, who stumble and fall.

Jocelyn: If an army should encamp against me,

              my heart shall not be afraid;

ALL: if war should arise against me,

        even then I will not be dismayed.      

         Refrain: “God is my light and saving health,

                         I shall not be afraid.”

Jocelyn: One thing I have asked of God, for which I long:

              that I may dwell in God’s house all the days of my life,

ALL: to gaze on your beauty, O God,

        and to seek you in your temple.

Jocelyn: For in the time of trouble you will give me shelter;

ALL: you will hide me under the cover of your tent,

        you will set me high upon a rock.

Jocelyn: And now you have raised my head

              above my enemies round about me.

ALL: Therefore I will offer in your dwelling

         a sacrifice with great gladness.

          Refrain: “God is my light and saving health,

                         I shall not be afraid.”

Jocelyn: Hear my voice, O God, when I call,

              have mercy and answer me. Your face, O God, I seek.

ALL: Do not hide your face from me;

        do not reject your servant in anger,

        you who have been my helper.

Jocelyn: Do not cast me off, or forsake me, O God my saviour.

ALL: Though my father and mother forsake me,

        my God will take me up.

        Refrain: “God is my light and saving health,

                         I shall not be afraid.”

Jocelyn: Teach me your way, O God,

ALL: lead me on a level path,

        safe from those who lie in wait for me.

Jocelyn: Do not give me up to the will of my enemies,

ALL: for liars and false witnesses arise against me.

Jocelyn: I believe that I shall see God’s goodness

              in the land of the living.

ALL: Wait for God; be strong, and take courage;

        yes, wait for God!

            Refrain: “God is my light and saving health,

                             I shall not be afraid.”

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 13: 31-35                         (Rev. Jope)               

                        Jesus cries over Jerusalem as a hen over her chicks…           

Hymn:          MV # 62     “There Is Room for All”

Message       “Never Losing Sight of What Is Real”        

Responding

*Hymn:            VU # 116         “Giver of the Perfect Gift”                 

Offering:                  “As We Seek Your Face,”   LUC Choir 

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “The Lenten time is filled with dread,

                       for we can’t see what’s up ahead.

              We journey on into unknown

                       and hope that each of us has grown.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart:    (Rev. Jope)

 (This morning’s closing prayer will be interspersed with:

                             MV # 175 “May We but Wait”)

            “May we but wait upon Love’s word,

                       Knowing our prayer is heard.”

Leader: God called our names in the flutter of a dove’s wing sailing on a spring breeze, but we were afraid to spread our arms and take the sky, for the parched ground was all we knew and on the dove flew……

ALL: God called our names in the voices of a choir singing, but we were afraid to stay and join the song, for a painful silence was all we felt, a dry plain, a desert was where we dwelt, and the voices faded away…….

              “May we but wait upon Love’s word,

                       Knowing our prayer is heard.”

Leader: God called our names in the whisper of a sigh, for in this place beyond words we begin to cry, and a child led us through the shadows of our fears, to a spring whose water washed away our tears, and quenched our thirst to be in God’s love and God’s healing……

ALL: God gave us the courage to face the fear of healing, the pain of wounds which spend time stealing away, our daring to fly, and our caring to sing, and in this place our wholeness begins…

              “May we but wait upon Love’s word,

                       Knowing our prayer is heard.”

Leader: O God of the wild places, God of the raven sky, guide us through the forests that stand starkly, that darkly hide the corners of our hearts, where fear, doubt, and anger lie. God of the wolf and God of the bear, help us dare to face the wilderness, for in your care wilderness becomes healing space, not stealing courage and giving is despair…

ALL: and with your arms around us, at the place where still water and bare rock meet, wilderness becomes the quiet retreat…

            “May we but wait upon Love’s word,

                       Knowing our prayer is heard.”

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:             VU # 649              “Walk With Me”

*Commissioning (unison): Let us go from this place as a new creation, crafted by the word, conformed to the shape of Jesus Christ, so that all who meet us may know him in us, and come to love him through us…Amen!

Benediction        

Sunday March 10, 2019:

God’s People Together                 Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             MARCH 10th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                       FIRST SUNDAY of the SEASON of LENT

   {BAPTISMAL SUNDAY} 

  A Service of Prayer, of Baptism, of Song, of Deep Meditation,

and of Entering Ourselves Into Our Lenten Journey.       

“Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life…”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Call Into Lent:     MV # 18   “Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary”                         

            “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,

             pure and holy tried and true;

             with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”

                                                            (Sung through twice…)                                                            

Call to Worship:         

Leader: In this season of Lent we gather as people of faith.

In this season we gather as people on a journey – a journey which may be one of the most important ones in which we’ve ever embarked upon.

ALL: We come seeking food for our souls. We come to outfit ourselves for the sometimes harshness of life.

Leader: We gather as people seeking a deeper relationship with our God. We gather as one family, open to the Spirit’s prodding.

ALL: We come seeking knowledge. We come to face the diversities of our cultures, our different moods, our constant hopes, and our never-ending dreams.

Leader: We all come together to obey Jesus’ command, “Watch and pray.” Our lives become watchful and prayerful.

ALL: Seeking Sabbath time may we be aware, O Holy one, of your Spirit leading and uplifting us this day. Let us, as a community of believers, enter into the Lenten wilderness….walk with us into our new sunrise.

A Lenten Extinguishing of Candles Liturgy:   

Leader: Today is the first Sunday of Lent……we will recall and remember a part of Jesus’ life and our own lives.

ALL: Today, we extinguish this first candle to remind us of the temptations in life. We do this knowing that Jesus experienced many temptations. His courage in the face of these trials provides courage for us in our trials.

                              (Extinguishing of the first candle)

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

O God of countless pathways of our lives, at this beginning of Lent, we return to you. We turn away from all that clutters up our lives and makes them junkyards of despair: our endless worrying, our wondering who is doing better than we are, our secret hope that we can take it with us, the grudges we have cherished like precious gems, the harsh judgments and the easy prejudices, the conviction that we are just so very, very busy, all the attempts to let everyone know how deserving we are… (Silence)

At the beginning of Lent we return to you, o God, to your love, to your mercy, to your forgiveness, to your promise of a fresh start, a clean slate, a reformatted website. Please welcome us in the name of Jesus Christ, who told us that you would…Amen

*Hymn:        VU # 644          “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

A Time for All Ages:           “Three Sunday Ditties”  

                             “All Who Are Thirsty”   (Rev. Jope)

   (The Seyoum family are invited to come forward during the 

    singing of “All Who Are Thirsty” along with our Chairperson, Daryl Sedor)

Sacrament of Holy Baptism

 ZAYNE SERTSAI SEYOUM

(During the baptism the congregation will be invited to stand if they are able and to share in their commitment and also voicing The New Creed… following the baptism we will sing   VU # 454 (Baptismal Benediction)  

First Reading:      DEUTERONOMY 26: 1-11      (Jackie Lynas)

                       “My father was a wandering Aramean”…

Second Reading:  PSALM 91 (VU # 807)          (Jackie Lynas)

                        I will raise you up on eagle’s wings…

Jackie: You who dwell in the shelter of your God, who abide in God’s  

            shadow of life,

ALL: say to your God: “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”

Jackie: The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will 

            bring you no fear;

ALL: under God’s wings your refuge, God’s faithfulness your 

         shield.

            Refrain: “And I will raise you up on eagle’s wings

                            bear you on the breath of dawn,

                            make you to shine like the sun,

                            and hold you in the palm of my hand”

Jackie: You not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day;

ALL: though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.

Jackie: For to the angels is given a command to guard you in all your ways;

ALL: upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

                 (Refrain)

Jackie: “Because they have set their love upon me I will deliver them,

ALL: I will uphold them because they know my name.

Jackie: When they call to me I will answer,

ALL; I will be with them in trouble,

Jackie: I will rescue and bring them to honour.

ALL: With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my saving power.”

                 (Refrain)

    Gospel Reading:    LUKE 4: 1-13                         (Rev. Jope)               

                        Jesus tested in the desert…             

Message                         “Why Lent?”      

Responding

*Hymn:            VU # 384         “The Lone, Wild Bird?”   

                                                   (Verses 3, 4, and 5)                 

Offering:            “Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring,”   J.S. Bach (Instrumental)                          

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “The wilderness is what we see,

                       no water, plant, no bird, nor tree;.

              we enter in to walk this day

                       and trust that God will show the way.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart:

(Unison) “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other…

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  (Colossians 3: 12-14)

Leader:  (Rev. Jope)

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:           MV # 8            “And on This Path”

*Commissioning (unison): Go out into the world, searching for all who are lost. As we reach out with open hands and open hearts, let our ministry be shaped always by God’s love…Amen!

Benediction        

Sunday March 3rd, 2019:

God’s People Together            Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           MARCH 3rd, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                                      {COMMUNION}

                         TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY

    (A complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.)   

      A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Deep Meditation, and of        

                                    Sharing at Table     

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning…but anyone can start today and 

     make a brand new beginning…so folks, let’s all focus on a new beginning!”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: As this Candle of Christ is lit amongst us this morning, may it serve as a reminder for each of us that the light of Christ shines ever so brightly in this community of faith.

Introit:          VU # 375   “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”                         

                                                            (Chorus – Verses 1 -4, Chorus)   

Call to Worship:   

Leader: It is into the light where each of us is welcomed to enter – it is into the light where each of us finds our way.

ALL: This morning, we come together to bathe in the light. We come together to sense and to experience the ‘Spirit of Gentleness’.

Leader: Our morning worship is but a small testimony of the faith which each of us has. It’s a time to come together to share in our stories and to share in our lives.

ALL: In the breathtaking mountaintop experiences, Glorious God, You transform us! In the wonder-full experiences of everyday life, Personal God, You transform us.

Leader: Through the overcoming of adversity, through quiet endurance, patient God, You transform us.

ALL: Through a willingness to take a stand, through an unwillingness to let the powerful get their way, Eternally Good God, You transform us!

Leader: So People of God, each of you, I invite you to come up the mountain and wait there, patiently, for something to unfold.

ALL: People of God, everyone present, we come up to the mountain, to wait, to stay, to remain…in the presence of the One whose grace is sufficient for all our needs. We listen for that still, small voice that speaks into our lives, “Be still, and know that I am God”.

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

Transforming God, Ever-changing Holy One, we give thanks for your loving presence in our lives, for the opportunity to answer your call to us, and for the transformation you bring about in us when we truly answer that call. Help us to know that change, that growth, and that improvement in each of us is as clear as when the disciples saw the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop and they became changed. Make us yours in this hour of worship, O God, and hold us fast to your heart and close to your living breath. Instill in each of us a willingness to let go and to begin our preparations for the Lenten journey. Empower us, strengthen us, encourage us, and ultimately, lead us to ways of your peace and your love. May this time of worship be a gift for us and a gift to you…Amen

*Hymn:             VU # 661          “Come to My Heart”

A Time for All Ages:     “Transfiguration Sunday:

                                               Why Do We Celebrate It Before Lent?”  

*Hymn:   “Be Still,”    Paul Rumbolt   (Sung through 3 X’s)

                       “Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God.

                        I am exalted in the nations and the earth,

                        Be still, and know that I am God”

First Reading:      EXODUS 34: 29-35                    (Carol Phillips)

                       Moses is radiant as he comes down the mountain…

Second Reading: 2 CORINTHIANS 3: 12 – 4: 2    (Carol Phillips)

                        We are bold in our hope…    

Hymn:             VU # 333      “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”  

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 9: 28-43                           (Rev. Jope)               

                        Jesus is transfigured upon the mountain…           

Message          “Seeing, yet Not Believing”         

Responding

*Hymn:            VU # 642     “Be Thou My Vision”                                                   

Offering:             “Be the Centre,”    LUC Choir                    

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            “We climb the mountain one by one

                       to view the rising of the sun.

              With arms outstretched we grasp the sight

                       which drives away all fears on night.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Service of the Table

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to our God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: God of many names, we thank you for all that you are and for all that you do in the world. As Creator, you made all things and are continually creating. As Divine Parent, you nurture and sustain us. As the One Holy Trinity, you invite us to dance with you to the lilt of life and time. And through Christ, you have named us as your adopted children. Therefore, with all your people, in every time and place, we sing the triumphant hymn of your glory: 

MV # 203     (Holy, Holy, Holy -- Sanctus and Benedictus)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always           

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: And we come to this table to remember how you became human under the name of Jesus who on the night when your name was betrayed shared food and wine with those he loved. He took bread, a sign of health and life, broke it and shared it with them naming it for his body, the bread of life. And he took a cup of wine, a sign of celebration and joy and shared it with them naming it after his life blood. We come here to do the same in memory of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Pouring of the Wine

Leader’s Prayer: Come, Spirit of God, and move over these signs of life and celebration, this bread and wine, that we may take them as the bread of life and the wine of blessing. As we stand around this table, may we be your people, committed to your kingdom whose name is peace…Amen.

The gifts of God, for the people of God…come…for all is ready.

     (During communion, MV # 200 “You Are My Body” will be sung)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart: (Rev. Jope)

(Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:       VU # 651        “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

*Commissioning (unison): We are people blessed by God, for those who have seen the transfigured Christ are blessed in order to be a blessing in this world. We are transformed people. Journey in the light of the transfigured Christ as you leave this place, taking the blessing and love of Christ into the world……..

Amen!

Benediction        

Thanks to our servers this morning:

Shirley Roddick, Jeannie Butterworth, Nancy Prince, Ted Prince, and Daryl Sedor.

Thanks to our communion set-up folks.

Thanks to our reader: Carol Phillips

And, thanks to our greeter and our ushers!!

Sunday February 24th, 2019:

God’s People Together             Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           February 24th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                    SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

 A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Being Moved By the Spirit of Togetherness.      

“May the rivers of grace and miracle flow through your heart…may a full share of Spirit pour through your soul…may the light of God’s flame burn through your mind…may you be forever changed”        {The Art of Imaginative Preaching}

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: As this candle is lit this morning, may it be a reminder to us that the Light of Christ, the Light of Love, the Light of Blessing, shines through our worship, through our lives, through those moments of what may seem darkness to us and also those moments of wonderful joy. 

Introit:          VU # 944   “Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, Santo, Santo)”                    (We will sing this through 2 X’s)   

Call to Worship:   

Leader: Come, all of you who are God’s people! God has called us from the highways and the streets and the byways of the world. Come, all of you who are God’s people!

ALL: We are here and yes, we’ve come as we’ve been called from our homes, from our workplaces, and from all of those dwellings where we reside or work.

Leader: Come, all of you who are God’s people! Yes you! God has called us into community so come, and place yourself beside your neighbours and your friends.

ALL: We are here and we have responded to God’s call.

Leader: So listen. Can you hear that sound? Listen…it’s there, thumping ever so quietly in your chest. Once again I say, Listen!

ALL: We hear and feel the call of the very vitality of life, for we have come to connect once again. We have come to connect with the source of life and love. So come, O Holy Spirit! Come and fill us with wonder and awe during this hour for we are ready. We now open ourselves to prayer to you:

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

Today, as last Sunday, here at Lakeview United Church, we gather and have gathered for worship and for work -- they go hand in hand. Our working together to build the kingdom, our financial decisions, our offering to serve the church whether on a working committee or through personal time, treasure, or talents, come out of our conviction that Christ has called each of us, all of us, to serve as disciples. Our ministry is rooted in the biblical witness of Jesus’ first disciples and inspired by the Holy Spirit leading us on. We thank you for your church, Christ’s body of celebration, compassion, and cooperation. We thank you for the variety of people and gifts that come together in your name. Forgive us when we become self-righteous and impatient with one another. Help us work for the common good. We pray through Christ, our foundation and our hope…Amen

*Hymn:          VU # 289        “It Only Takes a Spark (Pass It On)”

A Time for All Ages:                       “Loving to the End”  

*Hymn:            MV # 54       “Alleluia (Monteiro)”   (Brazilian ‘Alleluia’)

First Reading:      GENESIS 45: 3-11, 15          (Heather Dorin) Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers…

Second Reading: PSALM 37: 1-11, 39-40        (Heather Dorin) Understanding resurrection…     VU # 763

Refrain: “Commit your way to God and trust the One who takes your part.”

Heather: Do not fret because of the wicked, or envy those who do evil.

ALL: For they soon wither like grass and fade away like the green leaf

Heather: Trust in God and do good;

ALL: dwell in the land and there find safe pasture.

Heather: Find your delight in God,

ALL: who will grant the desires of your heart.  (Refrain)

Heather: God will make your vindication shine like the light,

ALL: the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Heather: Be still before God and wait patiently;

ALL: do not fret because some prosper in evil schemes.

Heather: Let go of anger and abandon wrath.

ALL: Do not fret – it can only do harm.   (Refrain)

Heather: Those who do evil shall be cut off,

ALL: but those who look to God shall inherit the earth.

Heather: In a little while the wicked will be no more;

ALL: you will look where they were and their place will be empty.

Heather: But the meek shall inherit the earth;

ALL: they shall enjoy fullness of peace.

Heather: Salvation for the righteous comes from God, their refuge in times of trouble.

ALL: God helps and delivers, and rescues from the wicked those who seek shelter.   (Refrain)

Hymn:             MV # 108      “I Know Your Word (Tua Palavra)”       

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 6: 27-38       (Taken from “The Message’)                  Love your enemies; be merciful…           

Message       “Sometimes ‘Love’ is Hard to Swallow”     

Responding

*Hymn:            VU # 563     “Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”                                                  

Offering:             “O Lord, Have Mercy,” Paraguay/Hopson    LUC Choir                       

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            We’re called to serve in any way

                        to offer sunshine every day

            for those who may find life is tough --

                        we need to offer love enough!    

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart (Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:       MV # 212       “Sent Out in Jesus’ Name” 

*Commissioning (unison):

In the spirit of living in this world with different cultures, differing ideologies, different geographies, and different understandings of how life is to be lived, may we all go into the realms of God’s creation, holding out our olive branch, so that we may become one in peace and in joy…Amen!

Benediction        

Sunday February 17th, 2019

God’s People Together            Lakeview United Church 

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           February 17th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Focusing on the Beatitudes or the Blessings.      

“Peter, will you be my valentine?” Peter answers, “Jesus, you know everything. You know I want to be your valentine.” (Rough translation of John 21: 17)

           Jesus also speaks to you…“Will you be my valentine? Will you be my friend?”

And maybe we could answer this way, “You know everything…you know I want to be your valentine.”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: As this candle is lit this morning, may it always remind each of us that the Light of Christ, the Light of Love, the Light of Blessing, shines through our worship, through our lives, through those moments of darkness and also those moments of great joy.

Introit: (Please remain seated)      MV # 106   “I Am the Dream”                                                       

Call to Worship: (Based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and words from C.S. Lewis)    

Leader: This is the Sunday of the Beatitudes or what we name ‘Blessings’. And blessings come in the form of affection which stops the soul from shriveling. It warms us like an old dog’s wagging tail or the purr of a kitten.

ALL: How warmly we are blessed. Friendship sees us on our way, and holds us through the darkest hour.

Leader: How strongly we are blessed. Passion sets our eyes ablaze and binds us soul to soul.

ALL: How fiercely we are blessed. But deep beneath affection’s warmth, friendship’s constancy, the melting bliss of cupid’s arrow, there beats the heart that gives itself away, a steadfast love that is the mark in us of God.

Leader: Gentle Shepherd, Constant Friend, Lover of the Soul, you are the Ground and the Source of all.

ALL: How greatly we are blessed as each of us are blessings to each other!

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

O Breath of Life, you invite each of us to come and to catch our breath. Do you mean that we can really come and take a “time out”? Are we being allowed to slow down and to rest?.......

We hear in the quietness, “Yes…come and breathe.” ……..

Can we really come and slow our hurried rush?..................

Are we allowed to take time to finally become?..................

And you answer to us, “Come, and inhale the breath of life.”……

Can we really come and concentrate on life’s rhythms?......

Are we truly allowed to be inspired by the Divine?..............

And you say, “Come, and exhale the tensions and tasks of everyday living.”…….

So, O God, we breathe in your grace; we exhale our pain.

We breathe in Christ’s promise; we exhale our sometimes brokenness. We breathe in the Spirit’s insight; we exhale our preconceptions. O God, who breathes life into our souls, who takes our everyday struggles and transforms us, incarnate your hope within us that we might grow in wisdom and in faith, that we might become ever more your disciples, that we might walk in your Way…Amen

*Hymn:          VU # 222        “Come, Let Us Sing”

A Time for All Ages:        “And What Is a ‘Blessing’ Really?”  

*Hymn:            MV # 30       “It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker”

First Reading:        JEREMIAH 17: 5-10          (Sue Spratt)

                       Those who trust in God are like trees planted by water…

Second Reading:    PSALM 1                          (Sue Spratt)

                        Blessed are those who follow God’s law…

Hymn:             VU # 381      “Spirit of Life”      

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 6: 17-26       (Taken from “The Message’)                 

                        The Beatitudes upon the plain…              

Message                  “Beatitudes…2019”        

Responding

*Hymn:              VU # 896      “Matthew 5 (Blest Are They)”                                                      

Offering:                   Musical Interlude during the Offering                        

*Offertory Doxology:  (Sung to the tune of VU # 541)

            We set our sights on what is real,

                        for on our lives you’ve set the seal

            that each of us belongs to you

                        and now we know what we must do.     

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart:   (Unison)

(A Credo from Dorothee Solle)

I believe in God who did not create an unchallengeable world, a thing incapable of change, who does not govern according to eternal laws that remain unaltered or according to a natural order of rich and poor, of the expert and the ignorant, of rulers and subjects.

I believe in God who willed conflicts in life and wanted us to change the status quo through our work – through our politics.

I believe in Jesus, the Christ, who was right when he, like each of us, just another individual who couldn’t beat the village office, worked to change the status quo and was destroyed… looking at him I see how our intelligence is crippled, our imagination stifled, our efforts wasted because we do not live as he did.

Every day I am afraid that he died in vain because he is buried in our churches, because we have betrayed his revolution in our obedience to authority and our fear of it. I believe in Jesus Christ who rises again in our lives so that we will be free from prejudice and arrogance, from fear and hate, and carry on his revolution and make way for his kingdom.

I believe in the Spirit that Jesus brought into the world in the brotherhood of all nations. I believe it is up to us what our earth becomes; a vale of tears, starvation, and tyranny or, a city of God.

I believe in a just peace that can be achieved in the possibility of a meaningful life for all people. I believe this world of God’s has a future…and now we share in silence, the prayers of our hearts:              (Prayers of this Community of Faith)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:       MV # 209       “Go, Make a Diff’rence”

*Commissioning (unison):

In the name of God who is love, who dreamed us up in the first place, to be all that we can be, may we go forth to live and love extravagantly, that the world God dreamed up might be all that it can be…Amen!

Benediction        

Sunday February 10th, 2019:

God’s People Together             Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!            February 10th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)       

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

A service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation,

and of having the spirit come upon you.

“When have you witnessed something that so awed you,  it changed the way you live?”

Gathering *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude:           

Welcome & Announcements

Lighting the Candle of Christ

Introit:  #96MV     “And When You Call for Me”     3X   [seated]

Call to Worship:
            The Light of Christ’s presence is a daily promise.

            All week long, we take it on our journey with us,

            and on Sunday, we pause to give thanks together.

            Without you…

            the body of Christ is incomplete.

            Without me…

            some gifts are lost.

            Without her…

            we may not have all we need…

            without him…

            to live out God’s call…

            without them…

            to live justice and healing in the world.

            We are not all the same.

            But we are all needed.

            Wanted.

            Loved.

            In this time and place,

            In all times and places.

            Thanks be to God!   …Richard Bott, Moderator, UCC

*Hymn:  #562VU   Jesus Calls Us                                                               

Prayer of Faith:  [unison]

            God of all being,

            You have called us to be your own.

            We long to respond to your call

            Openly, fully, lovingly.

            Hear our deepest desires and yearnings,

            Help us to listen and to share

            To heal and to be healed.

            Bless us with an awareness of your presence

            Deep within our soul.

            Surprise us with your mysteries

            In the midst of our living.

            Transform us with the assurance of your love.

            In all that we say and do,

            Stay with us as we follow Jesus

            Out into the deep water

            Responding to God’s call.

            Renew our faith and confirm our call

            To love this world as you do,

            praying together as Jesus taught us,

            saying,            Our Father…   (The Lord’s Prayer  VU 921)

Time for All Ages:   “A Funny Fish Tale”

Hymn:  #113MV Jesus Saw Them Fishing

Engaging

First Reading:   Psalm 138 with refrain, VU page 860

Gospel Reading:  Luke 5: 1-11, page 836 Reader: Doug Jamieson

Message:    “Considering God’s Call”

Our Spirits Respond

*Hymn:   #567VU   Will You Come and Follow Me

Offering

Offertory         Christ in Me, LUC Choir

*Doxology #541

            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.

*Prayer of Dedication:

Our Lives are for Blessing

Pastoral Prayers

*Hymn:    #563VU   Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore  

*Commissioning:   [unison]

Strengthened by the stories of Jesus

And the gift of the Spirit.

Let us take up our calling

And go deeper into life and faith.

Remaining as always in community

Committed and responsive

In Christ’s name.

*Benediction 

Postlude 

 Lakeview United Church

Seeking Spiritual Renewal and Growth in Caring, Affirming Community

lakeviewuc@telus.net

3023 63rd Avenue SW, Calgary, AB  T3E 5J6   403.242.5760 

Minister – Jope Langejans  403.831-2117

Council Chair - Daryl Sedor

Office Administrator - Eduarda Kristanto  403.242.5760

Choir Director - Marie Taylor

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff

Please visit our websites:

www.lakeviewunitedchurch.com and www.lakeviewunitedchurch.cca

Sunday February 3, 2019

God’s People Together            Lakeview United Church    

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           February 3rd, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                               {COMMUNION SUNDAY}

                    FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

      A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, of Sharing in  

       Communion and of Having the Spirit of Love Descend.      

    And God says to us, “If you’re struggling to keep an even keel, let me take

    over the oars for a while”…hmmm…pretty good words of wisdom if we just ask,  

                                              don’t you think?

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: As this candle is lit this morning, may it always remind each of us that the Light of Christ, the Light of Love, shines through our worship, through our lives, through those moments of darkness and also those moments of great joy.

Introit:            VU # 375   “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”   

                                                (Refrain, verses 1 – 4, refrain)                                                  

Call to Worship:   

Leader: It is into this place of worship where we enter ourselves with body and soul. It is in this place where the Spirit of the Living Christ is felt among us.

ALL: It is in this place where community abounds – where each person is special and where each one is welcomed with open arms to the table.

Leader: We come hungering and we come thirsting. Some come with heavy hearts and some with lightness of being. All are welcome for in Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile – only humanity.

ALL: With this in mind, may each of us know that worshiping together breaks down the walls of denominational differences – one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one people in praise.

Leader: May the Spirit touch each of us this morning in our singing, in our prayer-time, in our listening to the words from the sacred text, in our meditation, and in our sharing at table. May each of us sense the holiness in this time and on this communion Sunday in the month of February.

ALL: We are ready…our hearts are open…come, O Spirit, into this time of sanctity.

Opening Prayer: (Interspersed with MV # 15 “Holy Sacred Spirit” )

O Creating God, may we love all that you have created – the whole and every grain of sand in it. May we love every leaf, every ray of your light. May we love the animals, love the plants, and love everything. And if we do love everything, we will perceive the divine mystery in things.

    MV # 15 “Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us.

                     Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your life in us.”

Once we perceive it, we will begin to comprehend it better every day. And then we will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love so help us, O God, to see my brother with the eyes of Christ, to hear my sister with the ears of Christ, to taste my neighbours’ hunger with the mouth of Christ.

    MV # 15 “Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us.

                     Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your life in us.”

So help us to smell creation’s beauty with the nose of Christ, to touch the world’s pain with the hands of Christ and to love life, each life, every life, with the heart of Christ.

    MV # 15 “Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us.

                     Holy sacred Spirit, breathe your life in us.”

May this time of worship bring us closer to you and closer to each other as we share at table – the table of life and the table of love…and what is love?

Leader: “Love is something if you give it away – give it away –

                        and give it away…

              Love is something if you give it away,

                        you end up having more.”

*Hymn:           VU # 264    “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”      

A Time for All Ages:     “A Letter From Fred”       https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=a+letter+from+fred+sweet+lorraine&&view=detail&mid=CD68FF5871EE0DEF3D82CD68FF5871EE0DEF3D82&rvsmid=100B77D814727AB43D71100B77D814727AB43D71&FORM=VDQVAP

*Hymn:            MV # 92       “Like a Rock”

First Reading:     I CORINTHIANS 13: 1-13    (Jean Scott)

                         Love is patient and kind…   

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 4: 21-30                    (Rev. Jope)

                         Jesus is driven out of Nazareth…             

Message           “Practice Love Always…

                                         For We Are Summoned”

Responding

*Hymn:              VU # 509      “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”                                                       

Offering:             “O God of Matchless Glory,”   LUC Choir                     

*Offertory Doxology:  (VU # 506 “Take My Life and Let It Be)

      #1“Take my life, and let it be

                             consecrated, all for thee;

             Take my moments and my days,

                             Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

       #5 Take my love: and I will pour

                             at thy feet its treasure store;

             Take myself, and I will be

                             ever, only, all for thee.”

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)

Service of the Table     

(In Lakeview United Church, we serve communion through intinction…you are offered the bread of peace and in turn, it is dipped into the cup and together, words of blessing are offered to you as the Holy Meal takes place…)

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to our God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and our praise.

Leader: God of many names……Therefore, with all your people, in every time and place, we sing the triumphant hymn of your glory.

MV # 203

       “O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

        All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

        Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

        And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!”

Leader: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: And we come to this table….We come here to do the same in memory of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Pouring of the Cup

Prayer (ALL): Come, O Spirit of God, move over these signs of life and of celebration, this loaf and this cup, that we may take them as the bread of life and the wine of arrival. As we stand around this table, may we be your people, committed to your kingdom whose name is peace…Amen.

Leader: The gifts of God, for the people of God…Come…for all is ready.

(Communion hymn sung during the distribution: MV # 200 “You Are My Body”

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart       (Rev. Jope)

(These words are taken from: Holy Ground: Liturgies and Worship Resources for an Engaged Community, The Wow of Creation – David Hawkey)

Prayers of this Community of Faith

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:       MV # 171       “Christ Has No Body Now but Yours”

*Commissioning (unison):

Let us go from this place of prayer to lives of prayer and action. May we be ready to proclaim the Good News, despite the obstacles in our way. May we stand firm and have courage as we live the Good News into reality…Amen!

Benediction        

Sunday January 27, 2019

God’s People Together            Lakeview United Church     Welcome to WORSHIP!!           January 27th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                    THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

       A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Having the Spirit Come Upon You.        

“Averting war is the work of politicians; establishing peace is the work of education.” (Maria Montessori)   “We cannot imagine that children will muddle through childhood picking up peaceful ideas here and there. We need to teach it, make room for it, spend money on it, invest time in it, discuss it, and learn from success stories.” (Carolyn Pogue – Observer – Dec. 2006)”

Gathering                           *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: As this candle is lit this morning, may it always remind each of us that the Light of Christ shines through our worship, through our seasons, and through all of our lives – wherever we may be.

Introit:    MV # 28   “God of the Bible (Fresh as the Morning)”   

                                    (Verses 1, 2, and 3)                                                   

Call to Worship:   

Leader: The God of new life has called us to this place. May we enter with joyful hearts and with a willingness to experience this new life. We come to worship in the Spirit and we come to do this in community. Together, our voices become as one.

ALL: VU # 951  

“Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!

 My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God!”

Leader: The God of love has called us to this place. May we enter with loving hearts and with a willingness to share in this love. We come to worship God and we come to taste the springs of new life. Epiphany is an awakening, a new beginning, new challenges, and new horizons.

ALL: VU # 951  

“Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!

 My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God!”

Leader: The God of prophetic words and deeds has called us to this place. The God of healing has called us to this place. We come to worship and to answer with commitment and with thanksgiving as we open ourselves up to the calling of Jesus the Christ.

ALL: VU # 951  

“Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you!

 My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God!

             Santo, santo, santo. Mi Corazon teadora!

             Mi Corazon te sabedecir: Santo eres Dios!”

Opening Prayer (Unison)

O most gracious God, we come to you in this time of worship as seekers. We have different reasons for being here…each of us. We have different ideas of what you may be in our lives. You are different genders to some of us and non-gendered to most of us. What we do know is that you are love and this transcends everything. Let us not get confused or mired in defining things but let us be open to your countless blessings, of which we are also included. We are your people, your children, and your instruments of peace. We are your many hands which mold this world. Let us always be artists of what is right and of what is a blessing in your eyes. This time of worship is an indication of our commitment to your ways. Instill in us something which will be recognized by others as a sign that we are your people and that our ways are your ways. Make us mindful that we are only human and that our mistakes can and will be forgiven…Amen

Leader: Love shoulders all things, accepts all things, anticipates all things, and tolerates all things. Love never terminates. Because God loves us, we are also forgiven so know that you are and that you are truly loved…Amen.

*Hymn:          VU # 589    “Lord, Speak to Me”      

A Time for All Ages:       “No Bounds”   (Telling it like it is)

First Reading:     I CORINTHIANS 12: 12-31a     (Louise Poudrette)

                         Now you are the body of Christ and each one a part… 

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 4: 14-21                         (Rev. Jope)

                         Jesus, the embodiment of the words of Isaiah…            

Message:            “Discovering Your Neighbours Love”

Responding

*Hymn:               MV # 6     “Holy Spirit, Come into Our Lives”      

                                                  (Verses 1, 5, and 6)

Offering:             “What the Lord Has Done In Me,”   LUC Choir                     

*Offertory Doxology:     VU # 376    “Spirit of the Living God”

                 “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

                   Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

                   Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

                   Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.” 

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)     

Blessing

Sunday’s Prayers of the People    (Barb Penhale)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:        VU # 646      “We Are Marching (Siyahamba)” 

               1st Verse – “We Are Marching”

              2nd Verse – “We Are Singing”

              3rd Verse – “We Are Marching”                

*Commissioning (unison): Broaden our horizons and challenge us to open our minds to new ways and opportunities. Stretch our imagination and be with us as we exercise our creativity with your glory in mind, O God. May we travel in peace – in joy – and with the knowing that we are all truly loved…Amen!

Benediction        

               “GO IN EPIPHANY WONDER”                                                                                  

Sunday January 20, 2019

God’s People Together            Lakeview United Church 

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           January 20th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

                    SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY      

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Meditation, and of Sharing of Self With Others.        

“There is always some things which we can truly relate to and it has to do with one of the most normal things in your kitchen – your tea kettle. Even though it’s up to its neck in hot water, it continues to sing!!”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Leader: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall

abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”     (Psalm 91 – KJV)

Introit:    MV # 62   “There Is Room for All”   (Sung through two times)                                           

Call to Worship:   

Leader: In the homes, let labour cease as we prepare ourselves in worship to the One who breathes us.

ALL: In the streets, let there be peace as each of us settles into this moment of worship.

Leader: In this church, in this place of sacredness to many, let music ring as we once again come into community.

ALL: In each heart, let praises sing to the Holy One.

Leader: (based upon John 2: 1-11) All is ready: the couple, the guests, the food, and the wine…the wedding can begin.

ALL: We have gathered to celebrate and to give thanks.

Leader: The gifts are here – each one given in the Spirit’s name.

ALL: We have gathered to celebrate and to give thanks.

Leader: Be we young or old, we are beloved of God.

ALL: We have gathered to celebrate and to give thanks.

Leader: We are here, all of us, in the name of the Triune God. Morning has broken for us so let us sing to the rafters:

*Opening Hymn:    VU # 409    “Morning Has Broken”    

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Is what each of us is doing our unique, particular calling? In the sacred stillness of our hearts, we hear your assuring answer:

Yes, what you are doing is your calling? Is what each of us is doing less important than what other disciples are doing? In the stillness of our hearts, we hear your assuring answer: No, what you are doing is important!  We give you thanks that you invite each of us – whoever we are and with whatever our gifts are – to follow you as the unique and gifted persons we are. We give you thanks that you don’t expect – or want – us to do the same things as the next disciple does. Help us to speak your love, O God, as only we know how to speak. Help us to be about the tasks you call each of us to do as only we know how to do them. We ask that you continue to bless us with the tools each of us requires, so that, always, we will live lives of faithful disciple- ship in your name…Amen.

A Time for All Ages:      “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show“

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Brother+Loves+travelling+Salvation+Show&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IESR3A&pc=EUPP_

First Reading:       I CORINTHIANS 12: 1-11 Page 933   (Peggy Gibennus)

                         Different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit… 

Gospel Reading:    JOHN 2: 1-11  Page 863                  (Rev. Jope)

                         The wedding in Cana…              

Message:            “Where there is Great Love,

                                          There is Always Miracles!” 

Responding

*Hymn:               VU # 372     “Though I May Speak”       

Offering:     “Potter’s Hand,”   Darlene Zsheck    LUC Choir                         

*Offertory Doxology:  

                 “The wedding feast is to begin;

                        You’re all invited, come on in

                   And find your seat at table spread

                         And dine with me with wine and bread.” 

Prayer of Dedication: (Leader)     

Blessing

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart (Leader)

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)

*Hymn:    VU # 884      “You Shall Go Out With Joy (Isaiah 55)”                  

*Commissioning (unison): We entered worship, aware of the light of God that shines through the life of Jesus the Christ. And now we depart, carrying that light of truth into the world, to share and to inspire to all whom we meet…Amen.

Benediction        

               “GO IN EPIPHANY WONDER”                                                                                  

Sunday January 13, 2019

God’s People Together                          

Welcome to WORSHIP!!             January 13th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)    

BAPTISM of the LORD SUNDAY       

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Listening, and Possibly Getting Your Feet Wet.         

“All authority has been given me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of Abba God, and of the Only Begotten, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, even until the end of the world.”      (Matthew 28: 18b – 20 – The Inclusive Bible (Egalitarian translation)

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude:         VU # 652    Be Still, My Soul                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:            MV #77       Be Still and know (2x)                                                         

Call to Worship:   

Leader: Have you heard the voice of God speaking to you?......

             Have you heard the whisper in the silence?........

             God’s voice is strength…hearing it gives life.

ALL: It could be the lapping waves of the ocean on the shore…it could be the gentle rains as they dance upon the earth…it could be the roaring waterfall – these may only be some of the ways in which God speaks to us.

Leader: God’s voice could sound thunderous as giant cedars fall in its power…yet…it is also like a gentle breeze charming both fawns and calves as they dance upon hillsides and fields.

ALL: We can hear God roar in the fiery volcano and we can also listen for God’s voice in the rustling leaves. Listen for God in the trickling of water which slowly slides down the baptismal foreheads.

Leader: Yes…we have heard God speak to us in one or more of these many ways.

ALL: So now we come together to tell God’s glory in worship and in praise. May we hear the voice of God speak to us in this time together as we share in all that we are.

Leader: So with this in mind, let us join together in song:

*Opening Hymn:    VU #651     Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah      

Opening Prayer (Unison)

O Jesus of a new day, angels hold their breath for you, child of the morning, adult of a new dawning, as the Spirit moves anew over the waters of the Jordan. There in the current, there in the stillness, as you meet the shining light reflecting from the surface, our God rejoices over you. Welcome to the new world of peace and of hope…your journey is now to begin.

What will it bring? We don’t know; but the One who was there in the moment you were born will be waiting for you everywhere you go.

You have learned the language of living and of loving, the words to think and to speak, and the deeds to do and just to be is to know God’s loving touch – creation sees its joy fulfilled in you.

What will it bring?  We don’t know; but the One who was there in the moment you were born will be waiting for you everywhere you go.

Let us tune our hearts to hear heaven singing and to share our joy with the world. Help us as we worship to reframe all that we are and do in your love…Amen.

A Time for All Ages:        “Baptism in Georgia, USA“

Hymn:                   MV # 92       Like a Rock (2X) 

First Reading:        ISAIAH 43: 1-7 page 585         (Heather Mayers)

                        When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… 

Second Reading:   ACTS 8: 14-17 page 892           (Heather Mayers)

                         Peter and John baptized the converts in Samaria. 

Meditation Time:  (Rev. Jope)                                                                            

Gospel Reading:    LUKE 3: 15-17, 21-22 page 834       (Rev. Jope)

                        Jesus is baptized in the river Jordan…             

Message:            “You Gotta’ Get Wet!” 

Responding

*Hymn:     MV #144     Like a Healing Stream 

Offering:  Jesus, Joy of our Desiring - Instrumental                         

*Offertory Doxology:   VU #541

            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.

Prayer of Dedication: (Unison)

For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of the Spirit by which we live, we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give…Amen     

Reading:              REV. 21: 1-6 page 1007

Hymn:          VU #713            I See a New Heaven (verses 1 & 4)

Hymn:          VU #380           She Flies On (verses 1 & 2)

Hymn:          VU #375            Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (verses 3 & 4)

Reading:              1 Peter 1: 15-16 & Introduction

Hymn:            VU #672           Take time to be Holy (all 4 verses)

Blessing

Prayers of the People (ending with The Lord’s Prayer) VU #960 

*Hymn:          VU #352           Lord of the Dance (verses 1 and 5)                  

*Commissioning (unison): Go out as seekers after truth. Go out as bearers of light. Go out as tellers of Good News: you are loved, you are blessed, and, you are free…Amen.

Benediction (Rev Gerry Scharff)   

Hymn:                   VU# 842        Unto the Hills  (verse 4 only)     

Sunday January 6, 2019

Welcome to WORSHIP!!           January 6th, 2019 (Year ‘C’)                        

 EPIPHANY SUNDAY       {Communion Sunday}

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Listening, and Greeting 2019.         

      “The power of silence is greatly underestimated.

           When you have nothing to say…say nothing.”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:          VU # 8        “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”                                         

Call to Worship:   

Leader: Rejoice! This is the day that God has made! This is a new day…a new year…a brand new beginning, for each and every one of us.

ALL: We are all blessed with this new time. May we worship together as new people and may our praise and music engage us in this new life in Christ.

Leader: Let us gather to worship the one who has called us into being by offering us the first gift of all – life itself.

ALL: As we sing, pray, meditate, share in silence, and listen to others, may God’s sustaining presence fill us with new meaning and renewed joy. We can then confidently work creatively with God to care for ourselves, each other, and the earth.

Leader: Let us open our eyes and our ears to all that surrounds us, for God is with us, embracing us, loving us, and guiding us.

ALL: So today we begin a new journey in a new year. Today we are open to being inspired by an old story with a treasured message so we are here to worship together and to be in solidarity with each other.

Leader: So with this in mind, let us join together in song:

*Opening Hymn:       “Christ, Be Our Light”    (First 2 verses)

            “Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

             Longing for truth, we turn to you.

             Make us your own, your holy people,

             light for the world to see….

                   R:   Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts.

                                      Shine through the darkness.

                           Christ be our light! Shine in your church

                                      gathered today.    

             Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

             Longing for hope, many despair.

             Your word alone has pow’r to save us.

             Make us your living voice.

                    R:   Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts.

                                      Shine through the darkness.

                           Christ be our light! Shine in your church

                                      gathered today.”  

Opening Prayer (Unison)

O Kind God, as we begin this New Year, we ask that you guide us into it with the sense of your loving direction, ever-present Spirit, and unending wisdom. We give thanks for the accomplishments of the past year and eagerly anticipate your gracious work among us in the year ahead. May today mark not only the beginning of the year but a new beginning in a life of faith. Renew us, we pray, for the living of our days. Give to us, we pray, keen sensitivity that we may see where you are at work around us – and courage necessary to enter into that great work. We ask that our lives may be molded into the image of the Christ and that our witness to his name will be clear and bold. And grant that we may walk closer to you at this year’s ending than at its beginning so come, and fill us with wonder and awe during this hour as we share at table, share in song, and share in these words of this prayer…Amen.  

A Time for All Ages:

                       “This Little Light of Mine”

{Chorus} This little light of mine, I’m gonna make it shine

               This little light of mine, I’m gonna make it shine

                 This little light of mine, I’m gonna make it shine

               Let it shine, shine, shine…Let it shine!

{1)Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

     Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

     Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

     Let it shine, shine, shine…Let it shine!

{Chorus}

{2}All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine

      All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine

      All up in my house, I’m gonna let it shine

      Let it shine, shine, shine…Let it shine!

{Chorus} 

First Reading:        ISAIAH 60: 1-6                  (Nancy Gillean)

                        Arise, shine; for your light has come…                                                                                

Gospel Reading:    MATTHEW 2: 1-12             (Rev. Jope)

                       The visit of the magi…            

Message:            “God’s Gifts are for Everyone” 

Responding

*Hymn:       VU # 87         “I Am the Light of the World”

Offering:    “How Brightly Beams the Morning Star” -- Instrumental                          

*Offertory Doxology:   (Third verse of VU # 81 “As with Gladness Men of Old”)      

       “As they offered gifts so rare at the manger crude and bare,

        so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,

        all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to you, our heavenly King” Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Service of the Table

(In Lakeview United Church, we serve communion through intinction…you are offered the bread of peace and in turn, it is dipped into the cup and together, words of blessing are offered to you as the Holy Meal takes place…)

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them to our God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and our praise.

Leader: God of many names……Therefore, with all your people, in every time and place, we sing the triumphant hymn of your glory.

MV # 203

       “O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

        All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

        Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.

        And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!”

Leader: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

ALL: Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: And we come to this table….We come here to do the same in memory of Christ.

Breaking of the Bread

Pouring of the Cup

Prayer (ALL): Come, O Spirit of God, move over these signs of life and of celebration, this loaf and this cup, that we may take them as the bread of life and the wine of arrival. As we stand around this table, may we be your people, committed to your kingdom whose name is peace…Amen.

Leader: The gifts of God, for the people of God…Come…for all is ready.

     (During communion, we will be singing  VU # 74   “What Child Is This?”)               

Blessing

Prayers of the People (ending with The Lord’s Prayer) (Rev. Jope)

*Hymn           VU # 91      ”The First Nowell”     (Verses 1 - 4)       

*Commissioning (unison): We entered worship, aware of the light of God that shines through the life of Jesus the Christ. And now we depart, carrying that light of truth into the world, to share and to inspire…Amen.

Benediction         “Christ, Be Our Light”    (Last 2 verses)

            “Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

             Longing for truth, we turn to you.

             Make us your own, your holy people,

             light for the world to see….

                   R:   Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts.

                                      Shine through the darkness.

                           Christ be our light! Shine in your church

                                      gathered today.

            Many the gifts, many the people,

             many the hearts that yearn to belong. 

             Let us be servants to one another,

             Signs of your kingdom come.

                      R:   Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts.

                                      Shine through the darkness.

                           Christ be our light! Shine in your church

                                      gathered today.”

Postlude

(Thank-you to our wonderful ‘servers’ this morning – Roger & Beckie Scroggins, Hank & Judy Klassen and Daryl Sedor)…                  

“GO IN EPIPHANY WONDER”

7 pm Christmas Eve Service

God’s People Together                    Lakeview United Church

Welcome to this Holy Night!!                     

A Traditional Christmas Eve Service Telling of the Christmas

Story through Scripture, Song, Prayer & Candlelight.

“Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a child of peace and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.         

Gathering   (Singing Carols beforehand)   *Indicates please rise as you are able

          *VU # 59   “Joy to the World”   (Verses 1 and 2)

          *VU # 43   “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”   (All verses)

            VU # 47   “Still, Still, Still”    (All verses)

Choral Prelude    “O Christ-Child Sweet,”  

                               Jacqui Lynn Fidlar (mezzo-soprano) 

                               Lakeview United Church Choir                       

A Welcoming to Christmas Eve   (Rev. Jope Langejans)

*Introit     VU # 50   “He Is Born (Il Est ne)”   (First two verses)

Lighting of the Christ-Candle:

Leader: Tonight is Christmas Eve and I share this thought with all of you…what if we spent a good part of one day filling our chest cavity with a vision of love at every deep breath?.......knowing the need for the Holy one in our lives and in this sometimes heartbroken world, we light the candle of Christ as a shining symbol that God is with us, born in Jesus this night. (Lighting)

Call to Worship:         

Leader: Hush…hush…listen…can you hear it?

ALL: I think we can if we focus on the silence…

Leader: It’s a mother’s tears…a father’s sigh of relief…the hustle and bustle of the night…hush…listen…can you hear it?                                                                                                                                                   

ALL: Yes, we believe we can…

Leader: It’s the rhythm of your heart…it’s the blessing of your neighbour…it’s the cry of the newborn child…can you hear it?

ALL: We hear in the silent places and in the songs of praise, in the peace of the night and in the chaos of the morning, in this place, and in all places, we hear God’s love.

Leader: It’s alive! It’s abundant! It’s for you! It’s for all!!

ALL: And now, here we are, on Christmas Eve, together, and witnessing the birth of a new dawning of peace on Earth.

*Opening Hymn:   VU # 71   “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”

An Opening Prayer for Christmas Eve    (Rev. Jope Langejans)

An Affirmation of our Faith for Christmas: (unison)

We believe in God, who put music in the universe, so that the birds and the wind, the animals and the insects, and the very stars in their courses are makers of melody. We believe in the God at the centre of Christmas, whose hope for the world was imagined by seers and foretold by prophets. We believe in Christ, whose message of love and grace enables us to sing from the depths of our being, praising our Creator God. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who touches the strings of our lives the way a master musician touches the strings of a harp, causing us to produce beautiful resonance in the lives of others. We believe in the beauty of the manger, transformed by the coming of Jesus, and in the eligibility of every simple place to be ennobled by his presence. We believe in shepherds, in gold and frankincense and myrrh, in angels filling the sky with music, in nights of wonder and moments of grace. We believe in worship, not because it is reasonable or sensible but because we can’t help it: our heart sings in response to our faith – especially on an evening such as this where God touches the Earth once again with living hope…Amen.

Passing of the Peace of Christmas

*Hymn:   VU # 44 “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”   (Verses 1 and 4)

Older Testament Passage:    ISAIAH 9: 2-7   (Rev. Jope)

Musical Response: “O Holy Night”   (Karen Shippey-Heilman, soprano)

First Christmas Passage:       LUKE 2: 1-7      (Nancy Gillean)

Second Christmas Passage:  LUKE 2: 8-14    (Barb Penhale)

*Hymn:   VU # 38   “Angels We Have Heard on High”   (verses 1 and 2)

Third Christmas Passage:      LUKE 2: 15-20   (Heather Mayers)

Christmas Message    Rev. Jope Langejans

*Hymn:      VU # 55         “In the Bleak Midwinter”     (verses 1 and 2)

Christmas Eve Offering            

*Offertory Doxology:    VU # 74    “What Child Is This“     (verse 3 only)                     

Prayer of Dedication:     Rev. Jope Langejans

A Christmas Prayer:       Rev. Jope Langejans

CANDLELIGHTING

(The Christ candle will be taken from the Advent Wreath and brought down the aisles, lighting the outside candles…please hold your candle up when it is lit and the person beside you can tilt theirs and light their candle and so on until all of the candles are lit…when we’ve transformed the sanctuary into ‘light’ we will sing “Silent Night”)

Hymn           VU # 67          ”Silent Night”       

*Commissioning (unison): Go back into the world with Christmas in your hearts, and remembering the love God has for you. Give peace, fellowship, and love to your neighbour…..Go into this evening with true Joy in your soul….Merry Christmas!!

*Benediction           

*Hymn:      VU # 60      “O, Come All Ye Faithful”    (Verses 1 and 3)    

  Postlude                         

5 pm Christmas Eve Service

God’s People Together                       LAKEVIEW UNITED CHURCH

     KIDZ & KAROLZ CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE  

  A Service of WONDER and of MYSTERY! December 24th, 2018         

(All carols for this service can be found in the Voices United Hymn book or seen on the screen…)

Prelude       (Sing-along with your favourite Christmas carols) 

           VU # 69    “Away in a Manger” (all verses)

           VU # 38    “Angels We Have Heard on High” (all verses)

           VU # 73    “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy” (all verses)

A Welcoming to Bethlehem!  (Leader)

ALL: This evening we welcome each other in the wonderful Spirit of Christmas Eve and we wait for the coming of the Christ-child into our lives once again. Through song, through story, through togetherness and through sharing in the light, may our hearts become open to the wonder of this season and what it means in all of our lives. The story is old…the story is new. It’s about a child born in a place no one would expect.   The people are ready. Are you ready, for now we gather again… to listen…to wonder…to laugh and to love. Let us open ourselves to the mystery of this evening!!

Hymn:    VU # 60   “O Come, All Ye Faithful”  

                              (Verse # 1 with Thomas Joiner on trumpet)

Hymn:    The Little Drummer Boy

Hearing the Story: 

          LUKE 2: 1-7   (Sue Spratt)

Hearing the REAL Story   (The Little Drummer Boy)

Hymn:     VU # 56   “Jesus, Our Brother”     (Verse #2)

Hearing the Story:

           LUKE 2: 8-14   (Heather Dorin)

Hearing the REAL Story   (The Little Drummer Boy)

Hymn:      VU # 38   “Angels We Have Heard on High”   (Verse #1)

Hearing the Story:

            LUKE 2: 15-20   (Nancy Prince)

Hearing the REAL Story   (The Little Drummer Boy)

Hymn:      VU # 38   “Angels We Have Heard on High”   (Verse #2) 

Hearing the Story:   MATTHEW 2: 1-5a   (Jope Langejans)

Hearing the REAL Story   (The Little Drummer Boy)

Hymn:      “We Three Kings”    (Verse #1)

Hymn:      VU # 73   “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy”

                       Hymn:    The Little Drummer Boy       

We offer our gifts    (Christmas Offering) --- Instrumental 

Christmas Eve Prayer   (Leader)

Lighting of the Candles in the Advent Wreath and Lighting the Candle of Christ and Sharing in the Light…

Candles for the adults and glow sticks for the younger folk.

VU # 67     “Silent Night”   (Verse #1 sung twice)

Benediction

Hymn:   VU # 59   “Joy to the World”    (Verse #1)

                                                      (Thomas Joiner on trumpet)

Merry Christmas!

 “We wish you a Merry Christmas,

   We wish you a Merry Christmas,

   We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

   Good tidings we bring to you and your kin,

   Good tidings of Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

 “We wish you a Merry Christmas,

   We wish you a Merry Christmas,

   We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!”

Sunday December 23rd, 2018

God’s People Together                              Lakeview United Church Welcome to:  the Fourth Sunday of the Advent Season!!

                                     THE SUNDAY OF LOVE

Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

THEME: ‘Loving in the Light’       [Communion Sunday]

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Opening Ourselves to the Advent Stories, and of Living in the Light of Love.  

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you are able to…

Prelude                   

Announcements

Welcoming & Lighting the Candle of Love

Leader: Tomorrow evening, as the darkness begins to surround us, in a far-away land the sun begins to rise on a new day as the world rejoices in the birth of the Holy Child. Like children waiting for Christmas morning, we lie awake in our beds. Christmas is nearly upon us and God’s love will shine. Soon, we will open the curtains to welcome the light of day.

(Two purple candles & the pink candle are lit)

Candle-lighter: {Nancy Rose} Today we kindle the Advent candle of Love. We welcome the warmth that lightens the winter chill, the warmth of passionate embrace, the warmth that comes from the heart of God. Come, Holy Stranger, messenger of Love on this Advent journey: welcome us as we welcome you. We receive the light of Love.

Introit:        VU #7      “Hope Is a Star”     (All four verses)   

Call to Worship:

Leader: It is upon this Sunday of Love where all of us need to be mindful that God has called us to be loving people – for God is Love itself and the power of this is unimaginable.

ALL: We come together on this last Sunday of Advent to profess our Love for each other and for our world.

Leader: Come, people of God, come and begin your journey to Bethlehem once more…step by step by step. Let us journey through the gift of these Advent days until, like Mary and Joseph, of necessity and weariness, found their place at the manger.

ALL: We come to make our journey in hope, in trust, in confidence, and in a deep Love for what is real, for we always must remember that God is with us.

Leader: In the ancient desert, in our modern wilderness, God is ever among us showing us the paths of Love.

ALL: So as we worship together on this last Sunday of the Advent season and wait with expectant hearts for the birthing of a new dawn, let us open our hearts to song as the rhythms move us to actions of Love:

*Opening Hymn:       VU # 9       “People, Look East”             

Prayer of Approach: (Unison)

ALL: O God of Love…O Word made flesh…you came to dwell among us long ago. No matter how dull and lifeless, or how happy and fulfilling our lives may be, there is always need for a deeper awareness of your hopeful presence. There are signs of your coming, signs of your continued presence, everywhere in our lives. Freshen up our vision so that we can recognize your dwelling within us and among us as we move hurriedly in this busy season of the year. May our lives be filled with Love for all those who come our way. May our lives be filled with light as we sometimes journey in darkness. May your gifts of light and Love gift us with hope for our world and may our worship service this morning be open to your in-dwelling Spirit…Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “Gold Wrapping Paper”

*Hymn:         VU # 73    “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy”                                                                       

Engaging     MICAH 5: 2-5a                     (Nancy Gillean) 

                 …Micah’s announcement of who is to come to bring peace.

A Special Dutch Hymn:   “Ere Zij God”       Niesje Bates

                                                                Jochem Langejans

                          LUKE 1: 57-79                       (Rev. Jope)

                 …And Zechariah’s lips are finally opened.            

Message:       “Living and Loving in the Light”

Responding

*Hymn:     VU # 43    “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”                     

Offering:        “Before the Marvel of This Night,”   LUC Choir       

*Offertory Doxology:     (Tune of VU # 541)   

            “With Love and light we see quite clear

                    that nothing’s there for us to fear

              for having God as loving guide

                    will bring us safely to the other side.”                             

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Service of the Table      (Incorporating VU # 55)

Leader: God be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them up to God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to God.

ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Leader: God of all times and places, we gather at your table of grace….

We remember the fragility of that revelation, as well as the hope he stirred and imagination he inspired, and we sing:

      VU # 55 “In the Bleak Midwinter”   Verse #1

Leader: We remember Jesus, the one who blazed a new and risky path….even those who gave him over to death, and we sing:

       VU # 55 “In the Bleak Midwinter”   Verse #2

Leader: On that night, in the midst of great confusion and fear, Jesus broke bread with friends, saying:

         “This is my body, which I give for you and for all. When you do  

           this, remember me.”   (Breaking of the loaf)

With a blessing, he took the cup and offered it to them saying:

“This cup is God’s covenant which is given for all. When you drink this,

           remember me.”           (Filling of the cup)

        VU # 55 “In the Bleak Midwinter”   Verse #3

Leader: Come to us, life-giving Spirit of God. Bless us, these gifts, and what we do here, so that we might sing your song of Love for your people and for your world.

All in Prayer: God of all, we pray for your people:

     For those who are afraid and oppressed, offer them courage.

     For those suffering conflict and fear, may your bring peace.

     For those who long for food and water, may they be filled.

     For those who long for justice, may it be fulfilled.

We pray also for ourselves and our community:

     That those in hospital and in care feel your strength.

     That those who are alone and anxious feel you near.

     That those who are ill in body and in spirit be comforted.

     That our friends and family be blessed by healing and love.

Leader: Hear our prayers, O God,

ALL: and in your mercy, answer.

Leader: We pray these things, trusting in God’s faithfulness revealed:

ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

        VU # 55 “In the Bleak Midwinter”   Verse #4

Leader: Come, for the table is ready…gifts of God for all of you, the beloved children of God.

       (“What Feast of Love?”  Sung to the tune of Greensleeves)

Slide Pageant    (Hymns sung during Slide Pageant presentation)

Blessing

Prayers of the People:  (Our Prayers for the People this morning will be both in English and in French and we will share in the English words and Louise Poudrette will lead in the words in French for those who would also Love to partake.)

English: God of the morning and the evening, as we rush about our days,

French: Dieu de laube comme du crepuscule, du matin au soir nous nous precipitons dans nos journees,

English: often dismissive of your signs…give us pause.

French: afferes et anattentifs aux signes que tu nous donnes: fais en sorte d’interrompre notre course folle.

English: As we orient ourselves to your direction, let us become aware of your silence, let us notice your beauty,

French: En nous orientant deliberement selon tes prescriptions, que s’eleve en nous la conscience de ton salience, de ta beaute,

English: so that we may move in time with you again. In Jesus’ name we pray.

French: afin que tu redeviennes le compagnon de toutes nos heures. Nous t’en prions, au nom de Jesus.

Together: AMEN!

And we now share the words of the timeless prayer which Jesus taught us:

Lord’s Prayer             

Commissioning (unison): You may become instruments of Love…each of you…in times of strife. Take up your call and go, spreading the message of Love to all. Be continually reminded that you are the best in the sight of God and the world…Amen.

*Hymn:     VU # 1   “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”   

                                          (Verses 1 and 2, 6 and 7)

Benediction        

Postlude

Sunday December 16th, 2018

God’s People Together                              Lakeview United Church

        Welcome to:  the Third Sunday of the Advent Season!!

                                     THE SUNDAY OF JOY

                            Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

                                THEME: Receiving ‘Joy’

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Opening Ourselves to the Advent

                Stories, and of Living in the Light of Joy.  

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you are able to…

Prelude                   

Announcements

Welcoming & Lighting the Candle of Joy

Leader: As increasing light colours the skies in a chorus of pinks and reds, birds, also, raise their song of greeting for the coming day. Like that coloured sky, these flames remind us of the growing light that announces Jesus’ birth with a chorus of angels’ songs proclaiming a new day. May we pause to hear the twitter of that song and join our voices to the joyful cries of praise at Jesus’ birth.

(Two purple candles are lit)

Candle-lighter: {   Kayla and Isabelle  } Today we kindle the Advent candle of Joy. We welcome the spark that dances with the Holy Spirit, the spark that fires and inspires our souls, the spark of creativity and wonder. Come, Holy Stranger, evangelist of Joy on this Advent journey: welcome us as we welcome you and receive the light of Joy.

Introit:        MV # 4       “All Who Are Thirsty”

     Soloist: “All who are thirsty, all who are weak, come to the fountain.

                 Dip your heart in the stream of life.

                  Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away

                  in the waves of his mercy as deep cries out to deep.

     ALL:  “Child of God…come.

                Child of God…come.

                Holy child…come.

                Holy child…come.”

     Soloist: “All who are thirsty, all who are weak, come to the fountain.

                 Dip your heart in the stream of life.

                  Let the pain and the sorrow be washed away

                  in the waves of his mercy as deep cries out to deep.

     ALL:  “Child of God…come.

                Child of God…come.

                Holy child…come.

                Holy child…come.”

      Soloist:  “Holy Spirit come….As deep cries come.”

Call to Worship:

Leader: We are a people open to anticipation and we are truly ready for a celebration.

ALL: So we say, ‘Behold, the birth of the Christ child is to be expected.’

Leader: We are a community of faith that remembers the message of hope, peace, joy, and love that God shared with all.

ALL: So we say, ‘Behold, the birth of the Christ child is near.’

Leader: We are a community inspired to live lives of service and of wholeness.

ALL: So we say, ‘Behold, the birth of the Christ child will change who we are

Leader: in this time of worship and beyond.

ALL: We are all pilgrims on a journey to Bethlehem. We move with confidence and with hope, for God is by our side.

Leader: We are believers, on an excursion. We move ahead, knowing that we are not alone.

ALL: We are neighbours, on an expedition. We head into the unknown, confident that God goes with us.

Leader: So come, all of you pilgrims on this birthing journey and let us all worship in unity and raise our voices in song:

*Opening Hymn:      VU #7   “Hope Is a Star”  

                                                    (Verses 1, 2, and 3)             

Prayer of Approach: (Unison)

ALL: O God of Joy, you surprised the world that first Christmas when you came as a little child. You could have come as a king on a throne but instead you chose a place where animals were kept and where only the lowest of the low could find refuge. So this morning, we ask that you surprise us once again with some unexpected arrival of your presence. In a day when folks can orbit the earth in space stations, we call upon you to orbit our hearts. In a day when satellites surround the world, we ask that you become a satellite to our needy lives. In a day when thousands of people gather from all nations of the world to turn back the clock of climate change, give us faith for fear, strength for weakness, and victory for defeat. Come and instill a new vision of Joy in all of our hearts and move us in directions of life-giving actions. Be with us this day as we worship together and as we become, once again, people of a deeper Joy…Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “Where DO we find Joy?”

*Hymn:          VU # 249    “Rejoice in the Lord Always”

                               (We’ll sing this through as many times as needed.)                                                                

Engaging     ZEPHANIAH 3: 14-20           (Nancy Gillean) 

                 …A promise of a new day and Israel’s golden age.

                         PHILIPPIANS 4: 4-7             (Nancy Gillean)

                …Rejoice in the Lord always

*Hymn:        VU # 12    “She Walked in the Summer (The Visit)” 

                          LUKE 1: 39-56                        (Rev. Jope)

                 …Mary and Elizabeth come together and rejoice            

Message:       “Receiving Joy Through Anonymous People”

Responding

*Hymn:            VU # 23       “Joy Shall Come”   

                                                    (Sung through two to three times)             

Offering:         “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”   LUC Choir    

*Offertory Doxology:     (Tune of VU # 541)   

            “We feel the Joy upon this day;

                    we know we’ve seen a better way

              to open selves to heal our earth

                    throughout the season of rebirth.”                                   

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Blessing

Prayers of the People (Meditation Time):  (Unison)

ALL: O God of Joy, God of Bethlehem’s baby boy, we bow before you in this season of goodwill to thank you for the goodwill you have shown to us. We do not always deserve the gifts that enrich our lives, yet they continue to come. Teach us to live in sensitivity and awareness, that we may know each one of them and respond with grateful hearts. Forgive us for the anxieties that choke our existence, and help us to be free and happy.

As you have entered our lives through a lowly cattle stall, make us ready to enter our lives of others through the humblest of offices. Take away our false pride and sense of self-importance, that we may live openly toward others and relate to them on the basis of care and compassion. Let the star that led the wise men to the stable shine in our hearts and imaginations this Christmas and lead us to worship him where he may be found: in the hovels of the poor, at the tables of the hungry, at the bedsides of the sick, in the excited faces of little children. Comfort those who mourn, heal those who are ill, and mend the lives of those who are broken as we act as your children in this world. And we now share the words of the timeless prayer which Jesus taught us:

Lord’s Prayer             

Commissioning (unison): And now may the brightness of Hope, the brilliance of Peace, and the intensity of Joy be our gifts as we leave this time and place of worship. May we go strength- ened because we have been together in this place and touched by God’s Spirit. May we continue to be a light to the world, that everyone might see the kindness of God…Amen.

*Hymn:       MV # 220    “Hope Shines as the Solitary Star”

                                          (We sing Hope, Peace, and Joy) 

Benediction        

Postlude

Sunday, December 9th, 2018

God’s People Together                              Lakeview United Church

        Welcome to:  the Second Sunday of the Advent Season!!

                                     THE SUNDAY OF PEACE

                            Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

                          THEME: Breathing In ‘Peace’

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Opening Ourselves to the Advent

           Stories, and of Searching for that which is Peace.  

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you are able to…

Prelude

VU # 10   “Prepare the Way of the Lord”   

                                “Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord!

                                 Make a straight path for him, make a straight path;

                                 Prepare the way of the Lord!”               

Announcements

Welcoming & Lighting the Candle of Peace

Leader: In the early hours of every morning, the inky blue of the sky slowly begins to turn purple, heralding that the night is passing and morning comes. As the flame begins to burn, we are reminded of the gentle wind that each dawn brings, pushing us closer to your promised reign. As we wait through the time of Advent for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, may we be drawn together in the Spirit’s peace.

(Second purple candle is lit)

Candle-lighter: {Dakota Hawk} We welcome the glow that causes us to pause, the glow that entices us to gather together, and the glow that shines in hearts of goodwill. Come, Holy Stranger, welcome us as we welcome you as we receive the light of peace.

Introit:    MV # 19   “Maranatha”     (sung through three times)

*Call to Worship:

Leader: It is upon this Peace Sunday where we are all reminded that God has called us to peace – for God is peace itself. May we have the vision to see that each of us, in some measure, can help to realize these aims. Where there are ignorance and superstition,

ALL: let there be enlightenment and knowledge.

Leader: Where there are prejudice and hatred,

ALL: let there be acceptance and love.

Leader: Where there are fear and suspicion,

ALL: let there be confidence and trust.

Leader: Where there are tyranny and oppression,

ALL: let there be freedom and justice.

Leader: Where there are poverty and disease,

ALL: let there be prosperity and health.

Leader: Where there are strife and discord,

ALL: let there be harmony and peace.

Leader: In this time of worship, may we be firmly rooted in living lives with peaceful purposes. Let us now open ourselves to the gifts of song as we share in our opening hymn:

*Opening Hymn:     “Christ Be Our Light”                

Prayer of Approach: (Unison)

ALL: O God of Peace…we know that peace is never earned with easy words. Peace and love are always alive in us, but we are not always alive to peace and love. We remember the words which Jesus gave to us, “Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give to you.” May these words invade, flood, and shake the foundations of our hearts and our lives, in this community, in this city, in our daily lives, in our witness to the world; let peace break out. We meet together in worship and may we express our love for one another, our commitment to each other, and point us beyond ourselves to the needs of the world, both locally and abroad. You make peace within us. Let us claim it! You make peace between us. Let us share it! Our approach was and is in peace, and we were established in the Spirit of unity…

Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “An Unlikely Messenger”

*Hymn:      VU # 272      “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People”                                                            

Engaging    MALACHI 3: 1-4                      (Jean Scott) 

                      A refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap…

*Hymn:      VU # 333       Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

                    LUKE 1: 26-38                         (Rev. Jope)

                    The angel Gabriel announcing God’s message to Mary…            

Message:       “Breathing In the Winds of Peace”

Responding

*Hymn:        MV # 120    “My Soul Cries Out (Canticle of the Turning)”                

Offering:          “The Perfect Rose,”   J. Leavitt    LUC Choir    

*Offertory Doxology:     (Tune of VU # 541)   

            “Bless all peacemakers in this place,

                    and shine our peace to the human race;

              for actions which we practice here

                    will rid our world of all its fear.”                                     

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Blessing

Prayers of the People (Meditation Time):  (Unison)

Leader: Is it worth it…pushing through the crowds at the shopping mall, agonizing over those little gifts that you persistently tell yourself that you need to pick up for that distant cousins?

ALL: Is it worth it?

Leader: The travel on busy highways, the delays at the airport, the constant line-ups wherever you go?

ALL: Is it worth it?

Leader: The competing demands on our time: carol concerts, Christmas pageants, duty visits to family members, hurried reunions with friends?

ALL: Is it worth it?

Leader: The needs of competing charities, the cost to the family budget. The cost to the emotional health of family members?

ALL: is it worth it?

Leader: And then a housebound church member thanks you for a visit, a child displays innocent joy in the Christmas play, a family member in a senior’s residence hugs you as you leave, and the family shares memories around the festive table:

ALL: and in a far-off place and in a time far from our own, a baby stirs, and a mother smiles and looks wistfully into his eyes…it is worthwhile!

(Words of Assurance)

Leader: In the hurry and anxiety of Christmas preparations you go with us, O God, encouraging us to take a break, bringing us peace in the midst of the rush.

ALL: You will settle us down, you will point us to Jesus, your anointed one. You will bring us to the stable to worship and to adore. And, loving God, we are extremely grateful…    

Lord’s Prayer           

Commissioning (unison): May the candle of peace burn brightly in our hearts, preparing the way for the Christ child. May we be the signs of peace in our world, as we prepare during this season of Advent. And, may we always know that we never go alone for God our Creator, Jesus our Brother, and the Holy Spirit, the winds of Peace, are our constant companions…Amen.

*Hymn:            “Soon and Very Soon”

Benediction        

Postlude

Sunday December 2, 2018

God’s People Together                              Lakeview United Church

Welcome to:  the First Sunday of the Advent Season!!

                        THE SUNDAY OF HOPE [COMMUNION]

                            Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

                         THEME: The Waters of ‘Hope’

A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Sharing in the Sacrament of Communion, and of Opening Ourselves to the Advent Stories.   

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you are able to…

Prelude                   

Announcements

Welcoming: (Leader) As we look toward the night sky, we see the sparkle of stars set against the depth of infinite space. We feel humbled by the vastness of the universe and overwhelmed by what we do not know. Like another star sparkling in the night, we light our first candle to add to the billions of lights all around us. Holy Light, you shine with hope in the challenges of our world. (A purple candle is lit)

Candle-lighter: {Kurt Perkins} Our hope is firmly grounded in God, who holds our lives and who is always at work for our good, and for the good of the world. Hope burns brightly in the December darkness. Hope will be our guide as we journey again…to Bethlehem.

Introit:  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”    VU # 1   (first verse)

        “O come, O come, Emmanuel,

          And ransom captive Israel

          That mourns in lowly exile here

          Until the Son of God appear.

          Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”         

*Call to Worship:

Leader: Look around you, the world is filled with many gifts. May you celebrate the gifts of the people whom you work, serve, and care for. Be open to the gifts of God’s people everywhere.

ALL: God is the source of all gifts.

Leader: Look around you…life is filled with many gifts. May you be blessed by the gifts shared by loved ones with whom you share life and from whom you have learned much. Be open to the love shared in these gifts.

ALL: Christ is the embodiment of God’s love.

Leader: Look around you…each day is filled with many gifts. May you give thanks for the gifts of all those who are a part of The United Church of Canada. Be open to the faith revealed in these gifts.

ALL: The Spirit is alive in these gifts.

Leader: Once more, look around you…God gives joy for one and all.

ALL: We look around us and find joy in abundance to share.

*Opening Hymn:   “Herald! Sound the Note of Gladness ”   VU # 28         

Prayer of Approach: (Unison)

ALL: O Advent God, O God of anticipation, grant us thankful hearts today for our choicest gift, our dearest guest. Let not our souls be such busy inns that have no place for Christ, but quiet places of prayer and praise. Help our minds to be places where holy thoughts pass up and down. May you find in us fit company, a place where the needful cares of life are put away and where a sweet space is kept for you, where adults and children watch and await your coming. And when you come again, may you find all things ready and our church family waiting for no new master, but for one long-known and loved. Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come…Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “A Returning King,”   (a true story of what had appeared in the Associated Press of January 19, 1999)

*Hymn:      “Hope Shines as the Solitary Star”   MV # 220                                                                

Engaging    JEREMIAH 33: 10-11b ; 14-16         (Jude Sampson) 

                      A righteous branch from David’s line….

*Hymn:      “Isaiah 40 (Comfort, Comfort My People)”     VU # 883

                    LUKE 1: 5-25                                        (Rev. Jope)

                     The beginning story of Zechariah and Elizabeth…            

Message:       “Swimming in the Waters of Hope”

Responding

*Hymn:          “Water Flowing From the Mountains”     MV # 87                 

Offering:                “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”   LUC Choir      

*Offertory Doxology:     (Tune of VU # 541)   

            “We sit and wait…anticipate,

                    the coming of a new-born child.

              Our hearts are open to receive

                    the gift from God so meek and mild.”                              

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Service of the Table (Communion)

Leader: God be with you.

ALL: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

ALL: We lift them up to God.

Leader: Let us give thanks to God.

ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Leader: In the rich dark night of winter, God makes an astounding promise………

We gather at this table, praying that crooked ways be made straight, that valleys’ peace be lifted up and that mountains’ might brought low so that all God’s people might rejoice together, saying:

ALL: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

         Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

         Hosanna in the highest!

         Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord.

         Hosanna in the highest!

Leader: We give thanks for the mystery and the wonder revealed that first night…..

With your people of all times and places, we await with hope the fulfillment of your vision for all creation.

ALL: Bless us, O God, and these your gifts.

         Encourage us to share your life and love,

         which makes us, and the gifts we share, truly holy.

Leader: Transform us, O God, and your world, and bless your children:

  those who feel alone and afraid…

  those whose souls and homes are broken by violence…

  those who will go hungry, thirsty, and cold tonight…

  those who long only to hear that they are loved…

God made known in Jesus Christ,

ALL: hear our prayer.

Leader: We pray these things, trusting in God’s faithfulness revealed:

ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

                    (Sharing the Loaf and the Cup)

          (Communion Hymn:   MV # 200   “You Are My Body”)

{Thank-you to our servers today: Barb Foster, Peggy & Bob Gibennus, Heather Mayers, and Daryl Sedor.}

Blessing

Prayers of the People:  (Rev. Jope)   

Lord’s Prayer              

Commissioning (unison): May the candle of hope burn brightly in our hearts, preparing the way for the new birth. May we be the signs of hope in our world, as we prepare during this season of Advent. And, may we always know that we never go alone for the Holy Trinity are our companions…Amen.

*Hymn:        “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”   VU #1   (verses 2 & 7)

Benediction        

Postlude

Sunday November 25, 2018

God’s People Together                              Lakeview United Church

Welcome to:  SUNDAY WORSHIP!!   REIGN of CHRIST SUNDAY!!

                           Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

               THEME: Going Into Advent & Christmas,

                                           What Have We Left Undone?

A Service of Prayer, of Song, and of Moving With the Spirit!   

And here’s the quote for this Sunday: “Never, ever, mistake knowledge for wisdom… knowledge helps you make a living, wisdom helps you make a life.”    (Sandra Carey)

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you wish to…

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:       “God Our Protector”    MV # 119   (Sung through twice)         

*Call to Worship:  (Susan Lukey, High River U.C., High River, AB. Gathering,  

                                           Pentecost 2 2018, page 49. Used with permission)           

Leader: Sunrise, sunset. Winter, spring, summer, fall. The cycle of seasons, the cycle of the sun, wisely guides us in life. So, too, the cycle of the Christian year offers wisdom and guidance, following the path of Jesus, the wisdom of the ages. Advent --

ALL: four weeks to prepare, anticipate, and wonder, with hope and love.

Leader: Christmas --

ALL: 12 days to celebrate the birth of Jesus, “God-with-us.”

Leader: Epiphany --

ALL: several weeks for new insights, new ways of seeing.

Leader: Lent –

ALL: 40 days (not counting Sundays) to reflect upon our lives as followers of the Way and to make course corrections, as needed.

Leader: Easter –

ALL: 40 days of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and for watching for and welcoming new life in our midst.

Leader: Pentecost –

ALL: one day to welcome the energy of Spirit’s dance into our lives.

Leader: Season of Pentecost –

ALL: ordinary time for learning and living as followers of the Way.

Leader: Season of Creation –

ALL: five weeks to reflect on our relationship with God’s creation.

Leader: Reign of Christ –

ALL: the final day of the church year, a time to name God, as known through Jesus, as the higher power in our lives.

Leader: Today we come to the end of the church year. The cycle is complete. The new Christian year begins tomorrow.

ALL: We come to worship God, the wisdom, the power, the guidance for our lives.

*Opening Hymn:   “Yahweh Be Praised”   MV # 51   (Sung twice)           

Prayer of Approach: (Unison)

ALL: Thank-you, kaleidoscope God, for all of the strong colours which came to us through the season of Pentecost. Thank-you for the blues and the greens: sometimes rippling and sometimes raging, scouring and roaring in gales of the Spirit – winds of change. Thank-you for the reds and the yellows: sparking and blazing, leaping and alighting in tongues of fire – torches of courage. Thank-you for whites and silvers: quieting and consoling, inspiring and soaring in dove of peace – messenger of hope. Thank-you for all of these colours of love and longing, wildness and wisdom, challenge and compassion. So colour our lives by your mighty Spirit, that we change, find courage, radiate hope - for this is thanksgiving more precious than words. Kaleidoscope God, come into this place and move each of us…Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “Setting the Stage for Our Advent Journey,   

                                                          Even Before it Begins.”

*Hymn:      “Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New”   MV # 115

                                                                     (Sung through two or three times)

Engaging        2 SAMUEL 23: 1-7            (Bob Gibennus) 

                      David’s last words glorify God….

                             REVELATION 1: 4b - 8       (Bob Gibennus)

                     I am the Alpha and the Omega…

*Hymn:            “Our Lord, You Stood in Pilate’s Hall”

      (Sung to the tune of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”   (Winchester Old) 

                                                    See the words up on the screen…)

                              JOHN 18: 33-37                 (Rev. Jope)

                     Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you King of the Jews?”…            

Message:              “What Have We Left Undone?”

Responding

*Hymn:       “God of the Bible (Fresh as the Morning)    MV # 28                  

Offering:            “Jesus, Be the Centre”   LUC Choir

*Offertory Doxology:     (Tune of VU # 541)   

            “May we but wait upon love’s touch,

                    encourage those who may have much

              to give so freely from the heart

                    to offer folks a brand new start.”                                    

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Blessing

Prayers of the People:     Wayne Gordanier

                         (Interspersed with Paul Rumbolt’s “Be Still”)         

“Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God.

             I am exalted in the nations and the earth.

             Be still, and know that I am God.”

The Sung Lord’s Prayer:   VU # 959              

Commissioning (unison): The seasons of the church year come and go. The seasons of the calendar year come and go. The seasons of our lives change from one to the next. The call of the gospel remains constant. Jesus’ call to “come and follow me” is spoken each day. May God give us what we need to answer, “Here I am, send me!”…Amen.

*Hymn:        “Rejoice, the Lord is King”     VU # 213

A Short Message from your Pledgefest Folks…

Benediction        

Postlude

Sunday November 18, 2018

 26th Sunday after Pentecost   November 18th, 2018

Welcome to:  SUNDAY WORSHIP!!     IT’S A SINGING SUNDAY!!

Minister: The Reverend Jope Langejans

Special Guests: The Corpus Christi Male Chorale (CCMC)

THEME:    And What Is Our Rock and Our Foundation?

A Service of Prayer, of Song, and of Moving With the Spirit!   

And here’s the quote for this Sunday (sometimes called ‘Children’s Sunday):

” After church one Sunday, the young lad announced that he wanted to become a preacher... “Wonderful,” says Mom… “And what made you decide?”… “Well, since I go to church anyway, I’d rather be standing up and yelling instead of sitting down and listening.”

Gathering         *Gives you the opportunity to stand if you wish to…

Prelude                   

Welcoming and Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:             “The Lord is My Light”       (CCMC)  

*Call to Worship or Gathering and Coming Together:         

Leader: Welcome to each and every one…welcome to this time of worship. What is worship really? What is it meant for?

ALL: To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God. In our coming together, we are saying firstly that “we believe” and secondly, “that we are willing to act upon our belief.”

Leader: So if worship is a statement of our belief and the actions which are around it, then what is the purpose of worship?

ALL: To worship is to feed the mind with the truth of God. To worship is to purge our imaginations by the beauty of God.

Leader: So then, how are we to put our beliefs into action and how does this work for us as not only a congregation but also as those who may receive?

ALL: To worship is to open our hearts to the love of God and to devote our will to the purpose of God. To worship is to fill out ‘toolbox’ for what we need to mend our broken world – person by person. So come, let us join together in song as we sing one of the timeless hymns of many years ago:

*Opening Hymn:    VU # 264      “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”              

Sunday’s Reflection of the Heart: (Unison)

ALL: O Holiest One, O God of us all, we open our eyes to find that you have blessed each of us with a new day even before we thought to ask – it’s just here for us to enjoy. We thank-you, O Holy One, for your generous provision. Help us and all those present this morning who have gathered here in Lakeview United Church to discover your less obvious blessings. Give us:

the courage to ask that our church and its mission be      

         vital and life-giving;

the stamina to search for Christ-like pathways;

the boldness to knock and confess our need of the Holy 

         Spirits’ power;

And the grace to walk through doors you open for us.

We give thanks, o God, that through Christ we know you both listen and respond. Come into this place of worship and surround us with your presence so that each of us may be a gift to others…Amen.

Time for All Ages:        “”

Corpus Christi Male Chorale     “ The Animals are Comin’ ”

                                                     “ Down By the Riverside ”

Engaging        1 SAMUEL 1: 4-20            (Gwen Jamieson) 

                      Samuel is born to Hannah and Eli….

                             HEBREWS 10: 11-14          (Gwen Jamieson)

                     Provoke one another to love and do good deeds…

*Hymn:        VU # 635         “All the Way My Saviour Leads Me”

                              MARK 13: 1-8                    (Rev. Jope)

                     Not one stone of the temple shall be left standing…            

Message:              “Our Rock and Our Foundation”

Responding

*Hymn:         VU # 716   “My Life Flows On”                

Offering:          (CCMC)       “Soon All Will Be Done”

*Offertory Doxology:     VU # 541   

            “Praise God from all blessings flow;

                    praise God, all creatures high and low;

              give thanks to God in love made known:

                    Creator, Word and Spirit, One.”                           

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Blessing

Corpus Christi Male Chorale        “It Is Well With My Soul”

Prayers of the People (ending with The Lord’s Prayer) (Rev. Jope)          

Commissioning (unison): As we go, may we know the blessing of God in every place we find ourselves.

May we see God’s blessings in everyone we meet.

May we be God’s blessing to everyone we meet.

God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God…Amen.

Choral Benediction     (CCMC)    “Grace Be Unto You”    

Postlude

Deepest thanks from all of us at Lakeview United Church to The Corpus Christi Male Chorale in their sharing of their gift of music!!  You are all truly blessings indeed!!                  

November 11, 2018

God’s People Together               Lakeview United Church         

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!!

  A SUNDAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Continual Blessings.

“Some folks live throughout their lives with only seeing a hopeless end…

I would rather live my complete life through believing that there is an endless hope!”

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

*Processional

*Presentation of Colours

*Laying of the Wreaths

*Last Post    (Thomas Joiner – Trumpet)

*Minute of Silence

*Reveille

In Flanders Fields    (James Cameron & Lucas Pope)

The Soldier’s Cry / Words of Remembrance

Leader: They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old…age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them

ALL: We will remember them.

                 (You Tube, Remembrance Day Videos, Canada)

                        https://youtu.be/E7ESRBMk36E

*O Canada       

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

*Introit:  VU # 556 “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”  (Verses 1 and 4)     

Call to Worship:         

   Leader: Through every generation, through times of hope and times of fear,

   ALL: through times of war and times of peace,

   Leader: through times of loss and times of joy,

   ALL: you are God!

   Leader: In the first moment of grief,

   ALL: in the long, empty nights,

   Leader: in the chaos of war, in the search for answers,

   ALL: you, God, are with us!

   Leader: When we pause in the midst of our busy lives,

   ALL: when we remember those who suffered and those who died,

   Leader: when we pray to you saying, your kingdom come,”

   ALL: you are God!

   Leader: Today we wear our poppies as symbols of the right to freedom:

   ALL: the crowd responding to the words of Martin Luther King Jr,

   “I have a dream…”

   Leader: This is the symbol of the desire for justice and a symbol of God’s

   love overcoming evil and hatred.

*Hymn:              MV # 154       “Deep in Our Hearts”

Morning Prayer & Blessing (Unison):

               (With this opening prayer we will be utilizing VU # 278          

                             “In the Quiet Curve of Evening”)

ALL: O God of many names, we pray for peace within ourselves, in our relationships, in our communities, in our world. May we be empowered to do the work of peace wherever we may find ourselves so that you may work through each of us. We give you thanks today for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country: for those who have fought for freedom.

  (Sing: “In the Quiet Curve of Evening”   verse #1   VU # 278)

ALL: Where there is terror or fear, may we help create calmness. Where there is the silence of repression, may we help to give voice. Where there is only violence, may we help to show other ways. With all of our hearts we pray for peace which flows from Holy Love, which permeates all living beings, which permits children to play – open and unafraid and not living with fear or anger.

  (Sing: “In the Quiet Curve of Evening”   verse #2   VU # 278)

ALL: O Holy Wisdom, you inspire us to remember and live with our memories both of combat and of peace…for we know that peace is generosity, peace is compassion, peace is justice, and peace is extended to all. O God, hear our prayer and help us be the answer.

  (Sing: “In the Quiet Curve of Evening”   verse #3   VU # 278)

A Time for All Ages:            Painting Peace          

*Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ

(Let us all be mindful that it is flu season and a simple Namaste is maybe all which is needed…)

Engaging With the Sacred Text

Older Testament Reading:          RUTH 3: 1-5; 4: 13-17   (Barb Penhale)

 Ruth marries Boaz and restores the family line…

Gospel Reading:      MARK 12: 38-44

(Rev. Jope)                                                                                                                             

Message:  “God’s Strength is Found in Our Weakness”       

Hymn:              VU # 713        “I See a New Heaven”

Offering:  Dona Nobis Pacem (LUC Choir)                                                                               

*Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU 217 “All Creatures of Our God and King”)

            “We give so we can further peace;

                                We give so we can mend our Earth;

                                                Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

                 We give because we care for all

                        And wait upon a brand new birth.

Sing praises, sing praises,

                                          Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.” 

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Closing Meditation:       (Rev. Jope)            

Lord’s Prayer (Unison)      

*Commissioning: We go from here ready to take risks for the sharing of the Good News. We go from here ready to give of ourselves for the

gospel of Christ. We go from here certain that God is with us. We go knowing that we are never alone…Amen!

*Hymn             VU # 684    “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”           

*Benediction

*Recessional

Postlude  

Deepest thanks to all of the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Ventures, their Leaders and their Parents and Families

for participating in today’s special Remembrance Sunday Service…You are all truly blessings!!                                                                     

November 4, 2018

GOD’S PEOPLE TOGETHER                  LAKEVIEW UNITED CHURCH  

                             Welcome to Worship                                           

Leading Worship Today:  Bob Gibennus, Licensed Lay Worship Leader 

Gathering *Indicates please rise as you are able

Music for Gathering

Greeting: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Response: And also with you.

Acknowledging the Territory

Welcome to Lakeview United Church, located near the banks of the Elbow River and the Weaselhead conservation area. We acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality and culture of the Indigenous Peoples for whom this was once the sacred gathering ground of the buffalo and the healing place of the Medicine Tree, the peoples with whom Treaty 7 was signed. We recognize our responsibility, as signatories to that treaty, to live with respect on this land and in peace and friendship with its people.

 Welcoming & Announcements

*Gathering Hymn: Come in, Come in and Sit Down        VU #395

*Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ                                          

Call to Worship:

(written by Kate Crawford, Huron Shores United Church, Grand Bend Ont. Gathering, Pentecost 2 2018, page 46. Used with permission)

Leader: People of God, prepare your hearts!

All:       We prepare them, as many have done in this place before us.       

Leader: People of God, prepare your spirits!

All:       We prepare in spirit and become aware of the great communion of saints all around us.

Leader: People of God, prepare to worship!

All:       Generation after generation have lifted their voices in worship, and we take our place among them, faithful to the tradition we have inherited, breathing new life into it in our own day, passing it along to those who come after us.

Leader: Let us worship God!

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

*Hymn:           In Loving Partnership We Come             VU #603

Opening Prayer: For the Communion of Saints               VU #719

God of the ages, we praise you for all your servants who have done justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly with their God. We praise you for all who have sought your new creation, and who, by their steadfast faith, have shown their discipleship in Christ Jesus. We praise you for those we have known and loved, and pray that we, with them, may follow in the way of Christ, and, at the last, dwell in your holy city, sharing the inheritance of the saints in light, through your son, our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

A Time for All Ages:     Stained Glass Saints (Peggy Gibennus)    

*Hymn:           Let There Be Light                                 VU 679 

Engaging with the Sacred Text

Matthew 1:2-6a  The genealogy of David the son of Abraham

Matthew 5:14-16  You are the light of the world

Reflection:      Does Your Light Shine?       (Bob Gibennus)             

*Hymn:           Spirit, Open My Heart                             MV #79

Responding

Pledgefest

Offering:         Blest Are They (words and music by David Haas) LUC Choir                                                           

*Doxology       “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”   VU #541

Prayer of Dedication    

Blessing

Lighting candles for the saints

Prayers of the People (and Lord’s Prayer)             

Transitioning the light of the Christ Candle           

*Commissioning:  

And now into God’s world we go, with our faith refreshed and renewed. May we pass the faith of the saints on to our children and their children. Amen

*Sung Benediction “Go Now in Peace”  Don Besig and Nancy Price

Music for leaving                                                                                       

October 28, 2018              

God’s People Together                  Lakeview United Church  

                             Welcome to Worship                                                                         

Leading Worship Today:  Bob Gibennus, Licensed Lay Worship Leader 

Music for gathering 

Gathering *Indicates please rise as you are able

*We sing together: “Where Two or Three Are Gathered”  MV #14

*Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ

(Let us all be mindful that it is flu season and a simple Namaste is maybe all which is needed…)                                            

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement

Welcome to Lakeview United Church, located near the banks of the Elbow River and the Weaselhead conservation area.

We acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality and culture of the Indigenous Peoples for whom this was once the sacred gathering ground of the buffalo and the healing place of the Medicine Tree, the peoples with whom Treaty 7 was signed.

We recognize our responsibility, as signatories to that treaty, to live with respect on this land and in peace and friendship with its people.

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

*We sing together:   “We Are One” (verses 1,2,4)           VU #402        

Call to Worship:         

Leader: This is the day that God has made.

ALL: We will rejoice and be glad in it!

Leader: If you’ve had a great week, and are ready to begin a new, even better one …you’ve come to the right place.

ALL: We bring our joys and celebrations to God!

Leader: If you’ve had a difficult week, and need comfort and reassurance…you’ve come to the right place.

ALL: We bring our sorrows and brokenness to God!

Leader: If you are worried or concerned about something or someone in your life…you’ve come to the right place.

ALL: We bring our fears and concerns to God!

Leader: This is the day that God has made.

All: Something good will happen to me today!

Praying into the presence of God:

Leader: God of all peoples; We have come to this place to meet you; to walk with you; to be blessed by you; and yet…There are times, God, when we feel like we have to shout to get your attention.

All:       Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; (VU 661 V.1 without refrain)

Teach me to walk in your way.         

Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;

Come to my heart today.

Leader: There are times, God, when we behave in ways we wish we hadn’t. Help us to be the kind, loving people you created us to be.

All:       Fill me with love, Lord Jesus; (VU 661 V.2 without refrain)

Teach me to walk in your way.         

Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;

Fill me with love today.

Leader: Remind us, O God, that the Risen Christ lives deep within each of us. May this sacred hour we spend together with you, and each other spark something wonderful in us.

All:       Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus; (VU 661 V.3 without refrain)

Teach me to walk in your way.         

Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;

Answer my prayer today.

A Time for All Ages:     The Christmas Guest (Peggy Gibennus)    

*We sing together:      “Spirit of the Living God”               VU #376

Engaging with the Sacred Text

JOB 42: 1-6; 10-17

Job Acknowledges God’s Power; Job’s fortunes are restored.

MARK 10: 46-52

The healing of blind Bartimaeus.

Bob Speaks:                   “Where is God?”       

We sing together: “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”    VU #644

Responding

Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Gathering our gifts:                                                                               

*Doxology VU #541     “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Prayer of Dedication

Blessing

Prayers of the People (and Lord’s Prayer):           (Gwen Jamieson)  

Transitioning the light of the Christ Candle            (Bob)         

*Commissioning:  

And now into God’s world we go,

to continue our walk with Christ

in all the places life calls us to be.

May we go in joy and peace.

*Sung Benediction “Go Now in Peace”  Don Besig and Nancy Price

Music for leaving                                                                                       

October 21, 2018

God’s People Together               Lakeview United Church         

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!! October 21st, 2018                         

A BAPTISMAL SUNDAY IN THE SEASON OF PENTECOST

Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Continual Blessings.

“It’s not what we eat but what we digest which makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save which makes us richer; not what we read but what we remember which makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice which gives us integrity.”

                                                                             (Francis Bacon 1561-1612)

Gathering                         

*Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Processional

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

*Introit:             MV # 12        “Come Touch Our Hearts”      

Call to Worship:         

Leader: Out of the scramble and busyness, the pains and competing choices of our lives, we all come together on this Sabbath morning to worship. We come to witness living water upon foreheads as the Spirit comes alive.

ALL: We come to give our thanks for this special time as we ground ourselves once more in our faith, once more in our belief that we can, and will, make this world a place of shalom – a place of peace.

Leader: This place, this sanctuary, gives us freedom from the many conflicting messages swirling around us to consider the question, “What must we do to perform your works?”

ALL: So on this Sunday, this day of rest, we are reminded of the faith which we have to build bridges and not walls, to construct meaningful dialogue and not words of hatred.

Leader: So we call upon our God to quiet us in this time together. May we know that in this time of worship we may draw closer to what is truly important in the life which has been so freely given to each of us.

ALL: And once again, we say thank-you for this time to live into our faith, once more in what is truly empowering and truly real.

*Hymn:          VU # 333       “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

Morning Prayer & Blessing (Unison):

Leader: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”   (Psalm 81:10)

ALL: Come, O Holy Spirit…help us to replace the busyness of life with a simpler lifestyle, so that we focus on ‘the deeper things’ in life and allow time for others. Nourish our yearning to understand and to appreciate ourselves; keep us from being too self-oriented and unmindful of others’ needs. Fill us with trust in your consoling presence. Calm us when we are anxious and troubled about many things. Help us to have the courage to empty ourselves of everything that does not contribute to the transformation of this world. Continue to create a deep hunger for you within us. Feed us with “the finest wheat” of your joy, your peace, and your love. Often replenish our weary spirits with an enthusiasm and energy that comes from surrendering our lives to you. Be our wisdom as we search for meaning in a world fraught with pain, suffering, hostility, and division. Keep us hungry for you, O Source of Life, so that we will always ache and yearn a bit for you...Amen.

      (Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems and Reflections for Every Season)

A Time for All Ages:           H.C. Booth Day    

*Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ

(Let us all be mindful that it is flu season and a simple Namaste is maybe all which is needed…)

“All Who Are Thirsty”     (Rev. Jope)

 The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

                     THOMAS JOHN HARRISON

                     IVY BRYNN KATHLEEN STARKO

The New Creed

Baptismal Benediction Hymn: VU # 454 “May God Who Creates You”

Introduction of New Members to Lakeview United Church.

                     META LYNAS

                     HEATHER DORIN

Engaging With the Sacred Text

First Reading:          JOB 38: 1-7; 34-41          (Heather Dorin)

               God’s rebuttal to Job’s complaint…

Second Reading:     HEBREWS 5: 1-10            (Heather Dorin)

               Christ learned obedience and was made perfect…

Gospel Reading:      MARK 10: 35-45               (Rev. Jope)

                James and John request to sit on Jesus’ right and left…

 Message:               “Obedience vs Holy Desire”       

Hymn:         VU # 560        “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”

Offering:        “Jesus, Be the Centre”   (LUC Choir)                                                                          

*Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU 217 “All Creatures of Our God and King”)

            “Come to this place with open hearts

                        And see what God freely imparts;

                                    Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

             It’s love and blessing; peace and joy,

                        That nothing ever can destroy.

                                    Sing praises, sing praises,

                                                Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

                                                            Hallelujah.” 

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Closing Meditation:     A Blessing for You      (Rev. Jope)            

Lord’s Prayer (Unison)      

*Commissioning: The Spirit blows us into places unexpected. We go to find those like us, lost and alone, to build a network of loving kindness. God’s grace blesses us and keeps us. We go to proclaim the blessing of the good news, sharing Jesus’ story in word and in deed. May we now go in peace, in love, and in compassion for each other…Amen

*Hymn             VU # 264    “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”           

*Benediction

Postlude  

October 14, 2018

GOD’S PEOPLE TOGETHER               Lakeview United Church   

Guest Minister: Rev Rob Taylor      

Gathering * indicates “Please rise as you are able” Greeting and Welcome Announcements

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. (2 John 1:3)

Jesus said: “All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27)

“And the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name.” (John 14:26)

This day as we gather in worship we give glory to God who reveals himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“Lighting of the Christ Candle”

Officiant: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.

People: Alight no darkness can extinguish.

Officiant: May his word be a lamp to our feet and a light upon our path.

People: That we may walk before God in the light of life.

( Psalm 56:13)

O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everlasting Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the rising of the sun, and our eyes behold the dawning brightness, We sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be sung by happy voices, O Son, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Officiant: Let us praise the Lord our God.

People: Let God’s name be praised, Alleluia!

Introit: VU #356, “Seek Ye First”

Call to Worship: The Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36. 24-28)

I will take you from the nations, and gather you from every country, and bring you home to your own land. I will pour clean water upon you, purify you from all defilement, and cleanse you from all your idols. A new heart I will give you, and put a fresh spirit within you; I will take from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, that you walk in my commandments and observe my ways. You shall dwell in the land I promised to your forebears; we shall be God’s people and He will be our God.

*Opening Hymn: VU #341, “Beautiful Saviour”

Gathering Prayer: Almighty God, in our baptism you adopted us for your own. Enliven, we pray, your Spirit within us, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A Time for All Ages:

*Hymn: VU #289, “It Only Takes A Spark”

Blessing of Each Other as We Share the Peace of Christ.

Engaging with the Sacred Texts First Reading: Job 223:1-9, 16-17. Job makes known his his complaint against God!

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16. The word of God is living, active, sharper than a two-edged sword.

Gospel Reading: Mark 14:17-31. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

Message: “From the Garden to the City of God” Rev. Rob Taylor

*Hymn: VU “I See a New Heaven”

Offering: “Lord, have mercy” LUC Choir

*Doxology: VU #541, “Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow.”

Prayer of Dedication: God of Life, you provide us these gifts of the earth, these resources of our life and our labour. Receive them, offered in great thanksgiving, and use them to set a table that will heal the whole creation; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Light. Amen.

Prayers of the People: Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Our Father…

Hymn: VU #661 “Come to my Heart”

*Closing Prayer Holy and compassionate God, shape us to be humble and courageous. May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we might speak a living voice of healing and justice to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

*Hymn: VU #884 “Joy Shall Come.”

*Benediction

Dismissal: Officiant: Go in Peace. Sound the good news. People: Let God’s name be praised, Alleluia

October 7, 2018

God’s People Together              

Lakeview United Church   

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!! October 7th, 2018    

THANKSGIVING SUNDAY/WORLDWIDE COMMUNION

Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Continual Blessings.

“Grace is available for each of us every day – our spiritual daily bread – but we’ve got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow”  (Sarah Ban Breathnach)

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Processional

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

*Introit:    VU # 820     “ Psalm 100 – Make a Joyful Noise”                                                      

Call to Worship:         

Leader: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth …make the shuttles sound a rhythmic beat as all the earth weaves a shawl.

ALL: Hear the hum of the potter’s wheel, shaping goodness in our hands. Make the sky, the sun, and the moon emerge from the painter’s brush

Leader: Make a poet’s iambic metre tell the stories of life and of faith.

ALL: Worship God with gladness, come into the Holy presence singing, dancing, painting, sculpting, and making poetry.

Leader: Worship God, all the earth, with sounds and shapes of holiness. In front of us this morning, is the table for the world, a feast which will be spread for all people. No one is rich enough to pay for this meal; no one is too poor to join in.

ALL: This is God’s awesome gift to humankind. With joy and thanksgiving we come. May we now open ourselves to holiness, truth, imagination, openness, and devotion as we come at Christ’s call – to remember, to worship, to live, and to give thanks.

*Hymn:          VU # 375       “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”

Morning Prayer & Blessing (Unison):

ALL: At this sacred season we come with thanksgiving into this holy place remembering that before the mountains were formed you knew us and patterned the swirls on our fingertips and coloured our eyes. God of infinite variety and magnitude, we praise you for life’s seasons of bittersweet and beauty, sunshine and rain, livestock and fowl, orchards and vineyards, feast days and holidays, for our life, for our breath. Creator God, to you we sing songs of thanks-giving, songs of thanks-living. You have blessed us in these days with an abundance beyond our wildest dreams. We celebrate, on this day, the year which has gone by. We remember rain, sun, heat, and cold. We have watched the crops grow and now we give thanks for all that you have provided. Be with us this day, receive our thanksgiving, and hold up for us the visions of your kingdom that we might be forever grateful….Amen.

A Time for All Ages:         BRYON ANDERSON

*A Thank-you Hymn:  (Sung to the tune of Edelweiss)

  “Thank-you God, on this day, for our many good blessings.

   Thank-you God, on this day, for our many good friendships.

   Glory to you, may you hear our prayer, guide us on forever.

   Thank-you God, on this day, for our blessings and friendship.

   Bless our friends, bless our homes, come O God and be here.

   May our talk glow with peace, bring your love and surround us.

   Friendship and peace may they bloom and grow,

            bloom and grow forever.

   Bless our friends, bless this day, bless our world forever.”

  *Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ

Engaging With the Sacred Text

First Reading:          JOEL 2: 21-27                 

               Do not fear, O soil, for God will provide…

 Second Reading:     PSALM 126                      

               Those who sow in tears reap in joy…

 Epistle Reading:      I TIMOTHY 2: 1-7          (Rev. Jope)

                Offer prayers for everyone…

                                                                                                                                                                                    Message:      “How Do We Demonstrate Our Faith –

                                  Especially in Our Giving and Receiving”       

Hymn:         VU # 232        “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You”

Offering:             “Halle, Halle, Halle,”   Hal Hopson   (LUC Choir)                                                                  *Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU 217 “All Creatures of Our God and King”)

            “We’ve come to offer gratitude

                        For friends and life and air and food -

                                    Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

             These gifts that come from your own grace

                        That put a smile upon our face.

                                    Sing praises, sing praises,

                                                Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

                                                            Hallelujah.” 

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Service of the Table

Thanksgiving

Leader: Gracious God, we praise you and give you thanks.

ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: For the love we name Creator God, and all that is. For the one we name Jesus Christ and his message of peace, justice, and inclusiveness that is the realm of God. For the renewing strength and freedom of the Spirit always present on the breath of life.

ALL: We give thanks for the presence of God in the midst of life.

The Celebration

Leader: We remember the stories…

All: how Jesus gathered with friends, strangers, and those who resisted him, to tell them of a re-imagined way of living and being.

Leader: A way that did not conform to the standards of the Roman Empire or any other system of governance, that suppressed people until starvation and deprivation resulted in death.

ALL: In this way, Jesus empowered people then, and empowers us now, to imagine alternatives, and to live them out in new relationships and new communities.

The Loaf and the Cup

Leader: So in our time and in this place, with today’s issues before us, let us continue the tradition: to break bread together.

ALL: We remember what that tradition says, how, at the end of a journey, among friends, gathered round a table…

Leader: Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to his friends:

ALL: “This bread is broken, as my body will be. Eat this bread and become my body, for Love’s sake in a broken world.”

(bread is broken)

Leader: We remember, too, how Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends:

ALL: “This wine is poured out, as my life will be. As you drink, give thanks for all I have given.”  (the cup is filled)

Leader: Sharing this bread and wine with his friends, Jesus invited them to eat and drink with thanksgiving:

ALL: “Remember all that I have been to you.”

Leader: Bread….the very stuff of life, in which is gathered up warm sun, rich soil, gentle rain, human labour, and knowledge and skill….Grape juice, our vine….fruit of the vine, nurtured, tended, harvested, and pressed out for us to drink.

ALL: May the Spirit of Love within us be a source of healing and consolation. May the Spirit of Love among us strengthen us when we feel weak, warm us when we are cold-hearted, bend us when we are stubborn, move us when we are uncaring, guide us in the way of love. May the Spirit of Love surrounding us shine in all we do….Amen.

Communion

  (Bread for the journey, and wine for our arrival)

Hymn during Communion:   VU # 466   “Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup”

Closing Prayers of the People:     (Rev. Jope)              

*Commissioning: Let us leave this time and place of worship remembering God’s goodness to us: a goodness known in Creation, in our relationships, and most especially known in Jesus the Christ. Let us commit ourselves to lives of thanksgiving and thanks-living, remembering that when we are simply grateful, life is simply great! Let us go now, with smiles on our faces, with joy in our hearts, with purpose and in kindness, to be God’s people in all the places life calls us to be.

                              (Rob Root, Peterborough, Ont.  Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2018, 

                                                 page 44, Used with permission)

*Hymn             VU # 236    “Now Thank We All Our God”           

*Benediction & Postlude

September 30, 2018

God’s People Together              

Lakeview United Church         

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!! September 30th, 2018                          

19th SUNDAY of PENTECOST   {CREATION TIME #4} 

 Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Continual Blessings.

“There are sometimes two kinds of Christians: those who complain because God puts thorns on the roses, and those who praise God for putting roses among the thorns……

                                            …so…which one are you?” 

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Processional

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Piikani or Peigan, Kainai or Blood, Tsuut’Ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

GENESIS 1: 24 – 2: 4    Rev. Jope

(The Inclusive Bible – The First Egalitarian Translation)

Introit:    VU # 293     “We Praise You, Creator”   (Les cieux at la terre)   

Call to Worship:         

Leader: When you sit in your easy chair in your home, whether it’s in your living room or somewhere else, can you hear the sounds around you?...possibly the sounds of an airplane?....     or maybe the whoosh of a car or a truck?...the hammering of nails?...or maybe the ticking of your clock?...

ALL: These are people sounds. These are sounds which we hear every day – day-in and day-out. Sometimes they grate upon our spirits.

Leader: If you listen closely…and ever so closely when you possibly are in a place of quietness…can you hear the sound of the wind…the sound of the breeze?...the rustle of the leaves?... the song of a bird?...possibly the buzz of a fly?...

ALL: These are nature sounds. They are always there but sometimes hidden under the noises that we make with our ever-moving pace of humanity.

Leader: And if we listen even closer than close, can we hear the distant wash of the waves on a shore?...can we hear the grinding of rocks as tectonic plates shift?...can we hear the roar of a glacier as it calves off an iceberg?...or the vibration of light as it travels the cosmos?...

ALL: These are creation sounds. They are sounds of life and of death and sounds of new life, born once again.

Leader: If we listen ---

ALL: we hear creation speaking, we hear creation shouting, we hear creation crying, we hear creation singing.

Leader: When we listen and speak what we hear, when we help others to listen and speak what they hear, when we speak with those who will not listen, and with those not willing to hear –

ALL: we worship God! Alleluia!

*Hymn:     VU # 242       “Let All Things Now Living”

Morning Prayer & Blessing (Unison):

ALL: O Creative and Creating God, you are the sea and you are the sky…you are the rock and the tree and the creature – of song and of rhyme and discord and of perfect harmony…and we know, inside of ourselves, that you are breathtaking in what you can do and in what your imagination can create. We call upon you this morning to bless each of us with knowledge in our bodies, our hearts, and our minds, that you are with us in this moment, and in every moment. Would you bless us with joy of all creation, with your desire for its wholeness, with your will for its renewal…in the most wonderful dance of the Spirit, in the name of the Christ who shone your love to the world, we open with these words of prayer to you, the giver of all things…

    Amen.

A Time for All Ages:      

*Hymn:               MV # 42      “Praise God for This Holy Ground”  

*Blessing of Each Other as We Share in the Peace of Christ

Engaging With the Sacred Text

First Reading:          EXODUS 3: 1-12           (Jean Scott)

               Moses being called at the burning bush…

Second Reading:     1 KINGS 19: 9b -12      (Jean Scott)

                Finding God in the silence… 

Gospel Reading:      MATTHEW 6: 24-34      (Rev. Jope)

                 Stop worrying about what to eat or drink…

                                                                                                                                          Message:      “Where We Are at This Moment Is Holy Ground”       

Hymn:       MV # 174        “Soil of God, You and I”     (Holy Ground)

Offering:             “Take This Moment”    J. Bell / G. Maule   (LUC Choir)                                                              

*Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU 217 “All Creatures of Our God and King”)

            “Creator God we call to you

                        To teach us what we need to do

                                    Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

             Healing this planet, healing Earth,

                        And bring about a brand new birth.

                                    Sing praises, sing praises,

                                                Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

                                                            Hallelujah.” 

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Closing Prayers of the People:     Jean Scott            

*Commissioning: The seasons of the church year come and go. The seasons of the calendar year come and go. The seasons of our lives change from one to the next. The call of the gospel remains constant. Jesus’ call to ‘come, follow me” is spoken each day. May God give us what we need to answer:

“Here I am, send me!”…Amen  

*Hymn             VU # 296    “This is God’s Wondrous World”                                                               

*Benediction

Postlude                                                                                          

September 23, 2018

September 16, 2018

God’s People Together              

Lakeview United Church         

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!! September 16th, 2018                          

17th SUNDAY of PENTECOST   {CREATION TIME #2} 

 Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Blessings.

“If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself, you should say: “They obviously don’t know me very well, since there are so many other faults that they could have mentioned!”                               (Epictetus)

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Processional

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Pikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:   MV # 7 “Gather Us In”   (piano only as Genesis 1:1-13 is read)

Call to Worship:         

Leader: It is time for each of us to listen…to listen very closely; to listen with intention and openness to the Spirit to guide us…

ALL: We sit and listen to the hum of the Earth…   (Pause)

Leader: We sit quietly and listen to the murmuring of the swaying grass… (Pause)

ALL: We quietly sit and listen to the rustling of the trees, to the buzzing of the insects, to the song of the sparrow… (Pause)                                                                     

Leader: Do you hear it?...listen closely…listen closely as the melodies of creation sing…shout…creak…and whisper around us.

ALL: We are listening closely as our hearts sing within us…we are listening as all creation yearns for nurture.

Leader: But do you hear it?...as we take these moments to listen, we remember God’s call of creation: “Let there be!”

ALL: And so, in this time of gathering, let there be honest reflection. Let there be radical discernment. Let there be creative stirring. Let there be space for connection. Let there be nurture and care.

Leader: Come!...all of you!...come and worship with one another and with all of creation!  

*Hymn:         VU # 278      “In the Quiet Curve of Evening”   

Morning Prayer & Blessing (Unison):

(Taken from the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth)        

ALL: O Creating God, we know that there is beauty in the forms of creation and we need to voice our deepest thanks and offer our own blessings:

…on smelling fragrant woods or bark, we give thanks and blessings to you who created these fragrant woods.

…on smelling odorous fruits, we give thanks and blessings to you who gives a goodly scent to fruits.

…on smelling fragrant spices, blessings, O God, who created diverse kinds of spices.

…on smelling fragrant oils, we give thanks and blessings to you who created fragrant oil.

…on seeing lightning, falling stars, mountain peaks, great deserts, thank-you, for these creations.

…on hearing thunder, our blessings to you, o God, whose strength and might always fills the world.

…at the sight of the sea, our gratitude for creating such a vast expanse of waters.

…on seeing beautiful trees or animals, blessed are you, our Creator God, who has such as these in the world.

…and on seeing the rainbow…thank-you, O God, for remembering the covenant, faithful to this covenant, and keeping promises…Amen.

A Time for All Ages:       “Our Population Clock” https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+humanity&&view=detail&mid=BD74D504B6BD3204819FBD74D504B6BD3204819F&&FORM=VRDGAR                            

*Hymn:             MV # 135         “Called by Earth and Sky”

*Passing of the Peace of Christ to Each Other

Engaging With the Sacred Text

First Reading:         PSALM 104: 1-9 (VU # 826)    (Barb Penhale)

                God’s care over all what has been created…

REFRAIN: “Bless, O my soul, The Almighty,

                                          who rules all creation.”

Reader: Praise God, O my soul.

ALL: Eternal God, you are great indeed.

Reader: You clothe yourself with light like a garment.

ALL: You spread the heavens like a tent; you lay out the beams  

         of your dwelling on the waters above.

Reader: You make the clouds your chariot,

              and ride on the wings of the wind.

ALL: You make the winds your messengers,

         and flames of fire your servants.

Reader: You fix the earth on its foundations,

              so that it can never tremble.

ALL: You cover the earth with the ocean as with a cloak.

REFRAIN: “Bless, O my soul, The Almighty,

                                          who rules all creation.”

Reader: When the waters covered the mountains,

              they fled at your rebuke;

ALL: at the sound of your thunder, they took flight.

Reader: They flowed over the mountains, ran down the valleys to the  

              place you had appointed for them.

ALL: There you set limits not to be passed, that they might not 

         again cover the earth.

REFRAIN: “Bless, O my soul, The Almighty,

                                          who rules all creation.”

Second Reading:    GENESIS 9: 8-9, 12-13           (Barb Penhale)

                God’s setting of the rainbow in the sky…

Message:   “The Connection Between

                                 Creation ~~~~ Humanity”

Hymn:               VU # 282         “Long before the Night”

Offering:                “Abundant Life”      (Ruth Duck, Ron Klusmeier)                                                 

*Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU # 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”)            

            “Creation is for us to hold;

                        not to be squandered or be sold

             so future children may not see

                        what God envisioned it to be.”

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Closing Meditation: (Unison)

ALL: O God, whose power is great beyond our knowing, whose love runs deeper than our hurtful actions of neglect, who holds all of creation in your tender embrace:

let us love, not only in words or speech, but in truth and    

           in action,

let us be stewards of deepened relationships and

           interactions,

            and the givers of life to creation that surrounds us.

We come to you in this quiet place seeking your reassurance and your hope. Come and cradle us in your arms of love. As we inhale, breathe your life into our hearts. As we exhale, help us to let go of heavy expectations and anxieties. Help us to feel your love as close to us as the breath we breathe. Today, o God, we admit to the places where we fall short – where we are not able to give enough, do enough, and nurture enough. Inspire in us a longing to be better stewards and help us to live out our

covenant commitment. Allow the dreams and hopes that we have – for ourselves, for our communities, and for all of creation – to sprout forth with energy and new life…and now, we share in the prayers of the people and then share in words of The

Lord’s Prayer:

Prayers of the People 

The Lord’s Prayer

*Commissioning (unison): Go from this place, letting your anxious worries cease. May the lilies of the field and the birds of the air inspire you to see God in all you do…Amen

*Hymn           VU # 312      “Praise with Joy the World’s Creator”                                                           

*Benediction   (Rev. Jope)

May the blessing of Jesus, who announced God’s righteousness, of the Creator, who fills Earth with beauty, and of the Spirit, who nurtures awe, bless, inspire, and empower each of you…Amen.

Postlude                         

September 9, 2018

God’s People Together              

Lakeview United Church

WELCOME TO YOUR TIME OF WORSHIP!!  September 9th, 2018                          

16th SUNDAY of PENTECOST   {CREATION TIME #1} 

Welcome to Your Service of Prayer, Song, and of Blessings.

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first – by reflection, which is noblest; second – by imitation, which is the easiest; and third – by experience, which is by far, the bitterest” (Confucious)

Gathering                          *Indicates please rise as you are able

Prelude

Processional

Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that we are worshiping today on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as in Treaty 7 territory which includes the Siksika, Pikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations.

Announcements

Lighting of the Candle of Christ

Introit:           MV # 130          “Rise Up”

Call to Worship:         

Leader: As the sun endures, and the moon glows,

ALL: changing days speak of God’s glory.

Leader: As the rainbow arcs through grey clouds,

ALL: colours speak of God’s glory.

Leader: As Earth provides sustaining food,

ALL: harvest speaks of God’s glory.

Leader: As people gather to praise God’s name,

ALL: we speak of God’s glory.

Leader: This is a place of refuge, a place where we can be together within the Spirit.

ALL: We pause briefly to refresh our souls so that we may refresh the soul of Creation.

Leader: Let us gather to call ourselves into mindfulness of the sacred gift of time: worship time and Sabbath time. Let us open with song as we share in the words of ‘Long before Time’…  

*Hymn:       VU # 248   “When Long before Time”   (all 6 verses)                                                    

Opening Prayer of Approach (Unison):         

ALL: O Creative and Creating God, creation sings of your glory and speaks of your goodness:

            from picturesque countryside to reaching skyscrapers,

            from untamed wild lands to cookie-cutter suburbs,

            from spacious ocean beaches to crowded city streets:

            wherever we are…there creation speaks.

Forgive us when we fail to join creation in her continual song of praise. Forgive us when, overcome with pride, we forget that creation is not ours to shape and mold; it is yours, and we are a part of it. Forgive us when we abuse, defile, and strike Earth with our greed, selfishness, and ambition. Forgive us when we attack what we are charged to love, and fail to face the stinging reality of our actions and thus sow hardship for future generations to reap. Forgive us, O God, for all the ways we have failed to sing your praises with all creation…Amen.

Leader: God’s grace is a soothing and healing balm that we can never earn or deserve. It relieves pains, heals stings, and frees us to sing God’s praises joyfully. Receive the blessed assurance of God’s grace! Amen.

A Time for All Ages:       Creation and its Glory!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_38JDGnr0vA                        

*Hymn:             VU # 289         “It Only Takes a Spark”   (Pass It On) 

*Passing of the Peace of Christ to Each Other

Engaging With the Sacred Text

First Reading:         GENESIS 11: 1-9                 (Heather Mayers)

                The building of the Tower of Babel and different languages…

Second Reading:    PSALM 148                         (Heather Mayers)

                The Psalm of many praises to where praises need to go…

Gospel Reading:     MARK 7: 24-30                    (Rev. Jope)

                The Syrophoenician woman and her daughter…                                                                                                                                                                      Message:        “Caring for Creation Isn’t New –

                                    Environmentalism Is”

Hymn:             VU # 360       “A Woman and a Coin – The Coin Is Lost”

Offering:         “Christ in Me,”      (John Chisum, Nancy Gordon, George T Searcy)                                                                   

*Doxology:     (Sung to the tune of VU # 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”)            

            “This place we live on is our Earth

                        It’s been our home since day of birth;

             We need to hold it in respect

                        And not to fall into neglect.”

Prayer of Dedication     (Rev. Jope)

Closing Meditation: (Unison – We will be utilizing

                                                 MV # 75 “Veni Sancte Spiritus” )

“Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love.

 Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.”

ALL: God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Holy Mystery, in the gift of creation you speak for us. The weed protruding through the sidewalk crack speaks of your grace, that with you the unexpected should be expected, the impossible made possible. We pray for those who are without hope…

“Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love.

 Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.”

ALL: May we hear you speak in the disobedient wildflower, a reminder that your tenacious hope grows in seemingly hopeless places. The plastic bag blowing in the wind speaks of your word to the lonely. We pray for those who feel discarded and rejected by society…

“Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love.

 Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.”

ALL: May we hear you speak in the gentle wind that lifts up and carries what others have long since forgotten. The horrific powers of the sea speak of your majesty and mystery: we cannot control the waters which build up and tear down. We pray for the many gifts of nature that we cannot understand and we pray for those who have been affected by natural disasters…

“Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love.

 Holy Spirit, come to us. Holy Spirit, come to us.”

ALL: May we hear you speak in the awesomeness of the elements as we ask for our protection. The colours dancing at the break of dawn speak of your beauty and our gratitude, that we are enhanced and transformed by the diversity of colours that touch every part of our lives. We give thanks for this church community and ask that you bless the individual gifts that you have generously scattered within each of us. The beauty of creation gives voice to these and all of our prayers as we sing together:

                   VU # 959 ‘The Lord’s Prayer’…   

*Commissioning (unison): And now we leave this time and place to continue our journey as God’s people: surrounded by the wonders of God’s creation, accompanied by the One who shared our existence, enfolded in the purposeful caring of the Spirit, to be God’s faithful people in all the places life calls us to be…Amen 

*Hymn               VU # 249        “Rejoice in the Lord Always”              

                                                                 (Sung three times through…)

*Benediction   (Rev. Jope)

  Postlude    

Thank you to the Jamieson’s for the PPT and bulletin photo submission