CANDLE LITURGY
We light a candle-to shine a light that also lives within us, a light that calls us to share the love of Christ in every corner of the world.
We give thanks for the meaning and purpose Jesus offers to our living, calling us to bring healing, hope, justice, and reconciliation to others.
     Adapted/Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025; Bob Root

Sung Response: VU 338 “Ask Me What Great Thing I Know”
1.  Ask me what great thing I know
that delights and stirs me so,
what the high reward I win,
whose the name I glory in:
Jesus Christ, the crucified.

2.  Who defeats my fiercest foes?
Who consoles my saddest woes?
Who revives my fainting heart,
healing all that grief imparts?
Jesus Christ, the crucified.

3.  Who is life in life to me?
Who the death of death will be?
Who holds all my days secure,
in God's heart where love is sure?
Jesus Christ, the crucified.

4.  This is that great thing I know;
this delights and stirs me so:
faith in Christ who died to save,
Christ who triumphed o'er the grave,
Jesus Christ, the crucified.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Welcome to this service in the midst of summer warmth and colour.
We have come, excited to receive God's word in scripture.
We are here to praise our Creator and give our thanks.
We have come to raise our spirits to the heavens in song.
We are here to offer prayers for a better world.
We gather here as one community to worship together and to be reminded to love one another.
We have come as one family of God, eager to be attentive to the ways of holy goodness and loving-kindness.
Come, let us worship God.
     Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025; Rosemary Godin

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Blessed God, all seasons are a season to draw near to you. Every moment of our lives-easy or hard, restful or busy-each is a moment ready for you. So, make us ready, dear God, more ready to notice you, to experience you, to turn to you, to welcome your presence. Help us to be honest about our faults, sincere in our repentance, and committed to fulfilling our purpose. In this summer season, refresh us with your wisdom. Guide us with your power. Renew us with your Spirit. Awaken us again to you, our God. We are yours. Make us yours, in action and intention. Amen.
     Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025; Elaine Bidgood Sveet

3. LEARNING TIME:

4.  HYMN: VU 595 “We Are Pilgrims”
1.  We are pilgrims on a journey,
fellow travellers on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.

2.  Sister, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.

3.  I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.

4.  I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
till we've seen this journey through.

5.  When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together
of Christ's love and agony.

6.  Brother, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

6. SCRIPTURE LESSON
2nd Kings 5:1 -14
Elisha Heals Naaman
5 Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. The LORD had helped him and his troops defeat their enemies, so the king of Syria respected Naaman very much. Naaman was a brave soldier, but he had leprosy.[a] 2 One day while the Syrian troops were raiding Israel, they captured a girl, and she became a servant of Naaman's wife. 3 Some time later the girl said, “If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy.” 4 When Naaman told the king what the girl had said, 5 the king replied, “Go ahead! I will give you a letter to take to the king of Israel.” Naaman left and took along 30,000 pieces of silver, 6,000 pieces of gold, and 10 new outfits. 6 He also carried the letter to the king of Israel. It said, “I am sending my servant Naaman to you. Would you cure him of his leprosy?” 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in fear and shouted, “That Syrian king believes I can cure this man of leprosy! Does he think I'm God with power over life and death? He must be trying to pick a fight with me.” 8 As soon as Elisha the prophet[b] heard what had happened, he sent the Israelite king this message: “Why are you so afraid? Send the man to me, so that he will know there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 Naaman left with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10 Elisha sent someone outside to say to him, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then you'll be completely cured.”
11 But Naaman stormed off, grumbling, “Why couldn't he come out and talk to me? I thought for sure he would stand in front of me and pray to the LORD his God, then wave his hand over my skin and cure me. 12 What about the Abana River[c] or the Pharpar River? Those rivers in Damascus are just as good as any river in Israel. I could have washed in them and been cured.” 13 His servants went over to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. So why don't you do what he said? Go wash and be cured.” 14 Naaman walked down to the Jordan; he waded out into the water and stooped down in it seven times, just as Elisha had told him. At once, he was cured, and his skin became as smooth as a child's.

Responsive Reading Psalm 30 VU page 757
Refrain: Though tears flow for a night, the morning brings new joy

I will extol you, O God, for you have lifted me up;
you have not let my enemies triumph over me.
O God, my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
You brought me back from the dead; you saved my life as I was going down to the Grave.
Let all your servants sing praises to you, and give thanks to your holy name.
Your anger is but for a moment, but your kindness is life eternal.  Refrain

In my prosperity I said,
'I shall never be shaken;your favour, O God, has made me as firm as any strong mountain.'
You turned your face away from me, and I was greatly dismayed. I called to you; I made my appeal:
'What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the Grave?
Will the dust give you praise? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, O God, and be gracious to me; O God, be my helper.'  Refrain

You turned my mourning into dancing; you stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my heart will sing your praise without ceasing.
O God, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.  Refrain

7. REFLECTION:

8. HYMN: VU 240 “Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven”
1.  Praise, my soul, the God of heaven,
glad of heart your carols raise;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who, like me, should sing God's praise.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the Maker all your days!

2.  Praise God for the grace and favour
shown our forebears in distress;
God is still the same forever,
slow to chide and swift to bless.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Sing our Maker's faithfulness!

3.  Like a loving parent caring,
God knows well our feeble frame;
gladly all our burdens bearing,
still to countless years the same.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! All within me, praise God's name!

4.  Frail as summer's flower we flourish;
blows the wind and it is gone;
but, while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the high eternal one.

5.  Angels, teach us adoration,
you behold God face to face;
sun and moon and all creation,
dwellers all in time and space.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise with us the God of grace!

9. SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Galatians 6:1 - 16
Help Each Other
6 My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself. 2 You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand. 3 If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong. 4 Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others. 5 We each must carry our own load. 6 Share every good thing you have with anyone who teaches you what God has said. 7 You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. 8 If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. 9 Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up. 10 We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord. 11 You can see what big letters I make when I write with my own hand. 12 Those people who are telling you to get circumcised are only trying to show how important they are. And they don't want to get into trouble for preaching about the cross of Christ. 13 They are circumcised, but they don't obey the Law of Moses. All they want is to brag about having you circumcised. 14 But I will never brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his cross, the world is dead as far as I am concerned, and I am dead as far as the world is concerned. 15 It doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not. All that matters is that you are a new person. 16 If you follow this rule, you will belong to God's true people. God will treat you with undeserved kindness and will bless you with peace.

Luke 10: 1 - 11, 16 - 20
The Work of the Seventy-Two Followers
10 Later the Lord chose 72[a] other followers and sent them out two by two to every town and village where he was about to go. 2 He said to them: A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in. 3 Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves. 4 Don't take along a moneybag or a traveling bag or sandals. And don't waste time greeting people on the road.[b] 5 As soon as you enter a home, say, "God bless this home with peace." 6 If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you. 7 Stay with the same family, eating and drinking whatever they give you, because workers are worth what they earn. Don't move around from house to house. 8 If the people of a town welcome you, eat whatever they offer. 9 Heal their sick and say, “God's kingdom will soon be here!”[c] 10 But if the people of a town refuse to welcome you, go out into the street and say, 11 “We are shaking the dust from our feet[d] as a warning to you. And you can be sure that God's kingdom will soon be here!”[e] 12 I tell you that on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than the people of that town!
16 My followers, whoever listens to you is listening to me. Anyone who says “No” to you is saying “No” to me. And anyone who says “No” to me is really saying “No” to the one who sent me. 17 When the 72[g] followers returned, they were excited and said, "Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!" 18 Jesus told them: I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. 20 But don't be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!

11. HYMN VU #512  “Lord, You Give the Great Commission”
1.  Lord, you give the great commission:
'Heal the sick and preach the word.'
Lest the church neglect its mission,
and the gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

2.  Lord, you call us to your service:
'In my name baptize and teach.'
That the world may trust your promise,
life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervour, draw us closer in community;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

3. Lord, you make the common holy:
'This my body, this my blood.'
Let us all, for earth's true glory,
daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the world around us share your children's liberty;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

4.  Lord, you show us love's true measure:
'Father, what they do, forgive.'
Yet we hoard as private treasure
all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us to a just society;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

5. Lord, you bless with words assuring:
'I am with you to the end.'
Faith and hope and love restoring,
may we serve as you intend,
and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

12.  PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
God of love and life, we have been called as your disciples and asked to give of ourselves as you send us forth on an assignment for you. We have been called to give all that we have and all that we are to your work. But we make excuses and put you off till another day. Forgive us. Open our spirits so we can receive your call. Amen.
     Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025; Beth W. Johnston

13.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
The Good News is that we are a forgiven people. You have blessed all of us with the eternal covenant of caring love that will not be broken. You offer us our heart's desire to be in relationship with you and bless our lives with the promise of justice and mercy that will not be changed. Thanks be to God.  Amen.
     Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025;Allison Abbott-Wiebe</P>

14. “”SUNG RESPONSE: VU 575 “I'm Gonna Live so God Can Use Me”
1.  I'm gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!

2.  I'm gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!

3.  I'm gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!

4.  I'm gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!

15.  PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Jesus entreats us to enter the spaces of our lives, offering peace to those we meet. Lt us greet one another with signs of this welcoming peace.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

16.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Beloved people of God, let us give to the work of God's kingdom today. May we take this opportunity to work for the common good, and especially for the family of faith. Let us present our offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

17. OFFERTORY VU 540 “Grant Us, God the Grace”
Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

18.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Generous God, you share your kingdom with all humanity, drawing closer to us than our very breath. May our offering this day support your holy work, and may all come to know that your kingdom has truly come near  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

20. HYMN 425 VU “God, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”
1.  God, dismiss us with your blessing;
fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing,
triumph in redeeming grace;
O refresh us, O refresh us,
travelling through the wilderness.

2.  Thanks we give and adoration
for your gospel's joyful sound;
may the fruits of your salvation
in our hearts and lives abound;
may your presence, may your presence,
with us evermore be found.

21.  BLESSING:
Let us go out in love and service.
Let us go out ready to give all that we are and have as disciples of Jesus.
Let us go, committed to persistent love and service.
Let us go, knowing that God is with us.  Amen.
     Used with permission Pentecost 1 Gathering 2025; Beth W Johnston

Next Sunday:  Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
        June 15, 2025:
         Amos 7:7 - 17;  Psalm 82;
         Colossians 1:1-14;  Luke 10:25-37.

1. SUNDAY, July 6, 2025  “Fourth Sunday after Pentecost”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. SUNDAY, July 6, 2025  “A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS”   3:00 PM   An Afternoon of Song To Raise Funds For Mental Health  “Diane Gryba & More Music Makers”   ALL ARE WELCOME!
   [ See Poster on "HAPPENINGS" tab for full details ]


3. SUNDAY, July 13, 2025  “Fifth Sunday after Pentecost”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!