CANDLE LITURGY:
Around us, we witness sadness, conflict, and distress.
We pray for peace.
Around us, we witness the damage caused by chronic homelessness.
Our prayers are put into action by working for a better world. This light reminds us that we follow the One who gave everything so that we all might have abundant life.
May it burn brightly each and every day, through us, for the world.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Beth W Johnston

SUNG RESPONSE: VU 359 “He Came Singing love”   Verse 4
4. He came singing peace and he lived singing peace;
he died singing peace.
He arose in silence.
For the peace to go on we must make it our song;
you and I be the singers.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Welcome to this service in the midst of summer warmth and colour.
We have come, excited to experience 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 for everyone.
We gather here as one community to worship together and be reminded to love one another.
We have come as one family of God, eager to be prompted in the ways of holy goodness and loving-kindness.
Come, let us worship God.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Rosemary Godin

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Covenanting God, we meet this morning in our house of worship turning our hearts to you and claiming your promises of a home for our hearts, shelter from sorrow, refuge from turmoil, and safety from that which would destroy us. We believe that you are a promise-keeper and that, even as you kept your promises to Abraham and Sarah, you will also keep your promise to us, that we will dwell in your house forever. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Fern Gibbard

3. LEARNING TIME:

4. HYMN: 402 VU “We Are One”
1.  We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
n the praise on our lips there's a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found;
and we come needful of God's grace as we meet, together in this place.

2.  We are one as we share, as we share brokenness and fear,
in the touch of a hand there's a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed;
and we share warmth in God's embrace as we pray together in this place.

3.  We are one as we feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign;
in the bread and the wine there's a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feed, we are fed;
and we feel God's refreshing grace as we meet at table in this place.

4.  We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite;
in the word we receive there's a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
and we seek justice in God's ways as we move together from this place.

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Life-giving God, feed us with your word of transformation. Enable us to experience it with clarity and excitement. Let us feast on your Good News of love and grace as we receive this message. May we be your enlivened people. We ask in Jesus' name.  Amen. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Laura J. Turnbull

6. SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Genesis 24: 34 - 38, 42 - 49, 58 - 67
34 The servant explained: I am Abraham's servant. 35 The LORD has been good to my master and has made him very rich. He has given him many sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys, as well as a lot of silver and gold, and many slaves. 36 Sarah, my master's wife, didn't have any children until she was very old. Then she had a son, and my master has given him everything. 37 I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, "Don't choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan. 38 Instead, go back to the land where I was born and find a wife for my son from among my relatives.“ 42 When I came to the well today, I silently prayed, ” You, LORD, are the God my master Abraham worships, so please lead me to a wife for his son 43 while I am here at the well. When a young woman comes out to get water, I'll ask her to give me a drink. 44 If she gives me a drink and offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen." 45 Even before I had finished praying, Rebekah came by with a water jar on her shoulder. When she had filled the jar, I asked her for a drink. 46 She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, “Have a drink. Then I'll get water for your camels.” So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels. 47 I asked her who her father was, and she answered, “My father is Bethuel the son of Nahor and Milcah.” At once I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and gave thanks to the God my master Abraham worships. The LORD had led me straight to my master's relatives, and I had found a wife for his son. 49 Now please tell me if you are willing to do the right thing for my master. Will you treat him fairly, or do I have to look for another young woman? " 58 They called her and asked, “Are you willing to leave with this man at once?” “Yes,” she answered. 59 So they agreed to let Rebekah and an old family servant woman[a] leave immediately with Abraham's servant and his men. 60 They gave Rebekah their blessing and said, “We pray that God will give you many children and grandchildren and that he will help them defeat their enemies.” 61 Afterwards, Rebekah and the young women who were to travel with her prepared to leave. Then they got on camels and left with Abraham's servant and his men. 62 At that time Isaac was living in the southern part of Canaan near a place called “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.”[b] 63-65 One evening he was walking[c] out in the fields, when suddenly he saw a group of people approaching on camels. So he started toward them. Rebekah saw him coming; she got down from her camel, and asked, “Who is that man?” “He is my master Isaac,” the servant answered. Then Rebekah covered her face with her veil.[d] 66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. 67 Isaac took Rebekah into the tent[e] where his mother had lived before she died, and Rebekah became his wife. He loved her and was comforted over the loss of his mother.

Responsive Reading Psalm 45: 10 - 17 VU  page 769
Refrain:  “God has blessed you forever and ever.”

My heart overflows with a noble theme; I utter the song I have made for the king, my tongue like the pen of a ready scribe.
You are the fairest, the most handsome; God endows your speech with grace; God has blessed you forever.  Refrain

Gird your sword on your thigh, O hero, in splendour and majesty.
In your majesty ride on to conquer in the cause of truth and justice.
Let your right hand teach by awesome deeds, arrows sharp in the heart of royal enemies.
The nations shall fall at your feet. Your divine throne endures forever.
Your royal sceptre is righteousness; you love right and hate what is wrong.
Your God has anointed you with more oil of gladness than all your peers.
All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia.
Out of the ivory palaces stringed music makes you glad.  Refrain

7.  REFLECTION:

8.  HYMN: VU 633 “Bless Now, O God, the Journey”
1. Bless now, O God, the journey that all your people make,
the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take.
the trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round,
then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.

2.  Bless sojourners and pilgrims who share this winding way,
whose hope burns through the terrors, whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound.
Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.

3.  Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the road.
We wait for lands of promise where milk and honey flow.
But waiting not for places, you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Romans 7: 15 - 25a
15 In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right. I do the things I hate. 16 Although I don't do what I know is right, I agree that the Law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.
18 I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. 19 Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. 20 And so, if I don't do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them.
21 The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right. 22 With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. 23 But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. 24 What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? 25 Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
16 You people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other, 17 “We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song, but you would not mourn!” 18 John the Baptist did not go around eating and drinking, and you said, “That man has a demon in him!” 19 But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, “That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors[a] and sinners.” Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.
Come to Me and Rest
25 At that moment Jesus said: My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. 26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.
27 My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.
28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke[c] I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.

10.  REFLECTION:

11. HYMN VU 661 “Come to My Heart”
1.  Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; teach me to walk in your way.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; come to my heart today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.

2.  Fill me with love, Lord Jesus; teach me to walk in your way.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus; fill me with love today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.

3.  Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus; teach me to walk in your way.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus; Answer my prayer today.
Give me the peace and joy that only you can bring.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus; give me a song to sing.

12. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
We come before God today, each with our own unique flaws.
God notices all.
We acknowledge before God that we are not perfect.
God knows all.
We are grateful for the love God has for each of us.
God forgives all.
We acknowledge that we need to bring these imperfections before God and ask forgiveness.
God loves and forgives all.
Let us open our hearts to God, sharing what burdens us today, the hurt we have caused others, the hurt we have caused ourselves, the hurt that others have caused for us, and any pain we need to share with God.
(a time of silent prayer)
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Sue Carleton

13.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God knows us and loves us.
We thank you, Gracious God, that you know what is deepest in our hearts and that you love us always.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Sue Carleton

14. HYMN: VU 333 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
1.  Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

2.  Come, almighty to deliver; let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

3.  Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

15.  PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Christ says to us, “Come to me, all you that are weary and weighed down, and I will give you rest. ”Christ gives us rest and peace. Let us share it with one another.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

16. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Christ invites us to live and serve with him - letting his burden lighten our won. He multiplies the gifts we share - making thousands of myriads of love and of blessing. Let us present our morning offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

17.  OFFERTORY: VU 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow”
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.

18.   OFFERING PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Gracious God, you have made our lives more than we ever dreamed, offering blessings beyond our greatest imaginings, multitudes of mercy, great gifts of grace. From this bounty, we offer ourselves and our lives - our time, talents, and treasures - with you and gladness, for now and for always.  Amen.
      From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
      Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

19.  PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER

20. HYMN: VU 664 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
1.  What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

2.  Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

3.  Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Christ the Saviour is our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do our friends despise, forsake us? Are we tempted to despair?
Jesus' strength will shield our weakness, and we'll find new courage there.

21.  BLESSING:
Go from this place in the certain knowledge of God's love.
We go, knowing that Jesus travels with us: in our fear, in our sorrow, in our joy.
Go in faith and in love.
We go with the assurance that God sets us free, equipped to wrestle faithfully with a world of contradiction.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2026; Gord Dunbar

22.  THREE FOLD AMEN:

Next Sunday:  Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
        July 12, 2026:
         Genesis 25: 19 - 34   Psalm 119: 105 - 112;
         Romans 8: 1 - 11;  Matthew 13: 1 - 9, 18 - 23.

1. SUNDAY, July 5, 2026  Sixth Sunday after Pentecost   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. THURSDAY, July 9, 2026  COMMUNITY SPORTS DAY   1:00 pm - 3:00 PM  “WE INVITE ALL ABILITIES AND AGES TO JOIN US
   [SEE POSTERS ON “HAPPENINGS” TAB FULL INFORMATION]


3. SUNDAY, July 12, 2026  Seventh Sunday after Pentecost   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!