LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Christ calls us to be the church.
We gather once again to sing God's praises.
Christ entrusts this congregation into his hands.
We do our best to lovingly care & nurture it.
Christ binds our hearts together as brothers & sisters.
Praise be to God, we are one in Christ.
Thanks be to God.
LET US PRAISE & WORSHIP GOD.

HYMN: VU 245 “Praise the Lord With the Sound of Trumpet”
1.  Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
praise the Lord with the gentle-sounding flute.
Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.
Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or snow
or in the morning light.
Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord on the highest hill,
praise the lord, never let your voice be still.

2.  Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord, with the pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.
Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.
Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord every moment,
nothing let your praise destroy.
Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way!

OPENING PRAYER:
Creator God, we offer our gratitude and awe for the United Church of Canada, on it's 101st anniversary. As a community of broken but hopeful believers, we seek to love as Christ loves. We seek to live as he taught. We strive to be faithful servants, embodying Christ's presence in our time and place. As children of the Timeless One, we long for healing and reconciliation in our country and in our world, so that all might have abundant life. In the meantime we embrace the present: embodying hope, loving both neighbour and enemy, caring for the earth & choosing abundant life. Strengthen & equip our church, the UCC as only you can. With thanksgiving and praise transform us again that we may become your new creation, rooted in Christ Jesus and open to your Spirit. In Jesus name we pray, saying, “Our Father who… ” Amen
     Pentecost 1, Gathering 2023 by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, adapted

Hymn 434 CH  “Revive Us Again”
1.  We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love—
for Jesus, who die, and is now gone above.
Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again.

2.  We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of Light
who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.

3.  All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
who has borne all our sins and has cleansed ev'ry stain.

4.  Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love.
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

THEME TIME:

HYMN  MV 1 “Let Us Build a House”
1.  Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

2.   Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God's children dare to seek to dream God's reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God's grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus;
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

3.   Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;
a banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

4.  Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they've known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God's face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:
First Reading:
Genesis 12: 1 - 9
The LORD Chooses Abram
12 The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.[a] 4-5 Abram was 75 years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had acquired while in Haran. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, 7 but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, “I will give this land to your family forever.” Abram then built an altar there for the LORD. 8 Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the LORD. 9 Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.

Responsive Reading Psalm 33:   VU page 760 (no Refrain)
Refrain:  “A new song to our God proclaim, from age to age rejoice”

Shout to God for joy, you righteous! Praise is fitting from loyal hearts.
Give thanks to God with the harp; sing praise to God with the ten-stringed lute.
Sing a new song to God; play skillfully and with shouts of joy.
For the word of God is true; God's every deed is faithful.  Refrain

You love what is right and just; the earth is full of your constant love.
By your word the heavens were made, the countless stars by the breath of your mouth.
You gathered the waters of the sea as in a goatskin;
you stored the deep in cisterns.
Let all the earth fear you, O God,
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe.
For you spoke and it came to be; you commanded and it stood firm.
You foil the plans of the nations, and frustrate the schemes of the peoples.
Your counsel, O God, shall stand forever, the purposes of your heart through all generations.
Happy the nation who has you as God.
Happy the people you choose as your own.
Our heart rejoices in you, O God, because our hope is in your holy name.
Let your steadfast love be upon us as we put our trust in you.  Refrain

Second Reading:
Romans 4: 13 - 25
The Promise Is for All Who Have Faith
13 God promised Abraham and his descendants that he would give them the world. This promise wasn't made because Abraham had obeyed a law, but because his faith in God made him acceptable. 14 If Abraham and his descendants were given this promise because they had obeyed a law, then faith would mean nothing, and the promise would be worthless. 15 God becomes angry when his Law is broken. But where there isn't a law, it cannot be broken. 16 Everything depends on having faith in God, so that God's promise is assured by his gift of undeserved grace. This promise isn't only for Abraham's descendants who have the Law. It is for all who are Abraham's descendants because they have faith, just as he did. Abraham is the ancestor of us all. 17 The Scriptures say that Abraham would become the ancestor of many nations. This promise was made to Abraham because he had faith in God, who raises the dead to life and creates new things. 18 God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19 Abraham's faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly 100 years old. He knew he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20 But Abraham never doubted or questioned God's promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. 21 Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. 22 So God accepted him, 23 just as we read in the Scriptures. But these words were not written only for Abraham. 24 They were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. 25 God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.

**Special**

GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 9: 9 - 13 & 18 - 26
Jesus Chooses Matthew
9 As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector[a] named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Matthew got up and went with him. 10 Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house.[b] Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. 11 Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?” 12 Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.' I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”
A Dying Girl and a Sick Woman
18 While Jesus was still speaking, an official came and knelt in front of him. The man said, “My daughter has just now died! Please come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again.” 19 Jesus and his disciples got up and went with the man. 20 A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. 21 She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don't worry! You are now healed because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed. 23 When Jesus went into the home of the official and saw the musicians and the crowd of mourners,[a] 24 he said, “Get out of here! The little girl isn't dead. She is just asleep.” Everyone started laughing at Jesus. 25 But after the crowd had been sent out of the house, Jesus went to the girl's bedside. He took her by the hand and helped her up. 26 News about this spread all over that part of the country.
This is the gospel of our Lord.   Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE

HYMN: VU 626 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
1.  I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

2.  I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

3.  I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world's light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I'll walk till travelling days are done.

THE OFFERING: ~ We offer our talents, time & treasures to God
Ushers come forward as we sing

OFFERTORY HYMN: MV 191 “What Can I Do?” X2
What can I do?
What can I bring?
What can I say?
What can I sing?
I'll sing with joy,
I'll say a prayer.
I'll bring my love,
I'll do my share.  
Repeat

PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER:
O God of the dance, who flung the sun & stars into their places & moved among all the creatures of your creation: Come to us as we offer to you our prayers for all who dance. We pray for those who dance with the burden of hunger, starvation & emptiness heavy in their gut; We pray with those who dance in fear & worry, frustration and despair; We pray with those who must walk o the glass of injustice & hot coals of revenge; We pray with the lost who don't know where to dance, with the lonely who have no one to dance with, with the disenfranchised whose choice of dance is taken from them, and with the powerless who can no longer dance; and we pray with those who dance with great joy & firm hope, infectious purpose, sacrificial love and a sparkle in their eyes. Lord of the Dance, we all dance together in the great journey of life, in our own time & place. Fill us with your Spirit, that we might live & move & have our being in the newness & fullness of Christ. We Pray for us all and this UCC as we celebrate another year believing all are one in Christ.  Amen.
     From Worship for All Seasons, Gathering David Spence 1977

HYMN: VU 352 “I Danced In the Morning” (Lord of the Dance)
1.  I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth. Dance, then, wherever you may be;

Refrain
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I'll lead you all, herever you may be,
and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.

2.  I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the dance went on.  Refrain

3.  I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die.   Refrain

4.  I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it's hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
ut I am the dance and I still go on.  Refrain

5.  They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he.  Refrain

*SENDING FORTH

*A PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY 648 VU  (together)
*SUNG BENEDICTION 649 VU “Walk with Me”
Refrain
Walk with me,
I will walk with you
and build the land that God has planned
Where love shines through.

*BENEDICTION & SUNG AMEN (Threefold Amen)

*EXTINGUISHING THE CANDLES

*POSTLUDE

Next Sunday:  Third Sunday after Pentecost
        June 14, 2026:
         Genesis 18: 1 - 15, (21: 1 - 7)   Psalm 116: 1, 10 - 17;
         Romans 5:1-8;  Matthew 9: 35 - 10: 8 (9 - 23).

1. SUNDAY, June 7, 2026  Second Sunday after Pentecost   10:45 AM   Rev. Nora Borgeson  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2026  FREE “COMMUNITY PICNIC”   5:00 - 7:00 PM   Wesley Hall  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   [See Poster on “HAPPENINGS” tab for full details]


3. SUNDAY, June 14, 2026  WORSHIP SERVICE AND BARBECUE AT SPEERS UNITED CHURCH”   10:30 AM   Rides available from Third Avenue at 9:30 AM  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   PLEASE NOTE: Service at Third Avenue United Church will be cancelled


4. SUNDAY, June 21, 2026  Fourth Sunday after Pentecost   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!


5. SUNDAY, June 21, 2026  SUNDAY BRUNCH   11:30 AM   Wesley Hall  ALL ARE WELCOME!


6. SUNDAY, June 28, 2026  Fifth Sunday after Pentecost   10:45 AM   Rev. Nora Borgeson  “RECOLLECTIONS”  ALL ARE WELCOME!