Lighting of the Christ Candle
We light this Christ candle as a symbol of the presence of Jesus Christ with us on our journey of life and discipleship: Jesus Christ, the light of life for us.
Today, Pentecost Sunday, we acknowledge that we need help to transform that symbol into our daily living and serving.
Today, we embrace the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, inviting those two to empower us as disciples and to nurture our growing discipleship.
The candle is lit.
     Used/adapted with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Bill Perry

Sung Response: VU 396 “Jesus, stand among Us” (from the Presbyterian Tradition)
1.  Jesus, Stand among us in your risen power;
let this time of worship be a hallowed hour.

2.  Breathe the Holy Spirit into every heart;
bid the fears and sorrows from each soul depart.

3.  Lead our hearts to wisdom till our doubting cease,
and to all assembled speak your word of peace.

WE APPROACH GOD

1. CALL TO WORSHIP: based on A New Creed, The United Church of Canada, 1968
We are called to be the Church, not only on Sunday mornings as we gather, not only when it suits us, but always and in every place.
We are called to celebrate God's presence, through song, through prayer, through action and care for one another, within these four walls and beyond.
We are called to live with respect in creation.
Though the voice of creation comes to us in many languages and forms, we are called to be attentive, to collaborate, and to follow.
We are called to love and serve others, and we do this, not because of our own rules and laws, but because it is God who asks us to do it, by Christ's example.
We are called to seek justice and resist evil.
We do so every time we intentionally take time to notice injustice, because evil does not always take the shape we expect. Yet love and service are always in season.
We are called to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
Our hope rests in the knowledge that pain, suffering, and even death are only parts of a bigger journey. We trust that Christ will heal our brokenness and that as those who follow Christ, it is possible to celebrate our freedom from bondage.
We are called to be the church. God is with us. We are not alone. Let us worship God.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Eric Hebert-Daly

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Astounding God, thank you that through your Spirit, we are blessed and included in your vision of the world. Surprise us with your love for us, a love that accepts us wholly and abides with us eternally. Amaze us with your mercy, a mercy that understands our failings and redeems our weaknesses, for your purpose. Awaken us with compassion for all your children, and encourage us to care for each other. Fill us with your Spirit, to recognize your presence in our world and follow your teaching in our lives. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Gill Le Fevre

3. LEARNING TIME:

4.  HYMN: VU 194 “Filled with the Spirit's Power”
1.  Filled with the Spirit's power, with one accord
the infant church confessed its risen Lord.
O Holy Spirit, in the church today
no less your power of fellowship display.

2.  Now with the mind of Christ set us on fire,
that unity may be our great desire.
Give joy and peace; give faith to hear your call,
and readiness in each to work for all.

3.  Widen our love, good Spirit, to embrace
with your compassion all the human race.
Like wind and fire with life among us move,
till we are known as Christ's, and Christian prove.

5. ACT OF CONFESSION:
Trusting in God's grace and confident in the Spirit's guidance, we work to follow the Way of Jesus and lift our souls in prayer, seeking forgiveness and healing:
(a time of silent prayer)
In celebration and in affirmation of our purpose, let us pray:
Holy Trinity, we are grateful for the 100 years of The United Church of Canada, with all its successes and all its failures to live your love in this world. Living Christ, we thank you for your companionship as you send us out to be your church in the world. Forgive us for getting things so wrong, so often, as we seek to live your mission and purpose. Empowering Spirit, we celebrate your call to deep spirituality, bold discipleship, and daring justice. Forgive us when we think we are not able to live this calling, when we just want to give up and let the church fade away. Gracious God, we are humbled by the embrace within which you love us. May you continue to transform this United Church denomination, each of us and all of us for your purpose in this world. May you enliven us as your disciples, in Christ's name. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Gord Dunbaar

6. TRADITIONAL WORDS OF ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
Anyone in Christ becomes a new person altogether. The past is finished and gone; everything has become fresh and new. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.

7. HYMN VU 650 “O God of Bethel”  (from congregational tradition)
1.  O God of Bethel, by whose hand your people still are fed,
who through this earthly pilgrimage have all your servants led:

2.  our vows, our prayers, we now present before your throne of grace.
God of past ages, be the God of each succeeding race.

3.  Through each perplexing path of life our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread, and shelter fit provide.

4.  O spread your covering wings around, till all our wanderings cease,
and at our God's beloved abode our souls arrive in peace.

8.  SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Acts 2: 1 - 21 read by Norma Quinn
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 On the day of Pentecost[a] all the Lord's followers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. 4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. 5 Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. 6 And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. 7 They were excited and amazed, and said: Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee? 8 Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? 9 Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, 11 Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.
12 Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, “What does all this mean?” 13 Others made fun of the Lord's followers and said,“ They are drunk.”
14 Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd:
Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say! 15 You are wrong to think that these people are drunk. After all, it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 But this is what God told the prophet Joel to say, 17 "When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 In those days I will give my Spirit to my servants, both men and women, and they will prophesy. 19 “I will work miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will turn dark, and the moon will be as red as blood before the great and wonderful day of the Lord appears. 21 Then the Lord will save everyone who asks for his help.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Responsive Reading:  Psalm 104: 24 -35 b VU Page 827  Part 2 read by Cathy Richardson
Refrain: “Bless, O my Soul, the Almighty who rules all creation.”

O God, how manifold are your works!
     With Wisdom at your side you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.  Refrain

There lies the great and mighty Sea, teeming with living things both great and small.
     Upon it sail the ships, and there is Leviathan, the monster you made to play in it
All these look to you, to give them their food in due season.
     What you give them they gather up. When you open your hand, you fill them with good things. But when you hide your face they despair. When you take away their breath, they die, and return to dust.
      But when you send out your spirit, they live again, and you renew the face of the earth.  Refrain

May your glory, O God, endure forever.
     May you rejoice, O God, in your works.
When you look at the earth it trembles,
     when you touch the mountains they smoke.
I will sing to God as long as I live.
     I will praise my God while I have being.  Refrain

9.  HYMN VU #326  “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (from the Methodist tradition)
1.  O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of God's grace.

2.  Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.

3. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive,
the mournful broken-hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

4.  Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes, and leap, you lame, for joy!

5.  My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad the honours of your name.

10. The Gospel of John 14: 8 - 17, 25 - 27 Please stand

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.” 9 Jesus replied: “Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10 Don't you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn't said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things. 11 Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12 I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. 13 Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14 I will do whatever you ask me to do”.
The Holy Spirit Is Promised
15 Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command. 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help[a] you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don't see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.
25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help[a] you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. 27 I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, O Christ.

11.  SERMON: “Glimpses into where the Spirit lead The United Church”

12. HYMN VU 375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Refrain:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness
Blow through the wilderness
Calling and free
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness
Stir me from placidness, wind
Wind on the sea

You moved on the waters
You called to the deep
Then you coaxed up the mountains
From the valleys of sleep
And over the eons
You called to each thing
“"Awake from your slumbers And rise on your wings."” Refrain.

You swept through the desert
You stung with the sand
And you goaded your people
With a law and a land
And when they were blinded
With idols and lies
Then you spoke to your prophets
To open their eyes.  Refrain.

You sang in a stable
You cried from a hill
Then you whispered in silence
When the whole world was still
And down in the city
You called once again
When you blew through your people
On the rush of the wind Refrain.

You call from tomorrow
You break ancient schemes
From the bondage of sorrow
All the captives dream dreams
Our women see visions
Our men clear their eyes
With bold new decisions
Your people arise Refrain.

13.  PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord, hear our prayer
And in your love answer.

14.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Jesus prayed for us, asking that we become united as one, as he and God are united as one. This means sharing our good times and our bad. This means sharing our resources. This means asking for resources. Let us commit ourselves to being one. Let us offer ourselves as a community. As we collect the morning offering.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Whitney Bruno

15.  OFFERTORY:   VU 541 “Praise God from Whom All Blessings 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.

16.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Holy One, bless our unity. Bless our intention of unity. Let our lives be witnesses to you. Let our hearts beat as one heart. Bless our resources and multiply them as they work in unison. Bless our connections and strengthen them. Bless us so we may bless others.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Whitney Bruno

17. SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION:

18.  SPECIAL MUSIC:  “We're Marching, Lord”

19. BLESSING
As we leave this place, we are accompanied by the same Spirit that journeyed with our ancestors in the faith. May we be guided by these saints from our rich past-having learned from both their wisdom and their mistakes. May we be as courageous and visionary as the current batch of disciples, inspired to new ways of being the church in this time and place, while being nourished and sustained by roots that have grown for millennia. May we continue to proclaim and share the Good News of God's love, which, from age to age, never changes! We are the Body of Christ, my friends. May this be always celebrated in ways that bring the transformation and new life God dreams of.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering Pentecost 1 2025; Elise Feltrin.

Next Sunday:  First Sunday after Pentecost /Trinity Sunday
        June 15, 2025:
         Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31;  Psalm 8;
         Romans 5:1-5;  1 John 16:12-15.

1. SUNDAY, June 8, 2025  “PENTECOST/Celebration Service/100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada”  Join us and the Speers congregation in Wesley Hall for a "Pot Luck" lunch and Anniversary Cake after the Worship Service


2. TUESDAY, June 10, 2025  “100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION/FREE Community BBQ in Central Park (beside the Church) ”  5:00 - 7:00 PM  Hot Dogs, Entertainment and FUN for the young and young at heart!   EVERYONE Welcome!!! (bring a chair or blanket)
   [ SEE POSTER BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS ]


3. SUNDAY, June 15, 2025  “FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/WORSHIP AT SPEERS”  10:30 AM  Barbecue After Worship  People wishing to carpool meet at Third Avenue at 9:00 AM;
   we will leave the church at 9:15 AM
   [ NO CHURCH SERVICE AND NO BRUNCH AT THIRD AVENUE ]


4. SUNDAY, June 15, 2025  “SUNDAY BRUNCH”   CANCELLED


5. SUNDAY, June 15, 2025  “SEAN McCANN of Great Big Sea CONCERT”   7:00 PM   Logie Hall  COME. JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL EVENING OF MUSIC  TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
   [FOR FULL DETAILS SEE POSTER ON “HAPPENINGS” TAB]


6. SUNDAY, June 22, 2025  “SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / We are invited to worship with Battleford United / Special 100th Anniversary Celebration”   11:00 AM   Heather McKinnon  “Potluck Salads with Burgers To Follow”   ALL ARE WELCOME!
   [ NO CHURCH SERVICE AT THIRD AVENUE ]


7. SUNDAY, June 29, 2025  “Third Sunday after Pentecost”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!