Service Sunday April 6, 2025
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
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All are Welcome!
The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOCUSING MOMENT:
LIGHTING THE OF CHRIST CANDLE:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
We acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty 20 territory. For thousands of years, the First Peoples of this place have cared for the territory even as the territory cared for them. Guided by the wisdom of their traditions and their ancestors, they have been taught that the circle of life is embraced and embracing. Let us carry on this wisdom. Let us live into right relations with love and respect.
Written by Jamie Miller, First U.C., Dryden, Ont.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Easter 2022-2023, p.27. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Come to this place where all are welcome.
ALL: We come regardless of who we are and what we have done or not done.
One: In this place, as in all places where God is present, healing and forgiveness are ours simply by asking.
ALL: Desiring these gifts and ready to accept them, we prepare ourselves for worship.
Written by Catherine Tovell, Kilworth U.C., London Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.31. Used with permission.
HYMN: “Though Ancient Walls” VU #691
1 Though ancient walls may still stand proud
and racial strife be fact,
though boundaries may be lines of hate,
proclaim God's saving act!
Refrain Walls that divide are broken down;
Christ is our unity!
Chains that enslave are thrown aside;
Christ is our liberty!
2 When vested power stands firm entrenched
and breaks another's back,
when waste and want live side by side,
it's Gospel that we lack. Refrain
3 The truth we seek in varied scheme,
the life that we pursue,
unites us in a common quest
for self and world made new. Refrain
4 The church divided seeks that grace,
that newness we proclaim;
a unity of serving love
that lives praise to God's name! Refrain
5 This broken world seeks lasting health
and vital unity.
God's people by God's Word renewed,
cast off all slavery! Refrain
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
God of light, shine on us as we come together to find meaning for our lives, purpose for our community, sustenance for our faith, and joy to share with your people everywhere. Give direction to all that we do. Help us to discover anew the hope that came for us in Jesus the Christ. May we appreciate anew your gift of Jesus that has been shared as a beacon of truth and love. May our journey through Lent be one of discerning new understandings and being open to new ways to serve. Holy One, touch our lives through the spirit of the One who called us friends. Release us from fear and encourage us to act with boldness and commitment as we live our faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by Bill Steadman, Goulais River U.C., Goulais River, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.32. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
HYMN: “A Woman and a Coin – the Coin Is Lost” VU #360
1 A woman and a coin - the coin is lost!
How much it means to her, what time and toil,
what part it was to play in her bright dreams!
Am I that treasured coin worth searching for?
I'm found, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!
2 A shepherd and a sheep - the sheep is lost!
Far from the flock, the one in hundred cries,
then, risking life, the shepherd's voice and staff!
Am I that treasured sheep worth dying for?
I live, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!
3 A parent and a child - the child is lost!
The parent feeds on memories and hope,
the prodigal on husks and one last chance.
Am I that treasured child worth waiting for?
I'm home, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!
4 Dear God, you sought us when the world was lost,
you gave your only son at what a cost;
your spirit welcomes home the tempest-tossed:
now we can be all you were dreaming of.
We're safe, and you rejoice!
What love! What love!
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“Progressive Christianity & The Prodigal Son Parable”
OUR REPSPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU #921)
HYMN: “Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love” VU #574
1 Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
2 Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
3 Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
4 Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, we are always tempted to keep what we already have, yet you whisper to us a different, more radical purpose: “Give your time to build relationships that make a difference. Give your talent in community to foster a space of unconditional loving. Give your treasure to share bounty with others.” We are paying attention, wise Spirit. We ask that you bless what we give, that we may be faithful witnesses to the Way of Jesus. Amen.
Written by Gord Dunbar, Kincardine, Ont.
Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.36. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: VU #108 vs 1
1 Throughout these Lenten days and nights
we turn to walk the inward way,
where, meeting Christ, our guide and light,
we live in hope till Easter Day. ©
SENDING FORTH:
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
