Sunday, June 7, 2026

Worship Leaders:  Rev. Ian Mackay & Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY – 140 yrs.

 

WE GATHER

 

ORGAN PRELUDE    

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

HYMN:  “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”   (VU #231)

1.  I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.  I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at God’s command and all the stars obey.

 

2.  I sing the goodness of the One who filled the earth with food; who formed the creatures with a word, and then pronounced them good.  O God, your wonders are displayed where’er I turn my eye; if I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

 

3.  There’s not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known; and clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from your throne; while all that borrows life from you is ever in your care, and everywhere that I may be, you, God, are present there.

 

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

 

CHORAL INTROIT:  “The New Creed”

 

ANNIVERSARY PRAYER:  (together)  

O God, we lift up our hearts this day in gratitude.  We give thanks for this day and for all the meaning that it holds for us.  We thank you for the Word preached in this church.  We thank you for the symbols of our membership in the body of Christ.  We thank you for the good fellowship of your people, and for the eternal blessings of grace which you have given to us through Jesus Christ.  We thank you for this church building, this whole congregation, and each of its members and friends.  We thank you for those who have established this community and blessed this house of prayer.  To you, O God, be praise and glory in this church throughout all ages, through Jesus Christ.  Amen

 

ANTHEM:  “So Long Ago”

 

(Choir may join the congregation.)

 

FOR ALL AGES  -  Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

HYMN:  “One More Step Along the World I Go”   (VU #639)

1.  One more step along the world I go, one more step along the world I go, from the old things to the new, keep me travelling along with you:  And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.

 

2.  Round the corner of the world I turn, more and more about the world I learn; all the new things that I see you’ll be looking at along with me:  And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.

 

3.  As I travel through the bad and good, keep me travelling the way I should; where I see no way to go you’ll be telling me the way, I know:  And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.

 

4.  Give me courage when the world is rough, keep me loving though the world is tough, leap and sing in all I do, keep me travelling along with you:  And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.

 

5.  You are older than the world can be, you are younger than the life in me, ever old and ever new, keep me travelling along with you:  And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.

 

WE GIVE

 

OUR OFFERINGS  (Offering plates are available at the back of the church.)

 

DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING  (standing)     (tune  -  Aureila  VU #331)

We come, O Christ, our Savior, for you have called us here

To be the church, your body, now reconciled, brought near.

By water of baptism each one of us to be

At one with all your people in true community.

    

Your word now sends us forward, to meet a world in need,

To share the gifts you’ve given, and truly live our creed.

Empower our faithful witness and grant us empathy

With your beloved children, wherever they may be.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER   (unison)

For the redeeming and saving word of Christ, we give thanks to you O God.  For the church that seeks to extend Christ’s ministry, we are humbly grateful.  All things we have are gifts from you.  We redirect ourselves in patient, joyful responses to your promises.  Hear our prayers and empower our ministry.  Amen.

 

WE LISTEN

 

NEW TESTAMENT:  Philippians:  4: 4 - 9; 23

                          

HYMN:  “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”   (VU #664)

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.

 

SERMON:  “140 Years and More”  -  Rev. Ian Mackay

                                         

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER (sung seated)  “Lead Me God”   (VU #662)

Lead me, God, lead me in your righteousness;

Make your way plain before my face.

For it is you, and you, God only,

Who makes me to dwell in safety.

 

PASTORAL PRAYER  -  Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

 

WE GO FORTH

 

HYMN:  “God of Life”   (VU #528)

1.  God of life, in Christ you lead us, guiding us along the way.  In our past, through joys and sorrows, you have been our strength and stay.  Keep us faithful, true disciples, in our learning and our praise, celebrating past and present, consecrating future days.

 

2.  God of words and Word Incarnate, words that challenge and embrace, grant us boldness in our speaking, while we know your loving grace.  Give us words both clear and winsome, loving hearts and listening ears, celebrating past and present, consecrating future years.

 

3.  God of music, psalms and anthems, help us sing your faith anew: melodies expanding worship, harmonies enriching too.  May our lives be hymns in action, tuned to Christ in note and rhyme, celebrating past and present, consecrating future time.

 

4.  God of days and years and eons, still you call as in the past.  Work undone demands our labour; justice yearns for peace at last.  Yours the vision and the challenge; ours the mission and the praise, celebrating past and present, consecrating future days.

 

BENEDICTION  -  Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett 

 

SENDING FORTH:  “May the God of Hope”   (VU #424)

May the God of hope go with us every day,

Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.

May the God of justice speed us on our way,

Bringing light and hope to every land and race.

    

Refrain:

Praying, let us work for peace,

Singing, share our joy with all,

Working, for a world that’s new,

Faithful, when we hear Christ’s call.

 

May the God of healing free the earth from fear,

Freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.

May the God of love keep our commitment clear

To a world restored, to human life renewed.

 

ORGAN POSTLUDE

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday June 14th:

Rev. Ian Mackay & Rev. Tracy Kent Hillis

Lay Reader for Sunday June 14th:

Jane Mackay

 

 

CELEBRATIONS & FAREWELLS:  Today we celebrate 140 years as a church.  We also will be saying our farewells to the Bartlett’s.  Please stay following the church service today for our potluck fellowship, as we celebrate and say farewell.

 

THANK YOU:  A gracious thank you is extended to Noreen Peters who treated the choir with a lovely tea following their choir practice Thursday.  As well, thank you is extended to Jean Clair who provided the cake on behalf of the UCW for today,

 

PAUSE FOR THE PAST:  Please take the time today during fellowship to have a look through the pages of our books and pictures.  You might recognize some familiar faces, and relive some great memories.

 

BE A SOUP-ER HERO:  There will not be any food hampers delivered for the month of June.  Due to our closure in August, we are hoping to stock up on food items for the Foodbank during the months of June and July.  If you are able, please donate to help support those in need within our community.  Food items can be dropped off Sunday mornings at the back of the church sanctuary in the wagon.

 

FOODBANK NEEDS:  The Verona Satellite Foodbank will be open again this Thursday June 11th at the Verona Free Methodist Church and is asking for donations of the following:

·      Canned fruit

·      Tomato sauce

·      Pizza sauce

·      Canned mushrooms

·      Large Ziplock bags

·      Dish detergent

·      Vegetable oil

·      Pudding Cups

 

ECHO’S OF AN ERA POEM

 

One hundred and forty years of grace

Built strong upon this very place.

Through shifting tides and seasons bold,

A brilliant history to unfold.

 

From early roots and humble seeds,

To triumphs born of noble deeds.

You stood the test of changing time,

And made the uphill journey climb.

 

Decades passed, both dark and bright,

Yet still you shine your steady light.

Through every storm and every cheer,

You’ve grown more steadfast year by year.

 

So here’s to all that’s come to pass,

And bonds of strength that always last.

We celebrate the journey made,

And foundations that will never fade.

 

Here’s to the strength of yesteryear,

And the bright new chapters waiting near.

Congratulations on this grand degree –

Your magnificent 140 year legacy!