HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time: 10 a.m at Trinity, Verona

Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777

Minister: The Rev’d. Catherine Oxenford-Grant

613-246-7287

Email: cat.oxenfordgrant@gmail.com

Retired Voluntary Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay

Licensed Lay Worship Leader: Sheila Anthony

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe

Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org

e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org

The Mission of Trinity United Church is to be

the ears, eyes, feet, hands and heart of Christ in the

Harrowsmith-Verona area and in the world.

May 12, 2019

Easter 4: Christian Family Sunday

Lay Reader: Ralph McInnes

Prelude:

Welcome and Announcements:

We Come to Worship

Introit:

Lighting the Christ Candle: (Responsively)

One: We are children of the Covenant, the promise of God’s unending love. We acknowledge God’s Holy Spirit in our midst.

All: Amen!

Call to Worship: (Responsively)

One: We come to worship

All: We are family in God’s love.

One: We are called to be the Church

All: the family of the Risen Christ in every age.

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

All: Mother-Father God, Brother Jesus and Sister Spirit – We gather this morning in the brilliance of a new day. We gather to sing, to pray, to hear. We gather to visit, to plan, to be inspired. Come, sit with us, join us. We are family. And Holy God, who loves us more closely than any other, love us into

wholeness. When the choices we make in life harm ourselves or others, hold up a mirror of truth that we may reflect. Trusting in your tender, sustaining love, we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance:

One: God’s forgiveness is a beloved parent’s welcome-home hug, or a favourite meal prepared that we might be fed with love. These are our places of belonging and becoming.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen!

*Opening Hymn: VU #395 “Come In and Sit Down” Vss. 1, 2 & 4

We Give Back

Food Bank Collection:

The Offering:

*OFFERTORY HYMN: VU # 542 “We Give You But Your Own”

We give you but your own, what-e’er the gift may be; all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.

Prayer: God, we bring our gifts to you. Here is the work of our hands and the love of our hearts. Accept these gifts and use them, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Something to Ponder: What does family mean to you?

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Song VU # 340 “Jesus, Friend of Little Children” Vs. 1 (sing twice)

We Listen

Minute for Mission:

Community Bridge

Millie lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Today she is thankful to have a home, health, and one year of sobriety. Two years ago, Millie was facing eviction and homelessness. Without Bissell Centre’s hot meals, Millie would have gone hungry, and without help from their caring staff, she would have ended up back on the streets.

Millie has battled addiction, violence, and poverty all her life. She grew up in a turbulent, sometimes violent household. After watching and experiencing the cycle of substance abuse in her family, she vowed to never drink, but things didn’t go the way she planned.

At 24, Millie fell in love, got married, and had two children. After a few years together, her husband’s behaviour became all too familiar. He had an alcohol addiction and was becoming increasingly violent. Millie started coping by drinking as well. Soon, she was forced to pack up her kids and move into her car until she could get into a shelter.

Life as a single parent was never easy, but Millie was determined to give her kids a good life. Millie and her kids have had many successes together, but sadly, the pain of Millie’s childhood and married years was always there in the background. Two years ago her rent was raised unexpectedly. Needless to say, she was struggling to put food on the table.

Bissell Centre’s Community Bridge program helped Millie with rent and utilities in time of emergency. “I was so incredibly relieved to get help and not be struggling by myself anymore. Now I have a safe home to go to every night, and for that I’m so grateful,” says Millie.

Bissell Centre is one of the many community ministries across Canada that is supported by Mission & Service.

If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.

Scripture Readings:

*Psalm 23 VU # 747

New Testament: Revelation 7: 9-17 (The saints of God will never hunger or thirst again)

Following the reading:

Reader: This is the witness of the church.

All: Thanks be to God.

Gospel: John: 10: 22-30 (My sheep know my voice)

Following the Gospel:

Reader: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

All: Praise to Christ, the Word.

Ministry of Music:

Message: “Blessed are Those Who Struggle”

We Pray

Hymn: VU # 411 “O God We Call” (please stay seated – Sing once)

Prayers of the People:

We are Sent Forth

*Closing Hymn: VU # 710 “Shall We Gather at the River”

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Go Now in Peace” – Besig/Price

Go now in peace. Never be afraid.

God will go with you each hour of every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.

Know God will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love, and show you believe.

Reach out to others so all the world can see.

God will be there watching us in love.

Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.

POSTLUDE:

(Note: “*” You are invited to stand)

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for May 19th:

Catherine Oxenford-Grant

Weekday Services: Tuesdays from 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. All are welcome. For more info please contact the office 613-374-2777

Sunday Sermons On-Line: Our sermons are now available online at “www.h-vpastoralcharge.org”. We also have CDs please contact Don Coleman at 613-483-2450 if you would like one.

Minutes: Just a reminder that the minutes from the Session and Stewart meeting will be available for you to view. They will be posted at the back of the church.

Christmas in June: The campaign will begin on May 19^th with stickies at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you so much for helping with this important outreach.

Celebration of Life: There will be a celebration of life for Marjorie Addison here in the upper hall on Sunday May 26^th from 1-4pm. If wishing to give a donation, the family has requested donations for the South Frontenac Community Services.