The 2023 Church Year started on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
For this, and other arcane information click here
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Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 28, 2023
May 28 Service of Worship
May 28 Announcements
Opening Hymn “On Pentecost They gathered”
On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,
a band of Christ’s disciples, to worship, sing, and pray.
A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,
and tongues of fire a-glowing inspired each person there.
The people all around them were startled and amazed
to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised.
What universal message, what great good news was here?
That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our fear.
God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,
on women, men, and children who would God’s grace receive.
That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.
The church, formed and reforming, responds in every hour.
Scripture Reading:
Christian Scripture Acts 2:1-21 — The Holy Spirit comes over the crowd and although they are speaking many different languages, they are all able to understand each other.
Hymn “Spirit of the Living God”
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me,
Mold me, fill me,
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Reflection:
Closing Hymn: “Ode to Joy”
1 Joyful, joyful, we adore you,
God of glory, life and love;
hearts unfold like flowers before you,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive our fear and doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
2 All your works with joy surround you,
earth and heaven reflect your rays,
stars and angels sing around you,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
sound their praise eternally.
3 You are giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Source of grace and fount of blessing,
let your light upon us shine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
4 Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life.
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-fold Amen
Postlude
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The Ascension of Jesus
Sunday May 21, 2023
May 21 Service of Worship
May 21 Announcements
Opening Hymn “The Head That Once Was Crowned”
1 The head that once was crowned with thorns
is crowned with glory now;
a royal diadem adorns
the mighty victor’s brow.
2 The joy of all who dwell above,
the joy of all below
to whom he manifests his love
and grants his name to know.
Scripture Readings:
John 17:1-11 Jesus Prays for His Disciples
Acts 1:6-14 The Ascension of Jesus
Hymn “Rejoice the Lord is King”
1.Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your risen Lord adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
2. Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our sins,
he took his seat above.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rev. Brenda Miller: Reflection
Closing Hymn “Lead On, O Cloud of Presence”
1.Lead on, O Cloud of Presence; the exodus is come.
In wilderness and desert our tribe shall make its home.
Our slavery left behind us, new hopes within us grow.
We seek the land of promise where milk and honey flow.
2.Lead on, O fiery Pillar, we follow yet with fears,
but we shall come rejoicing, though joy be born of tears.
We are not lost, though wandering, for by your light we come,
and we are still God’s. The journey is our home.
3.Lead on, O God of freedom, and guide us on our way,
and help us trust the promise through struggle and delay.
We pray our sons and daughters may journey to that land
where justice dwells with mercy, and love is law’s demand
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-Fold Amen
Postlude
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Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday May 14, 2023
May 14 Service of Worship
May 14 Announcements
Opening Hymn “Come, Let Us Sing”
Come let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true;
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Jesus, the Saviour, this gospel to tell,
joyfully came;
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
sharing their sorrow and shame;
seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home! weary wanderer, home!
Wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love,
come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee.
Christian Scripture John 14:15-21
Christian Scripture Acts 17:28-31
Hymn “How Great the Mystery of Faith”
How great the mystery of faith,
how deep the purposes of God,
in birth and aging, life and death,
unveiled, yet never understood!
Attracted by life’s deepest claim
we wait, assembled in this place,
with needs and hopes we cannot name,
a thirst for healing, truth and grace.
The best that we can do and say,
the utmost care of skill and art,
are sweepers of the Spirit’s way
to reach the depths of every heart.
Come, walk among us, Holy Friend,
as all are gathered and prepared,
that scattered lives may meet and mend
through open Word and table shared.
Rev. Brenda Miller: Reflection
Closing Hymn “This is God’s Wondrous World”
This is God’s wondrous world, and to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is God’s wondrous world, I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
God’s hand the wonders wrought.
This is God’s wondrous world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is God’s wondrous world. God shines in all that’s fair,
In the rustling grass or mountain pass,
God’s voice speaks everywhere.
This is God’s wondrous world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong. God is the ruler yet.
This is God’s wondrous world: why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, O let the heavens ring!
God reigns, let earth be glad.
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-fold Amen
Postlude
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Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday May 7, 2023
May 7 Service of Worship
May 7 Announcements
Opening Hymn “Like a Rock”
Christian Scripture John 14:1-7
Christian Scripture Acts 7:55-60
Hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory”
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
now fulfil your church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn your Christ, assail your ways;
fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days.
3 Cure your children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton selfish gladness,
rich in goods and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
4 Set our feet on lofty places;
gird our lives that they may be
armoured with all Christ-like graces,
pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not them nor thee.
REFLECTION
Communion Hymn “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one,
at the table he set the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express. R:
Jesus calls us in, sends us out,
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere! R:
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Closing Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation”
1 The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, our Lord; we are a new creation by water and the Word. From heav’n he came and taught us what perfect love can be; through life and death he sought us, and rose to set us free.
2 The church in ev’ry nation is one through all the earth; our charter of salvation, one God, one faith, one birth; one name together blessing, one holy food we share, to one hope ever pressing, at one in work and prayer.
3 Still, schisms, tribulation, and hatred fuel our war; we wait the consummation of peace forevermore. The saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
4 Yet we on earth have union with God, the Three in One, and mystic, sweet communion with those whose rest is won. Oh, happy ones and holy! God, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, may live eternally.
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-fold Amen
Postlude
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday April 30, 2023
April 30 Service of Worship
April 30 Announcements
Opening Hymn “Are You a Shepherd”
Christian Scripture
Acts 2:42-47 More and more people follow the teachings of the Apostles.
John 10:1-10 Jesus is the gate to the sheepfold of salvation.
Hymn “Bless Now, O God, the Journey”
REFLECTION
Closing Hymn “All the Way My Saviour Leads Me”
1. All the way my Saviour leads me; what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy who through live has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell,
for I know, what-e’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Saviour leads me, cheers each winding path I tread,
gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,
gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!
3. All the way my Saviour leads me; O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed, immortal, wings its flight to realms of day,
this my song through endless ages, “Jesus led me all the way!”
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-Fold Amen
Postlude
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Third Sunday Of Easter
Sunday April 23, 2023
April 23 Service of Worship
April 23 Announcements
Opening Hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Creator;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided–
great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain:
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
wondrous the portion thy blessings provide. Refrain:
Christian Scripture:
Luke 24:13-23, 28-31
Hymn “Just as I Am”
1. Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bid’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2. Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
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The next hymn is taken from the old Red hymn book that was intended to be for the joint United and Anglican churches. The hymn was not included in Voices United, I suppose because of the militaristic content. If you look at the original Battle Hymn of the Republic, you will see it’s even more militaristic, but much more dramatic and moving. It’s also interesting that the original says “let us die to make men free” , while most modern versions apparently say “let us live to make men free”.
Closing Hymn “Mine Eyes have Seen the Glory”
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on
Refrain:
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Glory, glory Hallelujah
His truth is marching on
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat
Oh, be swift, my soul to answer, be jubilant, my feet
Our God is marching on R
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free
While God is marching on R
He is coming like the glory of the morning of the wave
He is wisdom to the mighty, he is succour to the brave
So the world shall be his footstool, and the soul of time he slave
Our God is marching on! R
The Blessing
Three-Fold Amen
Postlude
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Second Sunday Of Easter
Sunday April 16, 2023
April 16 Service of Worship
April 16 Announcements
Opening Hymn “The Day of Resurrection”
1 The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God!
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ has brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
2 Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Christ in rays eternal
of resurrection light,
and, listening to the accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own “All hail!” and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
3 Now let the heavens be joyful,
let earth its song begin,
the round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein;
let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ indeed is risen,
our Joy that has no end.
Christian Scripture:
1 Peter 1:3-9 With the rising of Jesus from the dead we have a wonderful future to look forward to.
John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples in a closed room. He shows Thomas his wounds.
Hymn “Thomas Was a Doubter“
REFLECTION
Closing Hymn “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks”
Hallelujah, hallelujah. Give thanks to the risen Christ; hallelujah, hallelujah! Give praise to God’s name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth,
firstborn of all creation.
Chorus
Spread the good news o’re all the earth: Jesu has died and is risen.
Chorus
We have been crucified with Christ,
now we shall live forever.
Chorus
Come let us praise the living God,
joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Chorus
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-Fold Amen
Postlude
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Easter Sunday
Sunday April 9, 2023
April 9 Service of Worship
April 9 Announcements
Opening Hymn “Jesus Christ Has Risen Today”
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Hebrew Scripture:
Isaiah 65:17-25 Creation of a new heaven and a new earth
Christian Scripture:
Matthew 28:1-10 The Resurrection of Jesus
Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Rises”
Now the green blade rises, from the buried grain, wheat that in the dark earth
many days has lain; love lives again, that with the dead has been: love is come
again, like wheat arising green.
In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain, thinking that he never would
awake again, laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen: love is come again like
wheat arising green.
Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain, he that for three days in the grave had
lain; raised from the dead, the risen Lord is seen: love is come again like wheat
arising green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, your touch can call us back to life
again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been: love is come again like
wheat arising green.
REFLECTION
Closing Hymn: “Thine is the Glory”
Thine is the glory,
risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory
thou o’er death hast won
Angels in bright raiment
rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes
where Thy body lay.
Chorus
Thine is the glory, risen conquering Son;
endless is the victory thou o’re death hast
won.
Lo, Jesus meets us,
risen from the tomb!
Lovingly He greets us,
scatters fear and gloom;
let His church with gladness,
hymns of triumph sing,
for the Lord now liveth;
death hath lost its sting!
Chorus
No more we doubt Thee,
glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without Thee;
aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors,
through Thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan
to Thy home above.
Commissioning
The Blessing
Three-fold Amen
Postlude: “Love Divine” piano and organ
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Good Friday
Friday April 7, 2023
We will have a short service on Good Friday: April 7 Bulletin
First Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noontide heat, And the burden of the day.
Oh, safe and happy shelter! Oh, refuge tried and sweet! Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet.
Hymn: “The Old Rugged Cross”
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophies at last I lay down And I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary.
Chorus:
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see, For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me.
Chorus:
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true It’s shame and reproach gladly bear Then he’ll call me someday to my home far away Where his glory forever I’ll share
Chorus:
Hymn: “Were You There”
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Oh,
sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh,
sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they
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Palm Sunday
Sunday April 2, 2023
April 2 Service of Worship
April 2 Announcements
Palm Procession (to be held on the front patio)
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made; that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice,
and be glad in it, and be glad in it
This is the day that our God has made.,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that our God has made.
Open to us, open to us
your gates O God; your gates, O God;
we will go in, we will go in,
to your holy, to your holy place.
Open to us your gates, O God,
we will go into your holy place.
Open to us, open to us your gates, O God.
Opening Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honour:
All glory, laud, and honor To thee, Redeemer, King To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring
Thou art the King of Israel Thou David’s royal Son Who in the Lord’s name comest The King and Blessed One
The company of angels Are praising Thee on high And mortal men and all things Created make reply
The people of the Hebrews With palms before Thee went Our praise and love and anthems Before Thee we present
To Thee, before Thy passion They sang their hymns of praise To Thee, now high exalted Our melody we raise
Thou didst accept their praises Accept the love we bring Who in all good delightest Thou good and gracious King
Christian Scripture
Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Into Jerusalem
Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna:
Hosanna, loud hosanna
the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful
anthem rang;
to Jesus, who had blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed
‘mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving, and singing
clear and loud;
The Lord of earth and heaven
content that little children
should on his bidding wait.
‘Hosanna in the highest!’
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence eternally rejoice!
Reflection
Closing Hymn: “Ride On! Ride On In Majesty!”
1 Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry;
O Saviour meek, pursues thy road
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
2 Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, thy triumphs now begin
o’er captive death and conquered sin.
3 Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
The wingèd squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
4 Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
bow thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, thy power, and reign.