Blessed is our Father, Lord of heaven and earth, who has revealed these things to the simple.

God's People Gather …

Acknowledgment of Land

Call to Worship:

Leader: The night has now passed and the day lies open before us.
People: Let us greet the beginning of a new week in Christ and acknowledge, with thanksgiving, the circle of life.

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in the Creator who imagined this world
And then made it with all its earthy glory
Who made us in God's image
With the same gift of imagination
Made us to CREATE
To look after the earth and develop its resources

We believe in Jesus the Son of God
Who most perfectly embodied that God like image
He was able to see what God was doing and join in
Participating in the outflow of God's love for the world
Who call us to PARTICIPATE
In the same love for the world

We believe in the Spirit of Life
Who animates us with the breath of God
Who assures us that we are God's children
Who calls us to RISK
To offer up the gifts we have been given

We believe that one day God will make all things new
While we wait we will ENGAGE
In our communities, our neighbourhoods and our workplaces
Bringing foretastes of that new creation now
Sharing the good news of God's wonderful Kingdom.
Amen

Hymn: VU 409 Morning Has Broken

Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!

Words: Eleanor Farjean; Music: Gaelic melody; harm. Alec Wyton. Words © 1957 Eleanor Farjean by permission of David Higham Associates. Music: Public Domain. Harmony from The Hymnal 1982 © The Church Pension Fund Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Renewal:

Gardener God
Forgive us for the times we have kept our seeds in the packet
For the times we've been too scared to risk, too selfish to love, too embarrassed to try
Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for where we have let weeds grow in the soil of our lives
For the times we have forgotten to pray,
for the days when we don't bother to listen,
for the moments when we neglect the stirring of your spirit
Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for when we have trampled on the seedlings of others
Through careless words or outright criticism,
through envy or feeling threatened,
through being insensitive or wrapped up in ourselves
Gardener God, have mercy on us

Forgive us for when we think it's all down to us
When we forget that to grow we need the earth of our community,
The water of other people's contribution,
The sunshine of your favour,
The nutrients that come through conversation and challenge
Gardener God, have mercy on us. Amen

Words of Assurance
Instead of the burden of guilt, God offers the gift of grace. We are not called Forsaken; we are called Forgiven. Let us live as forgiven, grace-filled children of God. Thanks be to God

Children's Prayer Time
Song: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
1. He's got the whole world in his hands…
2. He's got all of our islands…
3. He's got everybody here…

To Hear God's Word

1st Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-13
The Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19,25-30

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: “Rest in the Son”

To Respond in Prayer and Action…

Offertory Hymn: VU 626 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down and drink and live.
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
I am this dark world's light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your days be bright.
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I'll walk
till travelling days are done.

Words: Horatius Bonar, 1846 Music: English/Irish traditional melody, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906. Words and music: Public Domain. Arrangement: Used by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The Doxology: VU 541 “We give you but your own…”

Offertory Prayer
God of reconciliation and forgiveness, the saving work of Christ has made our peace with you. May that work grow toward its perfection in all we offer you this day. We ask this in his name. Amen

Prayers of the People
In our Shared Ministry Church Cycles of prayer, we pray for…
The church / The authorities
The World / The Local Community
Those in need / The departed and those who grieve

We pray for all those throughout the world
who have gathered in your name,
that they may be blessed.
We pray for all those who hunger for food,
both for the body and the soul,
that they may be filled.
We pray for all those who are oppressed,
depressed, and who live in fear,
that they may be comforted.
We pray for our families, friends,
and neighbours, that they may see
your life of resurrection in us.
For this we pray in the name of
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen

Collect
God of heaven and earth, receive our sacrifice of praise, and strengthen us for the perfect freedom of your service, through our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen

The Lord's Prayer

Closing Hymn: VU 964 Go Now in Peace
Go now in peace,
Go now in peace,
May the love of God surround you,
Everywhere, everywhere,
You may go.

Words and music: Natalie Sleeth, 1976 Words and music copyright © Hinshaw Music. Inc All rights reserved.

Benediction

Threefold Amen

Announcements:

Reprinted and video recording with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359. All rights reserved.

• Bible Study- 5pm every Tuesday via Zoom (contact Rev. Alastair if you’d like to join)
• We are opening July 12, 2020 for limited in-person worship. If you have questions please contact Rev. Alastair or Judy Fyles (contact info on our website www.stcolumbaporthardy.ca/)