As you make your way through today’s worship service, instructions and suggestions will be included in italics. Get a cup of coffee and settle in for this time of worship with your community.

Foyer Conversation

Song of Worship – “Untitled Hymn”

Untitled Hymn
Oh Father, be honoured here
Oh Father, be honoured here
Oh Father, be honoured here
Oh, our God, oh, our God
Be honoured

Oh Jesus, be the center here
Oh Jesus, be the center here
Oh Jesus, be the center here
Oh, our God, oh, our God
Be the center

Oh Spirit, move in us we pray
Oh Spirit, move in us we pray
Oh Spirit, move in us we pray
Oh, our God, oh, our God
Move in us

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Oh, our God, oh, our
God Be praised

Greet One Another

Take a couple minutes to reach out to those in your faith community with a call, a text, an email. Remember those who might be feeling alone and extend the peace of Christ to them.

Opening Prayer

O God, you are our only true refuge, our steadfast shelter. We seek you and need you and yearn for you. Even when we run from you; even when we wander long and far from your heart and squander our blessings and talents; even then you continue to call us home. We want to come home to you, O God, and to each other. Show us the way; be the path; return us to the calm and peace of resting in your love. Amen.

Responsive Reading – Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

If you are meeting with others, have one person lead by reading the plain print while the others respond with the words in bold print.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.

Songs of Worship – “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils his lovely face I rest on his unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way he then is all my hope and stay
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

There is no other, no one I know
No other rock to stand upon

When he shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in him be found
Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace

Silence and Prayer

Pause – give a minute to sit in silence and stillness. Take a deep breath, in and out.

Take a few minute to replay the unfolding of your week before your minds eye. As you recall your week, pay close attention to the kinds of strong emotions that occured, and to any thoughts that you spent a lot of time dwelling on. Bring those thoughts and feelings before God, and tell him about them.

Try to distill a prayer for yourself this week down to a simple sentence – 3-10 words – and bring that simple prayer to God.

Now, replay your week in front of your mind’s eye a second time. As you recall your week this time, pay close attention to other people who catch your attention in the replay. Remeber their names and faces, and hold those people, one at a time, before God. Pray for them using simple, short prayers.

Now pause again, taking another minute for silence and stillness. Take a deep breath, in and out. And when you’ve finished, pray as Jesus taught his followers to pray:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Amen.

Offering

Giving is part of worship and part of our lives as disciples. Clicking the buttons below will show you some info on how you can give to your church now.

Prayer for Offering

Loving God, may our sense of belonging within a community of faith nurture the longing to be your faithful servants. Teach us to build a partnership with your Spirit that advances the ways of generosity and grace. Accept our giving and receive our gifts. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lectio Divina – Matthew 14:22-33

During this time of scripture reflection and sacred listening, we invite you to sit back, maybe jot some notes, or just look at the artwork image as your prayerfully consider.

Kids: raid the recycling bin or your craft supplies for a piece of paper. Your task is to make the best paper boat you can make! You will have about 30 minutes (a little longer than your favourite tv or Netflix show), so make it elaborate, decorate it, or even try making a few varieties while you listen to the Bible story.

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

After you have finished the guided time of sacred reading and reflection, take some time to journal a few thoughts, or, if you are meeting with others, to share with one another what God might have been illuminating for you.

Announcements and Benediction

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

Doxology

Whether you are alone or with a few others, sing the doxology aloud to conclude your time of worship.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen