This Sunday will be our second face-to-face gathering since the COVID shutdown began on March. We realise that not everyone will be present in person, perhaps because of continued uncertainty or discomfort, perhaps because of lack of space under the new protocols. Please be assured that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. So we will continue to post recordings of the services (which will be similar, at least in content, to the in-person services) on this website, and as a Live Stream at 10:30 AM on Sunday. It will also be available for viewing by clicking on one of the following links.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCemcPqOz1o7pgvEO3fIAU0Q
New Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvIswxgFQh20DSxnianISvA
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/stdavidsleduc/

Please note that we are moving the YouTube channel from my personal account to the new “St. David’s United Church Leduc-Beaumont” account, so you will need to re-subscribe. For the month of August, we will post to both accounts. This is in preparation for my departure at the end of this month.

You can also access these pages from our website by clicking on either the “F” for Face Book or the “Play Button” icon for YouTube.

Thanks to Janice for recording the readings; and to Colin, Robin, Ron, Jasmin, Jim and the Baerends family for the music.

This will also be my last service with St. David’s United, as I move into my third retirement! The Rev. Leigh Sinclair is set to begin her ministry among you in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for this opportunity to walk with you during this time of transition. When I started 8 months ago, no-one could have foreseen the impact of the public health emergency. We certainly have had some “interesting times”! But I am glad I was able to be here.

Blessings and prayers.

Stuart

Order of Worship

All copyrighted material used with permission under One License No. A722095

PRELUDE: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Played by the Baerends Family

RELIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE (Matthew 16:24)

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow me.”

GATHERING (from Celebrate God’s Presence)

God, you touch our lives with mystery and hope. We come to this place today, ready to see your power working through us. Help us to be open to your Word, and to answer your call among us. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

HYMN: “Hallelujah, Hallelujah”
(Donald Fishel, 1971; No. 179 Voices United; One License)

Refrain
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.
Refrain

Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and is risen.
Refrain

We have been crucified with Christ; now we shall live for ever.
Refrain

Come let us praise the living God, joyfully sing to our Saviour.
Refrain

SCRIPTURE READINGS

What “burning bushes” have you experienced,– When and where have you experienced God’s call? How have other people’s stories of following God’s way encouraged and strengthened you?

  • Exodus 3:1-15 (The Burning Bush)
  • Matthew 16:21-28 (Jesus predicts his death)

ASCRIPTION

One: In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith. This is a faithful witness of our ancestors,– Word of God for us today.
All: Thanks be to God.

HYMN: “When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land”
(Spiritual, No. 143 Hymn Book; Public Domain)

When Israel was in Egypt’s land; Let my people go;
Oppressed so hard they could not stand; Let my people go;
Refrain
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let my people go.

We need not always weep and mourn; Let my people go;
And wear these slavery chains forlorn. Let my people go.
Refrain

Oh, let us all from bondage flee; Let my people go;
And let us all in Christ be free. Let my people go.
Refrain

SERMON: “Yeah, but...”

HYMN: “From the Slave Pens of the Delta”
(Herbert O’Driscoll, 1971; No. 690 VU; One License)

“From the slave pens of the delta, from the ghettoes on the Nile,
Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile”:
So God spoke from out of Sinai, so God spoke and it was done,
And a people crossed the waters toward the rising of the sun.

“From the aging shrines and structures, from the cloister and the aisle,
Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile”:
So the Son of God has spoken, and the storm clouds are unfurled,
For his people must be scattered to be servants in the world.

When we murmur on the mountains for the old Egyptian plains,
When we miss our ancient bondage, and the hope, the promise, wanes,
Then the rock shall yield its water and the manna fall by night,
And with visions of a future shall we march toward the light.

In the maelstrom of the nations, in the journey into space,
In the clash of generations, in the hungering for grace,
In our agony and glory, we are called to newer ways
By the God of our tomorrows who is God of earth’s todays.

THE OFFERING

  • Information on how to support the ongoing mission and ministry of St. David’s United Church is available on our website and in the weekly e-News.
  • Thank you for your ongoing support!

DEDICATION: “What Can I Do?”
(Paul Rumbolt and Michelle McCarthy, No. 191 MV; One License)

What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.
(Repeat)

DEDICATION PRAYER

MEMORIES…

PASTORAL PRAYERS

  • Pray for the Life, Work and Mission of the Church
  • Give thanks for examples of new life...
  • Pray for places and people who are in need of new life...

PRAYER OF JESUS, sung
(English Language Liturgical Consultation; No. 959 VU)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.

HYMN: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
(William Williams, 1745; Peter Williams & William Williams, 1771, No. 651 VU; Public Domain)

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty, hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield, be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to thee, I will ever give to thee.

COMMISSION & BLESSING

POSTLUDE: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

All copyrighted material used with permission under One License No. A722095

 

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