BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
May 29, 2022 – 10 am
7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Theme: “The Way of Being”
The audio recording of the live service should be available by phone Monday afternoon at 613- 820-8104
Gathering Music
Welcome & Centering for Worship
Rev. Kim Vidal
Lighting of Christ Candle
Acolytes: Susan & George Young
(Bob Root, Gathering, L/E 2022, Year C. Used with permission)
Each new day reminds us of the light that dwells within us-
the light God has placed deep within our hearts.
We light the Christ candle,
remembering that we are made of light and love,
remembering that we are called to bring light and love
to others and the world.
Sung Response: “Halle, Halle, Halle” – Voices United #958
Halle, halle, halle - lujah! (3x) Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Words: trad, liturgical text; Music: anon., arr. © The Iona Community, 1980
Call to Gather (Responsively)
Rev. Lorrie Lowes
(Peter Chynoweth, Gathering, L/E 2022, Year C. Used with permission)
In this space and time, we form community:
like singing in unison with the strength of common word and action,
and like singing in harmony with the depth and richness
of different notes and themes.
Bells Corners United Church is about community:
and we ascribe to that tradition with the joys
and struggles that come about in relationship.
We live in community:
community with Great Spirit God
and community with each other as people of the Spirit.
Let us worship together with God and with each other
in our hearts and on our minds,
in the building up of the community we are called to be,
just as Jesus prayed we would be.
Opening Prayer (In Unison)
(Richard Bott, Gathering, L/E 2022, Year C. Used with Permission)
God of love, thank you for calling us into relationship with one another and with you.
Thank you for the joys and the responsibilities that grow out of who we are.
When we get confused, lost or frustrated, help us to experience your voice,
guiding us to places of life. In the name of the Risen Christ, may it be so.
Hymn: We Are One - Voices United #402
1- We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
in the praise on our lips there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek we are found,
and we come needful of God’s grace as we meet together in this place.
2- We are one as we share, as we share brokenness and fear,
in the touch of a hand there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed,
and we share warmth in God’s embrace as we pray together in this place.
3- We are one as we feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign,
in the bread and the wine, there’s a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feed, we are fed,
and we feel God’s refreshing grace as we meet at table in this place.
4- We are one as we hear, as we hear heart and hand unite,
in the word we receive there’s a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
and we seek justice in God’s ways as we move together from this place.
Words © 1988 Doreen Lankshear-Smith, Music © 1987 Jeeva Sam, arr. © 1995 David Kai
Song #59e0e28addd02 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Welcoming New Members
Rev. Dr. George & Marilyn James
Special Music: Let Us Put on the Clothes of Christ
CGS/Bell Canto with Erin Berard
Refrain:
Let us put on the clothes of Christ
and live as equals with everyone.
Let us put on the clothes of Christ
and reunite the family of God.
1. Everyone will live side by side
…with the garments of justice on.
And every door will be open wide
…in that sweet and delightful dawn.
Hate and fear shall not come between.
…Oh, let us unite in love!
We’ll celebrate our diversity
…as we welcome the reign of God. Ref
2. All the captives will be set free, with …
Discrimination will cease to be, in that ….
To the poor we will bring good news. Oh let us …
Our faith will travel beyond the pews, as we …
(skipping vs. 3)
4. Let us rise up completely new, with…
Living fully in Christ, we’ll bloom, in that…
Like the threads of a tapestry, Oh let us,...
And weave a joyful community, as we…
Words and music © 1990 Bret Hesla. Admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Song # 24627 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Storytime
Rev. Lorrie
Gathering Music: O A Song Must Rise - More Voices #142
Refrain
Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend
Oh a song must rise once again (again)
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
the faithful voices blend,
Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend.
1. From the mountains to the valleys,
from the desert to the sea,
a song must rise once again.
From the voices of our leaders,
the voice of you and me,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. R
2. From poverty and riches,
from the voice of young and old,
a song must rise once again. (again)
From the free and the imprisoned,
the timid and the bold,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. R
3. From ev’ry house of worship,
in ev’ry faith and tongue,
a song must rise once again.
From the villages and cities
a new song must be sung,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. R
Words & Music © 1995 Paul Svenson, Arr © 2006 Bryn Nixon dadsongbook.com
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Prayer for Illumination (In Unison)
Reader: Will Wightman
God within us, may these words move, challenge, inspire and deepen our understanding of who you are: Source of Life, Living Word, and Bond of Love. May we listen with an open mind and a heart ready to be transformed. Amen.
The Gospel Reading: John 17: 20-26 (The Message)
20-23 I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence
that you’ve sent me and loved them in the same way you’ve loved me.
24-26 Father, I want those you gave me to be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know that you sent me on this mission.
I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me might be in them exactly as I am in them.
May the love of Jesus Christ dwell where the Word is spoken. Thanks be to God!
Ministry of Music: Many Gifts, One Spirit – Allen Pote
BCUC Choir
Sermon: “Being One Heart and Mind”
Rev. Kim
Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Kim
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.
Invitation to Offer
Rev. Lorrie
God has blessed our lives with relationships—joy inspiring and challenging. In response to God’s blessings in our lives, let us joyfully share our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mail box by the kitchen door of the church. You may also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.
Offertory Prayer (In Unison)
(Wanda Burse, Gathering, L/E 2022, Year C. Used with permission)
Eternal One, we offer our gifts, reaching out from the familiarity of our community to the unknown aspects of life and living. May the Spirit encourage our sharing and our serving. Bless these gifts, O God, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: More Voices #131 You Creator God Have Searched Me
1 - You, Creator God, have searched me and you know my ways.
You perfectly understand me. It’s my cause of praise.
I cannot escape your presence in air, land or sea.
Your arms of love and protection are always with me.
Refrain
You know me, O God, you have made me.
I am proud I’m the work of your hand.
In my waking and sleeping moments,
with my being I will praise your name.
2 - You created light and darkness and you love them both.
You blessed the womb of my mother, you brought me to birth.
In your image and your likeness wonderfully made.
I will lift my voice to praise you, you are God indeed.
Words & Music © George Mulrain General Board of Global Ministries arr More Voices 2007
Song # 88734, Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Sending Forth
Rev. Kim
(Gill LeFevre, Gathering, L/E 2022, Year C. Used with permission)
Go forward this day:
ready to find God in the world,
in small and surprising places;
willing to see God at work,
in intriguing and unexpected ways;
We are ready and eager to serve God in the world,
where we are, as we are;
and attentive to those God calls us to love.
Go in God’s love, Christ’s light and the Holy Spirit’s peace. Amen.
Departing Music: Without a Vision – Snowdon
BCUC Choir
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.