Call To Worship

  One: Let us come away from our regular routines and come once more to a time of renewal                                               



All: We come to know God once more, to have our hearts stilled.                                                                   

One: God is our rock and our fortress, leading and guiding us day by day.

All: We are chosen and precious, God’s own people we rejoice in God’s steadfast love.     

Prayer of Approach



 Lord Jesus, on Easter you defeated death, you rose from the dead, you sallied forth from the tomb and gave death-dealing evil the slip. Then, in an act of extravagant love, you came back to us. You forgave us, embraced us, taught us, reassured us, gave us peace. Lord, keep coming back to us. Keep coming back for us. Do not leave us until you have bestowed upon us abundant life. Bring us home. Amen 

 Today’s Gospel is a very familiar scripture. Very much like last week and Very popular for funerals almost must right up there with the 23rd Psalm. We hear it but do we “hear” it. 

When you been waiting for over 2000 years for Christ to come again and been hearing the scriptures for almost as long well… well you can get somewhat routine. Like driving the same road every day to work, it becomes routine you don’t see what is there because you don’t look to see what is there like potholes. 

Our faith, our Christianity can become this way. The road well travelled. 

   This is a time to explore our faith and to open ourselves to where God in the Spirit shall lead us. 

When asked, “what the greatest enemy of Christianity was?”, Gandhi replied, "Christians." We lose our way. To this Jesus responds, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (v. 6a). This is one of the many "I am"  sayings of this Gospel  "I am" being God's name.

 We are reminded to see beyond what is there to believe without seeing. 

 Michelangelo says the beautiful sculptures he created were already there, inside the stones. He simply removed the excess to reveal the precious essence. The human being is a mirror of God. We need to see the beauty in ourselves. Embrace our gifts and share them freely.

 Sometimes this is hard to do. Sometimes I think we just get to busy to stop and think of who we are.   I had a moment when I was reading something and thought wow you know how to read, you know a lot of words and some of them you can even spell. Think of all the things you can do.  It is amazing.   This is the beauty of God. This is a reminder that the Divine energy is with in each of us.  That same Divine energy that created in the beginning.   When we center ourselves we are able to come to see that mirror of God in which we are a reflection. 

It’s spring, it’s new life, it’s the time of the greening. Take time to hold this moment and see the Divine in all things. To be in this moment. Wisdom teaches us that  Patience is the art of finding peace in the process of becoming who you are.  

 We have been shown the way (remember not the answer) a truth to live by and a promise of eternal life. But not just eternal life a life now to be embraced and lived. To embrace the love of God, to live the love of God. To allow the spirit to help us see the sculpture in the stone waiting to be released. To see the divine with in us and to see ours as a reflection of God. 

We are called to be the church. To celebrate God’s presence.   This Sunday we are worshiping at Lynden United Church being with them as they celebrate their anniversary

Anniversaies are yes a time to reflect on who we have been. To sit over lunch and talk about how it was and to remember the saints that help build this place.  Anniversaies are also times to see that all things change and we are called to take those first steps of what can be.   

  I have been reminded that we are to seek to understand what it is to be a spiritual presence 

 Yes the world is changing.  . But rather than lamenting the changing world, the shift from Religion to Spirituality we are called open ourselves to that Holy Spirit and experience the presence of God in so many wonderful and varied ways in this time. 

 We have just honoured Mayday.  May the 1^st is Mayday a day that has it’s roots in ancient cultures.  It is considered to be the mid point between the Spring Equinix and Summer Solstice. The Romans celebrated the feast of Floralia to honour the Goddess Flora the Goddess of Flowers.  The Celts celebrated the feast of Beltane the fire festival marking the return of fertility to earth.     Today it is known as International Workers Day. 

It is the time of the greening, of new beginnings of new journey, may the fire of the Holy Spirit light our way as we move forward.  The Spirit will show us the way, Christ will be our strength and God shall remind us that we are not alone.  Thanks be to God Amen. 

Prayers of the people 

Hear our prayer we humbly offer

Grant to us your peace O God

Hear our prayer we humbly offer

Grant to us your peace O God. 

God with us in this time we thank you for your presence in our lives. It is easy for us to see the  rush of life, the to do list.     We ask that your Spirit may calm our minds to see that we have been gifted with time to slow our lives down to appreciate the gifts we have. May we continue to use the time you give us as a  time to reflect and deepen our relationship with you. That we may see how we can be your people and church in an ever changing world. 

We pray for all those that are sick this day. We pray for all those that morn.    We pray for all those that are greatly burdened with worry and concern about what the future may hold.  We pray for those that need the presence of the Spirit. We pray for those who we name who we are called to walk with. 

 In that presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives we offer you our own prayers and the prayers for those whom are a part of our journey.  We know that in your time and your way they shall be answered.  We bind ourselves to each other in the prayer which our Saviour gave us. Saying.

Offering

 In gratitude and humble trust

We bring our best today

To serve your cause and share your love

With all along life’s way

O God, who gave yourself to us

In Jesus Christ, your Son,

Teach us to give ourselves each day

Until life’s work is done.

Prayer We have tasted your kindness, O God, and want to share it with others. We have witnessed your saving grace in Jesus Christ, and give thanks for all your care. We have heard the call to even a greater works,  and here dedicate our offerings and ourselves to that end. Amen

After some prayerful thought we have decided to combine Art for the Soul and Tech Tuesday for seniors on the same day.   Starting at 1pm on April 18th



Prepare ye the way to Sing

We are planning a Spring Concert for Sunday, April 30, at 7 PM.

There will be a variety of musical spots including the choir presenting selections from Godspell.

Anyone interested can join us for practices at Freelton Strabane Wednesday afternoons, starting at 1:30 PM.

Studies and Studies is pleased to present on May 7 2023 at 2pm at Freelton Strabane United Church 1565 Brock Road Strabane.   (how to register at bottom)

SoulCollage®    Rise Up!

with

The Rev.Allison Playfair

Spring is here – finally! All around us there is new birth and rebirth in creation. If you are like me, you may be rediscovering where those bulbs were planted (or moved by squirrels) in your garden. After sleeping underground over winter, our friends, the perennials emerge. Birds return and begin building nests. Everywhere are signs of new life rising up. So too, in our lives, there may be parts of our inner life ready to rise up.

In our time together, we will open ourselves to the spirit within. Using meditative reflection, poetry and creation of a SoulCollage® card, we will explore and give expression to an aspect of ourselves that may be ready to Rise Up in our lives. 

What is SoulCollage®?

SoulCollage® is an expressive arts practice done individually or in community. Founded by Seena B. Frost, the method develops creativity and intuition, encourages self-discovery, and provides personal guidance.
SoulCollage® meets you wherever you are on this journey called life. You don’t have to be an artist to make SoulCollage® cards. Anyone can create and enjoy this powerful practice. In this practice, we cut out images that speak to us and create a collage that will give expression to an aspect of your inner life and bring inner wisdom and discovery to the surface.

Cost: $10. To cover the cost of materials. Allison is donating her time and expertise 

What we will provide

We will provide a blank card, a frame, glue stick and many illustrations and images to choose the pieces to create your own card as well as light refreshments. 

What you need to bring

A pair of sharp scissors and/or a fine point exacto knife, a journal (any kind will do) and a pen/pencil for writing.

Who is the facilitator?

Allison Playfair is a United Church Minister who is a certified SoulCollage®   facilitator, Labyrinth facilitator and experienced workshop leader who is open to the Spirit. She worked as a server and bartender in the first half of her working life and brings all her life experience, compassion and sense of humour to her leadership. Allison is on a journey of reclamation and creative restoration of her body, mind and Spirit. In her workshops, she holds inclusive and affirming space for safe and creative exploration. 

To Register please call the Manse at 905 659 3380 Payment can be made through E Transfer, or cash the day of.