Let us Gather together for worship. 

  All shall be well! Rejoice sing out proclaim 

That Christ the son of righteousness shall reign 

Jesus Alive! Rejoice and sing again, 

All shall be well for evermore. Amen 

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim 

Till all the world adore his sacred name 

Call to Worship 

One: Let all the people join in praise to God, whose face shines on us in our darkness. 

All: God is gracious to us and blesses us let all the ends of the earth be in awe of God. .           

God loves us beyond measure. Let everyone be glad and sing for joy.                                   

All: God teaches us to live in peace let all the people rejoice and live their faith.               

Prayer of Approach

 Holy Spirit come to us, walk beside us, stand with us, and remind us of Gods Holy Presence.. Call to our minds the word and work of Jesus. Remind us of his teaching. Remind us to put his teaching not practice in our daily lives. By your presence, show to us that we do not walk alone that we are not left to our own devices when it comes to discipleship. Holy Spirit, breathe upon us empower us, remind us so that we might be the disciples that Jesus deserves.

 “Take your time Life's lessons aren’t learned in a day
As you grow Know your clearing the path way
Go easy on yourself You're the only one  of you Just take your time
I'd move heaven and earth for you
Let the warm light touch your skin And listen to the song that plays within Let the moment be, love. When all seems lost You’re frightened to death of it all Hold my hand I'll be sure you don't fall.”

Sometimes you need to take your own advice.  “Breath. Just breath”

The right words at the right time. Never ceases to surprise me. 

We all have those things in our lives which are anchor points. Vows that we strive to keep that keep us grounded.   The United Church’s  New Creed (which is really not that new seeing it was adopted in 1968) has been one of those anchor points for me. It speaks to my being. The last line is truly something I hold to. “ In life in death in life beyond death we are not alone.” Thanks be to God    The end of this month thirty three years ago I took my vows and was Ordained.  Since then  I have ended every sermon I have preached with those words “We are not alone” Thanks be to God. 

We are not alone. This is a truth. God touches our lives each day. The wisdom and teaching of Jesus informs our lives.  Inspiration, wondering, questions discernment. These are all the work of the Spirit.  I said to someone a week or so ago it would be really nice if We could just be sent an email from God telling us what we need to do. Or a cheery hallmark card saying “It will all be ok. Love God “

Alas it does not work that way.   We are left with the discerning, the praying, the pondering. We are lift with the unexpected and  We are left with those unexpected moments of reassurance.  Like the lyrics to a song.

“Take your time Life's lessons aren’t learned in a day
As you grow Know your clearing the path way
Go easy on yourself You're the only of you Just take your time
I'd move heaven and earth for you

Let the warm light touch your skin And listen to the song that plays within Let the moment be, love. When all seems lost You’re frightened to death of it all Hold my hand I'll be sure you don't fall.”

Breath. 

 Today Gospel is part of Jesus parting words to the Disciples. 

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you.  But the Advocate the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 

This is the promise that is made to us.  A vow to be with us that crosses the ages. 

Jesus promises us that we will not be alone.  Don’t hide under the blanket don’t be afraid.  Just breath. 

It is true Sometimes you just want to hide under the blanket. When life feels cold,  the sky dull the winds of change are bending and dancing our tree   the blanket approach to life looks really good. 

We may try to hold that blanket tight but the Holy Spirit tugs on the edge. 

“Take your time Life's lessons aren’t learned in a day
As you grow Know your clearing the path way
Words of wisdom from the Spirit. A reminder of a promise made, a vow made to us.   

“Take your time Life's lessons aren’t learned in a day
As you grow Know your clearing the path way. You will know the Spirits wisdom. We will know come to know the Divine within you.  The anchor point in your life.

You will know you are not alone.  Let the warm light of God touch your skin. And listen to God’s song that plays within. The lyric sings.  Let the moment be, love. 

 In the paths that we are called to follow, the journeys we are called to seek out, the road we know will be hard and we would rather not travel when all seems lost God in Jesus in the presence of the Holy Spirit Holds out the hand and says I’ll be sure you won’t fall. True you may stumble but I am there to catch you. Because you know…that you. Yes You are not alone. 

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 of the gentle presence in our lives, we hear the word’s of your Son, and in all that is happening in our world more than we could ever list we need to hear those words. “Peace I leave with you” Oh Lord what a comfort to our souls those words are.   When we head your words to live out the great commandment, to move in harmony and balance with you, your world, those that surround us and most of all ourselves we come to know that promised great peace.  May be so empowered in our lives to open ourselves and our doors so that all may know your peace.  A peace that welcomes all and whoever.

In this moment in the peace of this place quiet our souls that we may feel your energy flow through us restoring our soul.   In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for those that we know and those whom we will never know.

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for the world in which we live.

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for your guidance and direction in living out the ministry you have called us to

In this moment in the peace of this place we offer you prayers for ourselves, may we find peace with ourselves and those whom we encounter.  Lord hear these our prayers and the prayers of our hearts.  We speak with one voice the great prayer that you gave as we say our Father….

Offering

 One: We rejoice in remembering this day  God has given us the gift of eternal life. Let us bring our offering to God in Joy and thanks giving in gratitude for what we have received.

Offering received

Offering  (tune 122)

All glory , laud and honour

to you redeemer king.

To you we bring our gifts, 

our voices join and sing

The multitude of blessings

 you give us each new day

Our praise and prayer and offerings

before you we present.

Offering Prayer

For your witness to us through your son we give thanks. For the peace your Holy Spirit bring we rejoice. For Your Truth that persist and will not let us for get our calling with give thanks Amen