Freelton Strabane United Church
To live our discipleship with integrity and grace.
Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Pentecost Sunday
Sunday, May 28 2023
Minister: Rev. Will Wheeler, B.A. M. Div. 905-659-3380 E-mail: wwwheeler@sympatico.ca
Music Director Joan Simpson
Announcements
Today as we Celebrate Pentecost we welcome our sisters and brothers in Christ from Mountsberg/Westover Baptist church. Rev Jamie will be preaching. Today's sermon here is what Rev Will preached last year.
Freelton Strabane Council Will meet on Tuesday May 30th at 7pm in the Church hall if you have any agenda items please contact Barb Woodburn
Case for Kids Charity Walk.
To go for the annual Case for Kids Charity walk. Freelton Strabane have pace setters for several years. The Walk is June 4. Please consider either walking or sponsoring someone in the congregation.
BBQ season is almost here so don't miss out on ordering some wonderful McGregors Boxed meats. All your favorites. Contact Rev Will at 905 659 3380 or wwwheeler@sympatico.ca for product lists. The Orders are due back buy Sunday May 28th with payment via cash or Cheque Made payable to “Freelton Strabane United Church” . Pick up is at the Church 1565 Brock Road on Tuesday June 6th @ 6:45pm. Product comes frozen and must be picked up.
Orders can be dropped off at the manse mailbox @ 10 Douglas Street Freelton, or sent to Email jmcgeachy@xplornet.ca.
Coming up in September Studies and Studios presents. “Our Song” and evening of music to support the re installation of the Freelton Memorial Windows. Sept 24th 7p
Gathering
We gather Grateful for the life you give us, thankful for your Risen Son and joyful in our Sprit of your love over all blessed God.
One: God is present in the still of the night, and the quiet of the morning
All God is present for one and all.
One Christ is alive in the gathered community and in our acts of service, care, and love.
All Christ is alive for one and all.
One: The spirit is discerned through our moments of quiet reflection and prayer and through the insights shared by other.
All The spirit s here for one and all. Let us be alive to its call upon our lives, this day and every day.
Prayer of Approach
All: What a miracle it is that we hear you when you speak: Sometimes you sound like the voice of tradition, some old song in a familiar setting. Sometimes you sound like the slap of challenge, delivered raw and roughly upon our comforts. Sometimes you sound like love: passion in a fiery heart, or warmth wrapped as blankets around friends. . Sometimes you sound like valour, inspiring courage and sometimes like sobbing, calling up compassion. Sometimes you sound like nothing we have ever heard, the stunned silence of a world staring straight into the face of Resurrection. No wonder we interpret this as tongues of fire dancing about our heads, or as springs of meaning uncoiling in our souls. No matter what it is, and we can never comprehend it all, We hear you in our own language, and so touch the miracle of prayer and wok made one Amen
One: Let us lift up our voices in Psalm our psalm is Psalm 104
Hymn 195 On Pentecost they Gathered (Tune 274)
All: (sung) In God we live and move and have our story.
In love God lives in us and makes us whole
O Jesus may we hear the Word that calls us near;
Your story makes a home within our soul.
Your story makes a home within our soul
One: would you like to hear more of our Story?
All: Yes for in the story our faith is strengthen.
One: Then our story continues in 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
One This is the word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
One: In the word we find the inspiration of the Spirit Here the goodness of the Good News as our Journey begins in Acts 2:1-21
One: The Word of God for the People of God
All Thanks be to God
Its about the Spirit moving us. Opening our eyes to world around us.
Moving us forward.
Moving us towards wholeness
Moving us closer to God
Closer to fulfilling our calling
Closer to understanding God’s Love
Understanding that it is love of God that saves us.
Saves us from ourselves at times
Understanding that it is God’s love that sustains us on the journey.
Because part of understanding God’s love is understanding that we do not stand still with God but we journey with God. In the action of the Spirit.
Pentecost is about the Journey.
The journey is about discovery
Finding our place our role our gifts to share.
The journey is about joy, sorrow.
Its about getting it right but also accepting that at times we get it wrong.
Its about offering forgiveness but also accepting it.
Its about weighing our expectations against what is real.
Its about accepting our fellow travelers for what they offer rather judging them.
It about being present.
Its about understanding.
Its about celebration.
Its about passages.
In the Mission statement we state
It is our mission to take forward the vision of a vibrant faith Church Community from the past into the future,
It is our mission to provide a safe place of worship for all who call this their spiritual home.
It is our mission to greet people where they are in their spiritual journey and promote spiritual growth.
This is the Pentecost Journey
Pentecost is about a journey
Its about patience. For the Spirit is Patient with us. Nudging us nurturing us knocking on our door. Waiting for us. Always encouraging us to continue the journey
Sometimes we are committed to the journey
Sometimes we are not
Sometimes we are even resentful
And Sometimes we can only stand in awe and say thank you.
Sometimes the spirit speaks quietly in our ear and says trust in me together we will get through this.
Sometimes the Spirit screams your name from across the room and you have to stop and look around you and suddenly you see where you are on the journey.
Sometimes it is the Spirit that gives you all the right words.
Pentecost is about the journey.
What have you discovered on the journey. What have you learned what wisdom have you gained? Where do you need to grow? What have you to offer, what to you need to know? Do you even know the question? Do you want to know the question? Are you prepared to hear the question?
You see the journey is full of questions and doubt. At times anger and frustration.
Yet in time we find answers and assurances. In time we find reconciliation and resolution
In this moment, In this time in Journey we are reminded that the promised Great comforter and guide. The Holy Spirit of God is here.
May the lively dancing of the spirit take you by the hand and spin you around the floor.
May the comfort of the spirit lift you up so that you may smile at the sun once more
May the wisdom of the spirit gift you with discernment.
May the spirit whisper in your ear the right words to say at the right time to the right person
May the spirit challenge your growing edges
May the spirit tickle your laughter so that you can laugh at what life at times offer.
May the Spirit grant you courage to go where you don’t know.
But most of all may the Spirit embrace you in love like a warm blanket
Love that will protect the soul
Love that will never leave you even beyond the time when your days are no more
May you find strength in knowing that in the spirit we are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Prayers of the people
Slow me Down Slow me Down
Still my restless mind Still my restless mind
Quell my fears Quell my Fears
Quench my Thirsty soul Quench my thirsty Soul
Fill me with your love Fill me with your love
God of Truth God of Truth
God of love God of love
God of the Journey, we come to you on this day of Pentecost and once more open ourselves to your Spirit. You have shown us again and again that when we journey in faith, we will come to the other side of the wilderness strengthen. As we honour this day of Pentecost may your Holy Spirit descend upon us to inspire us to be your Church where we are. That we open ourselves to all the possibility of what we can proclaim in your name. As the warm spring breeze rustle the new life of the leaves in the tree so may we be moved by the new life of your Spirit. It is in that Spirit that we have hope. Hope that it’s healing presence rest on those that need healing. That It’s strength be present for those that need strength and guidance. We thank you for the action of your spirit that has guided our Church through the years and pray for the Spirits wisdom as we move forward To you Oh God we lift our prayers and give thanks for the flame of faith that burns with in us. United where we are we say Our Father….
Offering
We give thee but thy own. The work of the Church continues and there are three ways you can continue to support that work. Consider using PAR, use the donate button on our Web Site or drop your gift at the Manse. Let us make our offering and give thanks.
One: Praise God who from all Blessing flow
All: May these gifts carry forward the ministry you intend here in our church and community and wherever people are scattered on the face of the earth. May our open hands share your gifts and our open hearts reach out in love and peace. Show us how to use this offering to accomplish your purposes. Amen
Yesterdaywe honour our heritage.
Todaywe know that we are not alone,that we live in God's world.
Tomorrowwith God,we will discoverthe undiscovered country.
Upcoming Events
For all the people that have worked so hard this past year as we moved and lived into the Amalgamation thank you so much. Truly this has been the work of God. As we move into the summer we pray that people find restful times and stillness for the soul.
