Freelton Strabane United Church
Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Pentecost
100th Anniversary Of
The United Church of Canada.
June 8th 2025
Minister: Rev. Will Wheeler, B.A. M. Div. 905-659-3380
E-mail: [email protected]
Music Director Joan Simpson
Words of Welcome
On June 10th, 1925, the inaugural service of the United Church of Canada was held. Today, we join with others across the church to give thanks, mark and witness to the church that we are and the church that we are becoming by the grace of the Spirit.
Worship Resources from the Inaugural service of the Untied Church of Canada and Resources provided by United Church Centennial committee
Prelude
Gathering
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.
Call to Worship
One: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place…
All: Today, we gather in many places and ways, yet we are one in heart!
One: Touched by the Spirit, the first disciples were enlivened.
All: By the Spirit, we live and thrive!
One: On the day of Pentecost, the Church was born.
All: Today, we celebrate 100 years of being the United Church!
One: In their gathering that day, people were changed by the Spirit.
All: In our gathering today, we seek the Spirit’s direction for tomorrow.
One With open hearts, let us worship God and pray for the Spirit’s presence amongst us.
All Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
Prayer of Approach
God eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ whose name is great and whose goodness is inexhaustible who art adored by thy Host of Heaven and dost accept offerings sanctified by thy Holy Spirit. Sanctify us we beseech thee in body soul and spirit.
Touch our understanding, search our consciousness and cast out every unbecoming thought which would damage our right relationship with you our selves those around us. Grant us O Lord with freedom with a pure heart and contrite soul. With sanctified lips we boldly come to thee creating God. Amen
One: Here the word of God
All: Our Ears are open
John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Epistle Acts 2:1-21
The Word of God for the People of God
All Thanks be to God
Prayer
Lord as we ponder your words open our hearts that we may understand and know you. Amen
Sermon
It have been a while since I have gone on "big trips. I do miss the travelling. Travelling does mean moving forward. Planning, thinking, figuring things out. In the lst while I have taken to the liking the idea that we are on a path, and that this path will come to an end. We can choose not to take the next path that is before us Stay still not change that is an option as long as we know that we will wither in standing still. OR we can choose life. To live in taking the next path.
Like a young person doing the "gap year" to be brave enough to take a rail pass and a back pack and go.
The disciples this is what the disciples did. They came to the end of one Path and well they chose life and moved to the next path. They committed to the journey and no they were not drunk for it was only nine in the morning. No they are stone cold sober touched by God.
That is what the disciples did. Touched by the spirit they began the journey. The journey of faith. The journey that was exciting and freighting. Trusting in the presence of the spirit. A journey that would take them to corners of the known world
Pentecost is about the Journey.
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.
It is about living into our mission Mission statement
"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.
Today we offer prayers for our United Church of Canada as it celebrates is 100th anniversary. 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.
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