Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
APRIL 26, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER:
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We are gathered today to worship on land that is treaty 6 people. For thousands of years, they have lived on this land, honouring the Creator and living with respect for creation. We acknowledge their stewardship of the land and their relationship with the land and its plants and animals, and the lakes and streams with their life forms throughout the ages. We accept the responsibility we have to nurture and protect this legacy. Used with permission from Gathering: Lent/Easter 2023; Jeanne Wilson
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
CANDLE LITURGY
The disciples of Jesus struggled to identify the resurrected Jesus when he appeared to them. He was different, yet there. He walked through locked doors and ate fish and bread. Mary thought he was the gardener. Yet, they came to believe in his presence. We light this Christ candle as the symbol of the resurrected Jesus we believe in and seek to follow. Used with permission from Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Bill Perry
SUNG RESPONSE: VU 157 “Christ the Lord is Risen today” Verse 2 seated
2. Love's redeeming work is done, Hallelujah!
fought the fight, the battle won. Hallelujah!
Lo, our sun's eclipse is o'er! Hallelujah!
Lo, he dwells in death no more! Hallelujah!
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
The simple act of gathering here is a form of pastoral care... God is my shepherd, I shall not want.
When we greet each other with an honest “How are you doing?” that is also pastoral care... God restores our souls.
When we hear the assurance of forgiveness... Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The truth is that pastoral care is God's care... We are the presence of God for each other. We are the hearts that offer this care in God's name.
May we be cared for in this time of worship
and may we learn more of what it means to be the Body of Christ to each other and to everyone we meet. Let us worship God. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Peter Chynoweth
2. OPENING PRAYER: Creator God, in this time of worship, help us once again to experience your voice. Ready us to follow your lead. Sometimes, especially when we are confused, saddened, or upset, as the disciples were after you had left them, we find it hard to notice a new way, to choose a different path. Remind us that you are always with us and there is always a way through, if we keep our minds open and our hearts connected with yours. Amen. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Catherine Tovell
3. LEARNING TIME
4. HYMN VU 412 “This is the Day”
1., 4. This is the day, this is the day that our God has made,
that our God has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice,
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that our God has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that our God has made.
2. Open to us, open to us your gates, O God,
your gates, O God;
we will go in, we will go in, to your holy place,
to your holy place.
Open to us your gates, O God,
we will go in to your holy place.
Open to us, open to us your gates, O God.
3. You are our God, you are our God, we will praise your name,
we will praise your name;
we will give thanks, we will give thanks, for your faithfulness,
for your faithfulness.
You are our God, we will praise your name,
we will give thanks for your faithfulness.
You are our God, you are our God, we will praise your name.
5. PRAYER OF YEARNING:
Loving Shepherd, even when we stray, we long to be gathered to your side. Even when we strive to find our own way, we yearn to return to your fold and rest secure in your gentle arms. Even when we bleat our resistance, we seek your guidance and direction in our lives. Be our gate, our way to safe havens, where we can always find our way home and dwell secure in your love. Amen. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
6. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
The Good Shepherd anoints our heads with oil, nourishes us with living waters, delivers us from evil, and watches over us day and night. Because of our Shepherd, we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
7. HYMN: VU #747 “The Lord's My Shepherd”
1. The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
he makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me,
the quiet waters by.
2. My soul he doth restore again;
nd me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
even for his own name's sake.
3. Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me;
and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
4. My table thou has furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
5. Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me,
and in God's house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
8. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
The peace of our shepherd passes all understanding. Let us share signs of this peace with one another as we dwell secure in Christ's flock. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
9. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
We may have pondered the amount we decided upon for our offering for today and have many reasons for the final choice. Yet, there is no question that we want you, our God, to receive and bless it and us. In this way, may our personal discipleship and the life of our community of faith grow as an image of Jesus in action with the help of our morning offering. Amen. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; adapted; Bill Perry
10. OFFERTORY: VU 540 “Grant Us, God the Grace”
Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.
11. OFFERING PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Generous God, we have brought these offerings for the work of your church, here and in other places. We bring also our desire to be your people in word and deed. We ask your blessing on all of our offerings: time, talent, and treasures. May our offering be a blessing to others and to us. Amen. Used with permission Gathering Lent/Easter 2026; Beth W. Johnston
Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.
E-transfers can be sent to: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net answer to security question is: “payment”
12. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom 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 kingdom
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. AMEN.
13. HYMN: VU 429 “May the Blessing of God Be upon You”
May the blessing of God be upon you.
May God's love light all your way.
May the grace of Christ enfold you
and peace around you stay.
May the Spirit of God dwell within you.
May you live in joy each day.
14. BLESSING:
The Lord is our shepherd. We shall not want.
In pastures green, we rest secure. By still waters, we rest secure.
Go with the blessing of our shepherd. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
15. THREE FOLD AMEN:
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Acts 2: 42 - 47
Responsive Reading Psalm 23 VU page 749 REFRAIN: “The God of love my shepherd is, what can I want or need”
1 Peter 2: 19 - 25
John 10: 1 - 10 A Story about Sheep
Next Sunday: Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2026: Acts 7: 55 - 60
Psalm 31: 1-5, 15 - 16; 1 Peter 2: 2 - 10; John 14:1-14.
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