Lighting of the Christ Candle:
This candle's flame reminds us of the light of Christ present in the world. The flame represents the risen Christ and is for us a symbol of life dispelling death.
      Used with permission from Gathering Lent/Easter 2024:Mark Dutkoski

Sung Response: “Christ Is Alive” # 158 VU (Verse 2)
2.  Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now, and touching every place and time.

1. Call to Worship:
In our Easter joy, we find a God of new starts and fresh growth.
In our Easter grace, we find a God of renewal and transformation.
In our Easter faith, we find a God to carry us from shadows and despair.
In our Easter peace, we find a God to nurture us in hope and love.
In our Easter lives, let us glorify God's name, now and forevermore.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent/Easter 2024; Gill Le Fevre

2.  Opening Prayer:
Dear Creator God, we are filled with trust in your guidance. Nothing is possible without you. Our life journeys continue with you at our sides. Fears are scarce and worries few when we trust your presence. Guide us to a place of comfort when we feel forsaken and alone. Inspire us with hope when we start believing that the world is becoming a bad place. Let our confidence in your love overcome our fears. Your grace surrounds all people. Your love benefits everyone. Your mercy is infinite. Your compassion is unquestioning. Help us to reflect this understanding to each other when doubt fills us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent-Easter2024; Mark Dutkoski

3. Learning Time:

4. Hymn: “Morning Has Broken”  # 409 VU
1.  Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2.  Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven,
like the first dew-fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

3.  Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day!

5.  Prayer of Illumination:
God of Grace and Glory, we are ready for your good news. Let it abide deep within our souls. May we receive this scripture and the reflection with an openness of spirit, a keenness of mind, and a willingness to engage with your timeless story. We ask this in the name of the Liberating Christ. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent-Easter 2024: Laura J. Turnbull

6.  Prayer of Confession:
How grateful we are, Holy One,
that you give eternal life.
How wondrous it is
that you lead us to still waters and green pastures.
How joyous it is to gather with your people and all the saints
to sing you your praises.
In this Easter season,
we seek the Love that gently conquered fear and death.
In this Easter season, we yearn for a banquet of safety and peace
for those dwelling in the midst of enemies.
May grace anoint us all like the oil of friendship,
and all creation dwell in the presence of joyous Love forever.
Yet even as we celebrate the Shepherd and gather at the throne of new life,
we admit our sin:
we have been less than loving,
less than grateful, less than kind.
We have ruined green pastures
and muddied many waters.
We take more than our share at the banqueting table,
and are jealous of Holy Love.
We are less than we are called to be,
less than good news for the world.
We need to be still again,
and pay attention to the Risen One.
We pray for forgiveness and Easter life in Christ.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent-Easter 2024: Robin Wardlaw

7.  Words of Assurance:  (based on Revelation 7:16-17)
They will hunger no more and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Lent-Easter 2024: Robin Wardlaw

8.  Sung Response: “The Lord's My Shepherd” # 747 VU
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; and 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.

9.  Affirmation of Faith: “The Nicene Creed” VU 920
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
in accordance with the Scriptures;
On the third day he rose again
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

10.  Invitation to Offering:
Friends, God has opened the gates of righteousness. Let us accept God's invitation and offer gifts of thanksgiving in Christ's name.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
     Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.

11. Offertory:“Grant Us, God, the Grace”   # 540 VU
Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

12.  Offering Prayer of Dedication:
As the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, may we, too, strive to serve our neighbors. Whether next door, across town, or around the world, may God bless our prayers, our gifts, and our ministries. In Christ's name, we present these gifts. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
     Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

13. Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer: # 960 VU

14. Blessing
May you show boldness before God in all you do. Following Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, act with kindness, love and humility. Bring comfort to others acting with love and truth.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2024.
     Copyright @2023 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

15. Three Fold Amen

Fifth Sunday of Easter
        April 21, 2024:
         Acts 8:26-40  Psalm 22:24-30;
        1 John 4:7-21;  John 15:1-8.

“Live Stream” Broadcast Team:
Kenneth Holliday
Graeme Hoover
Raymond Humenny
Ken Smart