THE TREE OF LIFE
The blessed dove is soaring higher, urging you and I to reach up and reach
out beyond our knowing.
The tree houses many creatures.
The house on the trunk is a symbol of our need to address and be part of
the solution for many issues of justice and poverty in our area. Everyone
deserves safe and affordable housing.
The heart in the middle of the house represents your heart and mine,
where God plants seeds of inspiration for each of us to grow
.
The rainbow colours of the leaves are a symbol of our need to be affirming
to ALL those who we journey with.
Last but certainly not the least - the roots - where we are grounded in our
love for God and with God for others. Today we encourage you to:
Bloom Where You are Planted….. Encourage, Empower and set the Spirit Free
PRELUDE:
(A time for quiet reflection and preparation for worship)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY:
One: We acknowledge the traditional Territory of the Attawandaron,
Anishnaabeg, and Wendat peoples.
ALL: We give our gratitude to the tribes of the Iroquois, Huron, and
Chippewa of the Thames.
One: With thankfulness and respect for their stewardship of creation, we
seek to live into right relations with all.
ALL: We offer ourselves, and our HOPE and PEACE, that together we can
find reconciliation.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE:
One: Today we light the Christ Candle as a reminder that Jesus is the light
of the world, and that light is within us all to share in the world. May
the light of Christ shine through us all, so that new seeds of Hope might
be nourished.
Candle Lighting Chorus: Voices United 224 vs 1 Sing a happy Hallelujah, sing it out with heart and style,
We're the echo of God's laughter, we're the image of God's smile.
Hallelujah, all creation, Hallelujah everyone. Hallelujah, all creation, Hallelujah everyone!
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: As we gather to Praise God, to Seek Forgiveness, and to Bless
Neighbour, let us seek Wisdom in our prayers.
ALL: Let us journey in peace and prayer, to plant seeds of God's Grace.
One: From the first blossom, to the ripening fruit:
ALL: Our hearts delight in seeing the growth all around us, and within
us.
One: Let us seek to be the vessels of faith that God would have us be, so
that we can share the message of compassion, kindness and love, that is at
the heart of our faith.
ALL: We offer all of the different vessels that we are. Gold and
Silver, Wooden and Clay. Special and Ordinary, for we know that all are
valued in God's kindom.
One: Nothing in the universe ever grew from the outside in.
ALL: We come to grow, as God's seeds planted in Hope. May we grow
through prayer, action, silence, mission, justice, and service to all.
OPENING PRAYER and LORD'S PRAYER:
One: Let us pray; Holy God, who called all life into being,
ALL: the earth, sea, and sky are filled with your goodness.
One: we who walk upon the earth, yearn for your justice to be done.
ALL: for every creature to be freed from all ill, for the hungry to be
fed, for the captives to be released, and for Your kingdom of Peace to
come to the earth.
One: May we be inspired today, to Bloom where we are Planted. To Empower,
Encourage, and Set the Spirit Free, as we pray together in the words of
Jesus, saying:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom,
The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
MESSAGE: "Bloom where you are Planted!"
A Message from President Joyce Payne
1. What do I need to live at my best?
2. Truth and Courage! These are the roots of everything powerful and
spiritual. When you keep your truth in front of you and have the courage to
keep moving toward it, through anything that arises, you live at your best.
1. With all this - together we can Bloom where we are planted!
OFFERING
OFFERTORY: "God who Gives to Life its Goodness" V.U. 260
God who gives to life its goodness;
God creator of all joy,
God who gives to us our freedom,
God who blesses tool and toy;
Teach us now to laugh and praise You,
Deep within Your praises sing,
Till the whole creation dances
for the goodness of its King.
God who fills the earth with beauty,
God who binds each friend to friend,
God who names us co-creators
God who wills that chaos end:
Grant us now creative Spirits,
Minds responsive to Your mind,
Hearts and wills Your rule extending
All our acts by Love refined.
PRAYERS OF DEDICATION
HYMN:
"Your Hand O God Has Guided" V.U. 274
BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG COMMISSIONING: "
Go Make a Difference!" M.V. 209
POSTLUDE:
(A time to quietly reflect on all that you have experienced this morning)
