jULY 5, 2026
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
wORSHIP ON THE LAWN / COWBOY SUNDAY
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Celebration,
and, of Worshiping Out in Nature.
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders: Bob Gibbenus & Fiona Hayes
Chair of Council: Vacant
Reader: Don Branter
Special Musical Guests: Prashant Michael John with Peter Feldstien
“A Christian that’s too busy to serve is like a cowboy that’s too busy to feed his horse…”
and…“Strive to be a lantern every day, not just a bonfire on Sunday mornin’…”
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
PRELUDE
WELCOMING /ANNOUNCEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGING THE TERRITORY (Unison)
(Words taken from the 1986 Apology to First Nations Peoples & words from 1998)
Long before my people journeyed to this land your people were here and you received from your Elders an understanding of creation and of the Mystery that surrounds us all that was deep, rich, and treasured.
We tried to make you like us and in so doing we helped to destroy the vision that made you what you were. As a result, you, and we, are poorer and the image of the Creator is twisted, blurred, and we are not what we are meant by God to be.
We ask you to forgive us and to walk together with us in the Spirit of Christ so that our peoples may be blessed and God’s creation healed.
We pray that you will hear the sincerity of our words today and that you will witness the living out of our apology in our actions in the future.
A SPECIAL GIFT OF MUSIC ----- PRASHANT MICHAEL JOHN
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
Rev. Jope: When our eyes lift with wonder at the mountain’s high glory; when we stand on open fields with the swaying grasses at our feet and sense the presence of God, when the calmness of the morning touches our souls…
ALL: this is how we give our summer thanks. Also, with Stampede breakfasts, with rodeo, with midway rides, with excitement. And this is how we live our summer thanks --
Rev. Jope: by sharing in the ‘cowboy spirit’ and by supporting our various summer camps throughout this province. As our ears ring with delight to the sound of grandchildren’s play…
ALL: this is how we give our summer thanks. This is how we live our summer thanks --
Rev. Jope: by visiting a lonely senior whose family lives far away. As words of gratitude for good news tumble from our lips…
ALL: this is how we give our summer thanks. This is how we live our summer thanks --
Rev. Jope: by remembering to phone a neighbour who is living with anxiety or grief.
ALL: For blessings abundant, we give God thanks and promise to live with gratitude and joy during these summer months.
Opening Prayer: (Unison)
O Gracious One, when each of us comes to worship, we simply come…not because it is a duty, but because it is a delight. We come…not because a preacher called on us, but because God called on us. We come…not to display to the world our new cowboy boots or new hat, but to witness to the world our faith in Christ. We come…not to smirk at others for our goodness, but to search together for God’s righteousness. We come…not to be complimented on our proficiency, but to hear the Word speak to our deficiencies. We come…not to listen while others are condemned, but to hear how we might have strayed away from the holy path. We come…not to take away whatever God will give us, but to go away fitted for service. This morning and during this service we could encounter the God who searches for us…may we all be prepared to be transformed.
Come…now is the time for worship…Amen!
*HYMN VU # 352 “I Danced in the Morning”
Engaging
(Reader: Don Branter)
OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGE
GENESIS 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Rebekah welcomes Isaac as her husband…
ANOTHER GIFT OF MUSIC ------- PRASHANT MICHAEL
GOSPEL PASSAGE
MATTHEW 11:16-19, 25-30 My yoke is easy; my burden is light…
MESSAGE Sharing a Sermon – Playing Golf: Are They Related Whatsoever?
Responding
Rev. Jope: In gratitude for the love that we have received, we offer our lives and our living to carry God’s message of love into the world and into the communities in which we live, including this faith community. Our offerings have come from our hearts, and we offer blessings upon them…
Prayer of Blessing (Rev. Jope)
*HYMN VU # 575 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
Blessing
Sunday’s Reflections of the Heart:
Rev. Jope: The world is filled with the most wondrous of things and the animal kingdom is but one of the multi-layered mysteries of which we are to be stewards to. From all things that breathe
ALL: we may learn the wonders of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the swallows
ALL: we may learn the ecstasy of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the dolphins
ALL: we may learn the fluidity of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the bulldogs
ALL: we may learn the tenacity of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the squirrels
ALL: we may learn the playfulness of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the whales
ALL: we may learn the immensity of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the coyotes
ALL: we may learn the loneliness of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From the horses and the bulls
ALL: we may learn the strength of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From brothers, sisters, parents, friends,
ALL: we may learn the nearness of God’s love.
Rev. Jope: From all things that breathe
ALL: we may learn the wonders of God’s love.
Leader: From the beginning of creation to a future yet unborn,
Rev. Jope: from the depths of the earth to the far reaches of the universe, the truth of God is revealed to us. God’s love surrounds us, the faith of God’s people inspires us and all of creation rejoices in its living and in its being. And now we share in the singing of:
The Lord’s Prayer VU # 959
*COMMISSIONING (unison)
May we all have that Stampede fever that excites, empowers, and brings people together. May our lives be filled with wonder as each of us are called into action to love – to serve – to embrace – and to live a life of peace…Amen.
PRASHANT’S CLOSING GIFT OF MUSIC
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2026
GENESIS 25:19-34 (Older Testament)
PSALM 119:105-112
ROMANS 8:1-11 (Epistle passage)
MATTHEW 13:1-9, 18-23 (Gospel passage)