May 17, 2026
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Welcoming, and of Coming to Understand Our Outreach to the World
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: Nancy Gillean
Guest Presenter: Brad Pert
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
PRELUDE
OPENING INTROIT: “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Santo, Santo, Santo)
(We will sing this introit through 3 X’s) VU # 951
WELCOMING & ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING of the CANDLE of CHRIST
Rev. Jope: Today, as we begin to let the season of Easter slide away and as the period of Pentecost comes upon us, we light the candle of Christ. May this candlelight remind us that you are here with us, as we worship you this day, and may we remember that you are always near, just a prayer away. So, we gather today as the extended family of Christ and bring the light into our worship time…
CHILDREN’S HYMN “Jump for Joy!” MV # 48
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR TERRITORY (Rev. Jope)
As settlers on this land, we are called to live in right relationship with the peoples of the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 and Metis nations. May we be attentive to this relationship every single day.
*OPENING HYMN: “Like a Healing Stream” MV # 144
OPENING CALL TO WORSHIP
Rev. Jope: This morning, in mystery and grandeur, we see the face of God in those who are worshiping together. God’s glory is all around us on this special Victoria Day weekend.
ALL: In earthiness and the ordinary we know the love of Christ. We will rejoice and give thanks as the whole world celebrates.
Rev. Jope: In heights and depths and life and death, the Spirit of God is moving among us. We will rejoice and give thanks!
ALL: Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. God guards the lives of the faithful. We will rejoice and give thanks!
Rev. Jope: Let us praise God with all our hearts, our minds, and our spirits and let us worship together.
ALL: Gracious God, we are ready, accept this time of worship as our gift to you as we feel gifted by your presence.
Rev. Jope: Into your hands, O God, we commend our spirits…
one spirit, one truth, one hope. May we, as one body, give thanks and enter the Mystery which surrounds and fills us. We stand at the crossroads and look…we ask for the ancient paths where the good way lies, and we walk in it and find rest for our souls.
OPENING PRAYER (For the Healing of the Nations): (Unison)
We come with thanksgiving for our very breath, the warmth of sun, the sustaining waters, for life all around us: the plants, soft grasses, and sheltering trees, for the ones that crawl, those that swim, and those that fly, for the four-legged and the two-legged…all our relations!
We celebrate the diversity in creation as reflected in the four winds from the four directions. We especially honour the many peoples with their many gifts for understanding our shared life upon this earth. We strive to live out the 7 sacred teachings:
Respect…
Love…
Honesty…
Courage…
Humility…
Wisdom…
Truth…
These teachings enable us to live in harmony with ourselves, with our neighbours, and with all the created earth. With this prayer may you hear the sincerity of our words and that you will witness the living out of these seven sacred teachings…Amen
(Taken loosely from words spoken by the Right Rev. Stan McKay, 2017 (Gathering mag.)
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Rev. Jope)
God says, let go of the things that are not life-giving. Let go of all that needs to die in order that they may rise to new life. In letting go, we are free to embrace new life. In our dying…is our rising…Amen.
*HYMN VU # 232 “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You”
Engaging
(Reader: Nancy Gillean)
FIRST SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
ACTS 1:6-14 (884) The ascension of Jesus…
SECOND PASSAGE
1 PETER 4:12-14; 5:6-11 (986) Cast your cares on God. Be alert…
HYMN of ILLUMINATION “There Is Room for All” MV # 62
GOSPEL PASSAGE
JOHN 17:1-11 (879) Jesus prays that his disciples “all may be one”…
MESSAGE “Our Outreach to the World” Guest Speaker: Brad Pert
Responding
Rev. Jope: God has blessed us with so much! Let us give our thanks with our gifts so that others may be blessed as well. Local offerings support the ministries of this community of faith to bless our local community; gifts to Mission and Service bless others across Canada and around the world. The offering will now be received…
OFFERTORY MUSIC
OFFERING DEDICATION PRAYER
Rev. Jope: May these gifts be far more than their physical appearance or presence could command…may they be an inspiration and a blessing given in true love…Amen.
7th SUNDAY of EASTERS’ REFLECTION: (Responsive)
Leader: O God, who knows our inner thoughts, Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one.” We look for the time when the whole world will be one, in concern for the weakest and the poorest, for the very old and the very young.
ALL: We pray that we will find a role in this huge task; a gift…
a message…an active form of participation.
Leader: Jesus prayed, “That all may be one” O God. We pray that the communities of faith will unite in sharing their beliefs and working for common goals.
ALL: We pray that we might play a part in this task; a contact, a discussion, a work project.
Leader: Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one” O God. We pray that neighbourhood groups will get together to care for those most vulnerable and at risk.
ALL: We pray that our faith community may join with others, to offer a meeting place, to provide leadership, and to be the focus for expressed hopes and just demands.
Leader: Together, we can do so much more than on our own. We know, O God, that you will bless our common endevours.
ALL: In our willingness to listen to the beliefs of others, in our ability to respond to the dreams of others, in our readiness to inspire change for others, in our preparedness to work for justice with others,
Leader: the Spirit of Jesus is alive, and at work
ALL: And your peace, O God, will be our peace.
Leader: May we now together share in the timeless prayer which has been passed to us for countless centuries:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Blessing
*COMMISSIONING (unison)
Go from here but do not stare at the sky wondering what we will do now that Jesus has gone. We look ahead to the future, knowing that the Spirit is with us. We go as disciples of the Risen One…May we go out in peace.
CLOSING HYMN “Draw the Circle Wide” MV # 145
BENEDICTION: (Rev. Jope)
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you…and may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you…and may the Lord give you the deepest of peace…go now into the world with a song in your heart…Amen.
RECESSIONAL
POSTLUDE MUSIC
SCRIPTURE PASSAGES for SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026
ACTS 2:1-21
1 CORINTHIANS 12:3b-13
JOHN 20:19-23