May 11th, 2025
4th Sunday of Easter
Mother’s Day
Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live
Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
Music Director: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Shirley Woolner
Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.
We Gather
PRELUDE
Minuet on the name "Haydn" M. Ravel
Stewardship Second
Let us take time to listen to the Spirit within us that calls us to follow the example of Jesus.
WELCOME
LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
We gather each week in the growing light and warmth of the springtime!
We feel our spirits rising to fullness;
We feel our hearts being filled and refilled with the beauty of each new day.
The Christ light burns in the deep reaches of our souls,
a source of life and joy:
It is the Source of our growth and the deep rich soil of our lives,
Into which we plant our days.
Thanks be to God for the light of Christ! AMEN!
Opening Song: VU #381 “Spirit of Life”
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect. At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community. We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.
CALL to WORSHIP: (from Psalm 150)
Praise God with the sound of trumpet!
Praise God with the harp and the lute!
Praise God with the gentle sounding flute!
Praise God in the beautiful green forest!
Praise God in the skies above!
Praise God for all the many wonders of God’s love!
Praise the name of Love Divine!
Praise the name of Jesus our Friend!
Praise God for companionship which never ends!
O my people, give praise with dancing, with timbrels and reeds!
Give praise with cymbals and drums and voice!
Let us all give praise and let our hearts rejoice!
*HYMN: VU #226 “ For the Beauty of the Earth”
1. For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
2. For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
3. For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
4. For each perfect gift sublime
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us bring our hearts and minds to this moment.
Let us open our spirits to the quiet around us.
Let us centre ourselves in the hand of the potter,
And allow the cracks in our lives to be filled with gold.
((A moment of quiet prayer: 3 deep breaths))
May new life rise up within us this morning.
May we be guided to the place inside where love dwells.
May we feel the presence of the risen Christ
In the holiest place on earth.
May we hear the voice of the Beloved in our hearts.
May we know deep down that we are loved.
May we rest in that love
That we might carry it with us each waking moment of this day.
May there be blessings in our own words and actions today.
May we see the risen Christ in others.
May all that we do, all that we say,
All that we pray, be a gift of blessing to the world around us.
Now let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
A Responsive Psalm, from Psalm 47
(revised for worship, Rev John G. Smith)
Clap your hands, all you people of every nation!
Open your hearts to the “ Love Consciousness” which holds us!
Acclaim the one who Created you, with joyful songs!
Rejoice in the beauty of the world!
Rejoice in the beauty of diversity!
Rejoice in the new life created in you each and every day!
For Love is holy and mighty.
Love grows steadily in the heart.
Love invites all people to become one
In unity, harmony, and peace.
Love Consciousness is the birthright of every created being;
It is to be awakened in every soul!
So let love come from within the deep well of conscious awareness in you!
Let love pour out of you like a song.
Let love move you to the dance of celebration,
to the ongoing flow of Love’s work in the world.
Let Love Consciousness be your guide.
Let Love Consciousness be your strength.
Let Love Consciousness bring you courage and hope for the journey of life!
Thank you God for your Love.
Your Love Consciousness created the earth, the seas, and the heavens.
Your Love created the instruments of joy, the harp, the flute.
Your Love invites us to the dance.
As the earth is made of Love and Light
So may we choose the pathways of Love and Light.
May this path bring healing.
May this path bring joy to our steps!
ANTHEM: “Let Us Love One Another” - A.B. Sherman
We Listen
Theme Conversation
“What Happened in the Church in the 1960’s?”
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Psalm 23 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
John 10: 22 – 30 (NRSVUE)
At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!
SERMON: “Believing WITH Jesus!”
*HYMN: VU #626 “ I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was,
weary and worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.
2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down, and drink, and live.’
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.
3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘I am this dark world’s light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright.’
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk
till travelling days are done.
We Respond
PRAYERS and the DALAI LAMA PRAYER
May I be a guard for those who need protection;
A guide for those on the path
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood.
May I be a lamp in the darkness,
A resting place for the weary,
A healing medicine for all who are sick,
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles.
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening,
Enduring like the earth and sky
Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.
May it be so. AMEN!
INVITATION to the OFFERING
After you ask God for guidance in making your gift, have faith that your gift will make an impact, and let it go. You can’t imagine what the results might be—for others or even for you—but God can. Let us make our offering in response to God’s guidance in our lives.
PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
God of love, take our gifts and send them to places where we never dreamed they would go. Let us follow your lead and give from our hearts. Please accept these gifts, and those given through PAR and online, as part of your love for us and the world. Amen.
Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate”
or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.
Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org. Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register. Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving. Care, Prayer, Share
What’s up at Grace?
We Go Out
*HYMN: VU #651 “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”
1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
*COMMISSIONING (Celtic traditional)
May the road rise to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand. AMEN
*SUNG BENEDICTION: VU #967 “Choral Amens”
Amen, amen, amen.
POSTLUDE:
"Rosemary" - F Bridge
*****
SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of Dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Lighting of Christ Candle,and Opening Prayer written by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
Call to Worship adapted from Psalm 50
Prayer by the Dalai Lama.
Commissioning: Celtic Traditional.
Responsive Prayer adapted by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith.
HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
- “Spirit of Life:” Words, Music: Carolyn McDade © 1981 Carolyn McDade, 76 Everett Skinner Rd., Plainville, MA 02762, USA. Harmony: © 1992 Unitarian Universalist Association, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108-2892 USA. Words, Music: Carolyn McDade. Harmony: Unitarian Universalist Association. One License #60857
- “For the Beauty of the Earth:” Words: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint 1864. Music: David Evans 1927 Used by permission of Oxford University Press. Words: Public Domain. Music: Oxford University Press, *ne License #608577
- “ I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say:” Words: Horatius Bonar 1846. Public Domain.
- “Guide Me O Thou Thy Great Jehovah:” Words: Welsh, William Williams. English Translation: Peter Williams and William Williams. French Translation: Flossette du Pasquier. Music: John Hughes. Public Domain
- “Choral Amens:” Danish. Public Domain.
Scripture Readings: New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prelude: Minuet on the name "Haydn" - M. Ravel
Anthem:” Let Us Love One Another” - A.B. Sherman. Copyright 1981 The Sacred Music Press, a division of The Lorenz Corporation. CCLI11203479
Postlude: "Rosemary" - F Bridge











