June 7th, 2026

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
     Worship Leader: Karen James
     Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
     Lay Reader: Mary Lou Gignac

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather 

PRELUDE:  A Medley of Favourite Hymns – C. Burton

A Stewardship Second
When we empty ourselves, we create a space for God’s love to fill. What do you need to give away?

WELCOME

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE: VU #585   
Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light,
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world is darkness, so let us shine.
You in your small corner and I in mine.

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND              
Grace United Church is inclusive and intentionally embraces people of all gender identities and sexual preferences. Everyone belongs here and is valued.
In gratitude and respect, The United Church of Canada gathers, worships, and works on Indigenous lands across Canada.”

CALL to WORSHIP
We come with gifts to offer.
Even when we don’t feel ready.
We come with talents we’re still learning to trust.
Even when we doubt ourselves.
We come not because we have it all together.
But because a Voice said, come.
And God meets us here.
Just as we are.
So we bring what we have.
And we offer it as we are.

OPENING PRAYER
Thank you God, for bringing us together this morning.
Be with us as we sing and pray and ponder.
Help us to see that we are ready even when we doubt,  that you give us strength even when we feel weak.
And that we are held in community even when we feel alone.
Bless us in this time together. Amen

*HYMN: VU #533 “When in our Music God is Glorified”
1. When in our music God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried
Hallelujah!

2. How often, making music, we have found
a new dimension in the world of sound,
as worship moved us to a more profound
Hallelujah!

3. So has the church in liturgy and song,
in faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
borne witness to the truth in every tongue,
Hallelujah!

4. And did not Jesus sing a psalm that night
when utmost evil strove against the light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight:
Hallelujah!

5. Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always
Hallelujah!

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

*HYMN: VU #326 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God’s grace.

2. Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
‘tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘tis life and health and peace.

3. He speaks, and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful broken-hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

4. Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones,
your tongues again employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour comes,
and leap, you lame, for joy!

5. My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of your name.

Theme Conversation

We Listen 

SCRIPTURE READINGS: All from the New International Version

Psalm 33: 1-12 (Responsive)
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26    
The Calling of Matthew
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.

RESPONSE
May these words provide meaning in our lives today. Thanks be to God.

ANTHEM:  “Let There be Peace on Earth”- Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller 

SERMON:  “Yes, and…”   

*HYMN: VU #352:” I Danced In the Morning”
1. I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

2. I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the dance went on.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

3. I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

4. I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

5. They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

We Respond 

PRAYERS of the PEOPLE &The LORD’S PRAYER (VU 910)
God, you are the Voice:
You call us in the middle of our lives— before we are ready, before we have prepared and practiced you call us as we are.
For those who feel uncertain, standing at the edge of something new— give courage to trust, to take the next step.
For those who grieve, or quietly carry heavy burdens— meet them as they reach out, and remind them they are not alone.
For those in need of healing— in body, mind, or spirit— Come close with comfort and care.
For your church and for this world, teach us to trust you more deeply, and to respond with compassion and courage.
God, we place all that we carry into your hands and join our voices together in the prayer that Jesus taught us… Our Father,...

INVITATION to the OFFERING
(Adapted from the United Church of Canada Invitations to the offering)
God’s grace and generosity can appear when it is least expected and when we are least prepared. May it bring comfort to those who grieve and joy to those who have lost hope. Through our gifts, we can extend hope and healing to this community and to the wider world.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
(Adapted from prayer written by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith)
Spirit of Life, Giver of every perfect gift, we offer our thanks for this life and it’s gifts. Bless these offerings and those given outside this time of worship. May our contributions both here and in every part of our lives - out time, our talents, and our riches - work towards a world of hope and peace. Amen.

DEDICATION HYMN: VU #543  v.1
We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.

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 #562:  “Jesus Calls Us O’re the Tumult”
1. Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild restless sea,
day by day his clear voice sounding,
saying, ‘Christian, follow me.’

2. Long ago apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

3. Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, ‘Christian, love me more.’

4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
‘Christian, love me more than these.’

5. Jesus calls us: by your mercies,
Saviour, may we hear your call,
give our hearts to your obedience,
serve and love you best of all.

*COMMISSIONING

*SUNG BENEDICTION: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day,
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, *within, around, above.
Go now in peace, in faith and in love.
Amen, amen, amen.
*alternate words: watching from above

POSTLUDE:   “Prelude in C Major”- J.S. Bach

*****

SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Invitation to the Offering adapted from the United Church of Canada Invitations to the Offering.
Dedication Prayer adapted from prayer written by Rev. John G. Smith.
Call to Worship & all Prayers written by Karen James.

HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:
- “Jesus Bids Us Shine:” Words: Susan Warner 1868. Music: Edwin O. Excell . Public Domain.
- “When in Our Music God is Glorified:” Words: Fred Pratt Green 1971 © 1972 Hope Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Music: Charles Villiers Stanford 1904. Words: Hope Publishing Company. Music: Public Domain. One License #608577.
- ”O For a Thousand Tongues:” Words: Charles Wesley. Music: Carl Gotthelf Glaser, adapted and harmonized by Lowell Mason. Public Domain.
- “I Danced in the Morning:” Words, Harmony: Sydney Carter 1963 © 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. Used by permission of Hope Publishing Company. Music: Shaker melody. Words, Harmony: Hope Publishing Company, Stainer & Bell Ltd. Music: Public Domain. One License #608577
- “We Give Thee But Thine Own:” Words: William Walsham How 1858, alt. Public Domain.
- Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult:” Words: Cecil Frances Alexander 1852. Music: William Herbert Jude 1874. Words, Music: Public Domain
- “Go Now in Peace:” - Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, Inc. Alternate words used with permission. Reproduced with permission.

Scripture Readings: Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Prelude: A Medley of Favourite Hymns – C. Burton
Anthem: “Let There be Peace on Earth” - Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller . Copyright © Wood Lake Books
Postlude: “Prelude in C Major”- J.S. Bach