BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH
5th SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 15, 2022 – 10 am
Theme: “The Way of Being”
* The live service will be broadcasted and recorded on YouTube, check your email for the link.
The audio recording of the live service should be available by phone Monday afternoon at 613- 820-8104
Gathering Music: “Friends” (Michael W. Smith)
Requested by Rev. Kim Vidal in loving appreciation of all the friends at BCUC.
Welcome & Centering for Worship
Rev. Kim Vidal
Lighting of Christ Candle
Acolytes: TeGrotenhuis Family
As we light the Christ Candle, remember these words from 1 John 4:7 - “Dear friends, let us love one other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, for God is love.”
Sung Response: “Halle, Halle, Halle” – Voices United #958
Halle, halle, halle - lujah! (3x) Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Words: trad, liturgical text; Music: anon., arr. © The Iona Community, 1980
Call to Gather (Responsively)
Rev. Lorrie Lowes
From before the beginning, and beyond the end,
God is our God, the God who claims us as friends.
We come, as faithful people have come, for many generations.
We may break our promises and abandon our covenants,
but God meets all our endings with a new beginning.
Stir in us a joyful celebration of what God has done and
continue to do among us.
From before the beginning, and beyond the end, God is our God.
Friends, gather now in the presence of God who calls us friends.
Opening Prayer (In Unison)
Companion God, through the years you have loved us dearly like true friends and have nurtured us since the beginning. The abundance that surrounds us is astounding, and all we can do is marvel and give thanks. With joy-filled hearts let us proclaim the Good News that you are among us. Dance with us as we embrace one another in love and in thanksgiving. Walk with us as we celebrate your promises of grace and hope. Pray with us as we journey together as followers of Jesus. Amen.
Hymn: Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love – Voices United #574
1 Come let us sing of a wonderful love,
tender and true, tender and true,
out of the heart of the Father above,
streaming to me and to you:
wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
2 Jesus, the Saviour, this gospel to tell,
joyfully came, joyfully came,
came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell, sharing their sorrow and shame,
seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
3 Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
dwells in the heart of the Father above.
4 Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
lifting my life till it rises above
envy and falsehood and pride:
seeking to be, seeking to be
lowly and humble, a learner of thee
Words: Robert Walmsley, 1900, Music: Adam Watson
Song reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Storytime
Rev. Lorrie
*Hymn: Magic Penny (Malvina Reynolds) – CGS/Bell Canto, director Erin Berard
Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.
It's just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many
They'll roll all over the floor.
For love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.
Prayer for Illumination (In Unison)
Reader: Charles Barker
God, our sure foundation, open the scripture to us and open us to the scripture so that we can hear your message of love in songs, in word and in prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Gospel Reading: John 15: 9-17 (The Message)
Love One Another
9-10 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done— kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.
16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. 17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.
May the love of Jesus Christ dwell where the Word is spoken. Thanks be to God!
Ministry of Music: Love is a Song – Natalie Sleeth
BCUC Choir (Abe TeGrotenhuis directing)
Sermon: “Being a Friend”
Rev. Kim
Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Lorrie
Holy One, Source of Love,
You love us without conditions or limits.
We feel secure and at home in that love.
You call us “Beloved”;
Jesus calls us “Friend”.
And we are called to respond – by spreading that love to others.
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
Jesus called it a commandment but we know it is more than a command; it is our calling,
Our invitation into the joy you wish for each of us.
You call us to take care of the earth, our common home.
We pray for a way to stop the devastating effects of climate change on the amazing flora and fauna that make up your intricate web of life.
We pray for a way to harvest the riches of minerals and energy sources that help sustain us without causing harm to our fellow creatures or the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Lord, grant us the vision to see where care is needed, the openness to see our part in both the problem and the solution, and the courage to make a difference.
You call us to care for all who suffer, near and far.
We pray for our families, our communities, and our neighbours both near and far.
We pray for an abundant life for all and for a closing of the gap between those who have and those who want.
We pray for healing of injuries and illness, grief and loneliness, of persecution, violence, and oppression.
Lord, grant us the vision to see where care is needed, the openness to see our part in both the problem and the solution, and the courage to make a difference.
You call us to care for the societies, cultures, and faiths that make up this world we live in.
We pray for understanding, for acceptance, and for celebration of the diversity that enriches our experience of living in your world.
We pray for the leaders who guide us and who determine the direction of the world.
We pray that love and wisdom guide their decisions and that they lead the world into unity and joy.
Lord, grant us the vision to see where care is needed, the openness to see our part in both the problem and the solution, and the courage to make a difference.
You call us to care for ourselves.
We pray for acceptance of our own worthiness of the relationship to which Jesus invites us.
We pray that we can find the complete joy you promise in being both servant and friend.
Lord, grant us the vision to see the gifts we bring to this world you have created in love, and the confidence to use them to create your kin-dom in this world.
We pray in the name of Jesus who both invites and commissions us into the work of spreading your love and light, and in the words we now say together in the language of our choice:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.
Invitation to Offer
Rev. Kim
God has blessed our lives with relationships—joy inspiring and challenging. In response to God’s blessings in our lives, let us joyfully share our gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of our gratitude to God’s blessings. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mail box by the kitchen door of the church. You may also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.
Offertory Prayer (In Unison)
Generous God, we offer our gifts to you for your blessing.
Bless our time, our talents, our treasures that they may be used wisely in your name. Amen.
Closing Hymn: More Voices #26 Your Love is Amazing
1. Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging,
your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet.
Your love is a myst’ry, how you gently lift me.
When I am surrounded your love carries me.
Refrain
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Your love makes me sing. (2X)
2. Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising,
all the joy that’s growing deep inside of me.
Ev’ry time I see you all your goodness shines through.
I can feel this God song rising up in me. Refrain
3. Repeat verse 1 and refrain
Hallelujah!
Words and Music; Brenton Brown and Brian Doerksen © 2000 Vineyard songs
Song #5b057fdf9f6f6 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved
Sending Forth
Rev. Kim
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Be strong and of good courage, for the God of love walks with you.
Be filled with the peace of Christ now and always. Amen!