Welcome to Worship at Kamloops United
Third Sunday after Pentecost – July 3, 2011
We Gather as People of God
Hymn Sing with the Singing of ‘O Canada’ – Voices United # 524
Welcome and Congregational Announcements and Celebrations
Music for Centering with the Lighting of the Christ Candle & the Procession of the Prayer Box
Call to Worship (x3):
God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.
Opening Prayer of Approach, Healing and Renewal:
O Creator God, on this summer Sunday we come before you thankful that we can be together in your presence. As we celebrate this Canada Day long weekend we are grateful for the blessings of our country. As we gather as people of Christian faith, we praise and proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Gather us together as citizens of Canada and as disciples of Christ, empowered by your Spirit to live out our faith in the world. And yet, O Redeeming One, we know that we often miss the mark, in following your way and as citizens of one country among many. When we turn a blind eye to those on the margins, wake us up. When we tolerate injustice and inequality, confront us. When we show contempt for your creation, challenge us. We ask for your forgiveness that we might begin again. Reconcile us. Heal us. Set us free to serve. We pray in Jesus’ name. AmenAn Assurance of God’s Love:
My friends, Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew says to us:
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.’
Family Story Time - ‘Rebekah and Isaac meet’ - Genesis 24
Hymn: Voices United # 409 ‘Morning Has Broken’
We Listen for God’s Living Word
Scripture:
- The Book of Romans 7:15-25a ‘I do not do the good I want to do.’
- The Gospel of Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 ‘My yoke is easy; my burden is light.’
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God!
A Reflection – ‘Struggle and Surrender in the Spirit’ - Rev. D. Bruce Comrie
We Respond in Faith
Hymn: Voices United # 509 ‘I, the Lord of Sea and Sky’
The Passing of the Peace of Christ:
May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Our Pastoral Prayers with the Lord’s Prayer (Sung – Voices United # 959)
Our Offering with the Offertory
Doxology: More Voices # 115 ‘Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New’
Behold, (behold,) behold, (behold,)
I make all things new,
beginning with you and starting from today.
Behold, (behold,) behold, (behold,)
I make all things new,
my promise is true, for I am Christ the way.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
The Communion Liturgy
God be with you. And also with you!
Lift up your hearts. We life them up to God!
Let us give thanks to God. It is right to offer thanks and praise.
Let us pray:
Holy God of wind and fire, your spirit renews the face of the earth and warms the hearts of your people. In this season of Pentecost, we give you thanks for your gifts of power: tongues that utter prophetic words of truth and justice; flames that kindle new visions of compassion and peace; fresh breezes that blow down the walls which separate us from you and one another. And so it is that we join with every voice and tongue on earth and in the heavens as we sing your praise:
Holy, holy, holy, my heart, my heart adores you! My heart is glad to say the words: You are holy, God! 
On the last night he spent with his friends, Jesus took an age-old tradition of his people and transformed it into something new. He took bread, staple food of his land, blessed and broke it, and gave it to those around him saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you. Whenever you do this, remember me.” (Bread is broken.)
After supper he took a cup of wine, common drink of his people, and gave it to them, saying, “ Drink this, all of you, this is the new covenant in my blood. Each time you do this, remember me.” (Juice is poured.)
By remembering Jesus in this way now, we claim our common heritage as we proclaim the mystery of faith… Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
By these signs of bread and wine, we recognize the longing of our hearts for a time when all humanity will be one family – when justice and compassion will be the way we live according to the Holy One we seek.
O Holy Spirit, be poured out upon us and these gifts. Unite us and strengthen us to live the resurrected life of Christ in the world.
Praise be to God, the Source of Love! Praise be to Christ, Love incarnate!
Praise be to the Spirit, Love’s power! Praise be to God! Amen
My friends, these are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Come, for all is now prepared!
(Our Communion continues…During the receiving of the elements the congregation is invited to sing Voices United # 469 ‘We Gather Here’ and Voices United # 468 ‘Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ’)
( Words offered to those receiving the elements…)
Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.
Jesus Christ, the Cup of Blessing.
Prayer after Communion
Eternal God, we thank you that you have called your people from east and west, and north and south, to feast at the table of Jesus Christ. Keep us faithful to your will. Go with us to the streets, to our homes, and to our places of labour and leisure- that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may be the servant church of the Servant Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
We Are Sent Forth
Hymn: Voices United # 326 ‘O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing’
Commissioning and Benediction
Sung Closing: More Voices # 156 ‘Dance with the Spirit’
Dance with the Spirit early in the mornin’
walk with the Spirit throughout the long day.
Work and hope for the new life a-born’,
listen to the Spirit to show you the way.