History of the Local Indigenous People by David Newfield
Hope is the Wind at your Back. . .Faith is the Wind under your Wings
Sunday April 23, 2023
Beautiful to God
Worship Participants
Worship Leader: Talina
Speaker: Gary
Song Leader: Sharon
Gift of Music: Keith
Technician: Eugene
Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Land acknowledgement
We gather here this morning to reflect on the theme “Beautiful to God”. As we gather on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Chonnonton peoples, we acknowledge that we and our ancestors have failed to see God’s beauty in the rightful and original stewards of this land. We repent of the ways in which we, and the Mennonite church, have participated in harming First Nations, Inuit, and Inuit peoples both locally and throughout Canada. May this acknowledgement remind us to continue seeking ways in which we can practise repentance and authentic reconciliation.
Gift of Music: Keith Moyer
Call to Worship:
Leader: God, as we enter into this space of worship, may our eyes be fixed on you.
People: Help us to see as you see
Leader: For our failure to see the beauty in all your people
People: Forgive us
Leader: Bless us with the courage to be honest with ourselves and with others
People: Help us to be like you
Leader: Bless us with the desire for justice and to do what is right
People: And to turn that desire into action
Leader: Help us not to be afraid
People: But to live in love
Hymns: VT #166 Your Love is Washing Over Me
VT #767 God Loves All His Many People
Centring Prayer
Leader: In our times of self doubt
All: You are here
Leader: In our hopelessness and fear
All: You are here
Leader: In our brokenness and imperfection
All: You are here
Leader: And your presence reminds us
All: There is beauty within us
Leader: In our times of struggle
All: You are here
Leader: When we see each other through the lens of anger and fear
All: You are here
Leader: When all we can see in others is their imperfection
All: You are here
Leader: And your presence reminds us
All: There is beauty within them
Leader: Your presence reminds us we are all imperfect
All: Your love makes us all beautiful
Leader: Help us to see with your eyes
All: Help us to love like you
Hymn: VT #754 In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified
Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:1-14
Message: Beautiful to God
Hymn of Response: VT #551 Beautiful Things
Congregational Prayer
Prayer for the Offering: VT #1017
Gift of Music: Keith Moyer
Sending Hymn: VT #762 This Little Light of Mine
Benediction: VT #1062