The peace of Christ be with us all.
Christ be with us as we continue physical distancing.
Christ be with us as we seek to live as disciples, as we celebrate the gift of life of Easter.
Christ be with us as we care for the earth, as we seek to live in justice, as we live as the hands and feet and voice of Christ in the world.
Christ be with us as we navigate our way forward, with restrictions, with vaccines, and with hope.
We are mindful of our shared need for God’s love in “There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy”
Thanks again to everyone for engaging with us on this COVID-19 journey. We are grateful to share ministry with you and really appreciate your efforts to stay in touch and to continue to care about TMUC with your prayers and your financial support. Donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.organd in cheques mailed to the church are making a difference. Thank you.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10, please think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
The Prayer List is distributed separately and allows us to remember specific people with our prayers. If you want to receive the Prayer List, or add a name (with their permission), please be in touch.
Again and again we are called to listen to words of reconciliation:
We are gathered for worship and work in Treaty One territory, which is the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dené peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples walked this land and knew it to be the centre of their lives and their spirituality. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Worship for Sunday, April 25, 2021
Introit: “And On This Path”
You call us, O God, to be your people.
Again and again you invite us to journey with Jesus.
Again and again we declare
Christ is Risen,
Christ is Risen indeed!
We come to worship knowing the tomb is empty,
Jesus has been raised from the dead,
Christ is alive!
Hallelujah!
Our opening hymn is “Are You a Shepherd?”
Esther and Emmett talk about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
Printable Version:
Esther and Emmett – April 25
John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away–and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Carol offers a reflection
Printable Version:
Carol Reflection – April 25
Let us pray:
Holy God, we care thankful for the wideness of your mercy, for the steadfastness of your love, and for all your gifts of life. You are with us now. We thank you that you are with those we love, and through whom we experience your grace and care.
We thank you that you stay with those who are suffering and grieving. This world knows such pain. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Minneapolis and throughout the United States. We pray for an end to racialized violence. May we all find peace and healing and justice.
We pray for those on whom we lean in this COVID pandemic – health care workers, neighbours, family, and friends. We pray for those involved in the distribution of vaccines that the world might all have the opportunity for immunity.
We give thanks for all those who are working to help our planet. Those working on grand projects and those whose tiny acts help the environment.
So many people are needed to make the world a better and safer place right now, and we give thanks for their service and their courage.
Help us O God to live as faith-filled disciples. Help us to remember that we are Easter people, and nothing can separate us from you or from one another.
We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus, the Christ. AMEN.
Our closing hymn is “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you.
May God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Carol and Jeff