Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church
Order of Worship
Sunday, April 26th 2026 – 4th Sunday of Easter
Prelude
Welcome & Telling Our Story
Gathering to Worship God
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Loving God, as we light this Christ candle, we remember that your light meets us on every road: in certainty and in confusion, in conviction and in change. Shine among us today, that we might see as you see and be transformed by your grace. Amen.
Introit
Call to Worship
Come, all who are on a journey, whether the path is clear or uncertain. Come, all who have known sudden change and those still waiting for it. Come, for Christ meets us where we are, calls us by name, and leads us into new life. Let us worship the God who opens our eyes, reshapes our hearts, and welcomes us into community.
Hymn Come In, Come In and Sit Down (Part of the Family) VU 395
Refrain: Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
- You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain:
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
- God is with us in this place,
like a mother’s warm embrace.
We’re all forgiven by God’s grace,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
- There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God’s temple, it’s not yours or mine,
but we are a par of the family. Refrain
- There’s rest for the weary and health for us all;
there’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small.
Some come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
Gathering Prayer & Assurance of Grace
Holy and surprising God, you meet us in places we do not expect, on roads we think we understand and in moments that interrupt our plans. You call us by name, even when we are unsure how to respond. You invite us into transformation, even when we cannot yet see clearly. Open our hearts to your presence. Open our lives to your grace. Friends, I invite you to hear this good news: The God who met Saul on the road meets us with the same grace. Not waiting for perfection, but offering love that transforms. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Time for the Young & Young at Heart
When the Saints Go Marching In Ava Butler
Hymn Love Knocks and Waits MV 94
- Love knocks and waits for us to hear,
to open and invite;
Love longs to quiet every fear,
and seeks to set things right.
- Love offers life, in spite of foes
who threaten and condemn;
embracing enemies, Love goes
the second mile with them.
- Love comes to heal the broken heart,
to ease the troubled mind;
without a word Love bids us start
to ask and seek and find.
- Love knocks and entered at the sound
of welcome from within;
Love sings and dances all around
and feels new life begin.
Reborn in God’s Waters
Statement of Purpose
The sacrament of baptism proclaims and celebrates the grace of God. By water and Spirit, we are called, claimed and commissioned: we are called God’s own, welcomed as children of God; we are claimed by Christ, united with Christ, united with one another and the Christian community of every time and place; we are commissioned to Christ’s ministry of love, peace and justice, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit for the work of the church in the world.
Presentation of Candidate
On behalf of Trinity St. Andrews United Church, I present Addison Fochuk for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism.
Profession of Faith & Promises
Do you believe in God, Source of Love; in Jesus Christ, love incarnate; and in Holy Spirit, love’s power? I do, by the grace of God.
Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice? I will, God being my helper.
Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ? I will, God being my helper.
Will you join with your siblings in this community of faith to celebrate God’s presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others? I will, God being my helper.
Congregational Commitment
As Trinity St. Andrews United Church do you commit yourselves to support and nurture Addison within a community which worships God, loves and serves others, seeks justice, and resists evil? We do, by the grace of God.
Affirmation of Faith A New Creed VU 918
THE NEW CREED
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Prayer of Thanksgiving & Pouring of Water
Gracious and Holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation. By water, comes the growth of the earth. Through water, you led the children of Israel to freedom. In the waters of the Jordan your child Jesus was baptized. Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
The Act of Baptism
Addison, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Laying of Hands
Addison, may the Holy spirit guide you, inspire you, and work within you, all the days of your life. Amen.
Presentation of Gifts & Symbols
Declaration & Congregational Welcome
Addison, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and give glory to God. And may you receive this book, our holy scriptures, and hear what the Spirit is saying to you and to the Church. Amen.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Addison has been received into this community faith- the body of Christ in the world. Let us welcome Addison as we sing twice through with joy Halle, Halle, Halle.
Hymn: Halle, Halle, Halle x2 VU 958
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Blessed at Table & Font
Thanksgiving & Offering
God’s grace does not end with us as it flows through us. Like the disciples, we are called to respond in trust, to share what we have been given, and to participate in God’s work of healing and new beginnings. Let us offer our gifts— as signs of gratitude, and as part of the transforming love of God at work in the world through the ministries of TSA.
Hymn: For the Gift of Creation VU 538
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer
God of transformation, you meet us in the ordinary and the unexpected— calling us, changing us, and drawing us into new life. We give you thanks for the waters of baptism, for the sign and promise that we belong to you— claimed, loved, and made new.
We pray for those who are beginning new journeys, for those experiencing change, and for those who feel uncertain about the road ahead. Open eyes that cannot yet see. Soften hearts that are guarded or afraid. Send companions, like Ananias, to bring courage, care, and welcome.
We pray for your church, that we may be a community of transformation: where questions are honoured, where grace is practiced, and where new life is nurtured. We pray for those in need: for the sick, the grieving, the weary, and all who long for healing and hope. Meet them in their need, O God, and work through us where you can. And now, with trust in your presence among us, we pray together the words Jesus taught us by saying…Our Father…
Listening for God
Hymn: Jesus Calls Us VU 562
- 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.”
- Long ago apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving it all for Jesus’ sake.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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.
Scripture: Acts 9:1-19 Sally Prendergast
Sermon
Anthem
Sent into God’s World
Hymn: Will You Come and Follow Me VU 567
- Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my voice be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
- Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?
- Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
- Will you love the “you” you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?
- Christ, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
Sending Forth
Go now into the world, knowing that God meets you on every road. Go with eyes ready to be opened, hearts ready to be changed, and lives ready to respond in love. And may the grace of God who calls you, transforms you, and walks with you be with you always. Amen.
Sung Blessing God Be With You Till We Meet Again VU 422 (v1, refrain x2)
God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care unfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
Postlude
