Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church
Order of Worship
Sunday June 8, 2025 – Pentecost
100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada
Gathering
Prelude
Words of Welcome
Lighting the Christ Candle
Introit Holy, Holy, Holy VU 315, v. 1
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three person, blessed Trinity!
Call to Worship
The Holy Spirit descends gently, like a dove, bringing peace so the people might come together to act as a just and caring community. The Spirit comes like a breath, bringing life to renew the people of God. The Spirit spreads like fire, bringing energy for the sharing the love of God. We gather this day, from many different churches, to praise God with one voice. We bring our own experiences of God’s grace, and we witness to the many gifts the Spirit brings.
So we gather on this day of celebration to share this gift, this spirit of life as we worship God together. Amen.
Intro – The Hymnary, 1930
The United Church does not have a formally prescribed order of service that we must follow week by week, so we are ‘free’ to worship as we choose. This means our worship is always changing and evolving. The hymns we sing together are, as a result, perhaps the most lasting expression of who we are. Our hymns reflect our concerns, our understanding of who we are and our understanding of God. So our service today is using these beloved hymns to tell the story of who we were and what we are still in the process of becoming.
The Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists came together in 1925, but it took another five years for the first visible sign of this new union to come about. The Hymnary was a work of compromise, blending three traditions of sacred song into one. Sometimes it was easy, because all three loved the same songs. Sometimes it was difficult. For the Twenty-third psalm, everyone had a different tune, so they compromised by publishing all three melodies. And the funny thing is, we don’t use any of those 3 melodies when we sing The Lord is My Shepherd today.
When the Hymnary was released in 1930, it was controversial. Being a compromise, not everyone got what they wanted. It took decades before some congregations even agreed to purchase it. In time, it became accepted, and even loved. We began our service today singing Hymn number one, Holy Holy Holy. That was the introit sung in many churches at the start of every worship service. This was known as the Blue book, and it served us for 41 years.
Prayer of Approach
Loving God, on the day of Pentecost, you gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to an expectant church. People from all over the world had gathered for that day, and they all heard your message of salvation. Today we have gathered from many different parts of Renfrew County, and we want to celebrate this gift of salvation you have shared with us. By your Spirit, you bring us together to lift our hearts, minds, and bodies to worship you. May your Spirit shine in our lives and worship just as it did on that holy day so long ago. Help us to expect great things from you, and attempt great things for you! Like those early disciples, we are diverse in many ways, but our hearts are one in you.
May we show the world the love we experience in Jesus, and the power we find in the Spirit, as we seek to honour your dream of this world being one. To your glory we offer our worship, our witness and our love. Amen.
Intro – Songs of the Gospel, 1948
Over the following decades, the United Church released a number of paperback song books, including Songs for Little Children and the Canadian Youth Hymnal. In 1948 the United Church released Songs of the Gospel, which was a best seller that stayed in print for 40 years. This hymn book was often used for the evening service. It includes such beloved hymns as “Church in the Wildwood” and “Bringing In The Sheaves”. Surprisingly, this is the only United Church hymn book that includes “In The Garden”.
Hymn In the Garden – St. Andrew’s UC White Lake Praise Team
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain: And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Tho the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go – thru the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. Refrain
Intro – The Hymn Book, 1971
The Hymn Book was released in 1971. This book was also a compromise. It was created for our union with the Anglican Church. The union of the two denominations died before it could get to the altar the following year. This was known as The Red book. Considering Mao-Tse Tung was shaking up China with his little Red book, it was not the most flattering of comparisons.
It was a challenge to bring two even more divergent churches together in song. Plus the Evangelical United Brethren had joined the United Church in 1968 so they had to find a way to include some of their favourite hymns. It was hard to squeeze so many hymns into one book. Many familiar tunes were lost and some beloved melodies were overlooked. There wasn’t room for many of the new folk hymns that were very popular in the late 1960’s. They did try to introduce some new songs, including this memorable tune. “Now thank we God for bodies strong”. The Hymn Book introduced us to some new hymns, like “Joyful joyful we adore thee.” Some became instant classics like the Easter hymn “Thine is the glory”. We will be singing Sydney Carter’s “Lord of the Dance”. That hymn shocked as many people as it delighted. For being so unloved, the Red book lasted 26 years.
Hymn I Danced in the Morning VU 352
- I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
- I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
but they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on. Refrain
- I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame,
the holy people said it was a shame;
they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on a cross to die. Refrain
- I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
they buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
but I am the dance and I still go on. Refrain
- They cut me now and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he. Refrain
Intro – Songs Songs for a Gospel People, 1987
The red Hymn Book lasted as long as it did, partially because of Songs for a Gospel People. Released in 1987, Songs for a Gospel People featured the best of the new compositions, as well as resurrecting some overlooked favourites. Released during the days of growing environmental awareness, the “Green book” opened the door to many contemporary expressions of faith. From Songs for a Gospel People we discovered “Spirit, spirit of gentleness” and “This is the day”. For the first time, twentieth century hymns like “Great is thy faithfulness”, “Amazing Grace” and “How great thou art” were made available for our congregations to sing. The musical arrangements in this book were designed more for piano and guitar rather than the organ. This was a book that had something for everyone, and it showed what possibilities laid ahead.
Hymn In Loving Partnership We Come VU 603
- In loving partnership we come,
seeking, O God, your will to do.
Our prayers and actions now receive
we freely offer them to you.
- We are the hands and feet of Christ,
serving by grace each other’s need.
We dare to risk and sacrifice
with truthful word and faithful deed.
- Loving community we seek;
your hope and strength within us move.
The poor and rich, the strong and weak
Are brought together in your love.
- In loving partnership, O God,
help us your future to proclaim.
Justice and peace be our desire,
we humbly pray in Jesus’ name.
Intro – Voices United, 1996
In 1996, the first truly United Church hymn book was released. Voices United. It brings together many favourite hymns, some of which were overlooked in previous books. Voices United collects the folk hymns of the 60’s and the new hymns of the 1980’s. It introduced us to the works of Canadian hymn writers as well songs of faith from around the world. There are hymns that speak of our changing understanding of God and what it means to be a Christian today. It was the first book to use more inclusive language and offer us some feminine images of God. This book was an instant best seller and has been accepted by the overwhelming majority of our congregations. It is a book that reflects the growing diversity of our membership, the depths of joy our hymns can produce, and the variety of ways our faith can be expressed.
Hymn In the Bulb There Is a Flower VU 703
- In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise;
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there’s a spring that wants to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
- There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
- In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
At the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
Scripture Reader: Joy Curry
First Scripture: Acts 2:1-20
Reflection “Music: The UCC’s One Foundation” – Rev. Dr. Christine Johnson
Special Music “Gospel Medley O’Fun!”
Intro – More Voices, 2007
In 2007, a supplementary book called “More Voices” was released. It features even more new hymns by Canadian and international composers. More Voices also includes many praise choruses to reflect a more contemporary style of worship. It introduced us to songs like “Spirit Be Our Breath of Life” and “Draw the Circle Wide”. It also gave us choruses like the African American spiritual “Over My Head”. The communion sung responses we will be using today are from this book.
Hymn Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome) MV 1
- Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
- Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
And as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
- Let us build a house where love is found
In water, wine and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground,
Where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
Is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
- Let us build a house where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
And live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
Bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
- Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries of laughter,
Prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
Thanksgiving
The Offering
Offering Song Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow VU 541
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known;
Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.
Offering Prayer
Intro – Then Let Us Sing, 2025
The next hymn resource for the United Church will be released later this year. It’s called “Then Let Us Sing” It will be an online resource and it won’t be a printed hymn book. It’s designed to be used with the words projected on the screen. Like More Voices it features mostly praise choruses for a contemporary style of worship. During the serving of communion we’ll hear the praise chorus “Anointing Fall On Me” sung.
As the journey of faith ever continues on, we can be sure we’ll never run out of great songs of faith we can sing together along the way.
Service of Holy Communion
Invitation To the Table
The Great Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, gracious God, Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love. In the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and your Word brought all things into being. Through a burning bush, you spoke to your prophets and your people. With glowing coals you touched their lips, that they might speak your word of truth and justice. By fire and your Spirit, you have guided us through the wilderness. We give you thanks and praise, O God of wind and word, power and peace. Lover of all nations, although we have so often betrayed your promise, you have never left us nor forsaken us. You sent us Jesus, your Gift of Grace, our Light and Flame.
You poured out your Spirit upon us, to create, renew, inspire, that all might be made whole. We bless you, for your Spirit wraps us in your presence, drawing us closer in community. And so it is that on this feast of Pentecost, we give you praise and thanks for your many gifts, joining with all your people that as one body we may proclaim your praise:
All: (More Voices, #203 – Sung)
O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.
All earth and seas and sky above bear witness to your grace.
Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.
And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!
God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to those who sat with him, saying: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup, saying: “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this bread and cup may be the body of Christ: light, life and love in the world. In this hope, and as your people, we praise you:
All: (MV#204 – Sung)
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever.
Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever.
All: (MV#205 – Sung)
Amen, amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen, O Holy One, Hosanna and Amen!
Sharing the Bread and Juice
Music “Anointing, fall on me” – Then Let Us Sing, 2025, sung by Danah-Lee Krieger
Anointing, fall on me,
anointing, fall on me.
Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me.
Anointing fall of me.
Anointing, fall on me,
anointing, fall on me.
Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me.
Anointing, fall on me.
Let the power of the Holy Ghost,
Let the power of the Holy Ghost,
let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me.
Anointing, fall on me,
Anointing, fall on me, on me.
Unison Prayer after Communion
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world united in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Sending Forth
Hymn The Church’s One Foundation VU 331
- The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord;
we are his new creation by water and the Word;
from heaven he came and sought us that we might ever be
his living servant people, by his own death set free.
- Called forth from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth;
one charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name professing and at one table fed.
to one hope always pressing, by Christ’s own Spirit led.
- Though with a scornful wonder the world sees us oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, “How long?”
But soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
- Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of our war,
we wait the consummation of peace forevermore;
till with the vision glorious our longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
- We now on earth have union with God the Three in One,
and share through faith communion with those whose rest has won.
Oh, happy ones, and holy! Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
Benediction
Choral Amen Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen! VU 974
Postlude
