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GATHERING, LENT/EASTER 2019Ash Wednesday to the Last Sunday of Easter Error: Reference source not foundAsh Wednesday to the Last Sunday of Easter................................................................................2Lent and Holy Week.......................................................................................................................2Easter.............................................................................................................................................2March 6 – Ash Wednesday............................................................................................................4March 10 – Lent 1..........................................................................................................................6March 17 – Lent 2..........................................................................................................................8March 24 – Lent 3........................................................................................................................10March 31 – Lent 4........................................................................................................................12April 7 – Lent 5.............................................................................................................................14April 14 – Palm/Passion Sunday...................................................................................................16April 18 – Maundy Thursday........................................................................................................18April 19 – Good Friday................................................................................................................. 20April 21 – Easter Sunday..............................................................................................................22April 28 – Second Sunday of Easter.............................................................................................24May 5 – Third Sunday of Easter...................................................................................................26May 12 – Fourth Sunday of Easter...............................................................................................28May 19 – Fifth Sunday of Easter..................................................................................................30May 26 – Sixth Sunday of Easter..................................................................................................32May 30 – Ascension Day (Thursday)............................................................................................34June 2 – Seventh Sunday of Easter..............................................................................................36

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2 Gathering, L/E 2019

Ash Wednesday to the Last Sunday of Easter

Lent and Holy WeekDates: Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls 40 days prior to Easter. Sundays are not included in the count of these days, as each Sunday is a “little Easter,” meant to celebrate resurrection.

Feast Days* and Special Days*Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the Lent– Easter cycle. It is marked by the ceremonial distribution of ashes as a symbol of entering into the penitential Season of Lent. The wearing of ashes, made from the burning of the previous year’s palms from Palm Sunday, is considered a sign of repentance, sorrow, and mourning, an appropriate way to begin Lent.Women’s World Day of Prayer – first Friday in March.International Women’s Day – March 8.*The Triduum – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday. Meaning of Name The name Lent comes through Middle English lente and Old English lencten or lengten, referring to the season of spring and the lengthening of days. It is also related to the French word lente, which means “to move slowly.”

Liturgical Colour: Purple Purple is a cool colour on the colour wheel, reflecting divinity, wisdom, dignity, mystery, and creativity. Dark purple is a penitential colour, evoking sadness and deep reflection. In the first century CE, purple dye was very hard to come by, so only the wealthy could afford purple garments.

EasterDates: Easter is currently a moveable feast, celebrated in Western Christianity on the first Sunday after the first astronomical full moon on or after the vernal (spring) equinox (fixed as March 21 for ecclesial purposes). Thus Easter falls between March 22 and April 25 on the Gregorian calendar. Easter Day within Eastern Christianity is calculated in the same manner but following the Julian calendar, using the actual vernal equinox date at the meridian of Jerusalem, and with the added condition that Easter must fall after Passover. There are talks underway exploring the possibility of fixing the date of Easter to the second or third Sunday of April. This would allow all Christians to celebrate on the same day.

Feast Days* and Special Days April Fool’s Day – April 1. Holy Humour Sunday – the Sunday after Easter Sunday. Earth Day – April 22. *Ascension Day – 40th day after Easter. Camping Sunday – last Sunday of April.

Meaning of Name The name Easter comes from the Old English Eostre, rooted in the Proto–Germanic austron, meaning “dawn,” and the Proto–Indo–European aus, meaning “to shine.” The word east has the same roots. Bede, a seventh–/eighth–century English monk, made a connection between the name Easter and an early Germanic goddess of the dawn or spring, possibly named Eostre, whose feasts were celebrated in the month of April, though there is current debate about who this goddess might actually be. Within Greek and Latin traditions, the celebration is referred to as Pascha, a name rooted in the Aramaic word for Passover. Liturgical Colours: White and Gold


Gathering, L/E 2019 3

White, which is all colours of light combined, denotes goodness, innocence, and God’s faithfulness. Gold reflects glory, triumph, wealth, richness, and extravagance. Gold is also associated with illumination, love, compassion, courage, and wisdom. Together they are colours of celebration.



March 6 – Ash WednesdayWorship materials for Ash Wednesday were contributed by David Sparks, Summerland, B.C.

Joel 2:1–2, 12–17The Day of God is coming.or Isaiah 58:1–12A fast that pleases God.

Psalm 51:1–17 (VU pp. 776–777)Create in me a new heart, O God.

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10Be reconciled to God.

Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 Concerning almsgiving and fasting.

To PonderAs we go through the Ash Wednesday doorway that leads to Lent, what do we take with us, and what awaits us on the other side?

Spark“Be still and know that I am God.” Post or project these words in the sanctuary. Create a doorway, a Lenten doorway, to mark the passage of the seasons and to symbolize this as a key transitional day. The door may be such that each person can walk through it at some point in the service. As we go through the Lenten doorway, there is a call to be still before the Holy One, to listen attentively for the will of God for us and for our faith community. It may not be what we expect.

With ChildrenIt is not realistic to expect the children to spend much time being quiet before God, as the adults will be doing. Have one of the worship leaders work with the children to explore the concept of a fast of integrity (Isaiah 58:6). Have them wrestle with the idea of what is fair and what is unfair in their experience (school, home, sports groups), and draw, colour, or make collages to show what they are thinking. These may be shared at the end of the service or posted for people to see as they walk through the door to leave, as the children wish.

Sermon StarterMatthew, the gospel writer, reminds us of the humble attitude that anyone fasting will need to bring to the task; so when you go without food, make sure to wash your face and comb your hair so that others don’t know. Only God will know what you are doing (Matthew 6:17–18). And be ready for renewal, ready for a renewed heart from God, writes the psalmist, and a new and trusting spirit (Psalm 51:10). Isaiah reminds us to take with us a willingness to reflect on what is needed to achieve what we want to achieve, with integrity woven in, so that the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice fall away, and the oppressed find freedom (Isaiah 58:6–7). On this first day of Lent, let us receive these words of wisdom, reminding us that true fasting calls for direct and practical action.

Instead of a sermon, the service might incorporate a time of meditation and stillness. See “Be Still: An Ash Wednesday Liturgy” in Seasonal Ideas and Resources, p. 65.

Hymns



Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 VU 626 “I heard the voice of Jesus”MV 78 “God weeps”

Isaiah 58:1–12VU 601 “The church of Christ in every age”VU 684 “Make me a channel of your peace”MV 161 “I have called you by your name”

Psalm 51:1–17VU 364 “Forgive our sins as we forgive”VU 382 “Breathe on me, breath of God”VU 708 “My Lord, what a morning”MV 18 “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary”MV 77 “Be still and know”

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10VU 109 “Now quit your care”VU 664 “What a friend we have in Jesus”MV 171 “Christ has no body now but yours”

Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21VU 105 “Dust and ashes touch our face”VU 107 “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s ashes”VU 108 “Throughout these Lenten days and nights”VU 595 “We are pilgrims”VU 701 “What does the Lord require of you”MV 157 “I am a child of God”



March 10 – Lent 1Worship materials for Lent 1 were contributed by Ivan Gregan, Port Wallis U.C., Dartmouth, N.S.

Deuteronomy 26:1–11“My father was a wandering Aramean.”

Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 (VU pp. 807–809) I will raise you up on eagle’s wings.

Romans 10:8b–13Declare with your mouth; believe with your heart.

Luke 4:1–13Jesus tested in the desert.

To PonderHow do you join the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) and become part of a pilgrim people?

SparkBring a globe, a travel magazine, and a road map to church. Here is our planet, here are places we might like to visit, here is a road map—how do we connect them? Who has travelled this road before us?

With ChildrenUnfold the map and help the children locate their village, town, or city. Ask them how they arrived at church this morning. Did they walk, drive, cycle, or take a bus? Who did they first meet at church this morning? An elder, an usher, a greeter, a Sunday school teacher, or a friend? Who is the one person we are all coming here to meet? What do we use as a map to find Jesus? (Suggestions might include a Bible, people, stories, and songs.)

Sermon StarterThe words “My father was a wandering Aramean” are central to the Passover Haggadah and, when recited, immediately involve the speaker in the unfolding narrative. In Hebrew, the word for wandering implies more than a nomadic movement; it carries the sense of being lost or about to perish. Jesus enters into humanity’s narrative of being in the wilderness and enduring temptation. When we are in the midst of spiritual crises, Christ (in myriad forms) is there with us. Where does God join us in the unfolding narrative of our lives? When have we known God to be present? As mentor, counsellor, friend, Saviour? How do we see ourselves entering into the story of salvation? The gospel ends with the “devil” leaving only to await a more opportune time. We are never free from evil and temptation, but neither are we alone in our journey.

HymnsDeuteronomy 26:1–11 VU 131 “If our God had simply saved us”VU p. 747 “The Lord’s my Shepherd”

Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 VU p. 808 “On Eagle’s Wings”

Romans 10:8b–13



VU 343 “I love to tell the story”VU 345 “Come, children, join to sing”VU 444 “Child of blessing, child of promise”

Luke 4:1–13VU 113 “To the desert Jesus came”VU 114 “Forty days and forty nights”VU 115 “Jesus, tempted in the desert”



March 17 – Lent 2Worship materials for Lent 2 were contributed by Nathan Wright, Queen’s Avenue U.C., New Westminster, B.C.

Genesis 15:1–12, 17–18 God seals the covenant with Abram and Sarai.

Psalm 27 (VU pp. 753–755) God is my light and my salvation.

Philippians 3:17—4:1 My dear friends, my joy, my crown, hold firm in God.

Luke 13:31–35 Jesus cries over Jerusalem as a hen over her chicks.

To PonderHow would you describe the covenant between you and God?

Spark Fill a jar with confetti stars and place it in a location that people will notice when entering the worship space. Add a sign that says, “The descendants of Abraham.”

With ChildrenBring forward the jar full of confetti stars and invite the children to examine it. Ask them what they notice about what’s inside: shape, colours, sizes, etc. Once they have described the contents, ask them: “How many stars are in the jar? Can you count them all?” Talk about how God promised Abram that he would have so many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that they would be as numerous as the stars. Abram believed God, and God’s promise came true. We are part of the long line of Abram and Sarai’s descendants. You might wish to mention the change in Abram’s and Sarai’s names to mark the covenant.

Sermon StarterIt’s not too difficult to imagine Abram and Sarai’s frustration and disappointment. A lot of time has passed since God promised in Genesis 12:2 that they would become a great nation, so much time, in fact, that Abram has already made a Plan B and convinced himself that a slave born in his house would be his heir. When God comes to him in a vision and says, “Do not be afraid…your reward shall be great,” Abram’s response is one of incredulity: “I continue childless…. You have given me no offspring…” Basically, he’s saying, “Why should I believe you? You’ve made this promise to me before, and you haven’t kept your word yet.” But then God reiterates the promise, shows him the stars, and tells him that their descendants will be just as numerous. Abram once again believes God, and God reckoned it to him as righteousness. The promise, however, will not be fully realized for many years to come. Even after Isaac is finally born, it is only the beginning; one child is not “a great nation.” It will take generation after generation till the descendants of Abram and Sarai are as countless as the stars. Our Lenten journey encourages us to take the long view of God’s promises. How do we live as a people of faith when the fulfillment of God’s promises can sometimes seem so far away?

HymnsGenesis 15:1–12, 17–18VU 634 “To Abraham and Sarah”VU 642 “Be thou my vision”



VU 643 “Faith, while trees are still in blossom” MV 20 “God of still waiting”

Psalm 27MV 109 “My soul is thirsting for you”MV 175 “May we but wait”MV 217 “Hey ney yana”

Philippians 3:17—4:1VU 669 “Jesus, lover of my soul”VU 672 “Take time to be holy”

Luke 13:31–35VU 329 “O Jesus Christ, may grateful hymns be rising”MV 84 “In you there is a refuge”MV 214 “May God’s sheltering wings”



March 24 – Lent 3Worship materials for Lent 3 were contributed by Geoffrey Wilfong-Pritchard, St. Andrew’s U.C., Edmonton, Alta.

Isaiah 55:1–9Come, buy wine and milk without money!

Psalm 63:1–8 (VU p. 781) I long for you, O God.

1 Corinthians 10:1–13 God will not let you be tested beyond your strength.

Luke 13:1–9 The parable of the barren fig tree.

To PonderWhat are you waiting for, deep down?

SparkDisplay images of barren trees in the sanctuary in whatever way you use imagery: a collage projection or pictures from magazines. If you have leftover dried-up palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday service, put a piece of leaf in each order of service. Amplify a slowly ticking metronome to emphasize the idea of waiting for time to tick by.

With ChildrenRead “The Garden” from Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (HarperCollins, 1979) or show the video (Internet search: YouTube frog toad garden). After watching or reading the story, remind everyone that Jesus told a parable about a person who, like Toad, couldn’t wait for the fruit to grow on the tree he planted. Share briefly the parable. What did Toad learn about waiting? What about the person in the parable? What do these stories teach us, as disciples of Jesus, about waiting?

Sermon StarterMost often, the story of the barren fig tree is treated as an allegory. God is the vineyard owner, we are the barren tree that God wants to pull up, and Jesus is the kindly gardener who pleads on our behalf and buys us some time so we can repent. To hear it as a parable, as a story that John Dominic Crossan says “upsets a world,” we need to change the characterization. What if we are the impatient vineyard owner, the realm of God is the fig tree, and God is the gardener, who pleads with us not to give up because the manifestation of God’s presence is not as immediate as we would like?

HymnsIsaiah 55:1–9VU 356 “Seek ye first the kingdom”VU 478 “You satisfy the hungry heart”VU p. 884 “You shall go out with joy”MV 4 “All who are thirsty”SFGP* 105 “Vine and fig tree”

Psalm 63VU 287 “Wellspring of wisdom”VU 460 “All who hunger”



MV 84 “In you there is a refuge”“Between the stillness of the rock” by William Wallace, The Mystery Telling (Selah Publishing, 2001). Internet search: between stillness mystery telling Methodist.

1 Corinthians 10:1–13VU 650 “O God of Bethel”VU 651 “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah”MV 45 “You are holy”MV 109 “My soul is thirsting for you”

Luke 13:1–9VU 227 “For the fruit of all creation”VU 282 “Long before the night”VU 703 “In the bulb there is a flower”MV 103 “Ka mana’o ’I ’O”

*Songs for a Gospel People



March 31 – Lent 4Worship materials for Lent 4 and Lent 5 were contributed by Teresa Burnett-Cole, Glebe-St. James U.C., Ottawa, Ont.

Joshua 5:9–12 God takes away the shame of Egypt from the people.

Psalm 32 (VU p. 759)Blessed are those who are forgiven.

2 Corinthians 5:16–21Anyone in Christ is a new creation.

Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32The prodigal son; the prodigal father.

To PonderWhat do you think you deserve from others and from God? Why?

SparkCreate a visual invitation to the gospel by displaying a bundle tied to a stick, ready for the open road, or a suitcase, backpack, or other modern luggage.

With ChildrenIn the story Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (HarperCollins, 1984), Max misbehaves and is sent to his room, where he decides to run away from his mother and escape to where “the wild things” are. After having fun, Max realizes he misses his mother, so he returns home. Jesus tells a similar story about a son who runs away from his father and lives a wild life. Eventually, he too misses his father and returns. Expecting to be punished, he is amazed by the love and forgiveness shown him by his father. Like Max, we make mistakes, but when we return to the one who loves us, we are always loved and forgiven.

Sermon StarterThe gospel text is full of interesting perspectives—the son who leaves, the son who stays, and the father who loves them both. The irony in the prodigal son’s journey is that he mistakes material wealth for abundance, choosing the temporary thrills of fast living over the security of home. The older son who stays does not have any better sense of how much he is loved. When his brother returns, the older one is filled with resentment toward both his brother and his father. The older brother’s challenge was to refrain from demanding justice, even when he was in the right to expect it. Neither son was expecting the response of their father: forgiveness, love, and compassion. So it is with the Holy One, who gives us not what we think we deserve but what we need: God’s deep and expansive love.

Hymns Joshua 5:9–12 VU 405 “New every morning”VU 460 “All who hunger”

Psalm 32VU 377 “Holy Spirit, hear us”MV 95 “How deep the peace”



2 Corinthians 5:16–21 VU 147 “What wondrous love is this”VU 716 “My life flows on”MV 148 “Hope of Abraham and Sarah”MV 172 “God says”

Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 VU 135 “Beneath the cross of Jesus”VU 556 “Would you bless our homes and families”MV 20 “God of still waiting”



April 7 – Lent 5Isaiah 43:16–21 Look, I am doing something new.

Psalm 126 (VU p. 850) Those who sow in tears reap with joy.

Philippians 3:4b–14 I count everything as loss, but knowing Christ.

John 12:1–8 Mary anoints Jesus with costly ointment.

To PonderWhat scent or taste or texture or sound reminds you of love—the love of family, friends, and God?

SparkCreate a focal point by using a heart-shaped gift box or a cardboard cut-out heart wrapped in a big ribbon.

With ChildrenAsk the children whether they have a favourite smell. I love the smell of banana bread fresh from the oven. It reminds me of my mother’s cooking and how she bakes love for her family into everything she makes. Mary, another Mary, not Jesus’ mother, wanted to do something special for Jesus to show how much she loved him. She took some perfume and washed his feet with it, and the smell filled the house. She knew Jesus was headed to Jerusalem and that, quite likely, he would be killed there. The smell reminded Jesus not only of Mary’s love, but of God’s as well. I’m going to give each of you a little squirt of hand lotion. (Be aware of those who have allergies to scents. You might want to use a spice instead, such as cinnamon sticks.) Smell it as we pray, and throughout the day, when you smell this (on your skin), remember how much you, too, are loved by God.

Sermon StarterI remember sitting beside my grandmother’s bed as she was dying. A group of us sat and chatted easily, all eyes watching the rise and fall of her breath. My mother opened some lotion and gently rubbed it into her mother’s hands. It was a beautiful farewell gesture. The smell of the lotion lingered long after Grandma’s breathing had stopped. In our gospel reading, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. It was the practice of the day to anoint the body before burial. Mary, perhaps more than the other disciples, understood what was to come in the following days. I wonder whether her gesture was a way of honouring Jesus in both his humanity and divinity. I wonder whether she was kneeling in the face of the mystery that is death. What if we approached the mystery of where life meets death with a sense of wonder? Perhaps there would be a lingering scent of new life in the air.

Hymns Isaiah 43:16–21VU 713 “I see a new heaven”MV 115 “Behold, behold, I make all things new”MV 144 “Like a healing stream”



Psalm 126VU 30 “Hail to God’s own anointed”

Philippians 3:4b–14VU 142 “Jesus, keep me near the cross”VU 149 “When I survey the wondrous cross”VU 642 “Be thou my vision”

John 12:1–8VU 129 “Said Judas to Mary”VU 215 “Hope of the world”MV 79 “Spirit, open my heart”



April 14 – Palm/Passion SundayWorship materials for Holy Week were contributed by David Sparks, Summerland, B.C.

Liturgy of the PalmsLuke 19:28–40Jesus enters Jerusalem to cheering crowds.

Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29 (VU p. 837, Parts One, Three, and Four) The stone which the builders rejected.

Liturgy of the PassionIsaiah 50:4–9a They struck my back and plucked my beard.

Psalm 31:9–16 (VU p. 758, Parts Two and Three) My body and soul are wasting away.

Philippians 2:5–11Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ.

Luke 22:14—23:56 Judas betrays Jesus; arrest, trial, crucifixion.or Luke 23:1–49 Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified.

To PonderWhat does Palm/Passion Sunday mean for you? Do the palms or the passion speak to you more?

Spark Begin the service in the hall or a space other than the sanctuary. Each congregant receives a short evergreen branch (preferably a species local to the faith community). Provide assistance to those who need it as the whole congregation moves to the sanctuary, while repeatedly singing a few lines from a Palm Sunday hymn.

This is a tough Sunday. As worship leader, you are challenged to balance the joy of Palm Sunday with the anticipation of the horror of crucifixion. Liturgically, the temptation is to weigh heavily on the side of the joyful entry, but the call is to be faithful to the contrast that palm and cross make clear. Use dynamic responsive prayers for the Palm Sunday liturgy. Let silence work for you in the Passion section of the liturgy. Or focus solely on either Palm or Passion in this service, possibly moving Palm Sunday back to Lent 5 and having a Passion liturgy on this Sunday. Let the congregation know in advance what you intend to do.

With ChildrenThis is a service for drama. Lead the children and the rest of the congregation in dynamic activity, waving the evergreen branches. Help them welcome Jesus with the phrases used to describe him in the scriptures: “Blessed is the Holy One,” “Peace in heaven,” “Glory in the highest heaven.” Then ask the children to suggest some contemporary phrases they might use to welcome Jesus. Remind them that the enthusiasm of the friends of Jesus stopped when Jesus came to the cross. Have everyone put their evergreens down and be quiet as they remember the death of Jesus.



Sermon StarterAlert the congregation to the huge contrast between the dynamic, enthusiastic, exuberant feeling of Palm Sunday and the bullying, antagonism, coldness, and fear that surrounds the crucifixion. If you are preaching, you might make the link to modern leadership. Look at enthusiastic welcome that turns to coldness and rejection. Think of leaders who have been “crucified.” Call on the congregation to consider how these feelings are a part of their own experience and suggest ways in which we (and our own faith community) deal with welcoming that turns to crucifixion.

HymnsLuke 19:28–40VU 123 “Hosanna, loud hosanna”VU 124 “He came riding on a donkey”VU 128 “Sanna sannanina”MV 128 “When they heard that Jesus was coming”

Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29VU 198 “Come, O Spirit, dwell among us”MV 8 “And on this path”

Isaiah 50:4–9a VU 145 “O sacred head”VU 352 “I danced in the morning”VU 561 “Take up your cross”MV 98 “Like a river of tears”

Psalm 31:9–16VU 134 “Shadows gather, deep and cold”VU 266 “Amazing grace”MV 90 “Don’t be afraid”

Philippians 2:5–11 VU 144 “Were you there”MV 94 “Love knocks and waits”MV 120 “My soul cries out”

Luke 22:14—23:56 VU 149 “When I survey the wondrous cross”VU 151 “Lift high the cross”MV 73 “O God, why are you silent?”MV 74 “When painful mem’ries”MV 78 “God weeps”



April 18 – Maundy ThursdayExodus 12:1–4, (5–10), 11–14 Instructions for celebrating Passover.

Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 (VU p. 836)How can I repay your goodness, God?

1 Corinthians 11:23–26First account of the Last Supper.

John 13:1–17, 31b–35 A new commandment to love one another.

To PonderConsider the extent and compassion of your Christian service. How would you rate the priority you give to helping fellow human beings and neighbours?

Spark Have a bowl and towel on the communion table. The worship leader enters and partially fills the bowl from a pitcher, while John 13:3–5 is read. Elevate the bowl and towel in the same manner that the bread and wine are elevated during the Holy Communion service. The service of others, in the way of Jesus Christ, also is a sacred, if seemingly ordinary, action.

At the end of the service, share a commissioning that then travels from person to person throughout the congregation: “Serve your neighbour with care.”

With ChildrenAllow the children to splash the water in the bowl (placed on the table or on the floor). Have a towel handy for drying hands. Have the youngsters talk about what they enjoy about having a bath. It is possible that they will have to be prompted about the “cleaning” aspect.

Tell them briefly about Jesus washing the feet of his special friends, and ask them how they think his friends felt about this. Make the point that this showed the disciples that Jesus cared for them a whole lot, just as their own families care for them and would do anything to help them.

Sermon StarterA question emerges from the John reading: “Where and what are the boundaries to caring?” The act of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet was a huge surprise to them, as Peter’s comment makes clear. What happened seemed the wrong way around. Jesus was the leader and teacher; he should have been on the receiving end of the foot-washing. In the sermon, explore and expand on the idea of what it means to care. Include some “surprising” examples: teachers who were taught by their students, supervisors who were instructed by their workers, medical professionals who were given good advice by their patients, sponsor groups who learned from the sponsored refugees. Draw from your own memories and encourage others to share from their life stories.

Hymns Exodus 12:1–4, (5–10), 11–14 VU 18 “There’s a voice in the wilderness”MV 45 “You are holy”MV 223 “We will go with God”



Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19VU 549 “For all your goodness, God”VU p. 836 “How can I repay you, God”MV 185 “Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving”MV 187 “We give our thanks”

1 Corinthians 11:23–26VU 460 “All who hunger”VU 467 “One bread, one body”MV 62 “There is room for all”MV 194 “Bread of life, feed my soul”

John 13:1–17, 31b–35VU 131 “If our God had simply saved us”VU 143 “My song is love unknown”MV 178 “Who is my mother”MV 179 “Sisters let us walk together”MV 212 “Sent out in Jesus’ name”MV 213 “Take up his song”



April 19 – Good FridayIsaiah 52:13—53:12 He was despised, a man of sorrows.

Psalm 22 (VU p. 743) My God, why have you forsaken me?

Hebrews 10:16–25 Provoke one another with love and good deeds.or Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9 Jesus the High Priest learned obedience.

John 18:1—19:42 Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified.

To PonderWhat ending did you dread that turned into something better than you could have imagined?

Spark Three minutes before the service begins, arrange for the musicians to cease playing. At the same time, two congregants can simulate hammering nails into a piece of lumber while backlit from behind a sheet. The rhythm? Slow but deliberate. Just before the service begins, have the hammerers bring out the cross and place it upright and facing the congregation.

During the liturgy, invite congregants to shout out endings that they want to see happen, with everyone responding, God be praised! For example: “No child goes to bed hungry.” God be praised! “Refugees find a home.” God be praised! “Climate change firmly faced.” God be praised!

With ChildrenEncourage the children to talk about endings that are a part of their experience: the ending of a favourite book, finishing an ice cream cone, the last day of school, when a friend moves away, when the Halloween candy is gone, maybe the death of a grandparent. Let them talk as freely and as widely as possible, and invite them to decide what endings are good for them and what endings are not good. Remind them that Good Friday was a not good ending for the disciples—the men and women whose special friend Jesus was killed—but they are left with wonderful memories and a hope of the most wonderful surprise, which comes on Easter morning. Sometimes our not-so-good endings are like that, too.

Sermon StarterBuild on the foundation of “endings” that was started in the children’s time. If the congregation is open and receptive, encourage them to talk for a minute or two to the person next to them about the good and bad endings that have been a part of their personal experience. Remind the congregation that sometimes an ending is essential before any rebuilding can begin. Widen out the thinking to include the life of the faith community. For the disciples, male and female, the stark sight of Jesus nailed to the cross must have been the ultimate of full stops, the disaster of disasters, but we know differently. What do we want to end so that something new can emerge?

HymnsIsaiah 52:13—53:12VU 145 “O sacred head”



MV 64 “Because you came”

Psalm 22VU p. 743 “God, why have you forsaken me?”MV 17 “God in the darkness”

Hebrews 10:16–25VU 141 “They crucified my Lord”VU 151 “Lift high the cross”

Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9VU 144 “Were you there”MV 78 “God weeps”

John 18:1—19:42VU 148 “Jesus, remember me”VU 149 “When I survey the wondrous cross”MV 73 “O God, why are you silent?”MV 90 “Don’t be afraid”



April 21 – Easter SundayActs 10:34–43 Peter preaches at the house of Cornelius.or Isaiah 65:17–25 A new heaven and earth; the wolf and the lamb together.

Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 (VU p. 837, Parts One, Two, and Three) God is my strength and my song.

1 Corinthians 15:19–26 We die in Adam and are made alive in Christ.

John 20:1–18 Mary the Magdalene and Simon Peter find the empty tomb.or Luke 24:1–12The women report that the tomb is empty.

To Ponder How do you live the resurrection day by day?

Spark Create a timeline of events that celebrate what seemed impossible at specific points in history, e.g., “votes for women,” “free health care in Canada,” “pensions for old folks.” At the end of the timeline, include ideals that seem impossible right now, such as “climate change under control,” “women with the same pay as men,” “free prescription drugs for everyone,” and “no refugee camps.” You might include this statement in several places: “For God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

With ChildrenHave a bike with training wheels and water-buoyancy aids at the front of the sanctuary. Ask the children about their experiences learning something that was hard at first, like riding a bike or swimming. What were their feelings when they first tried these things? They may have wondered if they would ever be able to acquire these new skills, but, over many challenging days and with lots of practice, they did it! What had seemed impossible became possible, and celebrations were in order. At the cross on Good Friday, it seemed that the movement that Jesus had begun was over, but Easter celebrates a glorious new beginning for the first followers of Jesus.

Sermon StarterWriting about the resurrection of Jesus as narrated in John’s gospel, Catholic priest and Johannine scholar Raymond Brown reminds us that the author’s major interest is to address the Johannine believers and not to narrate what historically happened to Jesus. It is difficult to get beyond the literal “coming back to life” of Jesus as Matthew, Luke, and John portray it, but we are encouraged to do just that. Just as John proposed to the first gospel readers, we are called to ask, “How can we live resurrection?” Resurrection is a wonderful, powerful event, not just worth celebrating but to be lived. This tends to be forgotten as we participate in the secular Easter holiday: bunnies, chocolates, and feasting. The story of Jesus risen is a call for faith community members to act with enthusiasm and commitment. With the power of the resurrection, we will realize that what seems impossible is possible and that our resurrection belief is validated not by the literal gospel accounts but by how the early disciples acted in the joyful days following the death of Jesus, as well as by the actions of his disciples today. Is there a personal story that shouts “resurrection!” to you? Is there a story in your faith community that has resurrection hidden deep within it?



Hymns Acts 10:34–43VU 166 “Joy comes with the dawn”VU 606 “In Christ there is no east or west”

Isaiah 65:17–25VU 186 “Now the green blade rises”VU 224 “Sing a happy hallelujah”VU 713 “I see a new heaven”

Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24VU 187 “The spring has come”MV 185 “Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving”MV 187 “We give our thanks”

1 Corinthians 15:19–26VU 179 “Hallelujah, hallelujah, give thanks”MV 121 “Hey now! Singing hallelujah!”MV 162 “Christ, within us hidden”

John 20:1–18 or Luke 24:1–12VU 176 “Who is there on this Easter morning”VU 183 “We meet you, O Christ”VU 703 “In the bulb there is a flower” MV 115 “Behold, behold, I make all things new”MV 171 “Christ has no body now but yours”



April 28 – Second Sunday of EasterWorship materials for the Second Sunday of Easter to the Fourth Sunday of Easter were contributed by Barb Cairns, West River P.C., Cornwall, P.E.I.

Acts 5:27–32 Peter speaks before the Sanhedrin.

Psalm 118:14–29 (VU p. 837, Parts Two, Three, and Four) God is my strength and my song.or Psalm 150 (VU pp. 874–875) Praise God with the sound of trumpet!

Revelation 1:4–8John greets the seven churches of Asia.

John 20:19–31 Thomas doubts until he sees Jesus for himself.

To PonderHow is doubt interwoven with beliefs in terms of your own faith?

SparkDoubting, questioning, and wondering are all good qualities to bring to our faith. Jesus knows our doubts and accepts them as nothing to hide. Post or project questions that people often ask about faith. Provide a way for people to add their doubts, questions, and wonderings.

With Children Talk about Good News. Bring a newspaper, magazine, or church newsletter and look at it for good news. Consider also social media sources of good news. What other ways do we share good news, such as cards, balloons, songs, and parties? In today’s scripture, the good news of Jesus is beginning to spread. How can we share our good news about Jesus? What might we tell our friends about Jesus? Pass the peace of Christ as a way to connect the whole congregation in sharing good news.

Sermon StarterDoubt and hope. Having doubt is a natural and normal part of an evolving faith. Making the commitment to follow Jesus requires faith. How does our experience of faith help us to connect to the other side of faith: our doubt? How can doubt bring us closer to God? How can our doubts bring us closer to one another in a congregation? The promise is that the power of the Holy Spirit is an active agent bringing us closer to God’s love. It’s as if it is a bridge that helps to close the gap between faith and doubt, hope and fear. It’s like yin and yang or a coin with two sides: we can’t have one without the other. As a congregation, we are there to hold hope and faith for each other when each of us faces our times of doubt.

Hymns Acts 5:27–32VU 178 “Because you live, O Christ”VU 179 “Hallelujah, hallelujah, give thanks”MV 121 “Hey now! Singing hallelujah!”“I know that my Redeemer lives” (many versions found at hymnary.org)

Psalm 118:14–29VU 559 “Come, O Fount of every blessing”



Psalm 150VU 220 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”VU 245 “Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet”MV 156 “Dance with the Spirit”

Revelation 1:4–8 VU 25 “Lo, he comes with clouds descending”VU 155 “Jesus Christ is risen today”VU 330 “Jesus shall reign”

John 20:19–31VU 154 “Why has God forsaken me”VU 166 “Joy comes with the dawn”VU 168 “The risen Christ”VU 176 “Who is there on this Easter morning”VU 185 “You tell me that the Lord is risen”



May 5 – Third Sunday of EasterActs 9:1–6, (7–20)Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

Psalm 30 (VU p. 757)God turned my mourning into dancing.

Revelation 5:11–14 Worthy is the Lamb.

John 21:1–19 Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

To PonderWhen have you welcomed change in your life? When has change been scary?

SparkThis Sunday is about transformation, change, renewal, and mystery. Use fabric around the sanctuary to create a softened space; include sparkles and battery-powered lights to add a sense of beauty and light. Show a video about transformation, perhaps one using time-lapse photography. (Internet search: from seed to sapling time-lapse of an oak tree or monarch butterfly metamorphosis time-lapse.) You might play Sarah McLachlan’s “(In the Arms of an) Angel.”

With ChildrenAsk the children how old they are. Speak about birthdays and other new things that are coming up in their lives. We grow, and people notice the change. Sometimes our hair changes, our teeth, our bodies; our feet grow, eyes change, we become taller, etc. Some changes just happen and others we have to work toward. Talk about animals that change, such as a tadpole to a frog, an egg to a bird, a caterpillar to a butterfly. You might show one of the videos suggested above. Sometimes change can be scary. The good news we have is that we are not alone in change. God is with us, and we are with each other. Hand out butterfly stickers to symbolize change and growth as a natural part of life and a reminder that God is always with us.

Prayer: Thank you, loving God, for being with us and helping us as we grow and change. Help us to remember that changing and learning new things are important in life. Thank you for loving us always as we learn and grow. Amen.

Sermon Starter The story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus reminds us that the best-laid plans often go astray but can lead to something better than we ever imagined. Saul was on his journey with letters giving permission to arrest the followers of Jesus, but he ends up converting and becoming Paul, a faithful and inspiriting follower of Jesus. In Psalm 30, we are told that God turns mourning into dancing. How can our prayers of thanksgiving help our hearts move from mourning to dancing? In the Book of Revelation, we encounter visions of angels and living creatures all praising the Lamb of God. In John’s story, Jesus appears to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, inviting Peter to tend Jesus’ sheep.

What does it take to follow Jesus? It takes more than commitment. It takes dedication, perseverance, and daily practice. It takes praise and devotion. It can take us on unexpected paths. What inspires us on our faith journey and encourages us to share the Good News? What about the struggles we encounter? Do we let them stop us or strengthen us?



Hymns Acts 9:1–6, (7–20) VU 266 “Amazing grace”VU 508 “Just as I am”VU 642 “Be thou my vision”MV 212 “Sent out in Jesus’ name”

Psalm 30 VU 166 “Joy comes with the dawn”VU 658 “O Love that wilt not let me go”VU 703 “In the bulb there is a flower”MV 115 “Behold, behold, I make all things new”

Revelation 5:11–14 VU 210 “You, Lord, are both lamb and shepherd”VU 321 “Maker, in whom we live”VU 326 “O for a thousand tongues to sing”

John 21:1–19VU 175 “This is the day that God has made”VU 563 “Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore”VU 562 “Jesus calls us”VU 567 “Will you come and follow me”MV 171 “Christ has no body now but yours”



May 12 – Fourth Sunday of EasterActs 9:36–43Peter raises Tabitha (Dorcas) to life.

Psalm 23 (VU pp. 747–749) God is my shepherd.

Revelation 7:9–17 The saints of God will never hunger or thirst again.

John 10:22–30 My sheep listen to my voice.

To PonderWhat image best describes what you do as a follower of Jesus?

Spark Have a small display of handmade items—fabric, paper, prayer shawls, prayer bells, and prayer cards—with which people can engage. Or hold a sale of baked goods and jams for a special Mission and Service collection.

With ChildrenTalk about how we care for one another. Invite the children to share stories about how they have cared for younger children, pets, other children at school, etc. Talk about the idea of shepherding and mentoring. As we live as Jesus’ community, we take care of each other, and neighbours and friends, with simple and kind words, actions, and deeds. When we do this, we are acting like the hands of God in the world. God needs our hands to be kind and helping hands. The children might make handprint cards that can be given out later to folks who can’t get to church. Sing VU 570 “Jesus’ hands were kind hands.”

Sermon Starter We are all called to act with deeds of kindness that help others. The word minister means “one who serves.” We are all ministers. We each have a ministry, as followers of Jesus. What gifts do you bring to your ministry? How do you use them to help others and share the love of God with the world? What strong images do you have of people in your life who have made a huge difference for you? It is not about how great we are as individuals but what great we do as people of the Way of Jesus.

HymnsActs 9:36–43VU 570 “Jesus’ hands were kind hands”VU 595 “The Servant Song” MV 28 “God of the Bible”MV 90 “Don’t be afraid”

Psalm 23VU 273 “The King of love”VU p. 747 “The Lord’s my Shepherd”VU p. 748 “God is my shepherd”

Revelation 7:9–17 VU 710 “Shall we gather at the river”VU 713 “I see a new heaven”



MV 92 “Like a rock”

John 10:22–30VU 657 “He leadeth me”MV 94 “Love knocks and waits”MV 126 “Are you a shepherd?”



May 19 – Fifth Sunday of EasterWorship materials for the Fifth Sunday of Easter to the Seventh Sunday of Easter were contributed by Catherine Tovell, Kilworth U.C., Komoka, Ont.

Acts 11:1–18 Peter’s vision of unclean animals.

Psalm 148 (VU pp. 870–871) Let the whole creation praise God.

Revelation 21:1–6 I saw a new heaven and a new earth.

John 13:31–35 A new commandment: love one another.

To PonderWhat’s the difference between a vision, such as Peter’s, and what we know as intuition? Which have you experienced?

SparkSet some bowls of coloured things around the congregation, such as Smarties or M&M’s, Christmas balls of similar size but different colours, etc. Try to have at least one bowl of objects that are different but all the same colour.

With ChildrenUse a bowl of candy to demonstrate that we are all different on the outside, but there is something the same on the inside, and that’s God’s love for us. This can be really fun as everyone picks out their favourite colour and talks about why they chose that colour before they bite into it. If you have a small congregation, everyone can join in. Then, take the bowl made up of different objects all of one colour. Have the children look at the two different kinds of bowls. Each of us is unique and beautiful, made in God’s image. Notice the differences in the bowl where everything is the same colour. Just like God does, we need to look closely and see the wonder and beauty of each and every one of us. That is how we love each other just as Jesus asked us to do.

Sermon Starter In Peter’s vision in the Acts passage, he comes to see that in God, there are no distinctions between foods, clean or unclean, or between people. What we may judge as unworthy may be something or someone God is choosing to work through. We have to be open to the Spirit’s nudges. This theme is continued in John’s commandment to love one another. By loving one another, we are showing through our actions that we believe all are worthy and there are no distinctions to be made. Think about who or what is unworthy in your congregation and in your community. When have you been dismissed as unworthy? Who have you dismissed as unworthy? What message is God delivering through those we would rather dismiss?

HymnsActs 11:1–18VU 271 “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy”VU 376 “Spirit of the living God”MV 27 “Creator God you gave us life”MV 178 “Who is my mother”



Psalm 148VU 217 “All creatures of our God and King”VU 226 “For the beauty of the earth”

Revelation 21:1–6VU 703 “In the bulb there is a flower”VU 713 “I see a new heaven”MV 49 “When we seek language”

John 13:31–35VU 227 “For the fruit of all creation”VU 594 “O Christian, love”MV 136 “When hands reach out and fingers trace”MV 172 “God says”



May 26 – Sixth Sunday of EasterActs 16:9–15Paul worships with Lydia and the women by the river.

Psalm 67 (VU p. 786) Let the light of God’s face shine upon us.

Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5John’s vision of the city of God.

John 14:23–29 The Holy Spirit will come to teach.or John 5:1–9 A sick man cured at the pool of Bethesda.

To PonderWhat is the cost of healing? What is the payoff for remaining sick, confined, distressed, complacent?

SparkDisplay objects or project photos of items associated with healing, such as pill bottles (empty, of course), crutches, bandages, essential oils, herbs, etc. Try to get creative with what you have. If you have healing ministries within your congregation, highlight them today.

With ChildrenHave some members of the congregation (preferably youth if you have them) act out the John 5 reading. Then ask the children questions about the performance, such as: Why do you think the man didn’t get into the pool sooner? What would you do if you were in that situation? Why do you think Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well, rather than just healing him? Healing was part of Jesus’ ministry and continues to be part of what followers of Jesus do. Share ways that your congregation offers healing ministry. The actors can be part of the discussion as well.

Sermon Starter “Stand up, take your mat, and walk.” This story, for all the emotion it stirs, is really about complacency. The man had been sitting on his mat beside the healing pool for 38 years. He had grown comfortable in his misery. Jesus wants—in fact, expects—much more for us. Sometimes we stay stuck in miserable situations because of the payoff. If we are continually ill, we do not have to take the usual responsibilities of work and community life. If our congregation stays stuck in the fear of closing, then we never have to take a risk. In his question “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus is calling us to so much more. A healed life calls forth responsibility and action. How might your congregation be complacent? What is it that you are trying to avoid by staying on your mat? Complacency is not inaction. Busy congregations can be complacent. If Jesus came and told you to pick up your mat and walk, what would that mean? What needs to be healed (individually and communally), and what is your responsibility now?

HymnsActs 16:9–15MV 79 “Spirit, open my heart”

Psalm 67



VU 236 “Now thank we all our God”

Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5VU 580 “Faith of our fathers”MV 28 “God of the Bible”

John 14:23–29MV 21 “Open our hearts”MV 109 “My soul is thirsting for you”

John 5:1–9VU 288 “Great is thy faithfulness”VU 326 “O for a thousand tongues to sing”VU 358 “When Jesus the healer”VU 612 “There is a balm in Gilead”VU 614 “In suffering love”VU 622 “Your hands, O Christ” VU 678 “For the healing of the nations”



May 30 – Ascension Day (Thursday)Acts 1:1–11 The Ascension of Jesus to heaven.

Psalm 47 (VU p. 771) Clap your hands, all you people!or Psalm 93 (VU pp. 812–813) God rules in majesty and strength.

Ephesians 1:15–23 I never cease giving thanks for your faith.

Luke 24:44–53 Another version of the Ascension story.

To PonderWhat does it mean to “hurry up and wait”? So often, this is what we have to do. How do you cope with waiting?

SparkProject or have available in the congregation the quote from Marc Levy that begins, “If you want to know the value of one year, just ask a student who failed a course…”

With ChildrenTalk with the children about waiting. What are some things that we have to wait for? What is it like to wait? Do you like waiting? Why or why not? Why do you think waiting is so difficult? What are some things we can do to make waiting less uncomfortable? Share the story of Jesus’ Ascension (going to be with God in heaven). The story says that Jesus waited around for a time after his resurrection in order to be with the disciples. How do you think the disciples felt about that? Do you think that waiting to go and be with God was easy for Jesus or hard? Why? When we have to wait, God is with us—always.

Sermon Starter Both Acts and Luke present Ascension stories. Because Acts is more abstract, while Luke presents a more concrete story of the Ascension, Luke might be the easier one for most people to follow and understand. In choosing Luke, you will see a good commissioning story here. When we, as the followers of Jesus, have been equipped for service, our job is then to go out and serve. That requires us to be constantly engaged in repentance and forgiveness (or, using more modern language, “accepting and letting go”), reflecting on what is happening and then waiting for the right time to act. It is the waiting that most people find hardest, as we want to get going, to get on with the task. In reality, sometimes God equips us for a service that has yet to present itself. We are called to continually discern if we are the ones to jump in and when, or if we need to step aside and allow someone else to take the lead. Is it our time to watch, wait, and support, or is it our time to act? Either might be a tough option, but God has equipped us as God equipped the first disciples of Jesus.

HymnsActs 1:1–11VU 189 “Hail the day that sees him rise”VU 192 “Forsaking chariots of fire”MV 75 “Holy Spirit, come to us”

Ephesians 1:15–23



VU 300 “God, whose farm is all creation”VU 334 “All hail the power of Jesus’ name”VU 705 “For all the saints”MV 6 “Holy Spirit, come into our lives”

Luke 24:44–53VU 190 “The head that once was crowned”VU 336 “Christ whose glory fills the skies”



June 2 – Seventh Sunday of EasterActs 16:16–34 Paul and Silas are freed from prison.

Psalm 97 (VU p. 817) God reigns; let the earth be glad.

Revelation 22:12–14, 16–17, 20–21 I am coming soon.

John 17:20–26 Jesus prays that they all may be one.

To PonderEighty percent of all communication is non-verbal. Or, as the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” What are we saying as individuals and as congregations with our non-verbal communication?

SparkTo depict different emotions, project or place around the congregation pictures, cartoons, caricatures, or those popular stuffed emojis.

With ChildrenEngage the children in looking at the pictures or items that depict the different emotions. How do we know what is sad or mad or happy or afraid? Now, with a sad face, say: “Oh, I am really happy today, so very, very happy.” Do the children believe you? Why not? Say the same sentence with a forced smile on your face and sadness in your voice. Do the children believe you? Why not? Have some fun with this. Talk about non-verbal communication, how our actions and our faces can say more than our words. As followers of Jesus, we want to make sure that our actions and expressions show what Jesus would want us to show: that we love one another as Jesus loved us, that we are all one in Jesus, that everyone should have food and safety. What actions do we do as a congregation to show these?

Sermon Starter This Sunday’s gospel is really a continuation of the Ascension story. If you haven’t marked Ascension Day, you might share that story as well as, or instead of, today’s scriptures. The account of Paul’s and Silas’s actions presents a kind of conversion story that contains many teachable moments. The jailer’s world is drastically changed and he is in fear for his own job and livelihood when the prison is thrown open by the earthquake. The jailer is ready to hear something new, something different. He has been jolted out of his comfort zone, even if it actually was a rut. Paul and Silas, even though encountering the hardships of prison life, do not despair or give up. By keeping grounded in their faith, they not only support one another but open up a life of faith for the jailer. The actions of Paul and Silas reflect what they believe. Think carefully—does the non-verbal communication of our congregation reflect what Jesus asks us to share with the world?

HymnsActs 16:16–34VU 266 “Amazing grace”VU 325 “Christ is made the sure foundation”VU 326 “O for a thousand tongues to sing”VU 589 “Lord, speak to me”VU 626 “I heard the voice of Jesus”



Revelation 22:12–14, 16–17, 20–21VU 713 “I see a new heaven”MV 48 “I can feel you near me God”

John 17:20–26VU 200 “O Holy Spirit, by whose breath”VU 213 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”VU 376 “Spirit of the living God”VU 606 “In Christ there is no east or west”MV 145 “Draw the circle wide”MV 154 “Deep in our hearts”MV 156 “Dance with the Spirit”


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