ORDER OF SERVICE
Aboriginal Day of Prayer & Father’s Day
Welcome & Territory Acknowledgement
Lighting the Christ Candle
Opening Prayer by Carolyn Wilson Wynne
Community Candle Lighting
Lord’s Prayer
Hymn – VU 701 What Does the Lord Require of You?
Scripture – Psalm 86 (VU803)
Refrain – MV37 Each Blade of Grass v.1
Robbie – Some dads in the Bible
Script taken from Dragon Talks. Puppet Scripts for Lectionary Year A by James Lepard
Refrain – MV37 Each Blade of Grass v.2
Reflection
Prayer by Carolyn Wilson Wynne
Closing Hymn – VU 296 This is God’s Wondrous World
Blessing
Offering Leadership Today
Rev. Emily Gordon, Natalie Jahn, Matthew Boutda, Rev. Dr. James Lepard, Emily Pollock, Nancy Stewart, Rachel Wood, Sheila McCoy, Peter Bull, Chris Norman
BEHIND THE MUSIC:
Opening Hymn VU 701 – What Does the Lord Require of You
This hymn was written by Jim Strathdee (b. 1941) who represent an important part of this genre. Mr. Strathdee and his wife, Jean, are performing artists whose concerts reach thousands of people each year. They say their songs “are a musical offering of hope and encouragement for all people, bringing a message of compassion, justice and healing.” The Strathdees’ ministry was centered for many years at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento, California, where they were directors of music. Since August 2006, they have been “in ministry to the church-at-large.” The congregational nature of many of their songs springs from their connection with this church. Here at Leaside, the Junior Choir warms-up with this particular song at every rehearsal as a tradition.
Sung Response MV 37 – Each Blade of Grass
This hymn by Ker K. Wehlander was written in 2005. It is a simple list of everyday things in God’s Creation that we sometimes miss or forget to be thankful for, yet when joined together complete the circle of creation.The circles are sacred symbols in almost every spiritual tradition. Circles represent things such as eternity, inclusion, and completion. The lyrics of this hymn suggest every part of creation makes God full and whole. The melody, RHODE ISLAND, is taken from The United States Sacred Harmony and was adapted by Linnea Good in 2005.
Closing Hymn VU 296 – This Is God’s Wondrous World
This hymn is often recognized as the old CGIT (Christian Girls in Training) hymn, altered for inclusiveness from the original “This is My Father’s World.” It has helped shaped the creation spirituality of many people. The text is adapted from a poem published in a collection of Maltbie Davenport Babcock’s work entitled Thoughts for Everyday Living (1901). The origin of the tune is unknown. It was adapted to the hymn text by Stanley Oliver, organist at St. James United in Montreal, in 1929 and the hymn was published in Songs of Worship (1903) and The Hymnary (1930).