Order of Service
Gathering
Welcome – Cameron
Call to worship – Sunrise
L: We offer thanksgiving to our Creator, recalling that Christ is the centre of creation and our lives as Christians.As we face east, the direction of the rising sun, we offer thanks for the gifts of the tree world and for new beginnings.
All: Help us to be honest with you and others and to be wise and just in our use of the resources of the earth. We give thanks to you, O God.
L: As we face south, where we receive warmth, we offer thanks for the gifts of the animal world and for the call to be humble.
All: Enable us to walk good paths, to live as a family should, and, with you, to renew the face of the earth. We give thanks to you, O God.
L: As we face west, where we receive the teachings of faith, we offer thanks for the gifts of the rock world and the purifying and fruitful waters.
All: Sustain us and the earth through your Holy Spirit, and give us faith as strong as the rock. We give thanks to you, O God.
L: As we face north, the direction of wind and snow, we offer thanks for the plant world, and for kindness and wisdom.
All: Breathe your strength and endurance into us, and give us wisdom to treat each other with kindness. We give thanks to you, O God.
L: As we face centre: From above comes the unconditional love of God, from the earth comes the gift of life.
All: We give thanks for love like the wings of the eagle. We dedicate our lives to you, our Creator and Savior. As we walk on this earth, may we learn together and celebrate the way of peace, harmony, and tranquility. We give thanks to you, O God.
Opening prayer
Opening music – Joanna
Morning has broken (VT 495)
For the beauty of the earth (VT 120)
Hearing God’s Word
Scripture Readings
Wandering and wondering
Sharing our encounter with God
Hymn of response
All things bright and beautiful (VT 177)
Prayer for offering
Announcements
Sharing of Joys & Concerns
Prayers of the people
Sending
Closing music
I have decided to follow Jesus (v 1&2) (VT 433)
Benediction
Worship Calendar
May 3 – Pastor Roberson. Launch of annual theme “Grounded and thriving” Col. 2:6-7. Communion will be served.
Announcements
Options for Giving:
- Cheques made out to “Hagerman Mennonite Church” can be left in the offering plate.
- E-transfers can be sent to donations@hagerman.org
Mark your calendars for our Spring Clean-up Day on May 9
Our annual spring work bee will be Sat. May 9, 9 am to 1 pm (including lunch.) We have jobs indoors and out for volunteers of all ages. Please let Reynold or Joanna know if you are planning to come and what areas you are interested in working in.
Prayer Concerns
MCEC
Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations; this week we hold Église de Dieu Réparateur de Brèches in prayer. Ronald Alexandre and Rachelle Demosthene provide pastoral leadership for this congregation. Pray for this congregation composed of Haitian immigrants that has been based in Montreal for over 25 years. They worship in French, Creole and English and are drawn to the simplicity of the Anabaptist/Mennonite vision in its call to a life of discipleship rooted in Jesus.
Please pray for the MC Canada Joint Council as they meet May 1–3 in Calgary. Pray for wisdom, unity, and attentiveness to the Spirit as they discuss and discern important matters affecting the nationwide church. Please pray for Ben Cassels, Daniel Tela and Anthony Siegrist who will represent MCEC.
God of peace, amid the recent waves of violence, loss and unrest unfolding across our world, we come before you seeking your steadying presence. Hold close all who are grieving, fearful or displaced, and soften hearts where anger and division have taken root. May your peace take hold in communities and nations, guiding us toward compassion, restraint and hope.
Mennonite World Conference
Pray for stability and growth of 15 new Mennonite congregations established in Kenya’s hardship area of Turkana. This region faces chronic water scarcity, food insecurity and malnutrition especially among children, extreme poverty, with vast majority of people living below the poverty line and high maternal/child mortality. All these are largely caused by recurring droughts exacerbated by climate change, degrading ecosystems and unsustainable agricultural practices. Access to healthcare and education is poor due to vast distances, nomadic lifestyles, cultural beliefs and limited infrastructure, while resource conflicts and governance challenges further compound these issues, forcing displacement and increasing vulnerability.
—Bishop George Ochieng, Kenya