Hybrid Worship,17 August, 2025

Hybrid Worship, Sunday, August 17

“Abyss, Mystery, and Wonder”

PRELUDE - Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, Marty Haugen 1984

GATHERING

The singing bowl is played to awaken us to the presence of God in this sacred space and gathering and to centre us in the embrace of the Spirit. 

You are invited to a moment of quiet rest, a time of slowing the pace of your body and mind so that the spirit can settle.

Divine Goodness, Holy One, Pause us for this moment, bear us up in this time, hold us for eternity.

We revel in your wondrous works.

We grasp for adequate ways to sing our praise. We seek to be lost in your beauty.

HYMN 106 (MV) – I am the dream (Words: S. Curtis Tufts; Music: Rick Gunn). Used by Permission. One License 740107-A) 

I am the dream and you the dreamer. I am the song and you are the rhyme.

You are the tune sung in every silence.

You are the now in the endless stream of time.

I am the bell and you the silence.

You are the yearning I cannot curtail.

I am the blest and you the blessing.

You are the wilds in which I lose my trail.

You are the word and I the echo.

You are the leader and I am the led.

You are the joy and I the laughter.

You are the Rock on which I lay my head.

For thousands of years, long before settlers arrived, First Peoples lived on and cared for this land. We are thankful to the Creator for this rich and beautiful island. We recognize how many peoples have shaped and cared for Gabriola Island. 

We commit as a community of faith to continue to work to build relationships that are just and equitable for us all.

We light this candle as a visual reminder of the light of Christ, which cannot be held back by distance, darkness or death. It shines its light, hope and beauty in each one of us, and in each created being.

We are here.

God is here.

This place is sacred ground. 

HYMN 82 (MV) – Bathe me in your light (Words: John Oldham, 2002. Music: Ron Klusmeier, 2002. Words copyright © 2002 by John Wesley Oldham. Music copyright © 2002 by Ron Klusmeier. All rights reserved. Used by permission under OneLicense #740107-A)

Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator; let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.

Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding, showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.

Bathe me in your love, O Source of Awe and Wonder; help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace.

May I be attentive to the musings of your presence, drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release.

Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing; teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.

Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness, Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.

LECTIO DIVINA

SCRIPTURE  

Alleluia! Praise the Name of Yahweh— sing praise, you who serve the Most High,  who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of God’s house! Alleluia! God is good!

Sing praises to God’s name because it is beautiful!

Yahweh, your Name stands forever; your fame is told from one generation to the next.  For you do justice for your people; and you have compassion for your faithful. 

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 

They have mouths but they can’t speak; they have eyes but they can’t see. They have ears but can’t hear; there is never a breath on their lips. Their makers will come to be like them, and so will all who trust in them! 

House of Israel, bless Yahweh!

Priests of the temple, bless Yahweh!

Attendants of the sanctuary, bless Yahweh!

You who revere Yahweh, bless Yahweh!  Blessings from Zion upon Yahweh, who dwells in Jerusalem! Alleluia!

WORD “Abyss, Mystery, and Wonder”

HYMN 333 (VU) - Love Divine (Charles Wesley 1747. Public Domain)

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down, fix in us thy humble dwelling,

all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

suddenly return, and never,

nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

changed from glory into glory,

till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee,

lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all, Loving God in whom is heaven.

May the hallowing of your name echo through the universe;

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world; Your heavenly will be done by all created beings;

Your dream of peace and freedom sustain our hope  and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, Now and forever, Amen.

OFFERING

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.

HYMN 214 (MV) – May God’s sheltering wings (Words: Judith Snowdon Words Copyright ©2004 Judith Snowdon, One License 740107-A)

May God's sheltering wings, Her gathering wings protect you.

May God's nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

and hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

BLESSING

The world is so varied and beautiful. 

Seek wisdom wherever it is to be found. And may the goodness of the Creator, the companionship of the Christ, and the insight of the Spirit, infuse your life now and always. 

Amen.

POSTLUDE - Toccata from Fifth Symphony, Charles-Marie Widor 

 

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