| Minister: the Rev. Dr. Steven Davis Organist/Choir Director: Henry Remiz Children & Youth Program Leader: Moira Robertson Office Administrator: Arleane Ralph Custodian: John Herscheid June 28, 2026, 10:00am Fifth Sunday after Pentecost |
WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE: Improvisation
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HONOURING THE LAND
OBSERVING CANADA DAY: “O Canada” (English and French; #524/524a – Voices United)
THE LIGHTING OF THE RAINBOW CANDLE
THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
INTROIT: “Spirit of Life” (#381 – Voices United – sung twice by congregation)
WE APPROACH GOD
OPENING SONGS:
“Shine, Jesus, Shine” (verses 1 & 3 with chorus)
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us,
Shine on me, shine on me,
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth your Word, Lord, And let there be light.
As we gaze on your kingly brightness,
So our faces display your likeness;
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirror’d here may our lives tell your story,
Shine on me, shine on me,
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth your Word, Lord, And let there be light.
“Lord, Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary” (#18 – More Voices – sing twice)
“Send Your Holy Spirit” (#370 – Voices United – sing twice)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord God, gathered with your Holy Spirit upon us and within us, we have come here not to escape the world, but to be inspired to live as faithful people within the world—shining always with the light and love of Jesus; sharing always the grace and compassion you have shown to us. We haven’t always done that well, we confess. It’s far too easy for us to start to fear the world, to expect the worst from people, to back away from those we don’t know. Remind us, Lord, that the world is yours, and that we are to rejoice in it. Where we see injustice or oppression or violence, move us to speak out against it, but touch our hearts so that we will not expect such things, or be so blinded by them when they arise that we forget the beauty of what you have created. Now, use this time of worship to create within us a sense of awe and wonder wherever we go—for wherever we are, truly, you are with us. This we pray in Jesus’ name, sharing the words he taught long ago:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (#264 – Voices United – verses 1&4)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
WE LISTEN FOR GOD
A TIME WITH THE KIDS CHURCH (Moira)
SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:16-34
HYMN: “I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky” (#509 – Voices United)
SERMON: “When In Athens…”
WE RESPOND TO GOD
RECIEVING THE OFFERING
200TH ANNIVERSARY HYMN: “The Church’s One Foundation”
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation,
By water and the word:
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood he bought her,
And for her life He died.
Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth,
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore opprest,
By schisms rent a sunder,
By heresies distrest,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, ‘How long?’
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
‘Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forever more;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
OFFERTORY HYMN: Improvisation, followed by “Grant Us, God, The Grace” (#540 – Voices United)
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the head of the church and the foundation of our faith, and you have called us to mission. What we have given today is only one way we respond to that call. We pray that you will inspire within us a desire to serve you and all of God’s people with far more than our money, but we are grateful to give back to you some of what you have given to us. May our gifts be used so that St. Mark’s can continue to be a beacon of hope to our community and beyond. Amen.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “We Are His Children” (W.F. Treadgold)
200TH ANNIVERSARY SLIDES
THE WORLD THIS WEEK SLIDES
PASTORAL PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN: “The Church Is Wherever God’s People” (#579 – Voices United)
WE SERVE GOD AND GOD’S PEOPLE
COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION
CHORAL CLOSING: “The Irish Blessing” (traditional; sung by choir)
RECESSIONAL: “Caprice sur les grands Jeux” (L. Clérambault)
Music reproduced with permission under licenses: OneLicense A610919 and CCLI license #11269798
Thought for the Day:
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
(Leonardo da Vinci)
