Worship Service for June 15, 2025 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

June 15, 2025 – Trinity Sunday

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, June 15, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, June 15.

Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.

We celebrate the work of Rev. Helen Smith and welcome her as guest preacher, and once again welcome Dr. Hanné Becker as guest music director.

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship

Leader: We have gathered in the presence of God through whom all families on earth receive their life and their name.
People: We come, in the prayer that we take God’s love into all our relationships.

Leader: We come, in the prayer that the peace of Christ might permeate the life of the human family.
People: We come in the prayer that the Holy Spirit will bind our fellowship together.

Opening Hymn

“Bring many names” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 310). Words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Music (1989; tune: “Westchase”) by American academic, music director and hymnwriter Carlton Raymond “Sam” Young (1926–2023). Words copyright © 1989, 1994 and music copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Holy God, who is One in Three and Three in One, we praise you this day as the Source of all life, Maker of Heaven and Earth. You created us and called us good, shepherding us with your steadfast love. Jesus Christ, we praise you this day, born into our midst to show us the way of goodness, mercy and grace. Holy Spirit, we praise you this day for the energy you bring us to greet each day as a gift and serve in the world with gladness. Holy God, Three in One and One in Three, reveal to us this day what it means to live as your people so that we may honour your holy name, now and forever.

God of mercy and majesty, you are slow to anger and swift to forgive. You have shown us the depth of your love, yet we are reluctant to love others who differ from us. You have shown us compassion and forgiveness, yet we walk away from one another without concern. You have offered us hope in Christ Jesus, yet we lose that hope when life is challenging. Forgive us, O Lord. Create in us the endurance and character which help us trust in the power of your forgiving love.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Be at peace with God, with one another, and with yourself, through the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God.

The Peace

One: May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Mission Moments

LOFT (Mission and Outreach)

GCPC Senior Choir presents

“Praise ye the Lord”. Carolyn Ward-Glasgow, soprano soloist. Words Psalm 150, paraphrased (1981) by American academic and hymnologist Judge Jefferson Cleveland (1937–1986). Music (1981) also by Cleveland. Words and music copyright © 1981 J. Jefferson Cleveland.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.

Scripture Readings

Hosea 11: 1–9 <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Ephesians 6: 1–4

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Hosea 11: 1–9

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and offering incense to idols.

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my[c] arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.

5 They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.

6 The sword rages in their cities; it consumes their oracle priests and devours because of their schemes.

7 My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.

9 I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim, for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.

Ephesians 6: 1–4

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“God of the Sparrow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 307). Words (1983) by American hymnwriter Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919–2008). Music (1983; tune: “Roeder”) by American composer Carl F. Schalk (1929–2021). Words copyright © 1983 Jaroslav J. Vajda. Music copyright © 1983 G.I.A Publications; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

May we bring forward our gifts, tithes and offerings.

Offering – Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th“ with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Generous God, thank you for all your gifts which bring us hope and joy. Bless the gifts we bring and work with them to establish your reign in the world you love. In the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

Holy God, Holy One and Holy Three,
we bless you for bringing us into communion with you, offering us the same unity in love you share as the blessed Trinity. Help your church in all its branches discover the unity for which Christ prayed. May our unity in Christ show the world how to overcome divisions and enjoy the diverse gifts you have created in us. By your Spirit, equip us to explore unity in diversity through local mission and ministry.

God of one loving heart,
draw the human family together in the love that unites us with you. We pray for our nation and our local communities in this time when different experiences and opinions so easily divide us. Where we have acted without regard for the needs of others, inspire us to work for justice and fairness. Where we have been blind to the pain of the oppressed, open our eyes to opportunities for reconciliation and caring.

On this National Indigenous Peoples Sunday,
we pray for Indigenous communities across this land. Grant them wisdom as they address the needs of their people. Bring healing to those who remember painful experiences. Guide the peoples of Canada to establish relationships of mutual respect and honour with Indigenous communities, and celebrate our diverse gifts together.

God who wears the many faces of hope,
we pray for all who feel despair or anxiety. Lift up in love those who find their illness unrelieved. Comfort those who grieve the loss of someone dear or some important opportunity. Support those who are denied dignity by the attitudes or actions of others and sustain those who long for healing of some kind. Hear us in this time of silence as we name before those on our hearts this day: …
May they know your loving care upholding their lives.

God in community,
thank you for the fellowship we share in our congregation. Strengthen us in faithful worship and equip us for service in changing times and challenging days. We offer our prayers, spoken and unspoken, as the Spirit prays within us, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“To show by touch and word” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 763). Words (1975) by Anglo-Dutch clergyman Fred Kaan (1929–2009). Music (1974; tune: “Lodwick”) by Canadian composer Ron Klusmeier (1946–). Words copyright © 1975 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music copyright © 1974 Ron Klusmeier, administered by Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.

Postlude

Last updated 2025-06-13 22:15– First version.