Sunday – April 30, 2000 - Camp Sunday

General council in 1993 adopted the following Statement of Purpose for camping: “We believe that the Ministry of Camping is, with God’s help, an experience of Christian community and learning for all people shared in an outdoor setting as part of the fabric of evangelism, education, leadership training and outreach of The United Church of  Canada.” Christian Camping is a very important ministry in the Conference.  An estimated 3,000 campers, plus staff and volunteers, are involved in summer camping programs each year.

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.

Prelude 

Sharing Announcements and Concerns

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)  From the back of the Bulletin

Prayer of Approach (Responsive)

One:        Let us continue to pray

All:      Loving God, Creator of all that is, we come together to praise and thank you.  We ask your blessings upon this morning’s worship. Keep us alert to your loving guidance as we seek to carry out your will in our world.  Amen

Hymn #415  “God We Praise You”

Time with the Young & the young at heart

Prayer of Confession  (Responsive) Pg. 928B VU

Assurance of Pardon  (One) Pg. 929 VU

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Acts 4:32-35 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 155

The Believers Share Their Possessions

Solo by June Reid “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”   Accompanied by Brian Walters

John 20:19-29 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 146

Jesus and Thomas (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ

All: Thanks be to God

Hymn #242 “Let All Things Now Living”

Skit ~ Two Worlds – One Sky – One God?

            Performed by “The Lightning Bolts”

Mission Moment  Andrew Weiss

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #540 “Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

God,  for all that you provide us and for all that we have experienced, we offer our thanks.  Many blessings come our way; many joys have been shared with others; many voices provide us with insight and understanding.  Renew in us the desire to look beyond our own self-interest, and restore in us the enthusiasm to make a difference in other people’s lives.  Help us to see the gifts of friendship, compassion, and support as valuable as the gifts of money, property, and the physical items that we offer.  May our journey of faith be consistent with your promise of hope in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #296  “This is God’s Wondrous World”

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:    Go in Grace

All:   Go in Peace

One:    Go with the love of God surrounding you.

Choral Amen

#298 “When You Walk From Here”

When you walk from here, when you walk from here. Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.

Postlude