As We Chart Our Course -- As we chart our course for tomorrow and we set our sights on our goal, when we join to forge a new vision, making all relationships whole, when we walk together as pilgrims, we will rise to crisis and test. and when we make room for the Spirit, we will find our journey is blessed. -- We are called to follow our purpose, forming bridges, building up lives. By rekindling zeal in our mission, our community comes alive. As we strive to fashion disciples, serving neighbours, helping the weak, then we'll claim our role as a beacon for the brighter future we seek. -- When we find ourselves at the crossroads, let our focus firmly be laid on horizons bright with potential, not on burdens we would evade. Witness to an undying message in the Good News we have to share: where we foster hope and compassion, we will find God's presence is there. Call On Me -- Call on me and I will answer you; lean on me and I will carry you through. When life’s lessons seem too hard to learn, I’m here for you when there’s nowhere to turn. -- (Refrain) For I’ll be with you even when you’re alone, and I’ll wait for you for you’re one of my own. All of your days when you follow my ways, you’ll be building my kingdom on earth. -- Search for me and I will come to you; let me guide you when your choices seem few You’ll fulfill all you were meant to be whenever you come and journey with me. (R) -- Tend my earth and you will see it bloom; plunder it and you will make it a tomb. See how rainbows mark my covenant: this promise of mine to all life is sent. (R) -- Live in me and I will live in you; I give meaning to whatever you do. Share my love, it will come back to you; let faith reconcile, and wholly renew. (R) Come and Follow -- "Come and follow", Jesus said "Share my peace and let it spread. Love your neighbours even though they don't look like folks you know. Welcome all, not just your friends. Cool those tempers; make amends. Use your talents for the good; help out in your neighbourhood." -- Will you follow when it's rough? Angry words - you've had enough! Others mock your helping ways; they say that it's just a phase. When you don't know what to do, faith is what will see you through. Don't give up; when troubles pass kindness will be sure to last. Come Join the Sacred Journey -- Come join the sacred journey as pilgrims on the road. Our purpose sets our story; our faith will bear our load. When love's the destination, let footprints that we leave show Christ as our companion and hope in threads we weave. -- In paths we take by chance or missteps we can't foresee, our lives are rounded answers that face infinity. With those who also travel, we share our joys or grief. When plans seem to unravel, friends offer us relief. -- What truth is it we're seeking and long to clearly see? A truth where love is speaking and one that sets us free from selfish goals constricting the good we could attain and from the strife afflicting humanity's domain. -- In unexpected places, God quietly appears Light seeps through broken spaces to counteract our fears. 'Mid chaos or rejection, grace enters in each day, to give to us direction and guide us on our way. Could A Climber Scale a Mountain? -- Could a climber scale a mountain, or a runner start a race, without faith that they could seize the day, and then see their goal embraced? That's how dreams can move a boulder, with one pebble at a time, and the smallest mustard seed we plant will soon grow too tall to climb. -- Moses led a fickle people, Noah built a ship, inland! and they had no more to lead them on than a word of God's command. There will always be the skeptics who will say it can't be done, but unless we put our doubts aside, can a better world be won? -- Are we fools to walk this journey, or unwise to back a cause? If we fail, then let us start again and we'll rectify our flaws. Let our love outweigh our anger, let our hope outlast our fear, and let faithful witness light our way and protect us from despair. -- When our strength or knowledge fails us, then our faith will see us through, for our trust rests in a loving God who is generous and true. Let the grace God offers move us to bring peace to troubled hearts, and to build tomorrow as we share all the gifts that God imparts. The Earth Is The Lord's -- The earth is the Lord's and its fullness is granted to us as a trust to cherish, protect and to care for, and give the respect that we must. For all of our world then is sacred, the source of the life that it feeds. Each forest and marsh has a purpose, there's breath of divine in each seed. -- God lends us the sun and the water and soil that gives bountiful yields, but much is reserved for the wealthy while hunger is still not repealed. Why are we at odds with our planet consuming far more than we need? But greed or indifference blinds us and nature continues to bleed. -- What's left for the next generation, when finite resources are drained, when earth is defiled by its people and widespread extinctions profane? Our garbage pollutes distant oceans, our tailpipes promote climate harm. Must remedies wait on our neighbours; will we remain deaf to alarms? -- For progress to have lasting value, our action must be what sustains the health and the balance of nature; as stewards, we tend God's domain. So use this inheritance wisely, and learn to live amply with less. Then keep this eighth day of Creation a covenant bond we can bless. Everything Is Connected -- Everything is connected in the world that God has created. No one should be neglected since the love of God is for all. -- (Refrain) From the earth to seed, sun to tree, all life works in unity. With you and me, can you see? We are all one family. -- We depend on our planet for the food and water that feeds us How can nature withstand it if we don't take care of our world? (R) -- When we help one another, even small things still make a difference. Everyone is our neighbour when we live as children of God. (R) Everything Will Have Its Season -- Everything will have its season, time to end or to begin, time for birth and time for dying, time to plant or gather in, time to prune and time for healing, time to tear down or enhance, time to weep and time for laughter, time to mourn and time to dance. -- Time to scatter or assemble, time to hold or to let go, time to seek and time to forfeit, time to tear and time to sew, time to keep or to abandon, time to speak and then to cease, time for love and time for anger, time to fight and time for peace. -- When we look to past or future can we see the greater plan? Taking pleasure in our toil, Will our deeds outlast our span? But God's works endure forever and our tasks before us lie. Then discern what we contribute; God redeems what has gone by. Fill Our Lives -- Fill our lives with a light that shines through disappointment that life consigns. Feed our souls so that we can grow, then nurture us with the love You show. Open our eyes so we may see how we can live more generously. Stir our reticent hearts that we may serve each other communally. -- Give us wisdom to set us free from chains of fearful anxiety. Grant us insight that we might gain the means to ease one another's pain. Open our minds so we may learn how to respect each other's concerns. Plant within us a peace that thrives, and lift our spirits as hope revives. -- Guide us, Lord, with a patient hand, through change and challenge that growth demands. Lend us strength to begin anew, as we seek ways to draw near to You. Open our hearts so we may show thankfulness, sharing gifts you bestow. Be with us in our time of need, and walk with us where our journeys lead. God Works Through Us -- God works through us and among us lives when we share gifts that the Spirit gives. Though diff'rent skills may to each belong, like notes combined we make a new song. -- (Refrain) We will work side by side and see our faith applied letting the Spirit guide all that we do. -- We plant the seed and we tend the earth, but God gives life and attends its birth. The loaf we break and the cup we share remind us of the new life we bear. (R) -- Christ lays foundations on which we build; Our efforts joined create hopes fulfilled. Not walls that separate soul from soul, but life in harmony is our goal. (R) -- Our ties are stronger than what divides; in peace our common intent abides. We're called to forge a community; in Christ we find a new unity. (R) If Only We Could See the Light -- If only we could see the light that dwells in every heart, regardless of the diff'rences that set our lives apart. But if we are to live in peace and true diversity, then we must learn to value all, and love our enemy. -- If only we could hear the song that all of nature sings, that calls us to protect the earth and all the good it brings. For if we cannot keep the world from our exploitive ways, we squander our inheritance and bring on desperate days. -- If only we could find the words to cool the angry flames ignited when we disagree and smoulder when we blame. For when we seek to reconcile is when we understand that building bridges and not walls sustains what God has planned. In The Healing That We Seek -- In the healing that we seek or support we need when weak, can we find relief from bleak despair or answers to our prayers? But love builds up so that we may endure adversity, and despite the restless winds of chance, a seed of hope implants. -- When in suff'ring we're alone or encounter hearts of stone, we know even in our brokenness God does not love us less. Not a punishment to bear; God will work through those who care just as Christ restored tormented souls and made their spirits whole. -- There are scars that we inflict when our scornful tongues afflict; yet if words can hurt, then words can heal and injury repeal. Or if social structures wound, leaving dignity impugned, can we recognize the part we play and shape a better way? -- In both anguish and in pain, God does not unmoved remain, but will act to bind life's random strands through helping arms and hands. Though the outer fades away, inner faith renews each day, when we look past the infirmity and deeper value see. It Moves In Creation -- It moves in creation and flows through our lives, the Spirit that joins us, the vision that thrives. The yearning for justice, a questing for peace reveal God's reflection when hope is increased. -- (Refrain) For God has many faces, far more than we can see, and where we meet the sacred, we touch eternity. -- The earth is our garden to tend and sustain; a gift to be treasured, a sacred domain. For we are God's children, the daughters and sons whose work is to nurture what God has begun. (R) -- The hungry, the desp'rate, the grieving, the lost show God's face in suff'ring and bearing the cost Yet we are connected, a part of the whole, and what harms the lowest, on all takes a toll. (R) -- A gesture of kindness or loving embrace; a word of encouragement offered with grace; our patient endurance or comforting deed, are quietly holy and soulfully feed. (R) -- (alt v2) As Father and Son and the Spirit make three yet one; omnipresent, incarnate and free, in Mother and infant and midwife we frame the circle of life that we seek to acclaim. Lift Us Up, Send Us Out -- Lift us up, send us out as we now go in peace and our worship and living entwine. May God's presence be near and may concord increase when our hope and our actions combine. -- Be the salt, be the light and let each be a sign that our caring will highlight the way. Share a meal, plant a tree, let our faith underline that by giving, our love is conveyed. Look Beyond -- Look beyond the corner ahead; see the world that calls you instead. Like the fruitful branches joined by the vine, so we see our lives intertwine. Put aside the tranquil and sweet; find the light in people you greet. For the lives we lead aren't solely our own; what we plant will some day have grown. -- Leave behind the inward concern; there is so much more to discern. When we cling too long to days that have gone, can we grasp the work to be done? When our children call from the streets, will we join their dancing and beat? Or like sleeping servants tending the gate, will we slumber 'til it's too late? -- Rise above the worry of loss; when we love, we take up our cross. So return with kindness even the hurt; let a flower bloom from the dirt. Reach across the bound'ries and walls and extend your welcome to all. In our neighbour's face, God's image is found, and the living Spirit abounds. -- *As we join to honour our past, may we cherish treasures that last. We are not alone; so answer God's call as the Spirit works through us all. Then united, let us declare, that the faithful story we share is to hear the voiceless, wounded and frail, and reach out, so love may prevail. May The Christ Who Walks On Wounded Feet -- (May the Christ who serves with wounded hands help your arms stretch out to those in need, And may Christ with wounded heart expand all the love you show in word and in deed.) -- May the Christ who walks on wounded feet travel with you all your journey through May you see Christ's face in all you meet, and may all you meet see Christ's face in you. May You Guide -- May You guide, O Lord, our footsteps; may You lift us when we fall; may we find Your way by serving; We will answer when You call. -- May our efforts spread our blessings as we share what we've received. May we ease each other's burdens when we live as we believe. -- Let us take with us the vision of a world where peace prevails; where our love directs our actions and compassion never fails. Move Us To Action -- Move us to action, act in our movement caring for all in need. Let our faith not be dead, seek justice instead by healing the wounds of greed. But who will speak for those who are silenced, who speaks the truth to power? And who defends our forests and waters? Those duties must be ours. -- Food for the hungry, work for the jobless, shelter for refugees: when we help the deprived, we do unto Christ by tending the least of these. Then heed those who are pushed to the margins; God sees each sparrow fall. As each of us is made in God's image, let justice be for all. -- Called to act justly, and to love mercy, we humbly seek a way to protect the oppressed, and downtrodden lest the strong make the weak their prey. To prosper by exploiting another fractures our common bond. But dare to serve the stranger; let fear not hinder how we respond. -- When they say there is nothing to spare, then our trust is simply this: that from God's great abundance, there is sufficient wealth so that none are missed. For all deserve a place at the table, all merit dignity, and even when called last to the harvest, God's fulsome grace is free. Now Welcome In -- Now welcome in the faithful or lost, the seekers, strangers and friends, that all may find the Spirit within and share the peace God intends. -- Then may our worship move and inspire a life of kindness and care. May we support each other in faith, we offer this as our prayer. Once In Distant Lands -- Once in distant lands lay waiting one who heard the messenger's voice. Struggling with the sacred meaning, Mary makes a difficult choice. To all questions, love's the answer; poor are honoured, rich refused. Who will hear this timeless witness as a young girl bears us Good News? -- Mary has conceived in scandal; how God's grace surprises us all ! Can we comprehend the purpose of salvation starting so small? In the squalor of a barnyard, far from sheltered neighbourhood, careful plans have been up-ended. How can God now turn this to good? -- Answering the unexpected, Mary's faith and danger entwined; carrying the light within her, soon revealed to all humankind. So make room for God among us; peace to all, let people laud. Then we all may serve as midwives for the reborn fam'-ly of God. One By One -- One by one, we're making disciples, growing souls with hope in our hearts. Day by day, we're spreading the Gospel, loving God is where it all starts. Even though we may trip and stumble, there's a lesson that we can learn: that we need to try to be humble. Don't judge others when it's their turn. -- Side by side, we're working together, helping others, acting with care. Step by step, we make the world kinder with the love of God that we share. We don't fret about who is greatest; it's the weakest we keep in mind. Should it matter who's got the latest? Make sure no one is left behind. To Love Our God -- To love our God with all our hearts, let kindness fill our deeds, then treat our neighbours as ourselves and tend Creation's needs. And yet we dwell on how we're wronged and hang on to our pains; how can the Good News flourish here if bitterness remains? -- How rapidly we disapprove of others who transgress. But when we judge, then we are judged, the righteous too, oppress. If tempted, would we differ had those choices been our own? Let's walk in one another's shoes before we would disown. -- Just who of us can claim that they are wholly without fault? Yet if we fail to do our part we've surely lost our salt. In talent wasted, help denied, the good we do not do, to blandly say we've done no harm, is less than perfect too. -- Some foolishly blame hand or eye for anger, lust or greed, but lame excuses cannot heal, nor help a world in need. Yet when we let compassion rule in everything we do, and reconcile with those we've hurt we let our love break through. Wait For The Promise -- Wait for the promise, wait for the light Wait with a hope that keeps us through night Joy will banish the fears we have worn Sacred the moment when love is born. -- Follow a child in weakness exposed Where is the power, what sign is disclosed? Soon a refugee searching for rest, Christ takes his place among the oppressed. -- Christ comes among us even today How will we find him? Follow his way: serve the homeless, the hungry, the poor. We witness when we open our doors. -- Break through our coldness, open our hearts Grant us the peace your mercy imparts. Seeking wholeness, our spirits rebound, Awesome the moment when love is found. -- Just a beginning, birth is a start. First hear the message, then do our part. God has shared with us; life is renewed. Christ waits for us; our searching concludes. We Bring Our Gifts To Share -- We bring our gifts to share and lift our grateful prayer that through our faithful care, our world will grow. Through work of minds and hands, in gestures small and grand, let willing hearts expand the love You sow. We Do Not Know What Lies Ahead -- We do not know what lies ahead; will we meet storms or sun instead? Do we hope Christ will calm the waves or is our faith enough to save? -- There will be times when we maintain that all our efforts are in vain. If we give up, what can we give? For what we leave is how we've lived. -- But Christ gives hope that makes us bold and take a risk, though trials unfold. for love is patient, love sustains, when we are lost, love still remains. -- In welcome shared and kindness shown, the love of God is truly known. When we attempt to live shalom, we find the road that leads us home. We Do Not Live By Bread Alone -- We do not live by bread alone or prosper from the things we own. Yet we can live abundantly when our compassion sets us free to spread the bounty that we have to those who need our care. For by its fruit a tree is known, let love be what we bear. -- Why worry for the clothes we'll wear, or dwell on perils that aren't there? For when our fears are all we tend, we miss the fruit the Spirit sends. With patience, love and faithfulness, our peace and hope shall grow, like streams that flow in desert sands, like blossoms in the snow. -- Some things endure and some reveal what rust destroys or thieves can steal. But in our hearts our treasures lie, what matters most, we cannot buy. In music, laughter, time with friends; in nature's beauty too, let simple joys that we can share enrich our whole lives through. When Peaceful Lives Are Shaken -- When peaceful lives are shaken by violence in our midst; when diff'rence ends in bloodshed and ancient scores persist, can we escape the horror? Can we withstand the shock, when malice preys on welcome and brutal fury stalks? -- When death rules the intentions of misdirected minds; when hate's the motivation and hostile purpose blinds, we yearn to find the reason, just why this came to be; but often roots stay hidden, their source a mystery. -- Our hearts cry out for vengeance to rectify the crime; as if our savage answer could somehow turn back time. Is what we seek true justice, or just as Christ would do? For when we show forgiveness, our hope, Christ, is in you. -- We come to share our anguish we come to ease our grief. Will God provide redemption, or grant us some relief? We know God shares our sorrow; and also bears our pain. In love we find our healing; our faith is not in vain. When The Child Wakes -- When the child wakes and dawn breaks, as we welcome the morn, then our eyes will be opened to a world that's reborn; to a joyful tomorrow and a future that's clear - when we live in the Christ-light, free from hate, free from fear. -- See how humble the stable, disregarded, ignored. Yet from lowly beginnings comes a Saviour and Lord. Did the magi or shepherds grasp the sight they beheld when the low were exalted and the powerful felled? -- When the times need a vision, when the hour cries for hope, we will nurture compassion and our world grows in scope. For the Lamb will be Shepherd as Good News is proclaimed: when we give of ourselves, then we'll see God's love sustained. When We Come Together -- When we come together gladly, our community grows strong; When we meet to share our story, when we join to sing our song; we are celebrating friendship, we are building bonds of peace. Pass a vision to each other; let God’s spirit never cease. -- All are welcome at our table to be nourished by the Word. Christ extends the invitation, we respond as we have heard. He does not demand perfection when we worship in his name, for the last shall be the first here, God forgives us just the same. -- In our crowded lives we’re searching for a meaning we can share. Will we find the time for patience, will we take the time to care? But when two or more are gathered, Christ will be there with us too. Then the Spirit grows among us, bringing joy to all we do. When We Try To Comprehend -- When we try to comprehend what God might be but our labels limit us and what we see; then with open hearts, we seek to open minds, for the creeds we make cannot keep God confined. -- (Refrain) We will understand, see what God has planned, when our hearts reach out to a world in need. We will find the way, and our faith display, when we live in hope, joining Word and deed. -- In our youth, we see belief in simple terms, then our faith matures in ways that life affirms. Will the word we plant produce a fruitful crop, or in disagreement all discussion stop? (R) -- Yet we feel this can be said with certainty, that the love of God endures and sets us free; for the living Word is that which heals and feeds, and the test of faith rests in the lives we lead. (R) Why Did It Have To Come To This? -- Why did it have to come to this: a mission ended by a kiss? The One whose pow'r could be complete, instead takes towel and washes feet. The Christ that even winds obey, but could not angry masses sway. And still he knew what lay ahead: an outcome others would have fled. -- What countless saviours we've forgot, but one that's crucified is not. Why do we need a death to save the Word for rescue from the grave? God does not want this sacrifice; to turn from hatred would suffice. If ways of peace we would disdain, then we betray our Lord again. -- It may have not been Judas' plan to cruelly put to death this man. Perhaps he sought to force his hand; will not messiahs take command? We look to might to solve our woes and reign triumphant over foes. But God would want a diff'rent end: not king or majesty but friend. Wind Of The Spirit -- Wind of the Spirit blowing; seeds of renewal sowing; hope for our children growing; flow, living Spirit, flow. Breathe into us the sacred, free us from rage or hatred, in You we all are kindred; flow, living Spirit, flow. -- Shepherd us through the danger; turn us from fear of change or worries of meeting failure; lead, living Spirit, lead. We too have flocks to care for, watch, feed, protect and mentor. Show us the way and therefore lead, living Spirit, lead. -- Shine like a candle burning; stir and inspire our learning; kindle a flame of yearning; blaze, living Spirit blaze. Fire us with faithful freedom; guide us with love and wisdom; open us to your kingdom; blaze, living Spirit, blaze.