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Wesley United Church– Year C
August 17, 2025, 11:00 am.
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Leaders: Beverley Bragg & Lucy Bragg
Reader: Linda Farrell
Music: Glenda Feltham
Greeter: Linda Farrell
Bell Ringer: Ross Cooper
Gathering in the Spirit
Welcome to our worship service either online or in printed form.
Life and Work of the Church may be found at the end of the service.
Our Blessings & Birthdays for this week are:
Lighting of the Christ Candle
L. The Christ candle symbolizes the presence of Christ, the light of the world. As we share this time and space, let us sing and gather around the light of Christ. Let us worship with joy, for God is among us.
*Introit: MV #18 Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary
Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.
Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for you.
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Long ago a vineyard was planted. The ground was prepared, and all was made ready.
P: But the vines grew wild, the ground was unable to support the wild grapes.
L: What happened in that place of promise?
P: People forgot the One who planted the vineyard. They chose their own ways and failed.
L: Let us again turn to the Lord, who will again plant, prune, and cause us to grow in faithfulness.
P: Let us open our hearts to God, trusting in God's ways and God's word.
*Opening Hymn VU # 371 Open my eyes, That I May See
1 Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
2 Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
3 Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Opening Prayer
To set the earth ablaze, O God, your Son submitted to a baptism unto death, and from his cup of suffering you call the Church to drink. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and give us strength in time of trial to run the race that lies before us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
Invitation to Prayer of Confession
Every week, as we worship together, we have the opportunity to admit to ourselves, to each other, and to God that we do not always live as we are called. In this time of confession, this time of opening our hearts, let us remember that God is merciful and just, eager to offer grace and love. Let us pray, first in silence.
Prayer of Confession
Holy God, we open our hearts to you this day and offer the truth of our lives: the fear that stifles us, the prejudice that blinds us, the ignorance that hobbles us, the doubt that plagues us. Help us, we pray, that we will find courage in unlikely places, see the world with new and gracious eyes, move to those places where love is needed, and have faith that you are with us. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Words of Assurance
L. Friends, hear the Good news: God so loved the world that God sent Jesus to us, not to condemn the world but in order that we might be saved- healed and forgiven- through him. Thanks be to God!
P. Alleluia! Amen
Listening for the Spirit
*Hymn: VU # 660 How Firm a Foundation
1 How firm a foundation, you servants of God,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can be said than to you has been said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2 “Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed!
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.
3 “When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4 “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply:
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
5 “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not- I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I’ll never- no, never- no, never forsake!”
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 5:1-7
The significance of this reading lies in its portrait of God’s relationship with His people and His expectations for them. It highlights God’s faithfulness and provision, as well as His righteous judgement in response to disobedience.
Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
This psalm is a heartfelt plea for God’s intervention and restoration during times of distress. The psalmist, Asaph, addresses God as the Shepherd of Israel, asking Him to shine forth and save His people, who feel abandoned and forsaken. The psalm reflects on God’s past mercies and the current suffering of Israel, emphasizing the need for divine favour and guidance. It concludes with a renewed plea for God’s face to shine upon them, symbolizing hope and restoration.
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
L. Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
P. you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who are enthroned amidst the cherubim.
L. Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh;
P. stir up your might, come and save us.
Refrain:
Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.
L. You brought a vine out of Egypt, you drove out the nations and planted it.
P. You cleared the ground for it; it sank deep roots, and filled the land.
L. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.
P. It stretched out its branches as far as the Sea, and its shoots as far as the River.
L. Why then have you broken down its enclosure, so that all who go by pluck its grapes?
P. The boar from the forest roots it up, and the beasts of the field devour it.
Refrain:
Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.
L. Turn to us again, God of hosts, look down from heaven and see.
P. Bestow your care on this vine, on the stock which your right hand planted.
L. As for those who set it on fire, who cut it down, may they perish at the frown of your face.
P. Let your hand rest on the one by your side, on the one you have made strong for yourself.
L. Then we will never forsake you;
P. give us life, and we will call on your name.
Refrain:
Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.
Response to Psalm
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56
This reading is part of Jesus’ teachings during his journey to Jerusalem. He delivers a profound and challenging message that calls us to reflect on our understanding of the world and our relationship with Him. Jesus uses the metaphor of fire to symbolize the life-changing power of His message and the impact it will have on humanity. This idea of fire aligns with the concept of the Holy Spirit.
He acknowledges that His message will also bring division among people, even within families. This division can be difficult to accept, but it emphasizes the significance of making a personal choice to follow Christ.
This passage reminds us of the importance of spiritual insight and understanding the times we live in. Just as the crowd in Jesus’ time needed to recognize His presence and message, we too must seek a deeper understanding of God’s plan and purpose in our lives.
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Message: A Strange Sort of Peace
By Pastor Steven Molin
“You only hear the things you want to hear!” It was a comment my mother made to me many times in my childhood; and even in my adulthood, come to think of it. In the times of mother/son disagreements about something I did or didn’t do, she would say “Steven, you only hear the things you want to hear!” Looking back, I suppose she was right. I mean, she would say “If you mow the lawn, you can have a bowl of ice cream.” What I heard was “You can have a bowl of ice cream” and I would start scooping. Or she would say “If you get an “A” in math, dad will buy you a new baseball glove.” and I would immediately tell my friends “Dude, I’m getting a new baseball glove!” Do your kids do this? Mom would say “Take your dirty clothes down to the laundry room” and from my room I would yell “Mom, why don’t I have any clean underwear?” After all these years, I am ready to agree with my mother; I usually hear only the things I want to hear.
Selective hearing is also an issue in the Church. Author Juan Carlos Ortiz says that most Christians in 21st century fail to read the Fifth Gospel. You thought there were only four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but Ortiz says there is a Fifth Gospel. He says “Open up your bible and look at all the verses that you have circled, highlighted and underlined…the verses like “For God so loved the world” and “I am with you always” and “nothing can ever separate you from God.” It’s all right there in the four Gospels, Ortiz says. But the verses you do not underline, the ones you do not circle or highlight or memorize; those are the Fifth Gospel.
That’s what this sermon series is all about – the fifth Gospel, the hard sayings of Jesus. I dare say that you have probably never underlined the verse that says “I wish that you were hot or cold, but because you are luke-warm, I will spit you out of my mouth!” I’ll bet you haven’t’ memorized Luke 3:11, “If you want to be my disciple, whoever has two coats must give one to the person who has none, and the same with food.” Those are verses in the Fifth Gospel, but we would rather just hear what we want to hear. We cannot ignore the Fifth Gospel. We cannot. Not if we want to know the sort of people that Jesus has called us to be.
The verses from Luke this morning are perhaps the most troubling among all of the hard sayings of Jesus, for they describe a Jesus we never knew. “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” says Jesus. “I have come to divide mother against daughter, and father against son.” All along, we have thought Jesus united people, not that he divided them. All this time, we thought his purpose was peace. We recall the Old Testament text we read every year at Christmas, “And he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” How can Jesus then say that he has come to bring division and conflict? This indeed is a hard, hard saying of Jesus.
I believe that the answer is to be found not so vividly in the 21st century, but in the earliest years of the Church. In that day, when Christianity was a radically new religion, people were despised for following Jesus. If a Jew converted to Christianity, his family had a funeral for him, and he was disowned. If a person claimed to be a disciple of Jesus, they were considered the enemy, and a bounty was placed upon their head. They could have merely gone along with the crowd, and a relative peace would have prevailed. But when they came to faith in Jesus, their convictions were proclaimed, and their past life was erased forever.
My friend Murray Haar grew up Jewish in Brooklyn, but he made a fatal error when he was 18 years old; he enrolled at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. It was there that Murray came to know Jesus Christ, and his life took a dramatic turn. He went on to seminary and became a Lutheran pastor. Today he teaches in the religion department at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Murray told me that his conversion was always an issue between his father and himself; always, until the final week of the father’s life, that is. Late one night, Murray was sitting by his father’s bed, and his father said quietly, “You know Murray, sometimes at night, I lie awake thinking ‘Maybe you’re right.’” And Murray answered “You know, Dad, I lay awake at night too, thinking ‘Maybe I’m wrong.’” Such is the tension when a person’s life is radically lived for Jesus Christ.
I have told you before of the tension in my own family when I became a Christian. My parents didn’t understand my new priorities. They didn’t get it when I started getting up on Sunday mornings to go to church. But most significantly, my dad was bewildered by my decision to become a pastor. He had this dream that I would one day join him in the family construction business, and it deeply disappointed him that I would follow a different dream. It wasn’t until late in his life that I found out that he was proud of me — so proud that he forgot to tell me! Such is the tension when people follow the way of Christ.
But the tension was not just with my family; it was also with my friends. When I was with my church friends, I prayed before eating a Big Mac, and I quoted bible verses, and I talked about how strong my faith was. But when I was with my other friends, I let the F-bombs fly, and I told the dirty jokes, and I made fun of the religious people I saw. I was at peace in either world, but inside I felt like a total hypocrite. Such is the tension when Christ brings his velvet sword into someone’s life.
Which brings us to you. If you are committed to following Jesus in your life, it will most likely put you at odds with people who do not share your convictions. Life would be easier if you didn’t take your faith seriously; you could then go with the flow, adjust your convictions and your lifestyle to fit the circumstance. Then there would be peace in your family, or peace in your friendships, but inside you would be a mess, because you cannot serve two masters. That’s another thing that Jesus liked to say. That if we try to live in two worlds, we will alternately hate one or despise the other.
You see, the hard sayings of Jesus are only hard because they call us to live by our convictions; to walk the walk as well as to talk the talk. We cannot just hear what we want to hear. We cannot just love those we want to love. We cannot serve only those we want to serve. We cannot put our faith in a drawer and take it out in certain circles at certain times. As Detrich Bonhoeffer said, “there is a cost to this discipleship.” So, if we want to live at peace with the world, we ought to enthusiastically and unapologetically embrace the values of the world. It’s easier that way. But if inner peace is at all important, then we ought to take the road less traveled, the road where we listen to the still, quiet voice of Jesus, and follow it.
You must know that it might cost you some friends, and it might affect your family, but a different sort of peace will be yours. I must be honest and say this; I am preaching to myself today. I don’t want all of this for you…I want it for me, and then I want it for you. May God grant us the courage to follow him and bring the peace that comes from a Velvet Sword. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Hymn: VU # 288 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
1 Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided-
Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided-
Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow-
wondrous the portion thy blessings provide.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided-
Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!
Responding to the Spirit
Prayers of the People
Loving God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
we come before You in awe, searching and seeking, doubting and hoping, trying to follow You, to understand You and to know You. As we gather, we continue to seek to do Your will both inside and outside of this church.
We pray for our country and all those who call it home, especially those who have been forced to come here through violence, strife, economic hardship, or some other reason.
Help us, God of abundant, unimaginable love, to be a neighbour to all, to see the humanity of our sisters and brothers before we see labels,
nationalities, skin colour, sexuality, or gender.
We pray for our world, which continues to be ravaged by disease, war, floods and wildfires, while still struggling with age-old problems of poverty, isolation, and fear. In particular, we pray for all who know the pangs of hunger, who fear for what tomorrow brings, those who go without to help others and all who are not well in some way asking for strength from You, our Lord. Hear the names of those we say aloud or silently in our hearts_______________
We pray for those who staff, support and use foodbanks and charities which attempt to alleviate poverty. Help us to remember even on His most difficult days, Jesus gave all He had to nourish others, and give us the boldness to follow His example in whatever way we can.
We pray for Your Church, all over the world, and here, at home. Help all those who try, God of abundance, to work and to decide the path forward based on the good of Your people, the furthering of Your mission and the coming of Your kingdom.
We pray for ourselves, all those gathered here that we may have our hearts and minds turned ever towards heaven, towards our neighbour and towards You, abundant God, our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sustainer.
Hear all our prayers said and unsaid as we pray in Jesus' name the prayer that He taught us to say and follow: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen”
M & S Story
Ladles of Love
At Spring Park United Church in Charlottetown, PEI, the annual Soup Luncheon in support of Mission and Service has grown into something truly special—a celebration of community, compassion, and connection.
More than just a meal, it’s a moment where people gather to enjoy hearty soup, delicious desserts, rich conversation, and the joy of being together. The Sunday service sets the tone with powerful Mission and Service stories and guest speakers who remind us why this work matters so deeply. Each message connects to the wider church, and to people whose lives are being changed thanks to your generous support.
The luncheon also connects generations. Youth and adults alike enjoy laughter and connection, filling the space with energy and purpose. Mission and Service volunteer Joyce MacLeod adds a thoughtful touch by placing Mission and Service bookmarks and pens on each table, quiet reminders of the impact our shared generosity can have.
With over 20 dedicated volunteers offering their time and efforts, the Soup Luncheon is more than a tradition. It’s a living expression of faith in action, showing how support of Mission and Service continues to nurture hope, build relationships, and change lives.
The response from the community? Overwhelmingly positive. Year after year, this event continues to strengthen the bonds at Spring Park United, offering a living example of how Mission and Service helps us grow in faith, friendship, and love. Thank you for being part of Mission and Service, making a difference locally, in Canada, and around the world.
Offertory Invitation
Dear friends, as we gather today, let us take a moment to reflect on the blessings we have received. Our offerings are not just a duty; they are an opportunity to express our gratitude and support the work of our church and community. Your contributions help us spread love, hope, and faith to those in need. Let us present our offering, knowing that every gift makes a difference.
*Offertory Hymn VU # 537 Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands
1 Your work, O God, needs many hands
to help you everywhere,
and some there are who cannot serve
unless our gifts we share.
2 Because we love you and your work,
our offering now we make:
be pleased to use it as your own,
we ask for Jesus’ sake.
*Offertory Prayer
God of plenty, bless these gifts, and the ones who gave. May our circle of giving and receiving draw us close with each other knowing how we have helped our Community of Faith near and far. Amen
*Closing Hymn: VU #422 God Be with You till We Meet Again
1 God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
with a shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
2 God be with you till we meet again;
unseen wings protecting hide you,
daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
3 God be with you till we meet again;
when life’s perils thick confound you,
put unfailing arms around you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
4 God be with you till we meet again;
keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
smite death’s threatening wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
*Benediction & Commissioning
Into a world of plenty, we go to speak charity,
Into a world of pain, we go to speak healing,
Into a world of hunger, we go to feed,
Into a world of need, we go to bring the good news and abundance of our Saviour.
So let us go now and may the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit descend upon us today and forever more,
Amen.
Go in the peace and love of our Lord. Amen
*Sung Benediction MV # 218 May the Love of the Lord
May the love of the Lord rest upon your soul.
May God’s love dwell in you,
throughout every day.
May God’s countenance shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May God’s Spirit be upon you
as you leave this place.
May the love of the Lord rest upon your soul.
May God’s love dwell in you,
throughout every day.
May God’s countenance shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May God’s Spirit be upon you
as you leave this place.
Life and Work of the Church
Donations received in memory of:
Horatio (Rache) Bragg by Lucy
Mom and Dad, Phyllis and Wilson Strickland by Ron Butch Strickland.
Today, on our Memory Board, we are remembering Elsie Leamon, Joshua Leamon and William Dutot
Cemetery/Flower Service – Joan says thank you to all who attended. It was a beautiful day, and it was lovely to see so many people there. Also thank you to Terry Harvey for his gift of music.
Directory- We now have a Directory in the drawer of our Cemetery Sign telling where each person’s resting place is situated. Please use the large picture on the sign to see where each area is located.
A copy of our Cemetery Regulations is available on our Information Table.
Eye Glasses may be brought to our church and deposited in the box at the front entrance. When full, the box is given to the Lion’s Club to be sent where needed.
UCW are still collecting used stamps. You may give these to any of the members or leave them in the dish on the Information Table.
Previous bulletins have been placed on the Information Table in case anyone would like one. These are nice to give out to people who are unable to attend.
Pop Tabs are also still being collected. Please bring along any and we will be sending them to the Ronald MacDonald House with the next volunteer going to St. John’s.
Small Print Copies of “Our Daily Bread” are available on the Information Table.
Columbarium Niches: There are just two niches left that can be reserved. Each niche, which can hold two urns, cost $2500.00. Please contact Mabel Spencer if you are interested in purchasing a niche.
Walking Group, Dart Group, Knitting, Sewing/quilting groups are finished until the fall.
Food Bank –The Food Bank needs sugar, can milk, tea bags, butter or any nonperishable item. You may bring your items to church or drop them off at the Thrift Store.
Recycling Depot Thank you to those who have been donating their recyclables to our account. Our account total is now $51.95. You may donate by using the pin number 6953434 (our telephone number) when you drop off your recyclables.
PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance Program)-This is a program where you can authorize for your bank to deposit a certain amount each month into our church’s bank account. Please contact Mabel Spencer or send an email to us if you would like to take part in this easy program.
Smile for Today
A woman invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the little girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the mother said.
The little girl bowed her head and said: "Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
Offerings Needed to Meet 2025 Budget
Local: $5000.00 Monthly
M & S: $200.00 Monthly
Date Local Account M & S
January 2542.00 262.00
February 3969.00 217.00
March 3544.45 288.00
April 3058.79 178.00
May 4711.85 199.00
June 2815.00 1389.00
July 1813.50 157.00
August 3 243.00 32.00
August 10 207.00 52.00
Many blessings for this week and let us concentrate on the fifth Gospel, take the harder road by listening to Jesus and find peace within ourselves.
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Website Designer, Creator And Administrator: Curtis Francis
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