Wesley United Church– Year A
June 21, 2026, 11:00am

Father’s Day Service
Worship Leader:  Joan Chaisson

 

Reader:  Lucy Bragg
Music: Mabel Spencer
Greeter:  Myrtle Button
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

 

Loving God, today we light this candle in gratitude for the gift of fathers and father figures. Its flame re-minds us of the light they bring into our lives —through their guidance, their protection, and their steady love. May this light honor those who are with us, and remember those who have gone before us.
Bless the fathers who nurture with patience,
who lead with wisdom, and who love without condi-tion. As this candle burns, may it inspire us to carry forward their example —to be people of courage, kindness, and faith. Amen.

 

Introit:  VU #395 Come In, Come In and Sit Down vs 2

Come in, come in and sit down,

you are a part of the family. 
We are lost and we are found,

 and we are a part of the family.

 

God is with us in this place,

like a father’s warm embrace. 
We're all forgiven by God's grace,

for we are a part of the family.

 

Come in, come in and sit down,

you are a part of the family. 
We are lost and we are found,

and we are a part of the family.

 

 

Today’s service is going to be a different format.  We are going to have a series of poems, stories and songs.  We will start by having our own prayer of thanksgiving and confession.  We will do our Prayers of the People later in the service. Let us pray silently.  

Silent Prayers

Opening Poem:  For My Father

 

For my father, my friend,
This to me you have always been.
Through the good times and the bad,
Your understanding I have had.
A gentle man at heart,
This sets you apart
From the others I've seen.
You mean so much to me.
The laughter we have shared
Cannot be compared.
The tears I have shed,
As you lovingly nodded your head.
You have always been there,
With a smile and a hug,
A precious gift from our God up above.
The times that I have been down and sad,
Your silly ways could always make me glad.
You gave me strength to carry on,
Even when all hope seemed to be gone.
The lessons in life that I have learned
Are from your genuine love and concern.
With deep appreciation for all you have done.
You, Dad,
Are my number one.
With all my love, Your Daughter, Your Friend

Peggy Stewart. 

 

Opening Song: My Father, My Friend by Raymond Bown

 

When I was a child, you held me so tight
with love in your eyes…you kissed me good night.
Your sweet lullabies helped me drift off to sleep,
then out of my room, you silently creeped.

 

Now time has escaped us and I’ve grown much older
I’ve needed you more, your strength and your shoulder.
Yes, your shoulder to lean on, when my road was rough…
but you taught me to bear it, stand tall and be tough.

 

So thank you for all you have done and still do,
for shaping my life, for loving me too.
You’re my saviour, my hero, I love you my dad.
I’m so proud to say, you’re the best friend I’ve had.

 

You’ve witnessed my best, you’ve accepted my worse.
My pain was your pain, but you never felt cursed.
I know you’d move mountains for me if you could.
To the ends of the earth, you would go, yes, you would.

 

You’re my Mr. Fix It when things don’t go right,
my greatest supporter, you’re my guiding light.
You’re my teacher, my mentor, you always found time-
no one will replace you, dear father of mine.

 

So thank you for all you have done and still do,
for shaping my life, for loving me too.
You’re my saviour, my hero, I love you my dad.
I’m so proud to say, you’re the best friend I’ve had.

 

Story: Talking is like ketchup

I sat in my dad’s living room reading one night while he watched television. An hour passed before I realized it, and I felt bad for not speaking during that time. I asked if he was OK, and he said yes. Then I apologized for not talking more. “Carmen,” Dad replied. “Talking is like ketchup. If you like the meat enough, you don’t need the ketchup—and if you like the company enough, you don’t need the conversation.” My dad never earned a college degree, but he was the smartest person I ever knew. —Carmen Mariano, Braintree, Massachusetts

 

Song:  In the Sweet By and By by Garfield Francis

 

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
and by faith we can see it afar;
for the Father waits over the way
to prepare us a dwelling place there.

 

In the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
from the lowliest songs of the blest;
and our spirit shall sorrow no more,
not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

 

In the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore;
in the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

To our bountiful Father above,
we will offer or tribute of praise
for the glorious gift of His love
and the blessings that hallow our days.

 

In the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore;
in the sweet by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

Video:  The Man I Still Look Up To

This song is for those of us who have lost our dads but never stopped feeling their presence.  Maybe you still his voice, feel him in the quiet moments or talk to him when no one is around. I wrote this from that place.  The space between love and memory.  This is for the man I still look up to. 

I still hear your footsteps in the hall
Like you never really left at all
The way you’d say, you’ll just be fine
Still echoes in this heart of mine.

You were steady like the morning light
The calm that held my storms at night
Now I sit where you once stood
Trying to be half the man you could

 

You’re not gone, not to me
You’re in the wind in every tree
And though I walk this world without you
There’s one thing that stays true
You’re the man I still look up to.

 

You taught me strength without a sound
How to get back up when I’m down
Even now when I feel small
It’s your voice that helps me stand tall.

I see your face in old photographs 
I feel your love in silent laughs
And when I talk to you at night
I swear the stars all shine more bright.

 

Oh you’re not gone, not to me 
You’re the wind in every tree
And though I walk this world without you
There’s one thing that stays true
You’re the man I still look up to.

 

I hope I’ve made you proud somehow
Even though you’re not here now
In every word in all I do
Dad I still look up to you 

you’re not gone, not to me 

You’re the wind in every tree
And though I walk this world without you
There’s one thing that stays true
You’re the man I still look up to.
You’re the man I still look up to.

 

Listening for the Spirit

Scripture Reading

Luke 15:  11-32

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, found in this scripture read-ing, is a moving illustration of God’s boundless grace and for-giveness. It tells the story of repentance, forgiveness, and the un-conditional love of a father for his son. In this narrative, the younger son’s request for his share of the estate symbolizes hu-manity’s desire for independence and tendency to stray from God’s guidance. His squandering of wealth in wild living re-flects the consequences of living apart from God’s will. Howev-er, his moment of repentance and decision to return to his father symbolize the act of turning back to God.

 

Luke 15:  11-32

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother

Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my fa-ther, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Fa-ther, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his fin-ger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and danc-ing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are al-ways with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

 

Song:  Take Up Thy Cross by Garfield Francis

 

I walked one day along a country road
and there a stranger journeyed too.
Bent low beneath the burden of his load,
it was the cross, the cross I knew.

 

Take up thy cross and follow me,
I hear the blessed Saviour call.
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
when Jesus gave his all?

 

I cried Lord Jesus and he spoke my name
I saw his hands all bruised and torn.
I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame-
the shame for me that He had borne.

 

Take up thy cross and follow me
I hear the blessed Saviour call
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave his all?

 

O let me bear thy cross, O lord, I cried
and lo a cross for me appeared.
The one so long that I had cast
aside,
that one so long that I had feared.

 

Take up thy cross and follow me
I hear the blessed Saviour call
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave his all?

The cross I’ll carry ‘til the crown appears,
the way I journey soon will end.
When God himself will wipe away all tears
and friend will fellowship with friend.

 

Take up thy cross and follow me
I hear the blessed Saviour call
How can I make a lesser sacrifice
When Jesus gave his all?

Poem: Silent Strong Dad

 

He never looks for praises.
He's never one to boast.
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most.
His dreams are seldom spoken.
His wants are very few,
And most of the time his worries
Will go unspoken, too.
He's there...a firm foundation
Through all our storms of life,
A sturdy hand to hold onto
In times of stress and strife.
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad.
One of our greatest blessings,
The man that we call Dad.

Karen K. Boyer. 

Song: Between Fathers and Sons by Johnny Sheaves

 

My father had so much to tell me
Things he said I had to know
Don’t make my mistakes
There are rules you can’t break
But I had to find out on my own

Now when I look at my own son
I know what my father went through
There’s only so much you can do
You’re proud when they walk
Scared when they run
That’s how it always has been
Between fathers and sons.

 

It’s a bridge you can’t cross
It’s a cross you can’t bear
It’s the words you can’t say
The things you can’t change
No matter how much you care
So you do all you can
But then you got to let go

You’re just part of the flow
Of the river that runs 
Between fathers and sons.

Your mother will try to protect you
Hold you as long as she can 
But the higher you climb
The more you can see
That’s something I understand

One day you’ll look at your own son
There’ll be so much that you want to say
He’ll have to find his own way
On the road he must take
The course he must run
That’s how it always has been
Between fathers and sons.

 

It’s a bridge you can’t cross
It’s a cross you can’t bear
It’s the words you can’t say
The things you can’t change
No matter how much you care

So you do all you can
But then you got to let go
You’re just part of the flow
Of the river that runs 
Between fathers and sons.

Your mother will try to protect you
Hold you as long as she can 
But the higher you climb
The more you can see
That’s something I understand

One day you’ll look at your own son
There’ll be so much that you want to say
He’ll have to find his own way
On the road he must take
The course he must run
That’s how it always has been
Between fathers and sons.

 

 

Song: Journeys by Leo Coffin

Out there the river runs beneath the noon day sun
through the trees it twists and turns in light and shade.
In the summer’s warm embrace, nature flaunts her bonny face,
a more green and peaceful place, God never made.

On the riverbank I stand, my father’s ashes in my hand.
I’m there at his command, one promise left to keep.
Though in my mind the past appears a sad parade of wasted years.
Grief and guilt for fuel the tears at last I weep.

 

And there’s anger in my heart, it’s bitter deep and dark.
But for whom or for what it’s hard to tell-
Is it for blind uncaring faith that builds bridges far too late,
or is it life or his escape or for myself?

But who the hell am I, his life to discount or deny?
To say what made him laugh or cry or brought him pain or joy.
Early strangers we became and strangers we remain,
the man who made his pride his chain and this solemn boy.

 

Now this song’s been too often sung for what’s done is long done,
there’s little comfort to be wrung from a past bled dry.
He was what he was made, the cards he was delt he played,
with as much choice in this charade as you or I.

Without joy, there is no grief.  Without hope there is no belief.
Without love, there’s just a thief who steals nothing more than time.
So, with love, I scattered him to the water and the wind.
Two new journeys now begin- his and mine.

 

Responding to the Spirit

 

Prayers of the People 

Dear God, thank you for the gift of fatherhood.  We pray for all fathers and those hoping to become fathers.  May You give them the strength to be a vessel of Your love.
Lord, we thank you for all the sacrifices that our fathers have given with their love.  When they felt tired, overwhelmed and weak, we thank you for giving them the strength they needed and the courage to stand strong.  We ask that You continue to give this to the fathers of today.
Heavenly Father, bless all the dads with Your wisdom, patience and love.  Guide them to be a source of strength and support for their families as they lean on you.
We also pray for the fathers who live on in our memories.  Thank you for the blessing they were in our lives and guide their families to live with the compassion and grace that they had taught them.  
God who fathers us, we pray for those fathers and/or any other people that we know today who need to have your touching hand laid upon them.  Hear the names of those we say aloud or silently in our hearts_________
We offer these prayers to you this day through the prayer that Your Son Jesus 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”

 

 

Song:  The Family Bible by Joan & Ephraim Young

There’s a family bible on the table
its pages are torn and hard to read,
but the family bible on the table
will ever be my key to memories.

 

At the end of day when work was over
and when the evening chores were finally done,
Dad would read to us from the family Bible
and we’d count our many blessing one by one.

 

I can see us sitting around the table
When from the family Bible Dad would read.
I can hear my mother softly singing, 
Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages cleft for me.

 

Tis old world of ours is full of trouble.
This old world would oh so better be,
if we had more Bibles on the table
and mothers singing Rock of Ages cleft for me.

I can see us sitting around the table
When from the family Bible Dad would read.
I can hear my mother softly singing, 
Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages cleft for me.

Offertory Hymn VU # 542 We Give You But Your Own

We give you but your own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is yours alone,
we give it gratefully.

 

*Offertory Prayer

Today we thank You for the gift of fathers and fa-ther figures who guide, protect, and love us. As we present our offerings, we remember that all we have comes from You.
Bless these gifts and bless every father here with strength, wisdom, and grace. May all be used for Your glory and the good of Your people.  Amen.

Closing Song:  Go Rest High on That Mountain by Terry Harvey

 

I know your life, on earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren’t afraid to face the evil
You were no stranger to the rain.

 

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son

 

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing.

 

Go, rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son

Go to heaven a shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son. 

 

*Benediction & Commissioning

Let us leave today with thankfulness for all our fathers and for the fathers here in our community of faith family. 
May the Lord grant us patience in our guidance, courage in our decisions, and joy in our family. May the seeds of love that we have planted continue to grow and may grace renew our strength each day.
Let us now go in peace and love of our Lord.

*Sung Benediction  VU # 424 May the God of Hope 

May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace. 
May the God of Justice speed us on our way, 
Bringing light and hope to every land and race. 

 

Praying, let us work for peace, 
Singing, share our joy with all,
 Working, for a world that’s new,
 Faithful when we hear Christ call!

 

Life and Work of the Church

 

Today, on our Memory Board, we are remembering
George Seaward, R. Jack Bragg and Gus Ford.

 

Donations received in loving memory of :
George Seaward by wife Joyce, son Jamie & stepson, Jason

Fathers, William Chaisson & George B Pike by Tony and Joan 

Stanley Billard by Les, Viola and Russell.

Dad, Albert Munden by Elsie Keeping

Fathers Albert Munden and Thomas King by Sandra & Gus. 

Husband, Reg Button, Fathers Philip Sheaves and Oscar Button, Brother Philip Sheaves by Myrtle Button

Fathers Ross Mauger and Alfred Organ by Elsie & Don.  

Philip J. Sheaves and Wilfred Shaw by Johnny Sheaves

 

Thank you to all our gifted musicians who shared their music with us today: Raymond Bown,  Johnny Sheaves, Ephraim & Joan Young, Leo Coffin, Terry Harvey and Garfield Francis.

 

Reminder that due to fire regulations, there are to be no solar lights in our cemetery.

 

Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Pat and Brenda Butt will take place on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 pm.  A time of remembrance will follow the service.  The inurnment service will be on Friday, June 26 at 10:30 am.

Congratulations to Rev Katie Vardy on being ordained during the Annual Meetings of First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council.  Rev Katie is the daughter of our own Port aux Basques native Rev. Myles Vardy.

 

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.

Recovery Is Possible Support Group meetings have been changed to Monday nights at 7:00 pm for the summer months. The coordinator for this group is Andrea Feaver. 

 

Wesley United Library- in our former Choir Room. Please take time before or after our services to borrow, exchange or donate books.

Groups that are now concluded until the fall:

Walking Group- Coordinator Dinah Carter
Darts- Coordinators David Davis and Debbie Moss
AIM’s Empower Rangers Group- Coordinator Reed Bartlett
Quilting, Sewing, Knitting, Crafts and Social get-togethers Coordinators Evelyn MacDonald and Ruth Deveaux

 

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.  

 

Copies of “Our Daily Bread” are available on the Information Table.

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 $42.40. You may donate by using the pin number 6953434 when you drop off your recyclables. 

Sunday Morning services on our web site. You are able to read our worship service by clicking on the following link: www.wesleyunitedchurch.sitew.ca Once you are on the site, click Sunday Worship which will take you to the service.

           

          
           
          

 

 

 

           
Offerings Needed to Meet 2026 Budget
Local: $5000.00 Monthly
M & S: $200.00 Monthly

 

Date                           Local Account               M & S
January                          3739.00                      127.00
February                         2513.00                     258.00
March                             3644.63                      150.00
April                                3939.00                     206.00
May 3                               407.00                       56.00
May 10                            1090.00                       64.00
May 17                              1139.35                        15.00
May 24                              353.00                       25.00
May 31                               555.00                       52.00
June 7                               374.00                       38.00
June 14                              341.50                       42.50

 

Many blessings for this week and let us all remember our fathers with much love and respect.
Happy Father’s Day!