Wesley United Church– Year A
May 10, 2026, Sixth Sunday of Easter
Mother’s Day & Volunteer Service
Worship Leader:  Evelyn MacDonald

Reader:  Roy Richards
Music: Glenda Feltham, Ephraim Young
Soloists:  Raymond Bown & Leo Coffin
Greeter: Elsie Organ
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  

 

 This is the Christ candle.  It is a candle that reminds us that wherever two or three gather in Jesus' name, Jesus is manifested.  We discover Christ in each other.

 

 

*Introit:  VU # 402 We Are One Vs 1 

 

We are one as we come,
as we come, joyful to be here,
in the praise on our lips
there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing,
as we seek, we are found;
and we come needful of God’s grace
as we meet, together in this place.

 

*Call to Worship 

L:  Come let us sing of a wonderful love.

 

P:  Come let us pray sincere words.

 

L:  Come let us live a loving life.

 

P:  Come let us learn a way to be followers of Jesus.

 

L:  Come let us worship our God!

Opening Song:  Dear Momma by Ray Bown

 

I see my momma smiling from Heaven above
She was the very best full of kindness and love
She taught us to cherish to care and to share
The greatest of mothers beyond all compare.

 

My deer momma I say thank you
For all your love so true
You raise me with respect and love
I miss you so much you’re in heaven above.

Say hi to my daddy sisters and brothers too
And thank you for teaching me faith to pursue
Forever I’ll keep you alive in my heart
Your love will sustain me when life falls apart

 

My dear momma I say thank you
For all your love so true
You raise me with respect and love
I miss you so much you’re in heaven above.

 

My dear momma I say thank you
For all your love so true
You raise me with respect and love
I miss you so much you’re in heaven above.

 

 

Opening Prayer 

 

Loving God, we gather in your name to celebrate new beginnings.  We give thanks for the abundance of gifts in our midst.  May we use all of these gifts wisely and well, that we may witness to your love for the world.  Guide our steps in the way of Jesus, who calls us to be his disciples.  By your Holy Spirit, empower us to live into your realm of justice and peace.  Amen.

 

Story:  Mother's Day Flowers

 

When my husband calmly announced that, after eleven years of marriage, he had filed for a divorce and was moving out, my first thought was for my children.  My son was just five, and my daughter, four.  Could I hold us together and give them a sense of “family”?  Could I, as a single parent, maintain our home and teach them the ethics and values I knew they would need in life?  All I knew was that I had to try.
So every Sunday, we attended church.  During the week, I made time to review their homework with them, and we often discussed why it was important to do the right things.  This took time and energy when I had little to spare, and worse, it was hard to tell if I was really reaching them.
One Mother's Day, two years after the divorce, as we walked into church, I noticed carts of beautiful flowers in little pots on either side of the altar.  During the service, the pastor told us that he thought motherhood was one of the toughest jobs in life, and deserved recognition and reward.  He then asked every child to come forward to pick out a beautiful flower and present it to their mother as a symbol of how much they were loved and appreciated.  
My son and daughter, hand in hand, went up the aisle with the other children. Together, they considered which plant to bring back to me.  We had certainly survived some hard times, and this little bit of appreciation was just what I needed.  I looked at the beautiful begonias, the golden marigolds and purple pansies, and started planning where I could plant whichever one they chose for me, for surely they would bring me a beautiful bloom to show their love.
My children took their assignment seriously, and looked over every pot on all the carts.  Long after the other children had returned to their seats, and presented the other mothers with a beautiful potted flower, my two were still making their selection.  Finally, with a joyful exclamation, they made their selection from the back of one of the carts.  With exuberant smiles lighting their faces, they proudly proceeded down the aisle to where I was seated and presented me with the plant they had chosen as their Mother's Day gift of appreciation.
I stared in amazement at the broken, bedraggled, sickly looking stick being held out to me by my son.  Mortified, I accepted the pot from him.  They had obviously chosen the smallest, sickest plant – it didn't even have a bloom on it.  Looking down at their smiling faces, I saw their pride in this choice, and knowing how long it took them to choose this particular plant, I smiled and accepted their gift.
But then I had to ask – out of all those beautiful flowers – what had made them pick this particular plant to give to me?
With great pride, my son said, “This one looked like it needed you, Mom.”
As the tears flowed down my face, I hugged both children close.  They had just given me the greatest Mother's Day gift I could ever have imagined.  My hard work and sacrifices had not been in vain – they would grow up just fine.   - Patricia A. Rinaldi

Song: God’s Chosen Rose by Ray Bown

God looked down from Heaven, in search of a rose
Found a sweet dear lady with a beautiful glow
She had a heart so pure a spirit of a dove
God sent a special angel to pick her with love.

 

Now our garden is empty, down here below
Those seasons come and go Lord we miss her so
We still have our memories and with the seeds that she sow
Know that she’s in heaven she’s God’s chosen rose

 

She’s in heaven on high saying hello
Reunited with kin’ oh they love her so
With old long time friends there are many of those
She’s in heaven on high God chose a rose.

She taught us so much to know wrong from right
To a place God went to pray every night
We will never forget her for the love that she showed
Our dearest darling mother is now God’s chosen rose.

 

She’s in heaven on high saying hello
Reunited with kin, oh they love her so
With old long time friends there are many of those
She’s in heaven on high God chose a rose
She’s in heaven on high God chose a rose

 

 

Invitation to Confession  

We say we are followers of Jesus, but sometimes we stray from his teachings and go our own way.  We call upon you, forgiving God, to accept our confessions as we pray together.

 

Prayer of Confession  
Holy God, to be about your purpose in these strange times gives us joy.  To be forgiven when we least deserve it brings us joy.  To let go of vain, regretful things establishes our joy.  Please forgive us for those things we have done both knowingly and unknowingly.  Lead us to a place of doing only what we intend to do as followers of the Way of Jesus.  Let our actions reflect your place in our lives as  we work together for a better world.  Amen.

 

Words of Assurance 

 

L:  God says, let go of the things that are not life-giving.  Let go of all that needs to die in order that   you may rise to new life.

 

P:  In letting go, we are free to embrace new life.  In our dying is our rising.  Amen.

 

Listening for the Spirit

Song: Immaculate Mary by Leo Coffin

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing
You reign now in heaven with Jesus our King
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

 

Most blessed of women, to whom was revealed
The plan of salvation for ages concealed.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

 

O perfect disciple, you cherished God’s word
Proclaimed by your virtue, the good news you heard.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

O mother of Mercy, the cross of your Son
Has brought us to new life in Him we are one
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

 

So now with the saints and the angels above
We join you in praising our God who is love
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

 

Scripture Readings

 

Romans 12:4-8

 

This scripture reading explains that, like a human body with diverse parts, the church is a unified body in Christ composed of individuals with distinct, grace-given gifts. It teaches that all members belong to each other, necessitating the purposeful, pas-sionate, and diverse use of gifts—such as service, teaching, en-couraging, giving, leadership, and compassion—for the common good and God's glory.

 

 

Romans 12:4-8

 

For as in one body, we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in pro-portion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

The Word of the Lord                          Thanks be to God

 

 Proverbs 31: 10-31

This Proverb describes the "wife of noble character”, a poetic personification of wisdom, diligence, and fear of the Lord. It highlights an industrious, trustworthy woman who manages a home, engages in business, and cares for the needy. The passage focuses on inner virtue over outward appearance. 

Proverbs 31: 10-31

Ode to a Capable Wife

 

A capable wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
   and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
   she brings her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night
   and provides food for her household
   and tasks for her servant-girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
   with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
   and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
   Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
   and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
   and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
   for all her household are clothed in crimson.
She makes herself coverings;
   her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the city gates,
   taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
   she supplies the merchant with sashes.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her happy;
   her husband too, and he praises her:
‘Many women have done excellently,
   but you surpass them all.’
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
   and let her works praise her in the city gates.
The Word of the Lord         Thanks be to God

 

Gospel Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 27-28

In this reading, Paul is explaining that the Church is the "Body of Christ"—a unified entity comprising diverse individuals with different gifts, all equally essential. Paul uses the human body to teach that no member is useless or independent, urging unity, mutual care, and the rejection of envy or superiority over others' roles. 

Gospel Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:12-20, 27-28

 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God ar-ranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assis-tance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.

The Word of the Lord     Thanks be to God

 

 

Message: A Reflection:  God's Love Letter

 

 

Dear humans,
I have written my love for you in the sky.  I have written my love for you in the waters.  I have written my love for you in the way I've ordered life, so that all beings rely on one another to survive.  Love is foundational.  This is intentional.  And yet, it isn't enough.  So, I have written on your hearts, “I love you.”  So, I have sent my son to proclaim, “I love you.”  So, I have given my Spirit to assure, “I love you.”  And if you miss the message in the skies and waters, and if you don't notice me or my Spirit, then if you turn to one another, you'll discover written on each other, “I love you.”  Someone once asked Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  He responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40) You are my love letter.  When you love each other, you love me.  When you love me, you love each other.  When you are attentive to each other and read each other's hearts, you experience my “I love you.”  Love is the foundation.  This is intentional.  This is how I created the world.  When Jesus said he had a new commandment, it was to lift up and clarify love as the very basis of each of the Ten Commandments.  He said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:33-35) I love you.  I love that you love each other.  I have written my love for you everywhere.  I love that you are writing love everywhere too.       Love,
                                                                                                                     Your God

Responding to the Spirit

Song:  Old Woolen Shawl by Leo Coffin

 

In a little white house by the edge of the lane
Where the kettle sang softly with the fall of the rain
You’d be waiting each evening as the daylight grew poor
With a smile and your shawl hanging close to the door. 

 

Oh mother my comfort my heart ever true
There’s no love in this world that compares unto you
Though the years take me far and I still have to roam
It’s your voice and your love that will always be home

 

You walked me to school with my hand in your own
Said a prayer for my future though I’d never have known
You gave without asking you stood without fame
And you carried our family in God’s gentle name

 

Oh mother my comfort my heart ever true
There’s no love in this world that compares unto you
Though the years take me far and I still have to roam
It’s your voice and your love that will always be home

 

Now time left its mark in the lines on your face
But I see only kindness and quiet old grace
If I learned how to love or to stand when I fall
It was taught in that house in those nights after all

 

Oh mother my comfort my heart ever true
There’s no love in this world that compares unto you
Though the years take me far and I still have to roam
It’s your voice and your love that will always be home

 

When the shadows grow longer and the fire burns low
And the songs of our youth play soft and slow
I’ll thank God for blessings the greatest of all
Was a mother like you and that old hallway wall

Oh mother my comfort my heart ever true
There’s no love in this world that compares unto you
Though the years take me far and I still have to roam
It’s your voice and your love that will always be home

 

Oh mother my comfort my heart ever true
There’s no love in his world that compares unto you
When my own journey’s done and I answer the call
I’ll be wrapped in your love like that old woolen shawl.

When my own journey’s done and I answer the call
I’ll be wrapped in your love like that old woolen shawl.

 

Prayers of the People:  
                                                                                                                                     Holy God, we thank you for letting us be your body on earth.  None of us can do it individually, but to-gether, we minister with you.  We pray for the hands that prepare meals and create and write.  Human hands becoming your hands.  We pray for the feet that deliver meals and church bulletins. Human feet be-coming your feet.  We pray for the shoulders that offer a place to cry and a comforting foundation.  Human shoulders becoming your shoulders.  We pray for the eyes that notice those who are forgotten or ignored and situations that need addressing among us.  Human eyes becoming your eyes.  We pray for the mouths that pray and sing your hymns.  Human mouths becoming your mouth.  We pray for the arms that lift others in and out of bed and push wheel-chairs.  Human arms becoming your arms.  We pray for the hearts that weep over injustice and suffering, over loneliness and destruction of the earth.  Human hearts becoming your heart.  We pray for the minds that calculate how to use resources in the most loving way.  Human minds becoming your mind.  We pray for the souls that long to live into your realm now, souls that dream of your peace and love, souls infused with the Holy Spirit.  Human souls becoming your soul.  We pray for volunteers of all ages.  We pray for people:  people loving each other, people loving the earth, people loving you.  We pray for the people noticed at volunteer events and we pray for those who are not noticed for what they offer to others.  We pray for volunteers inside this church and outside this church.  Human people becoming your body.  We pray for people who give their time to you:  time in prayer and time in conversation.  We pray for people who give their abilities to you:  teaching and doing to make the world more loving.  We pray for people who give their finances to you:  supporting a more just and equal world economy.  We pray for all mothers who teach, protect, and encourage their children.  We thank you, God, for letting us be your body on earth.  As your body, we pray for those we know who especially need our prayers as we name them either silently or aloud...............    All these prayers we pray in Jesus' name, as we offer the prayer he once taught, Our Fa-ther, 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 tempta-tion, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the king-dom and the power and the glory, for ever and ev-er. Amen

M & S Story

Held in Hope

On Mother’s Day, we give thanks for mothers and for all those who carry a mother’s love. Those who nurture, protect, and keep going through great responsibility, often while carrying more than they can easily name.
In January 2025, in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, a retreat in Tukhlya offered mothers and children a chance to step away from the pressures of daily survival and receive care. Through ACT Alliance, ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid welcomed families who had been displaced by war or were living near the frontlines into a space of rest and support.
Many of the mothers arrived exhausted, carrying grief, uncertainty, and the constant demands of caring for their children in difficult circumstances. At the retreat, they were offered psychological support, time in nature, and creative activities, while their children were cared for through play and art. For many, it was the first time they had been able to focus on their own wellbeing.
One mother shared that she had spent so long focused on her children’s needs that she had forgotten her own. In this space, she was able to rest, reflect, and begin to regain strength for the journey ahead.
Through Mission and Service, initiatives like this become possible. Our gifts help create spaces where caregivers can receive care, where resilience can be renewed, and where hope can be strengthened even during ongoing hardship.
On this Mother’s Day, we remember the strength of mothers everywhere, and the importance of supporting that strength in return.
Our gifts to Mission and Service help make this care possible, make your gift today. 

Offering Invitation 

Let us celebrate how others have been Christ to us.  Let us celebrate that we have the opportunity to be Christ to others.  Let us once again commit our time, talent, and treasure to God's love for all!

 

Offertory Hymn MV # 191 What Can I Do?

 

What can I do?  What can I bring?
What can I say?  What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy.  I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love.  I’ll do my share.

*Offertory Prayer 

 

Thank you, God, for the opportunities to be your presence, your attentiveness, and your message of love.  Thank you for making us for community and for sharing our gifts in the community around us.  Thank you for this particular community.  Bless all we give, and all we receive, and bless all people with your loving words.  Amen.

Closing Song:  Doing God’s Work

 

The Work of our church needs many hands
From the spiritual leaders to the cemetery man
Together with love for all that has to be done
No one takes credit because we are one.

 

Through guidance from our Saviour above
We all do our part with a feeling of love
And pray to our Heavenly Father each day
Knowing He’s watching so we do not stray.

 

From ringing the bell every Sunday morn 
Someone turns up the heat to keep us warm
From the sanctuary volunteers preach about God
And always remind us of our Saviour’s love.

 

Thank you to all who helps do God’s work
That’s why we have such a wonderful church
Let’s continue to work with love for each other
And treat each other like sister and brother.

 

There are church committees that require much work
But the official board oversees our church
There are so many helpers God bless them all
Doing things with love in your heart is no work at all.

 

God sends down His love to the good shepherds we are 
He touches our soul from afar
Many people work hard to keep our church alive
Because of that our church still thrives.

 

Thank you to all who help do God’s work.

 

 

Commissioning and Benediction:  

 

You are God's love letter!  It is written on your heart.  So, go now and deliver that holy love letter to everyone you meet.  God loves you!  And God loves the world!  
Go now, to continue to be the light and love of Christ in  this community and in the world.
Go now in the peace of Christ!

 

*Sung Benediction: VU  #402 We Are One Vs 4

 

We are one as we hear,
as we hear, heart and hand unite;
in the word we receive
there’s a sense that God is light.

We are one as we leave,
as we love, we are loved;
and we seek justice in God’s ways
as we move together from this place.

 

Life and Work of the Church

 

Today, on our Memory Board, we remember Roland E. Mauger (November 12, 1949-February 11, 2011), Julian Munden (June 12, 1918-January 18, 2005), and
Richard David Snow (August 8, 1923-October 5, 2014)

Donations received in memory of 
Mother, Ivy Sheaves, sister, Florence Spencer and sisters in law, Helen Sheaves and Emma Sheaves by Myrtle Button.

 

Mothers, Harriet Mauger and Rosabelle Organ by Elsie & Don Organ

Alma May Hardy by Barbara, David, MacKenzie & Sara Wicks

Mothers, Hilda Pike and Margaret Chaisson by Joan & Tony Chaisson.

 

Grandmothers, Hilda Pike and Margaret Chaisson by Andrew Chaisson

 

Mother Clara Munden by Elsie Keeping.

Mothers Clara Munden and Pearl King by Sandra & Gus King

 

Mother Beulah Lane by Dorothy Bragg

 

Mother, Ivy Sheaves and wife, Helen Marie Sheaves by Johnny Sheaves & family.

 

Thank You to the AIM’s Empower Rangers Group who created all the hearts which were given to you with love this morning.
 
The Ministerial Association wish to thank everyone who took part in the Spring Ministerial Singing service at St. Anne’s Church this past Friday.  Also thank you to the people who gave rides and brought food for others.  

A Volunteer Thank You Luncheon and Mother’s Day Luncheon will follow our service today.  Everyone is invited to come along and celebrate with us. 

 

Recovery Is Possible Support Group meetings are held in our church hall on Sunday nights at 7:00 pm.  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.

 

Walking Group meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 am.  Dinah Carter is the coordinator for this group.  

 

Darts – The group meets at 1:00pm on Tuesdays.  The Coordinators are David Davis and Debbie Moss.

AIM’s Empower Rangers Group meet each Tuesday 4:00-6:00 in our church hall.  This is a social club aimed toward empowering neurodivergent youth in everyday life here in town. It is open to youth from grade 6 onwards. Coordinator is Reed Bartlett.

 

Quilting, Sewing, Knitting, Crafts and Social get-togethers are held on Thursdays, at 1:00 pm.  Evelyn MacDonald and Ruth Deveaux are coordinators for these groups.

 

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.  

 

New 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 $30.30.  Thank you to the person who donated on April 28, 2026. 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

 

Many blessing for this new week and let us always be thankful for our volunteers who have, and are still showing how we can work together so that we can have a family Community of Faith at Wesley United Church.   Also, let us always remembers our Mothers and how they taught us, the Mothers of Today, to be the loving people that we are.