Wesley United Church– Year A
August 16, 2026, 11:00 a

12th Sunday After Pentecost
Worship Leader: Evelyn MacDonald

 

 

Reader:  Roy Richards
Music: Glenda Feltham
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

 

Oh, what a lovely light!  It is the light of Christ in our midst!  Filled with this light, Jesus bids us shine our own lovely light.  May it be so for each of us.  Amen.  

 

*Introit:  VU  # 175  This Is the Day That God Has Made 

This is the day that God has made!
Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!
This is the day that God has made!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Hallelujah!

*Call to Worship:

 

L. Christ is here this morning at Wesley United Church.

 

P. Visitors and friends, neighbours and strangers are welcome in this community of faith.

 

L. We welcome you as friends in Christ.

 

P. We know that God’s love extends to everyone, and so we invite you to join us as we worship God.

 

*Opening Hymn: VU #218 We Praise You, O God

 

1  We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.

 

2  We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.

 

3  With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

 

Opening Prayer:

 

Holy God, from age to age, we sing your blessing and praise your name.  We give thanks to you, whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.  In the fullness of time, you came among us in compassion made flesh.  Jesus dined with sinners, told stories about restored relationships, healed those whose illnesses made them outcasts from the world.  Through his cross, we discover the depth of your redeeming love, a love that saves us all.  And so together we gather and sing your praise and live your love and mercy in our world today.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, redeemer and friend.  Amen.

 

Invitation to Confession:

 

As we begin a new week, let us come to God in a time of confession seeking to become a new person in all that we do.  

 

Prayer of Confession:

 

Holy Triune God, as we think of the perfect communion of God, we realize that, out of fear, there are times when we have broken communion with family, neighbours, and friends.  We have rejected people because of their abilities, values, gender, sexuality, income, nationality, or the colour of their skin.  We have sinned against you and against others.  We seek forgiveness.  Help us to see and accept all people as your beloved children.   Amen.

 

Words of Affirmation:

 

L. For over five decades, the chairs on which you are sitting have held people during difficult times of fear, sorrow, regret, guilt, and shame.  And the chairs have never let anybody down.  Even better, God's perfect love will always hold you up, as it casts out your fear.  You are forgiven.  Go forth to live healing and reconciliation in Christ's name.

 

P.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

 

 

*Hymn:  VU # 580  Faith of Our Fathers

 

1  Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy,
whene’er we hear that glorious word:
faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.

 

2  Faith of our mothers, daring faith,
your work for Christ is love revealed,
spreading God’s word from pole to pole,
making love know and freedom real:
faith of our mothers, holy faith,
we will be true to you till death.

 

3  Faith of our sisters, brothers too,
who still must bear oppression’s might,
raising on high, in prisons dark,
the cross of Christ still burning bright:
faith for today, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.

 

4  Faith born of God, O call us yet;
bind us with all who follow you,
sharing the struggle of your cross
until the world is made anew.
Faith born of God, O living faith,
we will be true to you till death.

Listening for the Spirit

Scripture Readings:

Genesis 45: 1-15

This reading is a powerful narrative of emotional revelation, forgiveness, divine providence, and family reconciliation, offering  lessons on trusting God, extending grace, and restoring broken relationships. 
In this passage, Joseph explicitly forgives his brothers, telling them not to be distressed or angry for selling him into slavery, recognizing that God used their actions to preserve life during the famine. 
This reading encourages us to act as peacemakers, extend grace, and recognize God’s hand in both trials and triumphs.

 

Genesis 45: 1-15

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

 

Psalm 133

The author of this particular psalm reflects on the beauty and blessings of unity among God’s people. It foreshadows the powerful events that will unfold as the Israelites continue their journey towards the Promised Land, where they will face both challenges and triumphs in their relationship with the Almighty.
The psalmist draws upon imagery from the natural world to illustrate the profound impact of unity, comparing it to the precious oil poured upon the head of the high priest and the refreshing dew that falls upon the mountains of Zion.  These vivid metaphors remind us of the transformative power of unity, as seen in the book of Exodus when the Israelites came together to build the tabernacle and in the book of Acts, where the early Christian community shared all things in common.

 

Psalm 133

 

L.  How pleasant and harmonious when God’s people are together;

P. fragrant as precious oil when running fresh on Aaron’s beard.

Refrain:
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!

L.  How pleasant and harmonious when God’s people are together:

P.  fresh like the morning dew that falls on Zion’s holy hill.

Refrain:
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!

 

L. How pleasant and harmonious when God’s people are together;

P.  there is where God bestows the blessing, life for evermore.

Refrain:
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!
Behold how pleasant, how good it is!

 

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

 

Matthew 15:21-28

 

In this reading, Matthew recounts Jesus’ encounter with a Canaanite woman in the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. She begs Jesus to heal her demon tormented daughter. Jesus initially remains silent, then states that he was sent “to the lost sheep of Israel.” When she persists, he uses the metaphor of children’s bread and dogs. Her humble reply—accepting even “crumbs”—moves Jesus to praise her great faith and grant her request.
This passage demonstrates that sincere, persistent faith opens the way to God’s compassionate action, regardless of background or status.

 

Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

 

Message: “Crumbs From the Table” 

 by Rev. Richard Fairchild

 

The message today is based on the gospel reading and is retold as a story.  Stories help us to use our imagination and the Holy Spirit helps us to hear what it is that God is saying to us.  I hope that you will hear in it the word of God for you this day.  It is called “Crumbs from the Table”.  Relax and listen.
                                       
She didn't belong there.  I knew it and the rest of us knew it.  We were just sitting down to dinner when she barged in.  The dogs woke up immediately and from their place under the table they began to bark.  One of the children started to cry as the woman frantically looked around the room.  I was startled and I stood up immediately.  I could feel myself beginning to get angry as I looked at this dishevelled and dirty woman.  John and James, who had been sitting near the door had leapt up at the same time I had, and they were already reaching out to stop the woman from coming closer to the table when she spotted the master.  “Lord, Son of David” she cried out as they moved in front of her, “Have mercy on me!  My daughter is sick.  She is suffering terribly from demon possession...”
The master must have heard her over the noise of the two dogs and the child, but he never said a word.  He didn't even look up from his plate.  By this time not only John and James, but I and three others had surrounded the woman, and we began to hustle her out the door.  She was interrupting not only our meal, but the time that Jesus had specially set aside for teaching us about the Kingdom he was going to establish.  We had no intention of letting her get in the way of that.  
The woman struggled a bit, but she didn't have a chance.  Hauling nets gives a person a lot of strength, and she was outnumbered.  We got her outside even more quickly than a bouncer gets a drunk out of a tavern.
But, let me tell you, once outside, she caused just as much trouble as a drunk does.
She was loud and insistent.  She tried to get by us and to get back inside.  She kept on saying to us that she had to see the miracle worker, that her daughter was in terrible shape, that she needed help.  She must have clutched at and grabbed each and every one of us as she pleaded.  I tell you, she was a real pain.  I just wanted to get back inside for dinner.  James tried to reason with her.
“Look”, he said, “You have no right to be here.  You've got no right to bother the teacher.  You are a foreigner, you don't believe in anything we believe in, your people are gentiles, they are heathens, and your behaviour shows that you are too.  There is no way the master is going to help you so please go away.”
“I've got to see him”, she said, “I know he can help me.  He has done so much for others.”
“That may be”, James said, “but he's not going to do anything for you.  You are not only a woman, you are a Canaanite, you don't go to the synagogue, you don't obey the law of Moses, you are unclean, you eat forbidden food.  To make matters worse...you have absolutely no respect.  Jesus is trying to eat.  He is a guest in another man's home, and this is supposed to be a special time for all of us, and you just barge in and start demanding help!  Listen!  Please!  Go away!  You are not going to get help here.”
You know what she did?  That wretched woman just shook her head and said: “I know he will help me; he's got to help me!”
John butted in, “Look”, he said, “Go away.  We've told you that you're not welcome here.  We've told you that Jesus isn't going to have anything to do with your type.  So why don't you just get lost.”
I tell you she was a crazy woman.  She didn't know her place, that's for sure.  The more we said to her, the louder and more persistent she became.  She cried, she begged, she screamed.  There was no reasoning with her.
After a few minutes of this, I got the idea of asking Jesus to tell her to go away.  I figured that if he said something to her, she'd get the picture and stop her infernal racket.
I mentioned the idea to a couple of the others, and they agreed that it was the only thing to do if we were going to have any peace.
As soon as I opened the door to go in, the dogs began barking again.  Someone hissed at them to be quiet as I went over to Jesus.  He was sitting with the child who had cried earlier and eating and talking with our host.
Our host looked a little embarrassed.  He was trying to pretend that nothing was going on, but the woman was standing just outside the open door where my two mates were waiting for the word, and the noise level was none too low.
“Excuse me”, I said to the Master, “could you please tell that woman to go away.  She is really pestering us with all her crying and carrying on.”
Jesus looked at his host, then at me, and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
I tell you, Jesus was really frustrating at times.  He never seemed to give a straight answer to a simple question.  But even so, this time he was backing us up.  It was like he had heard everything we had said to the woman, so I turned to tell the wretched woman that the master had told her to go away.  Just as I was turning around, she squeezed by the guys at the door and ran over right beside the master and fell down on her knees at his feet.
“Lord, help me”, she said.
I didn't do a thing.  I was tired.  I figured after what he had said, Jesus would handle it just fine.  And he did.  Jesus looked at her at his feet.  She bowed her head and looked down.  Then he looked around the room for a moment.  The child beside him was busy eating a piece of bread as if nothing untoward had happened.  The dogs were nuzzling around under the table.  Our host was staring at him, no doubt wondering what Jesus was going to do to get rid of this problem.
John and James and the others were all inside by this point.  They were still standing, waiting to see if they were going to be needed again.  It became very quiet in the room as the master looked around, the only sounds were those of the flies and of the child eating.
Then Jesus looked down at the woman and said to her, “It is not right to take the children's bread and to toss it to their dogs”.
A couple of the disciples smiled.  I must confess that I grinned too.  It was such a well turned phrase, the kind that only Jesus seemed to be able to come up with.  As far as I was concerned, it certainly disposed of her and all of her kind. I caught James looking at me and began to nod my head at him.  As I did so, the woman looked up at Jesus and stared him in the eyes.
“Yes Lord”, she said to him in this incredibly calm and clear voice, and I swear to you she had this little smile on her face. “Yes Lord”, she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.”
I was stunned.  The woman really was too much!  Lippy, rude, obnoxious, unclean, disrespectful.  I could go on!  Anyway, do you know what Jesus did?  He smiled at her, as if it was all some great contest of wits and he said to her, “Woman, you have great faith, for your reply, your request is granted.  Go home, your daughter is healed.”
I just could not understand it.  I mean why in the world did Jesus do that?  She did not belong there.  She was not one of us.  She was nothing but a Canaanite woman.  Jesus knew it, I knew it, and the rest of us knew it.  I just don't understand Jesus sometimes.  I just don't understand.

 

Responding to the Spirit

*Hymn:  VU #570  Jesus' Hands Were Kind Hands   

 

1 Jesus hands were kind hands, doing good to all,
healing pain and sickness, blessing children small,
washing tired feet, and saving those who fall;
Jesus’ hands were kind hands, doing good to all.

 

2  Take my hands, O Jesus, let them work for you,
make them strong and gentle, kind in all I do;
let me watch you, Jesus, till I’m gentle too,
till my hands are kind hands, quick to work for you.

 

Prayers of the People

 

Holy God, help us to understand.  Loving Lord, help us to understand that there is not one of us who deserves even the crumbs that fall from Your table, yet you grant to us all - Jew and Gentile, young and old, rich and poor, black and white, sinner and saint - the bread of life.  May we always praise your most holy name through Christ Jesus.  Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God, help us to not only understand, but to pass your love on to others.  Give us eyes to see you, ears to hear you, hearts to love you, lips to proclaim you, and hands to serve you.  
Lord God, we erect so many barriers as individuals and as a society.  We shut out others and disbar ourselves by how we react to the words of our neighbours.  We pray that you will give us the energy and the will to tear down the walls that divide us from one another and from you.  Hear our prayers today, O God, for those who are dispossessed, for those who are aliens and refugees in our land and for those who are poor and neglected in every land.  Listen, as well, O God, to the intentions and desires of our hearts, those things we have stored up in our hearts.  Lord, hear our prayers, both silent and spoken, as we name them to you___________
We ask you to hear all our prayers in the name of the one who taught us to pray to you as one family,  saying “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

A Girl’s School That Grows

In Zambia, People’s Action Forum (PAF) has been supporting girls’ education through its Girls’ Action Forum program. Through our ongoing support of Mission and Service, we are part of a partnership that helps girls stay in school, access mentorship, and build pathways toward a brighter future. This work is now growing through the development of a new girls’ school in Shimabala, Zambia.  
For many girls in the area, completing their education can be a challenge. When girls begin menstruating, become pregnant, marry, or are needed at home to support their families, they may be forced to leave school. Without access to continued education, these girls will face fewer opportunities and a heightened risk of lifelong poverty.  
Since 2014, PAF’s Girls’ Action Forum has worked to support girls, particularly those from rural communities, by helping them remain in school or return to continue their education. Through mentorship and encouragement, the program has helped girls recognize their potential and continue pursuing their goals. 
Building on this important work, PAF is developing a girls’ school that will provide education and scholarships for students from rural communities. The school is being developed on two hectares of land in Shimabala. The long-term vision is for a comprehensive girls’ school that will eventually grow to include secondary education and boarding facilities. 
As part of creating a sustainable future for this project, PAF has started agricultural activities on the land to help generate income that supports the organization’s ongoing work. The project has established a water system, built caretaker lodging, and joined a local farming cooperative to increase opportunities for sustainable income. 
The school’s growth will happen in stages. It began by serving younger children through nursery and kindergarten programs, with plans to expand to include preschool and eventually secondary education. Each step brings PAF closer to creating a learning environment where girls can access education regardless of their circumstances. 
Through our gifts to Mission and Service, we support long-term partnerships that create lasting opportunities for communities around the world. Together with organizations like PAF, we help nurture education, leadership, and hope for the next generation. 
Our gifts help sustain partnerships that support education and create opportunities for girls and young people around the world. Together, we can help ensure that more girls have the chance to learn, grow, and shape their own futures. Let’s give generously.  

 

Offering Invitation:

Let us respond to God as to an intimate friend from whom we would withhold nothing because of the love and regard between us. Let us gratefully present our offerings.

*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.  (twice)

 

*Offertory Prayer:

 

O God, we go forth to serve You, wherever Christ calls us.  Bless our endeavours to make His name known.  Accept the gifts we offer, both here in the sanctuary of your presence and in the world to which we go.  May all that we do be done to Your glory through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

*Closing Hymn: MV #157  I Am A Child of God 

 

1. I am a child of God,
I am a glimpse of God’s new creation.
I am a child of God,
I am a child of God

 

2.I am an endless prayer,
I am a yearning of contemplation, 
I am an endless prayer,
I am an endless prayer.

 

3.  I am an angry voice,
I am compassion and consternation,
I am an angry voice,
I am an angry voice.

 

4.  I am a cry for peace,
I am commitment and dedication,
I am a cry for peace,
I am a cry for peace.

 

 

*Commissioning and Blessing:

 

Go in peace.
May God be merciful and bless you.
May God look on you with kindness.
May God so work in your lives that the world around you may know God's will and render praise unto God's name on account of you.  Amen.

 

*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 Gerald George Ford (1933-1977), Edna White ( June 6, 1975 age 54) and Gladys M. MacDonald (1914-1971)

 

Donations received in memory of:

Son, Shawn Leamon and father, Abraham Leamon by Abram Leamon

Husband, Bryson Webb, parents, Samuel & Kyra Bennett and brother, Gordon Bennett by Leila Webb

 

Music Sunday will be Sunday, August 23 at 11:00 am.

 

Daily Bread Booklets for September, October and November are on the Informational Table.

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

 

Previous bulletins have been placed on the Informational Table in case anyone would like one.  These are nice to give out to people who are unable to attend.  

 

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

Recovery Is Possible Support Group- Coordinator is Andrea Feaver

 

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 $90.05. Thank you to the people who donated on August 6 and August 12.  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.

A Time to Chuckle

 

A man suffered a serious heart attack and had open heart bypass surgery. He awakened from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at a Catholic hospital. As he was recovering, a nun asked him questions regarding how he was going to pay for services. He was asked if he had health insurance. He replied, in a raspy voice, 'No health insurance.'
The nun asked if he had money in the bank. He replied, 'No money in the bank. The nun asked, 'Do you have a relative who could help you?' He said, 'I only have a spinster sister, who is a nun.'
The nun got a little perturbed and announced loudly. 'Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God,' The patient replies, 'That's right! Send the bill to my brother-in-law.'

 

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                                 4214.35                     252.00
June                                2287.00                    447.50
July                                  2815.75                    1207.50
August 2                          406.00                       40.00
August 9                          433.00                        26.00

 

Many blessings for this week and let us follow the Gospel reading and message to  treat everyone the same regardless of background, status or nationality.