Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Calling for you and for me See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching Watching for you and for me. (chorus) Come home,(come home) Come home You who are weary, come home Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling Calling “O Sinner, come home”.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord take my hand and lead me upon life’s way Direct, protect and feed me from day to day. Without your grace and favour I go astray; So take my hand O saviour, and lead the way. Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear; For you, the Rock of Ages are always near. Close by your side abiding, I fear no foe, For when your hand is guiding, in peace I go. Lord when the shadows lengthen and night has come, I know that you will strengthen my steps toward home. And nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend! So, take my hand and lead me unto the end.
Word of God, come down on earth, living rain from heav’n descending Touch our hearts and bring to birth faith and hope and love unending. Word almighty we revere you; Word made flesh, we long to hear you. Word eternal, throned on high, Word that brought to life creation, Word that come from heav’n to die, crucified for our salvation. Saving word, the world restoring, Speak to us, your love outpouring. Word that speaks God’s tender love, one with God beyond all telling Word that sends us from above God the Spirit, with us dwelling, Word of truth, to all truth lead us Word of life, with one bread feed us.
Spirit of God, Descend upon my heart Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart, And make me love you as I ought to love I ask no dream, No prophet ecstasies No sudden rending of the veil of clay; No angel visitant, no op’ning skies; But take the dimness of my soul away Have you not bid me love you, God and King; All, all your own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind? I see your cross; there teach my heart to cling, Oh, let me seek you and oh let me find! Teach me to love you as your angels love, One holy passion filling all my frame: The baptism of the heav’n-descended dove My heart an altar, and your love the flame.
A mighty fortress is our God, A sword and shield victorious He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod And wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe has sworn to work us woe With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal. No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight Whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son adored. He holds the field victorious. Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat’ning to devour us. We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot over-pow’r us. Let this world’s tyrant rage; In battle we’ll engage! His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him. God’s word forever shall abide, No thanks to foes, who fear it; For God himself fights by our side With weapons of the spirit. Were they to take our house, Goods, honour, child, or spouse. Though life be wrenched away, They cannot win the day. The kingdom’s our forever!
O Master let me walk with you, In lowly paths of service true; Tell me your secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear winning word of love; Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way. Teach me your patience; share with me a closer, dearer company. In work that keeps faith sweet an strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong. In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broad'ning way, In peace that only you can give; with you, O master, let me live.
Let us pray for the church and God’s people in every land: (Pause) Beautiful Saviour, King of creation, Son of God, and Son of Man Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown. Let us pray for creation, for restoration of our planet, and the sustainment of living creatures: (Pause) Fair are the meadows, Fair is the woodlands, Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer He makes our sorrowing spirits sing. Let us pray for all in need of Your loving care: (Pause) Fair is the sunshine; Fair is the moonlight Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines fairer Than all the angels in the sky. Let us pray for God’s kingdom coming, and here on earth: (Pause) Beautiful saviour, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honour, Praise, adoration, Now and forever more be thine. AMEN Go my children with my blessing, never alone; Waking sleeping, I am with you, you are my own. In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever Go my children, with my blessing, you are my own. Go my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure. Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure. Here you hear my dear Son’s story, here you touched him, saw his glory Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure. Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me. Grow in love, and love by serving, Joyful and free. Here my Spirit’s power filled you, here my tender comfort stilled you. Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.
Thank you to Laurie Zimmerman and her backup singing birds for the opening recording of Softly and Tenderly.
Thank you for continuing to support your church with your gifts and tithes.
Pastor Pam will be away on a vacation break until August 10. Contact Greg Dixon if you have emergency pastoral needs. (519.369.5364)
The summer sermon series prepared by Canadian Bishops and their assistants will be published each week during my vacation. There are some very interesting sermons scheduled that you will not want to miss.
Covid is not over – we have just been successful at not spreading it. Continue to keep safe over the summer – wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and do not stray far from your bubble group. Summer blessings to all.
finding Grace in Surprising Ways 