Come gracious Spirit, heavenly dove
With light and comfort from above
Come, be our guardian and our guide
O'er ev'ry thought and step preside

The light of truth to us display 
and make us know and choose your way;
Plant holy fear in ev'ry heart
that we from God may ne'er depart

Lead us to Christ, the living way, 
Nor let us know and choose your way;
Lead us to holiness, the road
that we must take to dwell with God

Lead us to heav'n, that we may share
Fullness of joy for ever there;
Lead us to our eternal rest
To be with God, forever blest.

Hymn 242

Let the whole creation cry
"Glory be to the Lord on high"
Heav'n and earth, awake and sing,
"Praise him, our almighty King!"
Praise him, angel hosts above
ever bright and fair in love;
Sun and moon, lift up your voice;
Night and stars in God rejoice

Warriors fighting for the Lord, 
Prophets burning with His word, 
Those to whom the arts belong
Add their voices to the song. 
Kings of knowledge and of low
the the glorious circle draw;
All who work and al who wait
sing "the Lord is good and great!"

Men and women, young and old,
Raise the anthem loud and bod
And et children's happy hearts
In this worship take heir parts;
From the north to southern pole
Let the mighty chorus roll;
"Holy, Holy, Holy One;
Glory be to God alone!"

Thank you for your presence in worship this morning. May your life be changed today in Christ.

Please continue to support this parish with your offering.
St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0; 
St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0; 
St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398
Thank you to worship participants, Dave and Marlene Dietz. 

Our Bishop Michael Pryse, in his wisdom is recommending that we not gather together for worship until September at the earliest.Presently, the Working committee and the Worship and Music committee are studying health protocols and working out ways that we can be SAFE when we gather together again. Some of the things being considered include:

• Blocking off some pews so safe physical distance can be maintained;

• Discussing how or if we can commune together safely;

• Creating alternate ways to have music in our worship because singing and congregational spoken responses will not be allowed;

• Planning ways to communicate with the congregation so people know about the things we need to do to stay safe;

• Looking at ways for everyone to continue to participate in worship, either at home or in the church – because only a limited number of people will be allowed in the church at one time;

• Rental contracts will be modified so the groups using the church will also be safe;

• Learning about cleaning requirements so that the people who clean the buildings are given appropriate guidelines;

• Determining what training is needed for volunteers to be safe during this pandemic;

• Implementing a plan to receive weekly offerings without ‘passing the plate’;

• Establish a system for keeping washrooms clean and accessible.

IN THE MEANTIME – You can prepare by:

• Making sure you have a personal face mask and know how to wear it;

• Signing up for PAR – (Pre-Authorized Remittance) – a method of having regular donations automatically sent to your congregation – contact your treasurer for more information;

• practice fun ways to help children understand the importance of staying in your family bubble while in church;

When we gather together again, it will be in the safest way possible. We are thankful for the time to do plan for this.

Peace be with you,

Pastor Pam,

June 29, 2020

You will notice that the service today takes place in several locations so that the families of the confirmation families could participate in worship leadership. Thank you to the readers, Michael Bender and Jordan Haan.

Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even
a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

Please continue to support this parish with your offering.

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398

Thank you to Dave and Marlene Dietz for their work in preparing the sanctuary for Canada Day. Have a safe holiday.

Thank you to Eric Zimmerman and Dave and Marlene Dietz for their work caring for our church property.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew beginning at the tenth verse: “Glory to You O Lord”

Matthew 10:24-39 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above
the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave
like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how
much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of
them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing
secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the
light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not
fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even
the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more
value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me
before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but
whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in
heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have
not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against
his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own
household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake
will find it. The word of God; R/ Praise to you O Christ.

The sermon this morning is a message from Eastern Synod assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Doug Reble. The link for the sermon is:

https://elcic.box.com/s/dbbu76qe6m1sbqvvj3to0dvxkl4o4laj

(if the above sermon link does not open, please copy the link address and paste into a new tab. Return here at the conclusion of the sermon)

Sing along: Take my life that I may be Consecrated Lord to Thee; Take my moments and my days let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love; Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee, Swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing Always, only, for my king; Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee, filled with messages from thee.

Take my will and make it thine It shall be no longer mine; Take my heart it is thine own, It shall be thy royal throne, it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love my Lord i pour at the feet its treasure store; Take myself and i will be ever only all for thee, Ever, only, all, for thee.

Sending Hymn

Thank you for worshiping together today. Acknowledgements: The opening conversation was part of a joint statement from the ELCIC and the Anglican Church. The full statement and additional information will be posted on the Parish Facebook page in the coming week. The prayer of the day was written by Rev. Dr. Allen Jorgenson. The closing hymn “I love to tell the story” was led by Tim McNab, music director of Halifax Lutheran Church of the resurrection. Please continue to support this parish with your offering.

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Pastor Pam McNeil can be reached at 226-751-6398 for conversation, or to offer assistance in worship.

May your week be blessed with the love of God.

Welcome to worship with the South Grey Bruce Lutheran Parish. We will share Holy Communion this morning, and all believers are welcome to participate in sharing bread and/or wine. You may wish to set a table with a special cloth, and light a candle beside the portion of bread and wine you have prepared. May you be touched by God’s presence this morning.

thank you for the tithes and gifts you share with your church.

Gathering Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. #165 LBW( please stop the recording at the end of the hymn)

Hymn of the day: Sing Praise to God, the highest Good. #542 LBW. The soloist is Tim McNabb, Music director of the Halifax Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. You may notice a slight variation in the words- that is one of the 'upgrades' of the ELW hymnal. 
verse 1: SING praise to God, the highest good, The author of creation, 
The God of love who understood Our need for his salvation. 
With healing balm our souls he fills and every faithless murmur stills: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 
Verse 2: What God's almighty power has made, in mercy he is keeping; 
By morning glow or evening shade, His eye is never sleeping; 
within the kingdom of his might all things are just and good and right: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY.
Verse 3: We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us. 
Our Saviour saw our helplessness and came with peace to cheer us. 
For this we thank and praise the Lord Who is by one and all adored: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 
Verse 4: LET all who name Christ's holy name Give God the praise and glory. 
Let all who know his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story. 
Cast every idol from its throne, For God is God, and he alone: 
TO GOD ALL PRAISE AND GLORY. 

Recessional Hymn: Guide me ever, Great Redeemer. #343 LBW (The final chorus is sung in Gaelic, i believe – join in if you wish, or sing in English, or the language of your choice)

Thank you for joining in Worship. I pray you are moved and strengthened in this time together. Thank you to Tim McNabb for his music leadership this morning. May your week be blessed with God’s presence. Pastor Pam.

Sunday worship, Pentecost Sunday May 31, 2020

Hymn of the day #687 WOV, Gracious Saviour, Hear our Pleading.(words below)

Gracious spirit, heed our pleading, fashion us all anew. 
It's your leading that we're needing help us to follow you. 
Refrain: Come, come, Come, come, Come Holy Spirit Come
Come, come, Come come, Come Holy Spirit Come.
2. Come to teach us, come to nourish those who believe in Christ. 
Bless the faithful, may they flourish, strengthened by grace unpriced. Refrain:
3. Guide our thinking and our speaking done in our holy name. 
Motivate all in their seeking, freeing from guilt and shame. Refrain:
4. Not mere Knowledge, but discernment, nor rootless liberty; 
turn disquiet to contentment, dout into certainty. Refrain:
5. Keep us fervent in our witness, unswayed by earth's allure. 
Ever grant us zealous fitness, which you alone assure. Refrain:

Thankyou for joining in worship this morning. Worship music leader – Marlene Dietz and Dave Dietz. Thankyou to Shelby Farrish for her art reflection on the scripture reading. Even though we are worshiping outside our church, the building expenses continue. Please remember to support these expenses with your weekly tithe which can be mailed to: St Paul Lutheran church, Neustadt, 379 Adam St, Neustadt. N0G 2M0; St Matthew Lutheran Church P.O.Box 218 Mildmay, N0G 2J0; St Paul’s Lutheran CHurch, P.O.Box 66, Neustadt, N0G 2M0. May you be blessed richly this week.

Join us for a Pentecost Event at 4:00pm Eastern time. The link will be on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Facebook Page.

In worship today will ask a blessing on the crops and the sowers pf seeds in this season.

Gathering music, a gift from the Co-op Choir, directed by Marlene Dietz

Our psalm, A hymn of praise: For the beauty of the earth, arranged by John Rutter. You are invited to breathe deeply in gratitude of God’s gift of creation during this music offering.

Reading from Acts 1:6-14 ( i apologize for the poor camera angle); Gospel reading is from the Book of John 17:1-11

Hymn of the day #771 WOV, Great is Thy Faithfulness:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not thy compassions they fail not as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

refrain – 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 Lord unto me

Summer and winter and spring time and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above- join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain

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, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain

Thank you for joining in worship this morning. I pray that you are touched by the Holy Spirit in this time. Worship assistants this morning: Marlene Dietz and David Dietz. Weekly tithes can be mailed to:

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Please contact Pastor Pam McNeil 226-751-6398 for conversation, or to offer assistance in worship.

Gathering Hymn: 364 LBW, Son of God, Eternal Savior.

Hymn stanzas – Son of God, eternal saviour, Source of life and truth and Grace: Word made flesh whose birth among us Hallows all our human race. You our head wh throned in glory for your own will ever plead: Fill us with your love and pity, heal our wrongs and help our need.

As you Lord have lived for others, so may we for others live. Freely have your gifts been granted. Freely may your servants give. Yours the gold and yours the silver, yours the wealth of land and sea: We but stew-ards of your bounty, Held in solemn trust will be.

Come O Christ and reign among us, King of love and prince of peace: Hush the storm of strife and passion, bid its cruel discords cease. By your patient years of toiling, by your silent hours of pain. Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure, stem our selfish greed of gain.

Son of God eternal Savior, source of life and truth and grace. Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race. By your praying, by your willing, that your people should be one, Grant oh grant our hope’s fruition: here on earth your will be done.

first reading – Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; second reading – 1 Peter 3:13-22; Gospel reading – John 14:15-21

https://elcic.box.com/s/5r9nawmvo3kg5647vk45yapr59tyab4t – click here for the sermon from Bishop Susan

Hymn 315, LBW Love Divine all Love Excelling, verses 1,2, and 4

May you be blessed in worship this day. Serving today: Dave and Marlene Dietz. Thank you to Bishop Susan Johnson for her message.

Weekly tithes can be mailed to:

St Paul Lutheran Church Neustadt – 379 Adam St, Neustadt, N0G 2M0;

St Paul’s Lutheran Church Normanby – PO Box 66, Neustadt N0G 2M0;

St Matthew Lutheran Church – PO Box 218, Mildmay N0G 2J0.

Please contact Pastor Pam McNeil (number in the parish newsletter) for conversation, or to offer assistance in worship.

NEXT Sunday we will begin worship with a blessing of the crops.

Gathering:

THE WORD: First Reading: Acts 7:55-60

Responsive Hymn #148 LBW

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

2 In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen: 
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

3 Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

4 When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been: 
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green

second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Gospel: John 14:1-14

THE MEAL: prepare by sharing peace with your family and neighbour, and offering your gifts and tithes to the work of the South Grey Bruce Parish.

Serving today: Emma Diebel, Marlene Dietz, Davi Dietz, Paul McNeil. Thank you to liturgy contributors Rev. Rick Pryce Lutheran pastor in Lunenburg Nova Scotia and Rev. Anne Anderson Lutheran pastor for Third Space community at Martin Luther University College, Waterloo.

Thank you for your support to the work of South Grey Bruce Parish. Donations can be made to each congregation through mail at: St. Matthew Mildmay, Box 218, N0G 2J0 or Marlene Dietz, Box 16, Mildmay, N0G 2J0;
St. Paul Neustadt, 379 Adam St., N0G 2MO or Lyle Weber,355-RR 5, Mildmay N0G 2J0;
St. Paul’s Normanby, 181083 RR 1, Ayton N0G 1C0 attn Jennifer Tersteege, or by credit card through Canada helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/south_grey-bruce_lutheran_parish/

Please contact the pastor, Pam McNeil (number in parish newsletter) for conversation and if you would like to serve in our on-line worship service.