NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCHJune 13, 2021 10:30 a.m.

The Season of Pentecost“As followers of Christ, we are called to be a worshipping and learning, receiving and giving

community of faith, hope and love.” – Newcastle United Church Mission StatementWe acknowledge that we are gathered on Williams Treaties territory, the traditional

territory of the Chippewas and Mississaugas.

Surely God is in this place. Help me notice.We Approach God

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Light is all around us. More light this time of year than any other. The flame of the Christ candle echoes the light which comes with the rising and setting sun, in varying colours and intensities. The light that bounces off water and filters through the trees. The light that nurtures the plants, animals, and us. Filling us with energy and life. The flame of the Christ candle continues to shine in and through us.

A Time of Centring – “Open Our Hearts” MV # 21(Words and music Copyright Jim and Jean Strathdee (Desert Flower Music))

Open our hearts, open our minds.Open our lives to you O loving God.Open our hearts, open our minds.Open our lives to you O loving God.Open our hearts.

Call to Worship (Responsive)

Welcome to worship! A time to glorify God.Although apart, we are united in our praise and thanksgiving.Welcome to God’s peace. A time to open ourselves to God’s healing power.We come to move beyond our doubts, fears and distractions.Welcome to God’s love. At time to experience God’s inclusive welcome.We come to receive God’s love which lifts the shadows and brings us light and joy.Welcome!

Prayer of Approach (Unison)

Below is the service I have created for this Sunday. I hope this is something you can use for personal/family worship. We are all worshiping together, no matter where we are. If you are joining us online for this service, then you may want to have this resource with you so you

have the words to the responses and hymns at your fingertips in case you can’t see the screen or the sound goes wonky.

Rev. Mary-JaneThe words provided for the hymns are done with permission under One License # A-727596.

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Loving God, as the sun and wind filter through the trees, so your Spirit filters through our lives. You stir us to movement, you warm us. Your Spirit gives us courage and strength for life, no matter what comes. Renew that Spirit in this time of worship, we pray. Amen.

Hymn of Praise “New Every Morning” # 405 (v. 1-4)

New every morning is the loveour wakening and uprising prove;through sleep and darkness safely brought, restored to life, and power, and thought.New mercies each returning dayhover around us while we pray;new perils past, new sins forgiven,new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.If on our daily course our mindbe set to hallow all we find,new treasures still of countless priceGod will provide for sacrifice.The trivial round, the common task,will furnish all we ought to ask,room to deny ourselves, a roadto bring us daily nearer God.

We Hear God’s Word1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 David is anointed king.

Hymn “Spirit Of The Living God” # 376(Words (v.1) and music copyright 1935, 1963 Birdsong Music. Words (v. 2) 1982 Hope Publishing Company)

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.Spirit of the living God, move among us all;make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:humble, caring, selfless, sharing.Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!

A Time To Be ChildrenThere is a song I like called “Open the Eyes of My Heart”. The words repeat a lot

and when I sing it, I often find it feels like a prayer. It asks God to open my heart so I can see God. It helps me focus on remembering to watch and listen for God in my every day life. Often, we just look and listen with eyes

and ears, but with our heart? To see and hear with our heart means to take more time, to be more still, to stop and focus on God only.This song also reminds me that God sees into my heart. God sees into my heart even when I don’t open it to connect with God. That is what happened when a young boy named David was found to be the person God wanted to be the king of God’s people, the Israelites. David was not the person

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anyone expected God to choose as king. He was the youngest in his family, he spent most of his time out watching the flocks, not learning about business or how to rule a nation. In many ways, to everyone else, David just seemed an ordinary boy. But to God? To God, David had the potential to lead the people and keep them faithful to God’s way. God could see into David’s heart and there he saw a person willing to grow and learn, to listen, when necessary, to be brave when needed, and to be faithful in worshipping God and living God’s ways.We know now, that David was one of Israel’s best kings. The hope of God’s people rested in him and God promised to stay with David throughout his life time. God promised to be faithful to David’s descendants too, if they remained faithful to God. And Jesus is seen as being a fulfillment of that promise. Jesus’ parents had connections to David’s family. This made Jesus part of the promise to

David, and to Israel. Jesus showed how to live God’s love and ways. We learn from his example about how to love our neighbours, whoever they are, how to live with respect of all and to how to stay connected to God always. He even taught his disciples, and us, how to pray. We do it together whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer.When the eyes of our hearts are open and we pray Jesus’ prayer, we realize there is always more work to do to share God’s love in our world and to receive the promise of God to be with us always.

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 that trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen.

Ministry of Music – “As The Deer Pants” (duet – Karen Nichol & Janet Ward)

Psalm 20 Trust in God. # 742

Sung Response: Not a word shall fail of the promise God has made.

May God answer you in the day of trouble,and the name of God defend you.

May God send you help from the sanctuary,and give you support from the holy mountain.

May God remember all your offerings,and accept your burnt sacrifices.

May God grant you your heart's desire,and give success to all your plans.

May we rejoice in your victoryand triumph in the name of our God.

May God fulfil your every wish. RNow I know, O God, that you help your anointed,

and will answer from your holy heavenwith the victorious might of your right hand.

Some put their trust in chariots,and some in horses;

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but we will trust in the name of our God.They will totter and fall;

but we shall rise and stand upright.God, save those who rule,

and answer us when we call. R

Mark 4:26-34 Parables of growing seeds and the mustard seed.

This is the Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Hymn “In The Bulb” # 703(Words and music copyright 1986 Hope Publishing Company)

In the bulb there is a flower;in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winterthere's a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season,something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence,seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness,bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season,something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning;in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing;in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection;at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season,something God alone can see.

Message

Without x-ray vision, we cannot see inside things unless they are opened to us. We cannot see inside a seed, a book, a heart, unless we cut open the seed, open the cover of the book (even if it is an e-book) or truly listen when another person shares what lies upon their heart. But even if we do cut open a seed, that will not tell us what that seed will become. The size of the seed doesn’t necessarily tell us the size of the plant it will become. To other people, that is what we are each like. We are seeds that outwardly tell others only that we are human. We may do things to make our appearance to try to share some of who we are, but even then, it tells only in part.

And yet, we tend to make judgements and assumptions because of outward appearance. As I mentioned in the children’s story, that isn’t how God works. The parables Jesus tells, about growing seeds, specifically, the mustard seed, say the same thing. We cannot be sure until it grows.

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The saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” But each beholder sees things differently. I wear glasses and sometimes I think others need them too, since they just don’t see things like I do! Sometimes what one person identifies as ugly or useless, another one thinks is beautiful and useful. There is that other saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” It is in how we look, what we look for and why.

A colleague shared a story about a young girl who was ashamed by the appearance of her mother's arms. Her mother’s arms were badly scarred and the young girl thought they were ugly. She was so sure of this that whenever a friend was coming over, she would ask her mother to wear a long- sleeved shirt. Then one day the young girl's grandmother told her how those arms had gotten those scars. The young girl’s whole outlook changed. There was a fire in the house and her mother had been badly burned while rescuing her infant daughter. Suddenly, they became a beautiful symbol of love, not ugly scars. Too often we humans judge by the outward appearance of things. We go only by what we can see. We all know that a person’s appearance can affect our reaction too them for all sorts of things, from who we feel inclined to date, to who we will vote for. But often, outward appearance is insufficient evidence for making any such choices. There is so much that cannot be

seen with the eye.God, on the other hand, sees all. When God looks at a

person, God sees not only their outward appearance but also their heart and soul. We all know that a lovely looking outward appearance can hide some true darkness of heart and soul. In the same way, an ugly exterior can hide an inner beauty. The girl in the story I just told was fooled by her mother’s scars. There was a beautiful love under those scars, if only one looked beyond them. God can see this. God can see the beauty and the ugliness that is hidden to us by the surface of a person.

The prophet, Samuel, made the mistake of being fooled by the exterior of Jesse's sons. It turned out Saul had not been the King of Israel God had hoped he would be. Saul

turned his back on God. So, a new King was needed. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem and to anoint the son of Jesse that God chose to take Saul’s place. After a little discussion about how to do this safely, since Saul was still King after all, Samuel does as God requests.

When he is with Jesse and his sons, Samuel assumes that it will be tall, handsome, first born Eliab who must be God’s choice. Put a crown on him and he would look like a king! Samuel thought, "Surely this is the one God has chosen." But God said, "Samuel, forget his good looks and his height. I don't see things the way people see them. They look at only the outward appearance but I look at the heart." Samuel asked for the next of Jesse's sons to present himself. He was not the one. And so it went until all the sons who were at home that day were presented and rejected as not the one God had chosen.

But that was not all of Jesse’s sons. There was one more. He was out keeping the sheep. Samuel asked Jesse to bring this youngest son in from the flock. They brought him in. He was just a boy. He was a good-looking boy, but he was just a boy. He would have looked like a shepherd, for that is what he was at the time. He did not look like what they thought a king should look like. And God said, "He is the one, anoint him." The boy was David. You will remember David from his famous encounter with the giant Goliath. David, who would be the great King, perhaps the greatest King of Israel.

By the way scripture tells the story, I think we can assume that most people would have chosen Eliab. His looks and bearing apparently made him look like a leader, a King, in a way that people would expect. David would never have been chosen as king. He was just a boy, and a

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shepherd boy at that. That isn’t who people would think of when imagining a king. But Samuel had an advantage over most people. He was a follower of God. He listened to what God had to say, because he knew that God knew better than he did. Samuel listened to God. He anointed a shepherd boy to be the next King of Israel.

As I have said, we know that in this world we often judge one another by outward appearances. We use certain standards of beauty when it comes to face and body. We look at the labels on the clothes. We perceive ability to get a job done based on assumptions about things like mobility, or age and not about training, experience and ability. We sometimes judge by skin colour, lifestyle, religion or place of birth, when those things are not what determines if someone is qualified or capable for a particular position. Or, we use any and all of these types of judgements to decide if someone is even worth talking to, acknowledging, or treating as worthwhile. Sometimes we even let outward appearances influence our judgments of people's moral character.

But our God does not see as humans see. Our God sees the heart. The All Seeing One isn't influenced by the beauty of a face, or by height, or by one's disabilities, or even by the color of one's skin, or by the quality of one's clothes. God is influenced only by what in one's heart. It doesn't matter what you look like, you are welcome at God’s house, at God’s table, in God’s family. In God’s family, and by God’s standards, all differences of nationality, ability, wealth and race, everything humans judge by, are seen only as unique characteristics of God’s diverse and wonderful children. All loved by God.

Most people judge by outward appearance. But we are not most people. We are followers of Christ. We are part of God’s family. Like Samuel we are followers of the God who can see all. God sees through outward appearances; sees the heart. We need to pray that the Spirit will help us to do the same.

We Respond To God’s WordOffering InvitationPentecost is the season in which we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit inspires, encourages, enlivens. When we let the Spirit work in us, we find gratitude and service come to the fore. The Spirit is the reason we give of time, talent and treasure, for the Spirit reminds us that we have life from God in abundance. So we give…

The Offertory (# 218 v. 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.

Dedication Prayer (Unison)

Please take what we offer this day, O God. Whether we are caring for family and friends from a distance, finding ways to serve safely in person, or praying for the chance to do more, take what we can give this day, and everyday. Amen. Prayers of the People

God, we share your concern for the world you created, for you continue to work within creation through us. Your Spirit helps your love take root and produce fruit in unlikely places, through unlikely

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people. What we may sow, even unintentionally, may lead to the wonders and accomplishments made by another. We are both seeds and sowers as we seek to be your faithful people in the world. You help us to grow and flourish. In turn, we are able to assist others to do the same. For all this we thank you.God, our true Friend, assist our prayers. Let them echo your love for the earth and all that is in it.We begin our prayers for others by asking your presence to be with those who live with us in this church community. Keep the strong gentle, empower the weak, and make us all more merciful. Comfort those grieving a loss, heal those recovering from illness, guide those facing tough decisions, and make us all more patient. Keep the clever wise, forgive and straighten out the foolish, endow the meek with quiet confidence, and make us all the true children of your love.We pray also for our wider community and nation. Guide our leaders, forgive their blunders, humble their pride, work with their strengths, divert them from grave errors, and turn even their weaknesses to good use. Within our country, we pray especially for those still affected by the errors of the past from residential schools. We also pray for those who choose hate over love or tolerance and are deadly to others, as happened in London…

We ask you to bless our world. By using us and all other people who love justice and compassion, heal the pain of the nations. Relieve the oppressed, feed the hungry, stand with those enduring warfare; bless your peacemakers, house the homeless, provide a welcoming place for refugees, and bless any politician who trusts you more than their own prejudice or fear.In these difficult, trying, uncertain times we also pray for ourselves. Where we are strong in faith, use us sensitively; where we are weak in faith, help us to believe more daringly; where we are weak in body, give us delight in the strengths we do have; where we have abundant energy, let us employ it generously; where we are large in compassion, enable us to use it efficiently; where we are surrounded by many possessions, help us to give more freely; where we must live more frugally, let us embrace the special blessings that you have promised to the poor.

Hear now the prayers of our hearts, for others and ourselves…God of new creation, let us live as those who really are the reborn creatures of your realm of grace. To your praise and glory. Through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.(Inspired by and adapted from Bruce Prewer. Used with permission.)

Closing Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” # 288(Words and music copyright 1951 Hope Publishing Company)

Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator;there is no shadow of turning with thee;thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

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, ever to me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,sun, moon, and stars in their courses abovejoin with all nature in manifold witnessto thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. R

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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 -wondrous the portion thy blessings provide. R

Commissioning and Benediction God’s Spirit rests in you.Look for God’s Spirit in each one you meet.Seek their uniqueness that is a gift to others.Let their spirit speak to yours for that is where love speaks loudest.And may the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround, the Holy Spirit keep each one of you now and always. Amen.

Sung Blessing - “Go Now In Peace” (Copyright 1988 by Harold Flammer Music, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc.)

Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour of every day. Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.Know God will guide you in all you do.Go now in love, and show you believe.Reach out to others so all the world can see.God will be there watching from above.Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.Amen, Amen, Amen.

And online we end together (wait for folks to get their mics unmuted)And the people say:

Hallelujah! Amen!

Minute for Mission“These gardens represent our vision for healthy and thriving communities”

Produce and community building flourish at Fred Victor.Credit: Melanie Gordon Photography

Published On: May 25, 2021Over the last year, the need for food has skyrocketed. Since the pandemic began, Fred Victor, a charity based in Toronto, Ontario, has served over 180,000 free and low-cost meals to people in need―a 40 percent increase over previous years.Growing food security issues are just one of the reasons why Fred Victor’s community gardens are so necessary right now.In addition to providing vital food services, shelter,

counselling, and job training to support people living in poverty and experiencing homelessness, Fred Victor runs over 240 gardens where local community members garden together. It is an activity they can still enjoy amid lockdown restrictions.

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“The pandemic has pushed more people into poverty. More people are experiencing food insecurity and hunger. That is why we see these gardens as more than just plots of land with plants growing in them. For every harvest that makes its way onto plates and into bellies, and for every resident who feels empowered by their surroundings, these gardens represent our vision for healthy and thriving communities,” says Keith Hambly, Fred Victor’s CEO.Today, over 200 families, many of whom live in poverty, grow their own nutritious food through these gardens. But the food itself isn’t the only benefit of the gardening program. At Fred Victor, gardening isn’t just about growing food―it’s about growing community, too.“What we grow reflects our community’s vibrant cultural diversity. In our gardens, kiwi and amaranth grow alongside strawberries, carrots, and garlic, which grow alongside Indigenous healing and ceremonial plants such as tobacco and sage,” says Mark Woodnutt, Fred Victor’s Senior Manager, Community Food Centre.Gardening and nutritional education, healthy food choices, and strong relationships are cornerstones of the gardening initiative. And there are plans to expand. “We’re looking to expand the program over the next year, turning plots at one of our locations into a micro-farm that will supply fresh ingredients to the meals served out of our community hub,” Woodnutt explains.Your gifts through Mission & Service not only help feed families but also support building healthy communities through organizations like Fred Victor. Thank you for helping your neighbours across our country flourish.

Our Life & Work

Please note: Rev. Mary-Jane is based in her home office but available by email to either newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca or revmj@hotmail.ca (her personal confidential email) and by phone at all times (905-244-8453).

Trying something new – Rev. Mary-Jane will be holding virtual office hours Wednesdays from 10 am – 12 pm. This is the Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88503658836 (Meeting ID: 885 0365 8836) – during this time Rev. Mary-Jane is also available by phone and email, but will be onscreen should you like to meet with her.

Our church YouTube channel, is where you can find recordings of weekly worship services and other interesting offerings. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPUnPABHPlOJzAJ7uXvHoA

It’s new! It’s WOW! Beginning Wednesday, June 16th at 7 pm we will be trying Wednesday Outdoor Worship (weather permitting) for the next three weeks. This will be a shorter, more informal service with a chance to hear and sing hymns, pray and share the story of our faith, together in the same place. Even though we are outside we are asking folks

to wear a mask so we can all sing. You will also need to bring your lawn chair. The Property Committee has kindly committed to providing the necessary distancing circles so everyone is safe. Circles can accommodate a family/bubble. There are limited circles so reservations are required. If you are interested, please contact the church office – 905-987-4515 or

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newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca by Monday at 10 am. You will receive a confirmation phone call, by Tuesday evening, letting you know whether there is a circle available for you that week. Unfortunately, everyone will not be able to attend every week.

Summer is here at last!! Please join the Steward's in celebrating the happy news!!

Summer Salad Supper Wednesday, June 23, 2021

 Newcastle United Church is partnering with Angel's catering for a safe drive-through pick-up dinner to help support the ongoing work of the church and also to support a local business.

We are offering a summer salad plate: Slice of ham, deviled egg; potato salad; classic four bean salad; marinated carrot salad; coleslaw; bun and butter and dessert of cookie and brownie. Sounds wonderful!!

The meal comes neatly packaged with instructions.  All orders must be prepaid.

Cost per package is $20.00 (tax incl.)To place your order, please callSusan Pascoe 905 987-4169 Or email Heather at hgriff551@gmail.com  (before June 16)Final date for orders is 8:00 pm, Wed., June 16 Please make cheques payable to Newcastle United Church and drop them in the church mail slot on Friday, June 4th, 11 or 18th.  You can also pay by e-transfer using the email: nucetransfer@gmail.com

Pick up on Wed., June 23 is behind the church.  If you need help to get your payment in or make your pick-up, please let us know when you place your order and we will assist you. Please be prepared to choose a 5 minute time slot for pick-up beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Thanks for joining us and enjoy your meal!!!

This is the last order for FundScrip until the Fall! Order forms can be downloaded from the church website. They can also be dropped off to you if you do not have internet access. Payment by E-transfer, cash or cheque. Orders can be dropped off to the church on Friday June 18th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Emily Street entrance. Pick up will be Friday June

25th from 11:30 am to 1:30.Cheques should be addressed to Newcastle United Church. E-Transfer to nucetransfer@gmail.com If you have any questions, please call Julie A. Kellman at 905 446 0168 or email julieak40@gmail.com. Happy Shopping . . .

If you are able, thank you for continuing with your regular church givings, which can be made by any of these ways:

Mail your donation to the church: 84 Mill St. South, Newcastle, ON L1B 1H2 Envelope drop-off in the Emily Street entrance while Lorna is in the office Fridays 9-11AM

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Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) – monthly donation debited from your bank account on or about the 20th of each month. Changes can be made at any time. Please e-mail Lorna: le.mcswan@bell.net for the PAR authorization form.

E-transfers can be made to: nucetransfer@gmail.com. Security answer “Givings”. CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/newcastle-unted-church/ through this

link or the link on our website: www.newcastleunitedchurch.org “Donate” page.

Note: while the hall build is on hold, and if you wish, you can direct your donations to the operating expenses of our church. PAR donors may contact Lorna, email above, to make changes, should they choose to do so.

Thank you to all who continue to support the work of our church, even though we are not able to be together in person.

Recommended Readings as recommended at the Region meeting this past weekend:

Elder Teachings of Dorothy Taylor The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibwayby Edward Benton-Banai Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Treaty Words: For As Long As the Rivers Flow by Aimée Craft Many Moons Ago: A Memoir in Poetry and Story Paperback by Fred McCue

Recommended Readings from a church who has done the following book studies.

-Mending the World Stories of Family by Contemporary Black Writersby Rosemarie Robotham-Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US Book by Lenny Duncan-21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act: Helping ...Book by Bob JosephThis is the link to the youtube video where the author Bob Joseph talks about his book on The Agenda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhBrq7Ez-rQ-Unsettling the Word: Biblical Experiments in Decolonization. ed. Steve Heinrichs.

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Newcastle United Church