ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Worship Leaders: Nancy & Randy Campbell          
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton     
Music Director: Nancy Campbell                         
Board of Managers: Robert Waller         
Treasurers: Sophie Caza & Christine Caza            
Youth Leader: Christine Caza                
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller    450-827-2668        Rockburn Website: Marcelle Chabot www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
June 5, 2022
PRELUDE:        Chenaniah
PROCESSIONAL:        # 496      Thy Word

CALL TO WORSHIP:    
Wrap yourselves in the healing love of God. 
 
We seek God’s presence in our lives 
  
Know that God continually surrounds us with patience and persistence.  
                              
Even though we have not produced the fruits of hope that God seeks, yet God forgives and heals our weakness.  
                            
Rejoice! Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 
    
We will turn our lives again to the Lord, to serve and seek God’s presence.   

​ WELCOME:
OPENING HYMN:         #410  Joyful, Joyful   
     

​OPENING PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:
HYMN :            #662   Those Who Wait On The Lord

OFFERING:
  
SCRIPTURE READINGS:          

Psalm 37:1-9
New International Version
Psalm 37
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
    do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.                     

Galatians 6:1-10
New International Version

Doing Good to All
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.                                     


James 5:7-12
New International Version

Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION:
HYMN:                      #500    Open My Eyes That I May See

MEDITATION:             Don’t Give Up Too Quickly
CLOSING PRAYER:
CLOSING HYMN:        #648    I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

Announcements:
Thank you Nancy & Randy for leading us in worship today.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Glenn Waller a dedicated and long time member of this Church. A graveside service was held for him at the Hillside Cemetery yesterday.
A Burial Service will be held for Margaret Dawson at the Hillside Cemetery on June 14th at 2:30.
St. Paul’s United Church is having a Strawberry Social on Thursday, June 30th at MacDougall Hall.  TAKE OUT ONLY – masks required.                  Begins at 5 pm, until no berries are left.  Adults: $8
                        Rockburn Pulpit Supply

June 12- Joe Hevesy      “God’s Mysterious Ways.” 
June 19- Stewart Burrows
June 26- Kevin Harvey
Month of July – Summer Break 

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Communion - May 29, 2022

​Welcome
 
Opening Hymn:    # 78   “This is the Day”

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING - 
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
 
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
 
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
 
In the beginning you spoke and at your word your Spirit moved over the waters, bringing order, light, and life out of chaos. By your hands you formed our bodies and knit together our inward in your image and breathed breath and life into us. When we turn away from you and our love fails, your love remains constant. You lead us through the deep and chaotic waters and you call us from our scattered lives to unity and peace.
 
Therefore, with choirs of angels and archangels and with those of every time and place, we give you praise and glory:
 
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
 
Holy, mighty and tender God, in time you sent Jesus of Nazareth and in him we saw your promises made flesh. Dwelling among us good news was seen and heard and our world transformed. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. In his suffering, death and resurrection, he delivered us from sin and darkness and revealed a living and redeeming hope for all people. And when he ascended into heaven, your Holy Spirit came to be our Counselor and Comforter. 
 
And so, remembering Christ’s life, love, death, and resurrection, we proclaim the mystery of faith
 
Christ was promised.
Christ was born.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
 
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we share may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
 
God of hope beyond hope,
We pray that you will comfort this broken world.
May the vision of your peaceable kingdom take root,
in your church, in families, and in countries that are marked by violence and struggle for human power.
 
God of wholeness beyond fracture,
We pray for a world where differences are overcome and where all find a place.  
Make our hearts soft and open to your shaping and let our actions be guided by the leading of your Spirit
so that we may work courageously alongside you as you mend the world.
 
God of life beyond death,
We pray for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one,
the loss of hope, or the loss of a dream.
Be present with them as they live through this time of sadness,
help them find comfort in you and in those that surround them.
At this time, we pray especially for your church, Christ’s body, that we may be a visible symbol of your desired unity and wholeness.
 
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, world without end.
Gather us as one flock under one Shepherd obedient to the one who taught us to pray…
 
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

 
The Apostles’ Creed     (in unison)
                                                   pg. 539 blue hymnal
​
The Apostles’ Creed #539 I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Communion Hymn:   # 548   Let us Break Bread

Invitation to the Lord's Table   
Jesus said:
I am the bread of life. Those who come to me will never be hungry, and those who believe in me will never be thirsty.
No one who comes to me will I drive away.   John 6:35, 37.

Because there is one bread,
we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 
I Cor. 10:17.  

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.           
 
THE COMMUNION
 
Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.’  

In the same way he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood: as often as you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.’                      
                                                                     
We break this bread, the communion in Christ’s body once broken.  
 

​We drink this cup, communion in Christ’s blood once shed.

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
 
Eternal God,
we thank you for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us. 
Send us into the world in peace
for we have seen,
have heard,
and been fed by your grace. 
Keep us faithful and alert
for signs of Christ’s coming
and lead us to live lives marked by truth and light, so that we may eat and drink together
in your eternal dominion of hope, peace, joy and love. 
Amen.
 
Communion Hymn:  # 548   Let us Break Bread​

Announcements:
    Thank you Randy for leading us in worship today and serving us the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

​Pulpit supply :
June 5- Kevin Harvey

June 12- Joe Hevesy      “God’s Mysterious Ways.” 
June 19- Stewart Burrows
June 26- Kevin Harvey
Month of July – Summer Break 
​

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
May 22, 2022.
Worship Leader: Stewart Burrows     
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton           
Music: Nancy Campbell
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                               Youth Leader: Christine Caza                     
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668            Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE                      Chenaniah
PROCESSIONAL:        Thy Word    # 496    

​CALL TO WORSHIP
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
 
Let the earth rejoice and be glad,
let the heavens declare your righteousness!
 
May all people see your glory, O God;
may your ways be known throughout the earth.
 
Let us worship the God who loves us;
We come to worship with open hearts,
to raise our voices with thanks and praise.
 
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN: # 634 Will You Come And Follow Me

​OFFERING:  We have placed an offering collection box in the
                   entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give. Thank you
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
HYMN:  # 96 Let Us With A Gladsome Mind

SCRIPTURE:  1 Peter 3:13-22

1 Peter 3:13-22
New International Version
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[c] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[d] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.​

                        Psalm 67
Psalm 67
New International Version
Psalm 67

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us--
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
5 May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

6 The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
7 May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

                        John 14:15-29

John 14:15-29
New International Version
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

PRAYER
MEDITATION:    We are not Alone
 
CLOSING HYMN:  # 338 Let All Things Now Living

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN   
 
POSTLUDE:              Chenaniah
​

Announcements:                 Welcome Everyone!
 
Thank you Stewart for leading us in worship.
 
A grand total of over $ 2500.00 was collected from the plant sale last weekend. This money will go towards helping local Ukrainian refugees.
 
Rockburn Pulpit Supply
May 29- Rev. Randy Barrington-Communion
/ Congregational Meeting to Follow
June 5- Nancy Campbell
June 12- Joe Hevesy      “God’s Mysterious Ways.” 
June 19- Stewart Burrows
June 26- Kevin Harvey

​ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
May 8, 2022.
Worship Leader: Gail MacGregor     
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton                                    
Music Director: Nancy Campbell
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                               Youth Leader: Christine Caza                     
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668 
​Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
Prelude                                          “Chenaniah”
Processional                            “Thy Word”     #496 

​
Call to worship
ONE:  Blessed are those who trust God, whose trust is the Lord.
ALL:  They are like trees planted by water, sending out roots by the  
           stream.
ONE:  They have no fear of summer’s heat, nor do they wither in the
            sun.
ALL:  In the year of drought they are not anxious, for their lives bear
          the fruit of righteousness.
ONE:  Come to the waters of life all you who trust in the Lord.
ALL:  We have come to worship and to send forth our roots into
          streams of God’s living water!  Praise be to God.  Amen.
 
Opening prayer
Opening hymn   # 706       Come, Let us Sing
​

​Words of welcome
 
Invocation and the Lord’s Prayer
 
Poem       When you thought I wasn’t looking
 
Announcements – Birthdays – Anniversaries
 
Reading       The Secret Recipe
 
Prayer for Mothers
 
Offering: There is a collection box in the entrance, if you wish to give.  Thank you
Offertory prayer                                                                             
 
Hymn       #730   Oh for a world where everyone

​Message
 
Hymn   # 359      The Great Physician

​Prayer
 
Hymn   # 358       There is a Redeemer

Benediction
 
Amen  Amen  ​

Postlude                “Chenaniah”
 
Announcements:    
Welcome to Rockburn Presbyterian Church this beautiful morning!!!
 
Thank You Gail for leading us in worship today!
 
Happy Mothers Day
 
to ALL the MOTHERS out
there whether you are
Past, Present or
Soon To be Moms.
May your day be filled
with love,
joy and laughter...
 
                                                                                                                              We Love YOU!!!!
 
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
May 15- Kevin Harvey
May 22- Stewart Burrows
May 29- Randy Barrington-Communion/Congregational Meeting to Follow
June 5- Nancy Campbell
June 12- Joe Hevesy
June 19- Stewart Burrows
June 26- Kevin Harvey
​

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
May 1, 2022.
Worship Leaders: Nancy & Randy    
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton            
Music: Nancy Campbell & Chenaniah
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                              Youth Leader: Christine Caza                     
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668            Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
PRELUDE:        Chenaniah
“Thy Word”
​

​CALL TO WORSHIP:                                                      
ONE:  We are called to be a people of faith in the midst of the world.    
ALL:  And so we mix our worship and our work, our faith and our life.  
ONE: God has called us together as a church community
ALL:  May God open our hearts, minds and eyes as we worship together.
WELCOME:
OPENING HYMN:      #662   Those Who Wait On The Lord

​OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER:
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:
HYMN:  #691            My Shepherd Is The King Of Love

​OFFERING: We have placed an offering collection box in the entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give. Thank you.           
 
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
                                   
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 
       
Hebrews 11:29-40  

New International Version
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

2Corinthians 4:16-18

New International Version
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

PRAYERS FOR ALL PEOPLE:
HYMN:   #675           Precious Lord, Take My Hand      

​MEDITATION:                        “Recharge”
Recharge
          Good morning, and I mean that sincerely. It’s so good to be back. I’ve missed you all so much. So yes, this is a good morning indeed. And I want to thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.
          I’ll give you a brief account of my ordeal. As you may know, when the new clinic in Ormstown opened up, my family doctor retired. And the government, in their wisdom, decided to appoint a new one for me. This however did not happen and I was without a family physician for over two years. I finally saw my new doctor last November and he discovered I had heart, lung and kidney problems. After a series of tests and several attempts at regulating medications, I am now functioning relatively normally without getting out of breath or being so dizzy I can’t stand.
          The first time I saw my new doctor and heard the problems I was facing, I was filled with anxiety and fear. I vowed to do everything my doctor told me to do, even though it was difficult at times. I had to trust what he told me and follow his instructions, and by doing so, I feel that I’m on the path to living a little bit longer.
          I had faith in my doctor and it’s paid off. Faith can be a difficult concept for us to grasp because it’s not tangible or easily explained. Just as I trusted my doctor, we need to trust God, no matter what. God will provide for us, in this life and in the next. It’s not always easy to live for the Lord, but we can remember His promises past and present, and trust He will fulfill our future hopes and prayers.
          It’s normal for us mortals to become complacent. When things are going well we tend to sit back, let things slide and just not bother keeping up with the things that matter.
         
What happens when you go to make a call and you find that your cell phone is dead. You can’t make any calls or send or receive any texts. Maybe the cell phone went dead because you were helping a friend try to solve a problem and you were talking with her for a couple of hours. The phone ran out of juice and now it needs to be recharged.
Our souls are a little like this cell phone. Sometimes life brings us trials and tribulations. We can feel rundown. We can get to feeling so tired or so depressed or so dejected that we feel like we just want to curl up in a ball and fall asleep for a year. What we need is a recharge!
We are a little bit like this cell. When we’re starting to feel worn down by life’s struggles, that’s when we really need to plug into God the most. By plugging into God, we mean praying a lot more, reading our Bible more often and going to church on a regular basis. By doing these things, God will be able to recharge you.
Recharging our cell phone takes a while.. But if we’re patient, we’ll have the charge back on. If we’re faithful to God, if we pray hard and go to His Word in prayer and fellowship with others, we will find that our life has been recharged as well.
We can’t charge our cell phones without electricity and we can’t recharge our souls without faith.
What do you think I have in this bag? Is it a book? Is it a towel? Is it an apple? Maybe it’s a loaf of banana bread or a bag of cookies. What if I told you it was a candle? Would you believe me? How could you know for sure? I guess I could prove it to you. I’ll take it out of the bag.
Okay, here it is. You can see it. It looks like a candle, right? You can touch it and see that it feels like a candle. You could smell it. You could even light it and see that it burns like a candle. You now know that this is most definitely a candle.
 
But what if I didn’t take it out of the bag? You would have to trust me and believe that it was a candle, even if you couldn’t see it. You’d have to have faith that I was telling the truth.
The Bible talks about faith and says some great things about people who demonstrated faith. The Bible tells us that faith is being confident and assured of things we hope for, but can’t see. Having faith means that we believe even if we can’t be a hundred percent sure. Can we see God? Not necessarily. We see evidence of what He has done and continues to do. But we can’t see His face or touch Him.
Faith means we know that He is there and that He does wonderful things for us. The Bible tells of people who demonstrated faith. There were people like Noah who built an ark in anticipation of a flood that hadn’t started yet. There was Abraham who left his home to follow God. And there was Rahab who trusted God when her whole city was collapsing around her. And we can be like those faith heroes too!
The best part about faith is that we don’t have to do anything special. It depends on us or any actions we might do. Faith isn’t about us – it’s about God! It’s about what He’s already done and what He promises to do. Trust is about what we believe. To trust someone, it helps to know if they’re worthy of trust. If you know me well, and know that I tell the truth, you probably didn’t have any trouble believing there was a candle in the bag. But if you had just met me, it might be harder to trust me.
Sometimes our lives as Christians are not easy. Trusting God doesn’t mean that our lives will always be rainbows and unicorns, but it does mean that we have a future hope for something greater.
 
 
Sometimes we grow concerned that we need to do more for God. The good news of faith is that we recognize our powerfulness. So we ask God to help us stay plugged in to Him. We know that when we pray and read His Word, we are getting a recharge. And if we are patient, we will see His strength shine around us.
Isaiah 40, verse 31 says: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.
Let us pray: Lord: We pray that You will recharge our faith in You. We want You to renew our faith and hope. Never leave us and let Your presence show profoundly in our actions. Give us the will and strength to carry out deeds that are worthy of You. Help us to see what You want us to see. Keep our minds clear and our relationship with You strong. Hold us up and keep us recharged so we don’t falter in our faith. Because of You, we have hope. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER:   
CLOSING HYMN:       #468  Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN:  

​POSTLUDE:    Chenaniah
Announcements:       Welcome Everyone!
Welcome back Nancy & Randy and thank you for leading us in worship today!
 
     A plant sale will take place in May at Linda Rennie’s home the morning of May 14th, all proceeds going towards relief help for the Ukraine People.
 
Washrooms facilities are now available at the Church Hall.
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
May 8-Mother’s Day - Gail MacGregor
May 15- Kevin Harvey
May 22- Stewart Burrows
May 29- Randy Barrington-Communion/Congregational Meeting to Follow
June 5- Nancy Campbell
June 12- Joe Hevesy
June 19- Stewart Burrows
June 26- Kevin Harvey

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
April 24, 2022.
Worship Leader: Kevin Harvey     
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton                        
Music: Nancy Campbell/Debra Armein
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                 
Rockburn Carolers: Eric Pritchard                  
Youth Leader: Christine Caza                     
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller   450-827-2668          Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE                      Chenaniah
 
PROCESSIONAL:        Thy Word    # 496       Blue Hymnal     

​CALL TO WORSHIP             (in unison)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who, in his great mercy, has brought us to life again
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
Rejoice!
Come into his presence with joy and singing!
 
WELCOME
 
OPENING HYMN:  # 389  Breathe on me Breathe of God

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 
HYMN:  # 328  This is my Fathers World

​OFFERING:  We have placed an offering collection box in the
               entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give. Thank you
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
 
HYMN:       # 746   What A Friend we have in Jesus

Matthew 22:1-13
New American Standard Bible 1995Parable of the Marriage Feast22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. 4 Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, 6 and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. 7 But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. 8 Then he *said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.
11 “But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he *said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
PRAYER
 
MEDITATION:    Based on SCRIPTURE Matthew 22:1-13
 
                       What will you be wearing to the wedding?
 
CLOSING HYMN:    Oh Mary don’t you Weep  


Oh Mary don’t you Weep
 Oh Mary, don't you weep, tell Martha not to mourn
Oh Mary, don't you weep, tell Martha not to mourn
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep


 If I could I surely would
Stand on the rock where Moses stood
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep
 
Mary wore three links of chain
Every link was Jesus' name
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep
 
One of these nights about 12 o' clock
This old worlds going to reel and rock
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep


 Moses stood on the red sea shore
Smotin' the water with a two by four
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep
 
The very moment I thought I was lost
The dungeon shook and the chains fell off
Pharaoh’s army got drownded
Oh Mary don't you weep

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN
​

​POSTLUDE:              Chenaniah
                                         
Announcements:                 Welcome Everyone!
 
Thank you Kevin for leading us in worship!
 
Thank you to our Music Team!
 
A plant sale will take place in May at Linda Rennie’s home, with all proceeds going to relief help for the Ukraine People.
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
May 1- Nancy & Randy Campbell
May 8-Mother’s Day - Gail MacGregor
May 15- Kevin Harvey
May 22- Stewart Burrows

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
EASTER SUNDAY
April 17, 2022.
Worship Leader: Debra Armein    
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668         
Rockburn Presbyterian Website:   Marcelle Chabot www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE:                                  Chenaniah
 
PROCESSIONAL:                     “Thy Word”  

​CALL TO WORSHIP       
ALL TOGETHER:
Come, let us worship and bow down
Let us kneel before the Lord, our God and Maker
Come let us worship and bow down
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture,
The flock under His care, the sheep of his hand,
 
OPENING Debra Armein

WELCOME
 OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER  
Easter Proclamation  - Lighting of Candles
The light which the world tried to extinguish cannot be put out. Today we light the candles again, proclaiming the transforming power of God. As the light returns, we give thanks that God’s transforming love has been, is now, and will ever be at work within us. Today we celebrate: new life, new joy, new possibilities. Christ is alive and living among us!
As we light the candles, we acknowledge that there is still pain and suffering in the world, but we place our trust in God and in the way shown by Jesus Christ. In the midst of darkness, there is light. In the pain of death, there is life. In the face of what appear to us to be overwhelming odds, God is at work in us and in the world, working for justice and peace, compassion and love, and life abundant.                
 
 
All:   Christ is risen; Christ is risen in us, for wherever we gather            
          in his name, he is there.
(All candles are re-lit.)
All: Alleluia, Christ is risen; Christ is risen indeed!
                                         *********
HYMN:    #260    Allelujah, give thanks to the Risen Lord

ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES OFFERING:       
To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection box at the entrance.... if you wish to give. Thank you.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
HYMN:     #366   Jesus Joy of Loving Hearts

SCRIPTURE READING:        Luke 24:1-7, 13-49

Luke 24:1-49
New International Version
Jesus Has Risen

24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
 
MEDITATION:          “Why is Easter Important?”

EASTER, A NEW BEGINNING

Every year Christians celebrate Easter. This is done in many different ways around the world where Christians gather, and is associated with many different customs. IN Switzerland, we had the egg fight; in Slovakia where our daughter lives, the women bring a basket of foods and household items, covered with beautifully embroidered cloths, to the church and the priest blesses them, in Guatemala, long carpets mosaics of flowers are created in the streets for the religious processions on Good Friday. In Greece eggs arse dyed red, and baked into braided loaves of bread. IN Ukraine, the colourful tradition of egg decorating is taken to the highest level. Though some customs come from murky pagan past, or local life conditions,  basically all Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Christ. 

We begin the Easter celebration with the observance of Lent, which is a symbolic journey to the Cross. It is a time of reflection on the old, and anticipation of the new. 

New life, a new beginning.

New beginnings are not easy. they don't just happen.

They come at the end of the old story, usually after times of difficulty and struggle.

Even springtime, the new beginning of nature, the renewal, the time of new growth and abundance, doesn't just happen overnight when the calendar says its the spring equinox. We have days of sunshine and warm temperatures, then suddenly snow and ice, then the flowers begin to grow only to be covered again by a drift of snow.  
My daughter Sarah texted me one day last week, saying in her garden the tulips were already 6inches high, but it was supposed to freeze that night. Would the flowers be okay, or should she cover them to protect them from the cold? 
I told her unless the weather is extreme, the tulips will just wait, then continue after the cold snap. New beginnings are not always straightforward.

Turning the page in a book, opening a new chapter, is preceded by an ending, by a closing of a theme or activity. We have to turn that page to find out what happens.

Political changes come with a time of unrest, upheaval and struggle. The new regime begins on the ashes of the old.

Creating new programs in business, restructuring, usually requires the removal of the old guard, firing or retiring those who built up the business, and installing new leaders with a new vision. The old can either graciously step aside, embrace the new, become part of the new vision, or be filled with resentment and anger ast their perceived loss. New beginnings are not easy. 

Religious renewal comes when there is a new vision, a new interpretation of truth, bringing into the picture new voices with a new message. A rejection of the old, or perhaps a correction of the old. The former religious leaders become outdated and are removed. they don't usually go  without a struggle and not without dissent. The old chapter ends in conflict and upheaval, often splitting churches. 

The Easter celebration marks change, renewal, a new vision, a breakthrough. 

In our modern post-Christian society someone looking at it from outside would say Easter is a time when people consume a lot of chocolate in the shape of bunnies, and have a few extra days off work or school. Well, most of us like chocolate, and have nothing against bunnies per se, and who doesn't appreciate a few days off work?

We have a great time celebrating Christmas, with all the decorations and lights and presents, but why is Easter so important? 

Easter represents the most Holy day in the church calendar, traditionally  acknowledged with special celebrations. The house cleaned of every speck of dust, new clothes made, the finest linen tablecloths and dishes laid out for special feasts. The churches are cleaned the bells are ringing. 
When I was young, we had a completely new outfit for Easter Sunday. My mom sewed most of our clothes, so my sister and I had new dresses, new coats, new shoes, socks and even gloves, hats and little purses. My brothers had new shirts and pants, and little vests and bow-ties, and new haircuts, slicked down neatly. We were decked out for Easter. 

Everything new. 

To fully understand the importance of Easter, its necessary to look at biblical history. 

In the beginning,  God created the world, the universe and everything in it. Mankind lived in community with God, walked and talked with Him in their special place, the Garden. Then one day, mankind switched allegiance to the enemy of God, one whose purpose was not to nurture and love creation, but to destroy and separate it, all of it, including humans,  from God, in order to usurp God's position as God. There's the good, and the evil. 

From that moment on, a barrier was erected between God and Mankind. Times of struggle and darkness ensued. We see the results of this one act all around us. A horrific war, among many wars, a shooting in the subway in New York, disease and death all around. I don't need to elaborate. 

So God undertook to create a new beginning. Notice I said He "undertook". He didn't just snap His Holy fingers and say, out with the old, let's do a new thing".  Because something created cannot be uncreated.  

He carefully selected and prepared especially chosen people, individuals and groups, who were obedient to Him, and who pledged to stay obedient, to begin to lay the foundation of the new beginning. The whole Old Testament is all about this. This is the whole point of the old Testament. To tell this story. It's the historical archives of life up to the coming of Jesus. 

So we have the story of Abraham, of Moses, of David, and of Mary, and finally Jesus was born. The whole thing, the whole history, the whole story, is about the arrival of Jesus.

Because He was both Man, and God. Jesus led a pure life, always in communion with God the Father, and obedient to Him. But that wasn't enough. Jesus isn't just a good man, a wise teacher, a saint whose sayings are good to follow. Jesus is God as Man. 

And in order for a new beginning, there had to be an ending, a struggle, difficulty, death. 

Jesus literally had to die. And die He did, unjustly, a tragic horrible death by crucifixion. Even the local pagans thought the punishment was unjust, that Jesus was undeserving. And the manner of death, crucifixion! so terrible. 

The Bible tells us after his death, he descended into Hell, where the enemy of God started gloating that he had won the battle for the souls of the world. 

But wait! Jesus is God. He is perfect. So Satan had no grounds whatsoever to keep him there. None at all. 
So after 3 days, Jesus said "Goodbye, I am out of here now. You lost" 

Jesus returned, in his physical body, and walked and talked with people around Jerusalem. People around town were already saying, "oh He was a prophet, a good man, a wise teacher, its too bad he's gone" totally forgetting what He said about Who he was a why he came.

The Bible passage we read earlier from Luke 24 said it very clearly. 

The angels who were guarding the tomb, and whom the women saw, said "Why are you looking for Him here, Remember how He told you, He had to be crucified and then rise again on the 3rd day?" "In other words, "didn't you get it??!!" 

I always found it tragic that the Jews were persecuted for, among so many other things, for having crucified Jesus. Called names, hounded out of their homes, killed and tortured, by so-called Christians, who didn't understand how lucky they are that Jesus died.  

Because in that moment, Jesus abolished the separation from God that humans had suffered for those centuries since Adam and Eve in the garden. Mankind had been captive, prisoners of Satan. The bible tells us that Jesus "led Captivity captive". 

With the act of dying, waiting those 3 days, and returning to life, Jesus literally created that new beginning.

The Jewish religious elite could not accept this. Here's a perfect example of the old establishment clinging to what they wanted to believe, and they actually the ones who knew the prophesies written in the old testament about the Messiah. and Jesus pointing out on multiple occasions that He himself was the fulfillment of those prophesies. But they were not willing to embrace the new, they were afraid of a new beginning. 

At the very moment Jesus died, the curtain in the temple in Jerusalem was ripped from top to bottom. It is a passage that is just there in the narrative of the crucifixion, not always given much notice. 

There was an earthquake, rocks spilt, in the cemeteries, graves opened up and people were raised up again!! The sun stopped shining for 3 whole hours. It was dark. Everything stopped. Imagine! That is momentous. And the curtain was ripped, not from bottom to top, like it would be if someone grabbed it while standing below it. But from top to bottom. That curtain as described in Exodus was extremely thick and sturdy, especially woven under exact instructions placed to separate the Holiest inner part of the temple from the outer area. It was very high, about 60 feet. And the thickness was about a hand-width, so 4 inches thick. 
Exodus 26:31-33

When Jesus died on the cross, that curtain, that heavy woven curtain, 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, and 4 inches thick. was ripped from top to bottom. Ripped! 
Matthew 27:51-54 

Hebrews 10:19-20 tells us that now the curtain is ripped away, we are no longer kept out of the presence of God, but are allowed once again into the garden where we can walk and talk with the heavenly Father. We have been set free. He gave us free access to God. Interesting to note that the religious leaders in their expensive robes and big bank accounts, were so worried about anything changing, they ordered guards to be set at the tomb, just in case any of the wacko followers of Jesus tried to open it and take out His body, and then tell everyone he had risen from the dead like he prophesied he would. They were in for a huge shock when the guards, who faithfully remained on guard, finally opened the tomb to find nothing but folded clothes. There was no back door either.

Jesus literally created a door, an opening, a way, to once again have spiritual union with God the Father, the creator. He ripped the curtain that separated us from the holiest place, communion with God. A new beginning. A new Adam. He once again joined the physical world of creation to the spiritual world of Heaven, like it was in the garden. 

What did Jesus say about himself? I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY ME. He was quite emphatic about it. 

Now that there is a portal, a way, God is able to give us His good gifts. When Jesus returned to Heaven after His work was done, He gave us His Holy Spirit. He said "I don't leave you alone, I am going but I am sending you my spirit who will be with you always". The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

So Easter IS the most important event, where Jesus died, but did not stay dead, but rather, He conquered the enemy so we could have a new beginning. 

When we move through that torn curtain, from the outside to the most Holy place, when we turn the page from the old chapter to the new, when we walk away from the struggle, and say, "thank you Jesus, I believe, please take me to be yours"- then we have access to a God who is loving, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and true. We can do it only through the sacrifice of Jesus, who himself by his sacrifice is the Way. 
Our lives are new, its a new beginning, where we experience true freedom, true peace, true joy, as God's most dearly loved children.

To be there, to live in that most holy place, which is relationship with God through Jesus, that is the reason for Easter.  

Hallelujah and Amen


CLOSING HYMN:    #461   Be Thou My Vision

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN
POSTLUDE
 
Announcements:                  Happy Easter!!!
 
Thank you Debra and our music team for leading us in worship today!
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
April 24-Kevin Harvey                                                                
May 1- Nancy & Randy Campbell
May 8-Mother’s Day Gail MacGregor
May 15- Kevin Harvey
May 22-
May 29-

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
April  10, 2022.
Worship Leaders: Joe Hevesy                 
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton                       
Music Director: Nancy Campbell                       
Board of Managers: Robert Waller         
Treasurers: Sophie Caza & Christine Caza          
Rockburn Carolers: Eric Pritchard             
Youth Leader: Christine Caza                                                
Sunday School: Grace Sutton                    
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668
Website:          Marcelle Chabot            www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
  
Prelude:    Chenaniah
 
Processional: Thy Word
 Please shut down all the advertising on YouTube by clicking on the X  (top right corner of the add)
​

Call to Worship:  (Betty)
L: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
P: Hosanna! Rejoice for the Lord is in our midst.
L: He comes with joy and hope.
P: He comes to set us free from fear.
L: Hosanna!
P: Hosanna! Glory to God in the Highest Heaven. AMEN.

Opening Hymn - 214 - All Glory Laud and Honour
​

 Opening Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer.
 
One: This is the day that the Lord has made.
ALL: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
 
One: Let us pray for all who suffer from political persecution,
from political neglect, from the ongoing effects of Covid.
Let us pray that our political leaders will put the needs of our country and its people before all party considerations.
Let us remember friends who have gone before us and friends who suffer from daily trauma.
Let us celebrate with all who rejoice for special moments in their lives.
Let us give thanks on this Palm Sunday for all of God’s gifts, most specially for the gift of His son, Jesus.

Let us now pray in the words of our holy example, Jesus Christ, as He taught His apostles:       

ALL: Our Father who art in heaven…
 
Lenten Candle Lighting & Liturgy   (Betty)  
(Reflection during the weeks of Lent, and at all times, offers us rich moments to strengthen our commitment and our faith.)
 
Palm Sunday: Faithfulness
Reader 1: We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey, and as disciples of our Lord we remember the events of long ago, when the twelve disciples entered Jerusalem with Jesus, but then deserted him a few days later. We remember that in our own lives, when things go well we often know God is with us, but when we are afraid, when we are at risk, we may abandon our faith.
All: We light this candle as a symbol of our trust in Jesus Christ that God will always remain faithful, even when we lack faith.
Prayer: Holy One, you have journeyed with us through the valley of the shadow, and will see us through to the other side. Help us to remain faithful to you, even in times of deepest doubt. Amen.
   
OFFERING:  To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection box in the entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give.    Thank you
 God of Deliverance, you led your chosen people long ago out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Your people rejoiced and worshipped you with the first fruits of their labors. Their contributions were a symbol of devotion to your mighty presence in their lives and in the lives of following generations. Guide our gifts so that they may be multiplied to help those still languishing in the wilderness of uncertainty. Help our giving to inspire others as they journey toward the promise of Eternal Life. Through your holy son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.     (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) 
Hymn - 218 Hosanna Loud Hosanna​​

Scripture:   Acts 4: 32-35
Acts 4:32-35
New International VersionThe Believers Share Their Possessions32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need​
                     Psalm 31: 24
Psalm 31:24
New International Version24 Be strong and take heart,
    all you who hope in the Lord.
                     Luke 19:37
Luke 19:37
New International Version37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
                     Galatians 6:9
Galatians 6:9
New International Version9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
 
This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
 
* Message: Let Us Spend Time With God * 

​Hymn - 674 in the bulb there is a flower

​
Closing Prayer: Psalm 1: 1-3
All:    Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
 
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
    whatever they do prospers.


Closing Hymn -  238 Beneath the Cross of Jesus

CALL TO WORSHIP    (in unison)
Great God, your love has called us here
As we, by love for love were made
We come, with all our heart and mind                                          Your call to hear, your love to find
 
WELCOME
 
OPENING HYMN:   Amazing Grace
​

Amazing Grace 
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see
 
Was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed
​ 
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
And Grace will lead us home
 
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
  Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
  Than when we first begun.

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER           
Lent Five: Forgiveness
Reader 1: Jesus has taught us that we must forgive, but at times we find this too hard to do. We have been hurt, and we have hurt others. At times we have become angered by the actions of another to the point that we carry a grudge, and sometimes, this grudge can define who we are.
All: We light this candle as a symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ to help us to forgive as we are forgiven, to help us to love as we are loved.
 
Prayer: Faithful God, forgive us for our shortcomings and help us to forgive others. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to let go of our grudges and to forgive, and to seek forgiveness where we have gone wrong. Amen.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 
 
HYMN:     This Little Light of Mine 

OFFERING:  We have placed an offering collection box in the
               entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give. Thank you
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
 
HYMN:        Were You There?
​

PRAYER
 
MEDITATION:    Based on SCRIPTURE Luke chapter 21 vs 34-36
 
                       Be ready to stand before the Son of Man!
 
CLOSING HYMN:  Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
 
BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN   
POSTLUDE:              Chenaniah
                                         
Announcements:                 Welcome Everyone!
Thank you Kevin for leading us in worship!
 
Rockburn Presbyterian Church will be sending $2000 to a charity to help the people of Ukraine. Also… a plant sale will take place in May at Linda Rennie’s home, with all proceeds going to the Ukraine.
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
April 10 -Palm Sunday Stewart Burrows
April 17 Easter Sunday– Debra Armein
April 24 -Kevin Harvey
May 1-
May 8-Mother’s Day Gail MacGregor

May 15- Kevin Harvey

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
March 27, 2022.
Worship Leader: Stewart Burrows     
Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton
Music: Nancy Campbell/Debra Armein
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                 
Rockburn Carolers: Eric Pritchard                     
Youth Leader: Christine Caza                     
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller 450-827-2668            Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE                      Chenaniah
PROCESSIONAL:        Thy Word    # 496       Blue Hymnal 

(Hear it below at the bottom of the page)
1. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way,
still you're there right beside me,
and nothing will I fear as Iong as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.

2. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.

I will not forget your love for me,
and yet my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide and hold me to your side,
and I will love you to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
 
CALL TO WORSHIP
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation!
Thanks be to God for such great mercy.
Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Thanks be to God for new beginnings!
God has given us the ministry of reconciliation through Christ Jesus.
Together we will make a new beginning in Christ!
Let us worship God with joyful hearts, trusting God to renew us and all things.
We will lift our praises to God with hearts refreshed by grace.
 
WELCOME
 
OPENING HYMN: # 683 I know not why such wondrous grace

(Hear it below at the bottom of the page)
​.I know not why such wondrous grace
to me God has made known;
nor why, unworthy as I am,
Christ claimed me for his own,

Refrain:
but I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that Christ is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day.

2. I know not why this saving faith
to me God did impart,
nor how believing in the word brought
peace into my heart,

Refrain

3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing me of sin,
revealing Jesus through the word,
creating faith in him:

Refrain

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER           
Lent Four: Repentance
Reader 1: We have been born into a world of sin. We try to do the right thing, but at times we fail, and temptation seems to win. At other times, we seem to drown in our failures, believing nothing good can come from us. We forget that God has called us to repent, and that God remembers our sins no more.
All: We light this candle as a symbol of our trust in Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, when we repent and turn back to God.
Prayer: Loving God, help us to turn back to you when we stray. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to repent from where we have gone wrong. Amen.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 
 
HYMN:  # 500     Open my eyes, that I may see

(Hear it below at the bottom of the page)
1 Open my eyes that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
2 Open my ears that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear,
and while the wave notes fall on my ear,
ev’rything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
3 Open my mouth and let me bear
gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere.
Open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my mouth, illumine me,
Spirit divine! 

OFFERING:  We have placed an offering collection box in the
                   entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give. Thank you
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
 
HYMN:  #372  Praise him, praise him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer
(Hear it below at the bottom of the page)
1. Praise him, praise him, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth, his wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him, hail him, highest archangels in glory;
strength and honour give to his holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard his children;
in his arms he carries them all day long.

Refrain:
Praise him, praise him! Tell of his excellent greatness;
praise him, praise him, ever in joyful song!

2. Praise him, praise him, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins he suffered and bled and died;
he, our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
hail him, hail him! Jesus the Crucifìed.
Sound his praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

3. Praise him, praise him, Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus Saviour, reigneth forever and ever;
crown him, crown him, Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious;
power and glory unto the Lord belong.
 
SCRIPTURE: OT Joshua 5:9-12

9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.
                      NT Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The Parable of the Lost Sheep15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:


The Parable of the Lost Son11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

PRAYER
 
MEDITATION:       Run to Them
            
CLOSING HYMN:  # 350  To God be the Glory
​(Hear it below at the bottom of the page)
1 To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
2 Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
but purer and higher and greater will be
our joy and our wonder, when Jesus we see. [Refrain]
 
BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN   
POSTLUDE:              Chenaniah
                                         
 
Announcements:                 Welcome Everyone!
Thank you Stewart for leading us in worship.
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
April 3 -Lent 5 Kevin Harvey
April 10 -Palm Sunday Stewart Burrows
April 17 Easter Sunday– Debra Armein
April 24 -Kevin Harvey
May 1-
May 8-Mother’s Day Gail MacGregor

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
March 20, 2022 - Lent 3
Worship Leader: Debra Armein    
​Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   
Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                                
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller   450-827-2668          Rockburn Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE:                                  Chenaniah
PROCESSIONAL:                     “Thy Word”  
CALL TO WORSHIP
ONE: May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make His face shine
          upon us
ALL:  May your ways be known on earth, your salvation among all the
          nations
ONE: May the peoples praise you oh God, may all the peoples praise
           you
ALL: May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples
         justly and guide the nations of the earth
ALL TOGETHER: May the peoples praise you oh God, may all the
                             peoples praise you
 
OPENING HYMN   # 677     My faith looks up to thee
WELCOME
 OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER  
Lent 3: Trust     One : God has proven trustworthy throughout history, but at times we question and doubt, and even deny, God’s presence in our lives. We forget the larger picture at times and focus only on that moment, that period of time, when we experience God’s absence. We worry and fret about what is happening and what will happen next, rather than trusting in our Savior.
All: We light this candle as a symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ that his presence is with us, and that we are not alone.
Prayer in Unison: God of hope, help us to remember the promise that you will never leave us or forsake us. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, remind us of your presence, and help us to remember to trust in you. Amen.
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES     
OFFERING:       To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection      box at the entrance.... if you wish to give. Thank you.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
HYMN:       # 675    Precious Lord, take my hand
 
SCRIPTURE:        Ps 86: 1-10
 
MEDITATION:  
HYMN:       # 449       Lord, listen to your children praying
 
Prayer in unison:
Teach me you ways O Lord, and I will walk in your truth:
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me: you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. Amen. 
   
CLOSING HYMN:   # 324   Great is thy faithfulness
 
Announcements:                   Welcome to Rockburn Church
 
     Thank you Debra and our music team for leading us in worship today!
 
Update on Rockburn Pulpit Supply
March 27    Lent 4 Stewart Burrows
April 3         Lent 5 Kevin Harvey
April 10       Palm Sunday Stewart Burrows
April 17       Easter Sunday
April 24 Kevin Harvey                                                                 
 

​Prelude   &   Processional   # 496  blue hymnal
 
Call to Worship
One:  Come, all who need help!
All:  Our help comes from God, the one who made heaven and
         earth.
One:  Come, all who desire blessing!
All:  Our blessing comes from God, the God of Abraham, the God
         of the ages.
One:  Come, all who long for salvation!
All:  Our salvation comes from Jesus Christ, the one sent by God
         to save the world. Let us worship God.   Amen.
 
Opening prayer
 
Hymn # 641 One more step along the world I go
 
Words of Welcome
 
Invocation and the Lord’s Prayer
 
Announcements - Birthdays - Anniversaries  
 
Lenten Liturgy
Week Two: Responsibility
One: Jesus has called us to love our neighbors as ourselves, but all too often we let the social boundaries and borders of the world divide us. We build up walls rather than bridges; we keep people out who need to be invited in. We have a responsibility to care for one another as Christ cares for us, and yet we often fail to do it.
All: We light this candle as a symbol of our hope in Jesus Christ to teach us again how to love, how to break down walls and to build bridges.
Prayer (In unison): Creator God, remind us again of our responsibility to care for one another, and to watch out for each other. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.
OFFERING:  To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection box on the table.... if you wish to give.    Thank you
 
Offertory prayer
 
Hymn # 774   Freely, freely
 
Please join me in reading psalm 121
 
I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil, he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.  Amen.
 
Prayer for illumination
Scripture readings:  Genesis 12: 1-4a
                                   Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Scripture reading: John 3: 1-17
 
L:  This is the word of the Lord             P:  Thanks be to God
Message
Hymn   #  634  Will you come and follow me
Prayer
Hymn # 674 In the bulb there is a flower
Benediction
Amen… Amen
 
Announcements: 
 
 Good Morning!
 
 Welcome to Rockburn Presbyterian Church!
 
Thank you Gail for leading us in worship today.
 

​

Prelude:    Chenaniah
Processional: Thy Word

Call to Worship:

One : We gather today to worship the One who created us,
All:     The One who calls us,

One: The One who equips us,
All:    The One who loves us without end.

One: With joyful hearts, let us worship God.
          Children of God: welcome!
All:    Welcome to this place of love and grace,

One: Welcome to this place of hope and perseverance.
All: God invites all of us to be a part of His beloved community,

One: God invites all of us to share in His good news:
All:   We are welcome, just as we are. We are loved, just as we
         are.

One: In gratitude for all of this, let us worship God.

Opening Hymn - Rock of Ages - # 240

 
WELCOME:
 
Opening Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven….

One: This is the day that the Lord has made.
ALL: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Let us pray for all who suffer from political persecution,
from political neglect, from the ongoing effects of Covid.
Let us pray that our political leaders will put the needs of our country and its people before all party considerations.

Let us now pray in the words of our holy example, Jesus Christ, as He taught
His apostles:        ALL: Our Father who art in heaven…
 
Lenten Candle Lighting & Liturgy   Reflection during the weeks of Lent, and at all times, offers us rich moments to strengthen our commitment and our faith.
 
Week One:    Resistance
One : There are many temptations we face in our lives together. We face the temptation of putting our wants above another’s needs. We face the temptation of ignoring problems such as hunger, poverty, war, and disease, with the false hope that they will go away without our intervention. We face the temptations of wealth and consumerism. We face many temptations to stray from the path of our faith.
All: We light this candle as a symbol our faith in Jesus Christ to help us resist the temptations of the world.
Prayer: Lord, help us to keep our feet moving, our hands outstretched, and our hearts open to you. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, keep us from temptation and help us to do Your work in our world. Amen
 
OFFERING:  To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection box in the entrance of the Church.... if you wish to give.    Thank you
 
God of Deliverance, you led your chosen people long ago out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land. Your people rejoiced and worshipped you with the first fruits of their labors. Their contributions were a symbol of devotion to your mighty presence in their lives and in the lives of following generations. Guide our gifts so that they may be multiplied to help those still languishing in the wilderness of uncertainty. Help our giving to inspire others as they journey toward the promise of Eternal Life. Through your holy son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Deuteronomy 26:1-11
 
Hymn - He Leadeth Me - # 650
Scripture:

Genesis 1: 26.  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
Exodus 3:3.  Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
Job 33:4. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
John 14:20. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

This is the word of the Lord.
All:Thanks be to God.

Joe's message. ( note from webmaster : Thank you so much Joe for sharing this with all of us!

​Where is God When We Need Him the Most

The Old Testament tells us that upon Creation, God said .”Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” Those simple words present humanity with a huge problem. To begin with, do any of us know what is God’s image? And if we do not know what is His image, how do we determine where He may be when we need Him most?

The ancient followers of the one God, the Hebrews who called Him YHWH, came to the decision that there is but one God. Note that it was blasphemy to give God a face. It was anathema to name Him even. His name is not clearly pronounced as YAHWEH. Rather it is uttered as an expulsion of breath: Y H W H! This is the sound the wind makes in the desert when it has no obstacle to slow it down or bend its turn. YHWH…YHWH. Where did it come from? Where was its origin?

Well, let us go back to the source we know. “Let us make man in our image,” It is obvious we cannot see God. But…The first commandment reiterates that: “I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall not have false gods before me.” YHWH does not reside on a large pedestal in a figure of precious gold. He/she is unseen, unfelt, unheard, untouched, and unsmelled. In other words, He/she can’t be approached by the five senses God gave us to help us navigate this incredible universe. So, where is He? Is He/she hiding? Note that I say, he/she, not just he. I do this because if God is the source of all creation, and we are made in His image. it’s obvious that he/she can’t be single gender focussed, neither male nor female. He/she must include all genders. No,not even only male and female genders. Nelson Wieppert came close to this realization in the benediction he often used and I took the liberty of copying:

“May the love of God, our father, the comfort of God, our mother, and the joy of Jesus, our brother, be with each of us as we leave this place.”

Our native friends believed in God. “They called Him The Great Spirit.” Now that isn’t far removed from “The Holy Spirit.” is it? And Moses, as scripture reminds us, saw God in the form of a burning bush, from which the flame came from within. God was there for Moses when Moses needed him the most.

But what about the rest of us. Haven’t there been times when we needed God and, maybe, he wasn’t there? Where was He then? Don’t we have the right to know? Don’t we feel we have the right to know?

Now, we aren’t all cut from the same cloth. It would be a boring world if that were so. And we must all admit that this world is far from boring. In fact, often it is utterly the opposite from boring. It is exciting, it is dangerous, it is horrifying, it is deadly. Far, far from boring.

You know, there was a song from the 60’s whose title was : “I never promised you a rose garden.” In those few words the lyricist was inspired by God to give us an answer to the question, Where was God when you needed Him most?

But Rabbi Jonathan Sacks offers a more in-depth answer. Let me summarize his words:

Faith is such an intensely personal experience. The answer to where was God in the Holocaust is an answer that is personal to each person who was there. He says,

“The first time I went to Auschwitz I was simply overwhelmed. I stood on the train tracks that brought Jews from all over Europe, to be gassed, to be burned, and to be turned to ash. I went to the lager in Auschwitz, the camp, and saw all the suitcases, the glasses, the hair. The Nazis kept everything, everything they could lay their hands on, except for one thing…their lives…..
I just broke down, and I wept and cried out, “God, where were you?”

“And words came into my mind…not claiming to be revelation…just words. And this is what they said, “”I was in the words, you shall not murder…I was in the words you shall not oppress a stranger…I was in the words said to Cain, the first murder in the bible, Your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”” “And suddenly I knew, when God speaks and humans refuse to listen, even God - as it were - is helpless. He knew Cain was about to kill Abel, but He didn’t stop him. He knew Pharaoh was about to kill Israelite children, but He didn’t stop him - Bottom line: God gives us freedom, and He never takes it back. But He tells us how to use that freedom, and when human beings refuse to listen, then even God is powerless.”

Rabbi Sacks then gives us another answer about many Jews in the Holocaust. Some felt that God was with them, personally giving them the strength to endure. He said there were people who lost their faith in Auschwitz. and there were people who kept their faith. And there were still others. There were those people who found new faith in Auschwitz.

Rabbi Sacks tells another story of Victor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and Holocaust survivor, who had everything taken away from him including his book. He was devastated. Then they stripped him and sent him to the showers. Of course, he felt this was the end. But it turned out that he was one of the lucky ones because this was actually just a shower. Then they gave him other clothes to put on, clothes from another Jew, and he felt something in a pocket that turned out to be two scrap of paper. One had the words torn from a prayer book, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One.” The second said: “Love the Lord your God, with all your might, with all your soul, with all your heart.”

Frankl said, “Those words transfixed me, they suddenly saved me. And I thought, Now, you must live those words, you must live every single thing you’ve ever taught and practiced. You must do that every day in Auschwitz and give other people the will to live.” And that’s what Frankl did.

So, where is God when we need him most? He is always there. We can know Him in our prayers, in our meditations, but most of all in our actions as they affect others of God’s people.

How do we know his bidding? Inspired scripture for one, perhaps. But perhaps more relevantly, within our own hearts, within our own consciences, where God dwells in every one of us. This is where we find God’s image. This is where he dwells within us. He calls out to our invisible sixth sense, where He resides together with us, where His image merges with ours. Where our likenesses become one with Christ.

Now, in these terrible times for the people of Ukraine, many will be asking, “Where is God?” And we can only answer in words expressed to us by Rabbi Sacks, “He is here with us, He is there with the people of Ukraine. He is with the whole Universe that He alone created. And through our prayers, and through our meditations, and through all our good works, we can find Him, we can recognize Him, and He alone can offer us his one true Word.

Hymn - We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations - # 765
 
Message: Where is God when we need Him most.

Closing Prayer: Psalm 23

Benediction -
Now, by the grace of Yahweh, the one God of Moses and all the world, and by the grace of Jesus Christ, the Son who is both one with the Father, and who has enabled us to be one also with Him and with all mankind, I charge you to go back into the world of the 5 senses and to bring with you the love that Jesus decreed, that we love all people as much as He has loved us, and that we forgive all people for their transgressions as He has forgiven us, by the love of God to all His creation. Amen

Closing Hymn - Amazing Grace - # 670

Amen, Amen….

 
 
Announcements:
 
Good Morning… Welcome to our service today!
 
A huge thank you to Joe for leading us in worship today.
 
Thanks to our music team…
Thanks Debra for filling in for Nancy.​

Advent 4                  Candle of Love
 ​

L: Love is a gift of God.
 
P: Love burns in our hearts.
 
L: Love is warmth in a world that is often bitter and cold.
 
P: In Jesus Christ, we receive God’s gift of love.
 
(The candle is lit.)
 
L: Let us pray:
 
P: Source of light, shine in our lives and in your world with
    your unending love.
    Through Jesus, in whose name we pray.
    Amen
​

​ 1 Corinthians 13 
New International Version 
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,  but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Announcements:
Thank you Nancy and Randy for leading us in worship today!
 
Thank you Everyone for your contributions to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. We have reached an amount of $1020 plus what is in our collection jar. Congratulations!!!
 
Rockburn Church will also be donating money to a few of our local charities...the Ormstown & Huntingdon Legions, La Boeuff Additionelle,
and the Hinchinbrooke Fire Dept.   
 
We will not be having a Christmas Eve Service or New Year’s Service this year on account of the fast spread of the Omicron virus.  We pray that everyone stays healthy and safe; as usual we will be closed for the month of January. Let’s pray that we can return to worship in the Church.
​
A Merry Christmas Prayer
Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches and peace in our hearts, especially when it feels like the world all around us spins out of control.
Help us stay focused on You, this Christmastime and always. Thank You for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift, Your Son, so we might truly have a very merry Christmas, even in a not-so-merry kind of world. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Dear Rockburn friends,
 
Carol says that the church service in Rockburn Sunday Nov 28 was simply the happiest occasion of her life. Fresh sticky early snow bent the birches down into arcs and mounded thickly on the firs to make our drive out from the city very scenic. As Betty Waller remarked in her welcome from behind the pulpit, it was a picture-perfect magical day.
 
The loving community atmosphere of genuine personal and collective tribute in the Rockburn church was rare and precious. There should be a time in every person’s life that so warmly congratulates their contributions over time. My brother Mark said that he has never before witnessed an entire service dedicated to one individual who was actually alive for it. The gift of time and attention that Carol was given by the Rockburn congregation was a true celebration of life, a testimony, a public acknowledgement of Carol’s contributions to music in the Chateauguay Valley.
 
The seating was ideal. Bev Jamieson and Mark Bye flanked Carol, she adorned with a corsage, sitting front row center. Covid spacing allowed three per pew so Tina, Marie Lalonde, and I sat in the second front center pew. We quickly got over feeling “on display” because the ambiance was relaxed and entertaining.
 
And, of course, music is always about MORE than just the music. This really came out in the stories each of a dozen people told about working with Carol as their accompanist, teacher, choir director, song writer, or band member, including Joe Hevesy, Stewart Burrows, Grace Sutton, Rob Ireland, Quinn Burrows, Norm Rennie, Tamara Stevenson, Sarah Fraser, Howard Welburn, Wendy Kell, Maryse Cournoyer, Norm Rennie, John and Connie Wilson, and other members of the Franklin Ensemble. There were memories of past fun, times, dates recalled, humour, and above all, immense affection and respect. The late Harley kept creeping into these stories too (he would). Several people mentioned feeling part of the Bye family at rehearsals and lessons held in the living room in Rockburn. Tasha and Daphne (and even Tommy) were all included in the warm memories. My Covid mask grew quite soggy.
 
Tina wrote to me that the warmth, kindness, and grace which Carol has served to the community over her lifetime shone back at her through the hearts and eyes of everyone present that Sunday. Tina’s favorite part was when Stewart Burrows opened his personal tribute with, "So, one time when Carol and I were out drinking...." which was met with gales of laughter, which only barely outstripped the congregational reaction to his son Quinn whispering a highly audible bad word to himself when hitting a wrong note in his full-length speed-of-light rendering of The Maple Leaf Rag. 
 
The scrapbook Carole Trottier and her daughter Maryse put together and presented to Carol is thick and rich and stunning with contributions from former students now grown up, moved away and with kids of their own learning piano. Carol also received several other very thoughtful personal gifts; she is working on her thank you Christmas card list. Once her new mailing return address stickers arrive from the printer, we’ll set up an assembly line and mail out individual notes.
 
With heart-felt thanks,
Dorothea Bye
578 Chelsea
Beaconsfield, QC H9W 4N5
514 630-4239

CALL TO WORSHIP
ONE: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed
ALL: For His compassions never fail
ONE: They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness
ALL: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him
ONE: The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him
ALL: It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord

OPENING HYMN   #651 Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer 

WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER  
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES     
OFFERING:       To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection      box at the entrance.... if you wish to give. Thank you.

OFFERTORY PRAYER
 HYMN:       # 376       Shine Jesus Shine

SCRIPTURE:         John 4:1-13    &    John 7:37-38
John 4:1-13 New International Version 
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.  So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,

John 7:37-38
New International Version37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

PRAYER  MEDITATION:        "Come and Drink"
 CLOSING HYMN:  
Peace Like a River
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul
 
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean
I've got love like an ocean in my soul
 
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN     ​

Announcements:                 Welcome Everyone!
Thank you Debra for leading us in worship today.
​
On October 17th … We are honoured to have a Blessing Service for Angus Lawrence Ouimet, son of Michael & Stacy Ouimet. 

Announcements                Welcome Everyone!
Thank you Nancy & Randy for leading us in worship today!
 
Pulpit Supply
Oct. 3rd -
Oct. 10th- Nancy & Randy Campbell
Oct. 17th- Elizabeth Waller
Oct. 24th-
Oct. 31st- Kevin Harvey
Nov. 7th- Stewart Burrows
Nov. 14th- Nancy & Randy Campbell
Nov. 21st. – Kevin Harvey
Nov. 28th-
Dec. 5th- Kevin Harvey
Dec. 12th- Stewart Burrows
Dec. 19- Nancy & Randy Campbell
 

Webmaster's note : to help make this description more lively I have included videos of the hymns usually sung in our church but here they are from YouTube.​​

ROCKBURN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 22, 2021
 
Worship Leaders: Stewart Burrows    Clerk of Session: Shirley McNaughton      
Music Director: Nancy Campbell
Board of Managers: Robert Waller   Treasurers: Sophie & Christine Caza                              Rockburn Carolers: Eric Pritchard     Youth Leader: Christine Caza                    
Sunday School: Grace Sutton
Worship Coordinator/Bulletins: Elizabeth Waller   450-827-2668                          Rockburn Presbyterian Church Website:   Marcelle Chabot  www.rockburnpresbyterian.org
 
PRELUDE:                 Chenaniah
 
PROCESSIONAL:    Thy Word   

​CALL TO WORSHIP:
 L: Whom do you seek here in this place?
P: We seek God, the creator, who brought us to life.
L: Who has told you of God?
P: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has shown us the love of God   
     through his life.
L: Discipleship is difficult. Are you ready?
P: We want to be ready. Lord, strengthen and sustain us this
    day. Amen.
 
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN:   # 412    Come Let Us Sing
​

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN:            # 359  The Great Physician
​

​BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN                                                  
POSTLUDE:  Chenaniah     
Announcements:               Welcome Everyone!
Thank you Stewart for leading us in worship today.

Today's Bulletin:
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN:   # 410   Joyful, Joyful
 
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER              
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
HYMN:              # 377   Come Children Join To Sing
OFFERING:  
  To follow Co-vid protocol we have placed a collection box on the table.... if you wish to give.      Thank you
 
OFFERTORY PRAYER:  
 
HYMN:       #  293   Come Thou Almighty
           
MEDITATION:   “The Seed”  (Parable of Sowing Seed)
                                    Luke: chapter 8 vs 4-15
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN:        # 338      Let All Things
 
BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN            
POSTLUDE                      
Announcements:    
 Welcome Everyone!
               Thank you Kevin for leading us in worship today.
 
2021 UPCOMING PULPIT SUPPLY & EVENTS:
August 22- Stewart Burrows
August 29- Nancy & Randy Campbell
Sept. 5 – Kevin Harvey
Sept. 12-  Joe Hevesy