160th Anniversary Musical Extravaganza

More photos at the end............................

Please note that the service was videotaped...

Celebrating 160 years

PRELUDE: The Franklin Ensemble

PROCESSIONAL:                      Amazing Grace (1779)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
ti once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now ti see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
When we've been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.


CALL TO WORSHIP:

ONE: Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord!
ALL: Praise the Lord! Give thanks to our God!
ONE: God has blessed us and brought us together to this time.
ALL: God has blessed us and brought us to this place.
ONE: In our 160 years together, our Church Family has weathered winters, storms and periods of drought.
ALL: In our 160 years together, our Church Family has enjoyed gentle sunshine, nourishing rains and the leisurely warmth of summer blessings.
ONE: For 160 years, God has nurtured and fed us, caused our roots to sink deep.
ALL: For 160 years, God has shown us His grace, growing fruit of abundant varieties.
ONE: For 160 years, God has made us witnesses in the world.
ALL: For 160 years, God has placed us in loving fellowship with one another.
ONE: Praise the Lord for 160 years! Praise our God for 160 more!
ALL: Praise the Lord evermore! Oh, praise the name of the Lord!



WELCOME: 

Throughout the Bible, the Lord reminds people to tell all generations of
their Lord's wonderful works. Part of what that means for us as a church, is that we must preserve the memory of how God has worked in our lives. A church that has a strong sense of its history will have a better sense of identity to build on for the future. Today we are going to take a look back to rediscover how our church came into being and how it has grown and changed over the years.

HYMN:         He Leadeth Me (1862)

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

1. Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
   Nor ever murmur nor repine;
   Content, whatever lot I see,
   Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
2. And when my task on earth is done,
   When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
   E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
   Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

.
SPECIAL MUSIC:

Sweet Hour Of Prayer (1845)          Valley Boys

PRAYER & LORD'S PRAYER:  
On this special Sunday of recognizing and remembering our
past and celebrating with the wonderful gift of music, we bring before You, Lord, our hopes and aspirations for our life together. We give thanks for all that has gone on before and we give thanks for all those who have gone before. And so today, we gather in Your name, to hear once again the stories of faith in song.

May we receive a new vision for the church which embodies the values of the kingdom of God. May we be a church where power is held lightly and where the good news of Jesus Christ for all people is made real among us.

May we be a church where all are welcome. May we be a church which
manifests unity through diversity. May we be a church where our weaknesses are completed in You as we find strength together.

And as we commit ourselves once again to the vision of our church , we
pray the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples: 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, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

SPECIAL MUSIC:
Hard Times Come Again No More (1854)        Joe Hevesy


ANNOUNCEMENTS, BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:

SPECIAL MUSIC:   How Great Thou Art    (1885)  Howard Welburn

(congregation joins in last verse and chorus)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God how great thou art!
Chorus:    Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!


SPECIAL MUSIC: How Can Keep From Singing? (1868) Stewart Burrows

ROCKBURN CHURCH:       THE HISTORY         Gordon Rennie

SPECIAL MUSIC: It Is Well With My Soul (1876)  Diane Morrison

LITANY:            

ONE: We are a remembering people.
ALL: We look back to God's saving acts in the Creation, the flood, the
covenant, the Exodus, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Church.
ONE: And we remember that God has chosen us, baptized us, welcomed us into the family of Jesus Christ, rooting our story with His eternal story.
ALL: I will open my mouth with a parable; I will teach you lessons from the past, things we have heard and known, things are ancestors have told us. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere (1910)  Howard Welburn

YMN:        Love Lifted Me       (1912)

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me — now safe am I.

Chorus:   
Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him  I'll  cling,
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service too to Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea, billows His will obey;
He your Saviour wants to be — be saved today.

SPECIAL MUSIC: In My Heart There Rings A  Melody    (1924)            Valley Boys

ROCKBURN CHURCH: THE FIXTURES & FURNISHINGS
 Eric Pritchard

As you enter the church, the original Bible and Communion Chalices are displayed in a case designed by John Howe and built by George F. Williams.

At the turn of the last century, the hanging light in the entry was given by the Mossop family.

The chandelier in the sanctuary still contain the original oil fixtures which are lit for Christmas Eve.

The stained glass window on the left side of the pulpit depicts the Beloved Teacher surrounded by a group of children. This window was given to the church by Jesse Reeves Ryser in 1967. The window on the right depicts St. Cecilia seated at the organ. It was donated in 1969 by friends and relatives of Mr. & Mrs. Gibson. Florence played the
original organ which was purchased in 1892. Her husband,
William, was Clerk of Session for 51 years. He also served as
Secretary Treasurer and choir director. In 1931, Mr. Gibson
designed the beautiful fir ceiling which was installed by David
Barrington of Ormstown.

The bell, which is rung every Sunday morning, was donated by Mrs. James Denham, Rossie Denham and Mr. George Goldie.

The tapestry of the Last Supper was purchased by the Evening Auxiliary of the women's Missionary Society. The pews were purchased in 1931 from St. Malachie  Church in Ormstown, and the Communion Table was given by the Cain family in memory of their parents and siblings.

The Bible was donated by Mr. Clark and the book mark and pulpit fall were obtained from the Outremont Presbyterian Church.

The church hall, where you are invited to congregate after the service for cake and reminiscing, was donated by the Orangemen.

We are very blessed to have so much of our heritage come from the love of God and the love shared between the members of this church and the community.


SPECIAL MUSIC: You're Going To Need Somebody On Your Bond (1930)   David Whyte and Kevin Harvey

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:
Almighty God, we give You thanks for the work you have done in this place over the past 160 years. We give You thanks for Your love and faithfulness. When we called on Your name, You made Your presence known to us. When we prayed, You heard us.

When we proclaimed and heard Your Word, and shared Your
Sacraments, You have been in our midst. You have sent Your Holy Spirit to heal and comfort our hurts, our sorrows, our infirmities and our losses. Continue to comfort, heal and lift up the broken and afflicted among us. By the promise of Your presence, bring us Your healing love. Bring us at last to the joy of Your eternal kingdom, where, with the faithful of this church who have gone before us, we may evermore praise Your name.

Blessed Lord, draw our hearts to You, guide our minds, fill our
imaginations, control our will and make us wholly Yours. Use us as
You will, to the glory of Your holy name and the welfare of Your
people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.


HYMN:                    
In The Bulb There Is A Flower (1985) 

In the bulb, there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree,
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will came the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection, at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

SPECIAL MUSIC: We Missed You At Church Last Sunday   (1973)        Kent Sutton

ROCKBURN CHURCH: THE FUTURE    Nancy Campbell

So many churches have closed their doors over the past two decades and many more are only a generation away from that happening to them. If we go back to the beginning of Christianity we see the church that Jesus started was breakthrough church. It was a living and growing church. Rockburn is a living and growing church.

We are of one mind, always working together. We are together in our thinking, our ministry and our worship. We have been willing to do whatever it takes to see the work of God go forward. We work alongside one another. We minister to each other as well as those outside the church. We are willing to do whatever it takes to see the work of God go forward in this church.

As we look forward to the future of our church, we will not be satisfied with the status quo. We choose to be a breakthrough church. A church that is alive and thriving. A church made up of members who are alive and thriving in their walk with God. Rockburn Presbyterian Church does have a future!

Let us pray: God of our present and our future, as we have gathered here today we wonder what our future will bring. Fill us with a vision for what we could be. Give us hope for our congregation and our community. Help us find the choices that lead to a life in abundance.

God of hope, show us the opportunities in our chaotic world, remind us to consider seriously where our priorities and loyalties lie, and fill us with hope in a new heaven and a new earth. God of our future, may we walk boldly into what may come, as people, not only of faith, but of hope. May we share Your hope and promise with the world
in which we live. Amen.


SPECIAL MUSIC: Hallelujah   (1984) Elisabeth Churchill

OFFERING:       
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below: Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Lord, we remember the faith of those from long ago. We honour their courage, their wisdom and determination on this day of celebration. We stand on the shoulders of many clouds of witnesses. We bring to You our time, talents and money to continue the work You began with our ancestors.

We stand in the middle of greater possibilities. You have carried us through many dangers, toils and snares. Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of men and women, things which You have prepared for those who love You. We bring all we have to You. Use it to continue the work You started long ago. Amen

SPECIAL MUSIC: Gloria (1987)  Rockburn Choir

HYMN:               Shine, Jesus, Shine             (1995)
Lord the light of your love is shining in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me; shine on me.

Shine Jesus shine; fill this land with the Father's glory;
Blaze, Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light!

As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory:
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story. Shine on me; shine on me.

BENEDICTION & CHORAL AMEN:
May the past be a light of benediction on the present.
May the present be a radiant searchlight on the future.
May the future be a beautiful haven of well-earned rest.
And may the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you.

POSTLUDE: Bless This House  (1927)      Chenaniah

"In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean to you?', you should tell them..."

Joshua 4:6-7
​​