Draw the Circle Wide#145 More Voices

Words and music by Gordon LightUsed under License…

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

God the still-point of the circle,‘round whom all creation turns;Nothing lost, but held forever,in God’s gracious arms.

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Let our hearts touch far horizons,so encompass great and small;let our loving know no borders,faithful to God’s call.

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Let the dreams we dream be larger,than we’ve ever been before;let the dream of Christ be in us,open every door.

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Do you know who we are?

Christian Island United Church

Georgina Island United Church

Christian Island United Church

Georgina Island United Church

Prayer (in unison)

A world where all humansAre brother and sister,That is your intentionMother/Father God.

Open our eyesTo see in the otherThe child that you love.Break down stereotypes,Calm our fears,Challenge our privilege.

Heal our heartsTo love as you love. Amen.

Scripture Reading John 8:48-50

O God, We Call

#411 Voices UnitedWords and Music by Linnea Good

Used under License…

O God we call, O God we call,from deep inside we yearn,

from deep inside we yearn,from deep inside we yearn

for you.

TRC CommisionerMarie Wilson

One: God of deep still waters, who guided our

ancestors’ canoes across the rivers of this great land,

All: hear our prayer now.

Prayer of Reconnecting

One: Creator, like children eager to share good news,we burst through the doors of this continent not stopping to think of the implications of our message’s delivery.

All: And we harmed those who we wished to help with our eagerness.

One: Holy One, though we camein your name,we failed to recognize your presencein the teachings of the cultures we visited.

All: And we failed to see Christin our brothers and sisters.

One: Spirit of Wisdom, we were asked to assist with education,but we taught only what we thought was ofimportance in our world.

All: And we failed to find aplace for traditional wisdom.

One: Loving God, we were entrusted with the children,a community’s most precious asset,but though we teach thatour God is a God of love,

All: we failed to safeguardagainst predators.

One: Great Heart, it is so difficult for us to behumble and caring.We easily forget theteachings of justice and right relationships.

All: And we fail to have the courage to resist evil.

One: Rock of Ages, we suffer from historical amnesia, we so easily forget that responsibility to care for the hurt and oppressed carries from generation to generation.

All: And we shirk the responsibilities sent by our ancestors.

One: Forgiving One, so many of our mistakes have stemmed from failing to listen.

All: Help us truly hear and take to heart all that has been shared here today that truth and reconciliation may be the signs by which our journey forward is known.

All: God of new beginnings, be with us as we dip our

paddles into the turbulentrapids of our time.With you, with one another,and with your good creation.Amen.

Words of Love

Prayer of Jesus

Many and Great

#308 Voices UnitedWords: Dakota Hymn, Joseph R. Renville 1842

Music: Dakota Melody, adapt. Joseph R. Renville 1842Used under License…

Many and great, O God, are your works, Maker of earth and sky.

Your hands have set the heavens with stars,

your fingers spread the mountains and plains.

Lo, at your word the waters were formed;

deep seas obey your voice.

Grant unto us communion with you, O star-abiding one.

Come unto us and dwell with us,

with you are found the gifts of life.

Bless us with life that has no end,

eternal life with you.

Benediction