The Worship of Dayspring Presbyterian Church, Edmonton
10:00 am on 27 July 2025
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs Music director: Binu Kapadia
Worship & Children’s Time led by Shirley Simpson
Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan Elder & Reader: Gina Kottke
We gather to worship God
Music prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: and also with you.
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship
Call to Worship
L: We come before God with thanks and praise.
P: We will praise God for God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
L: We bow before God in worship.
P: We will worship God, for the glory of the Lord is great.
L: We lift up our prayers to God with confidence.
P: We have faith that God answers our prayers and increases our strength.
Opening praise: Bless the Lord, O my soul
Prayers of approach and confession
Ever present God,
we seek and you offer.
We ask and you give.
We knock and you open the door.
Ever gracious God,
you hear the requests of your people
and in your goodness, you answer.
In Christ, you offer the gifts of new life and hope
to all who seek your blessing.
Through your Spirit, you pray within us,
even when we cannot find words ourselves.
Receive our praise and our prayers this day, O God,
and draw us into your holy presence,
so that your love will transform us
to serve you in the world you love.
Ever faithful God,
quickly we forget the gifts we have received from your grace;
instead of giving thanks, we ask for more.
We complain about what we lack and fail to trust your generosity.
We refuse others the forgiveness we seek for ourselves.
Forgive us, O God.
Transform our hearts and reshape our desires
to reflect your goodness in the way we live. Amen.
Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord
Assurance of God’s Pardon
Hear the good news: God is generous and merciful, ready to forgive, offering us new life in Christ Jesus. Accept God’s gift of forgiveness and share this gift with others.
We listen for the voice of God
Children’s time
Response: Jesus loves me (373)
Story: The Little Red Apple
A little red apple clung tightly to the tree branch as a gust of wind blew by. A bigger and older apple noticed and said to the little apple “you sure are hanging on to the branch for dear life”.
The little apple said “I am, I don’t want to fall to the ground, can’t you see all the rotten apples and worms and bugs all over them? That’s not for me, I want to be picked by a special family and taken home and be the brightest apple in their fruit bowl”.
The big apple said, “good things come from the ground and there’s more to life than shiny red skin.
“I know”, said the little apple, “but maybe one of the kids will take me to school and eat me for lunch. After then have tasted my tasty fruit and all that’s left is my core, she will….she will, throw me in the garbage. That might be worse”.
“Yes”, replied the older apple, “that’s what your life would be like if you decided to live for the moment and choose to reap quick rewards”.
“What do you mean, what other life is there?” asked the little apple.
“Well, when the wind comes up you may be shaken from the tree and fall to the ground. Your shiny red skin will keep you from splitting apart. Once you are on the ground a hungry bird or squirrel may take you and carry you far away. Once it’s finished with you, your real work begins. Once your fruit rots in the ground, your seeds will be buried into the earth and eventually something amazing happens. Your seeds begin to sprout breaking through the ground and the sun and rain helps the sprout grow into a small tree, eventually the tree will grow and produce apples of its own and from then on the tree will produce hundreds of apples. So you see little apple, there is a lot more you can be”.
All the little red apple could say was “wow” and as the wind picked up they were both hoping they would fall to the ground.
Our lives can be very much like the little apple. We could choose to live for the moment and fulfill our own plans and desires. The plan we have for our lives may be good but God always has a better plan for us if we are patient, take the time and listen to what he softly tells us. We could surround ourselves with many things to make us comfortable but they only last one season or we could use the time and talent God gave us for his purpose and glory. It is only then we can reach our full potential. Let us pray.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to take the time to listen to what you want us to be. Help us to slow down and even though we may not want to, do everything with the knowledge that you know best.
Now lets prayer the prayer Jesus taught us…..
The Lord’s Prayer (535)
Transition music
Song: Those who wait upon the Lord (662)
Today’s Message
Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6 & Romans 10:6-13
Response: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
Message: Life in Scriptures
I grew up going to Church. That is how I started a testimonial I presented at my previous Church about 8 years ago.
Jesus did tell his disciples to let the little children go to him, but this passage is not literally about children but rather about cultivating a spirit of humility, trust and openness to God similar to how children approach the world. It is a reminder that entering the Kingdom of God requires a change of heart and a willingness to rely on God’s grace just as a child relies on a parent.
My mom did take it literally though. Every Sunday, my mom and dad and my brother and I with our Sunday School books in hand and a dime for the children’s offering would go off to Church, didn’t know anything different. I always knew Jesus and God existed but didn’t dive deeply into what that meant.
After my youngest brother was born my dad announced he would no longer be attending church. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, he said. The term cleanliness is next to godliness is not in the bible, it is attributed to John Wesley who used the phrase in his 1791 sermon “On Dress” he said and I quote “let it be observed that slovenliness is no part of religion; that neither this, nor any text of Scripture, condemns neatness of apparel. Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness, end quote. Isaiah tells us to stop doing evil, but neither Isiah or John Wesley said anything about staying home to wash the kitchen floor but as kids who were we to argue.
After graduating from Sunday school my brothers quit going to Church but I went every Sunday with my mom and sat in the Simmonds Family Pew at McDougall United Church. There I sat with my mom, grandpa and uncle listening to what was being said but really not taking it in. Sure I thought there was a heaven and when you died you went to heaven and saw your loved ones that died before you. I was in a rut in my faith. We are reminded in Psalms how God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.
It is said when in the face of a tragedy you can either run to or run away from God and your faith. October 18, 1981 my family and I faced a tragedy. I was involved in a fatal car accident where the love of my life was killed and I was critically injured. We are told to love the Lord with all our heart and that means even when thing aren’t going well. My family did turn to their faith for help and as I lay in the hospital bed I was continually prayed for. The power of prayer does work and Isaiah 40 verse 29 says he gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. God gave me the power to learn to walk again and my family who were powerless got through this tough time.
At some point I had a vision. In this vision I was going down a hall towards a bright light. In that light were my 2 grandmas, my cousin who died of cancer, Tom, who was killed in the car accident and a man I didn’t know who could have been my dad’s dad as he died before I was born and Jesus. As I was going towards the light one of my grandmas said turn around go back we don’t want you yet, go back. Had I not turned back, would I have been dead? Psalm 139 speaks of God knowing all the days ordained for a person before they even exist. And Job tells us God has a predetermined plan for each life including its end. So, as the saying goes, it wasn’t my time. I had a lot more to do in my life. But what?
Eventually I married, had kids and my husband and I took them to church but was never really enthusiastic about my faith. Sure we were both involved in that Church. My husband sang in the Church choir and I was in charge of the Nursery as both my kids were in the nursery at that time. My husband had to leave for Church early to practice before the service so I was responsible for getting 2 toddlers and myself ready and out the door to sit in the church basement in the Nursery. It wasn’t the best place for me to be week after week when I was questioning my faith. It wasn’t long before I quit going to Church.
I continued on this way questioning my faith until March 23, 2010. My dad died and I was mad, I was mad at God. Not only did he allow my dad to die he allowed my dad to die and leave my mom alone. It was at that point I knew that God didn’t exist. That anger stayed with me for a long time. Psalms talks about people lamenting to God and questioning his actions.
I was mad for a long time and wouldn’t attend church. Eventually after much coaxing from my mom I went back. There I would sit in the back row listening to the minister not believing anything he said. But meanwhile at Church, I was chairman of the board and very much involved. As you could say I was great at putting on a Christian face. I spent many years having terrible doubts in my faith. It is said without faith it is impossible to please God for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. At that time in my life I definitely didn’t believe and didn’t seek him out.
It had been suggested to me that I attend Cursillo, a weekend retreat at Camp Kannawin to get back to my faith. I attended for a few years, presenting talks, helping with the planning of the weekend, again, wearing my Christian mask. While everyone there was on fire for the Lord, I sat looking at my watch waiting for the next break wondering what’s wrong with me?
The phrase God works in mysterious ways originated from a hymn by William Cowper “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”. Isaiah tells us God says your thoughts are not my thoughts nor are your ways my ways for as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Anyway, one Friday night I received a phone call that would change my life. I volunteer with the CNIB and have a couple of vision mates that I go visit. One of them, Therese, phoned me telling me she won tickets for I think it was Garth Brooks in Calgary and asked if I wanted to go. I can’t I said, I am going on a retreat which was the same weekend. Therese asked me what retreat and I told her Cursillo. What made me say that, I had no intention of going. Jeremiah says the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me “now I have put my words in your mouth”. For that brief moment I felt like Jeremiah having the Lord put his hand on my mouth and I spoke His words. I knew it was a sign and I had to go.
At some point during the weekend I renewed my faith and knew that God does exist. As soon as I recognized him as my creator and saviour I felt a load lifted off my shoulders. From then on I have no doubt there is a God. Paul reminds us that regardless of our station in life God is the one ultimately judging all we do and our service is really for him.
March 29, 2022 another sad day in my life, my mom and best friend died. Unlike when my dad died, this time I wasn’t mad at God. Sure I had my moments after all she was my mom, but this time I knew where she was going. John 14 verses 2 and 3 says “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you myself so that where I am you may be also.
As my mom lay in the hospital bed with my brothers and me gathered around her and her heart beating for the last time it was comforting for me to know that Jesus had indeed taken her home. Who knows whether her parents and brother were waiting for her telling her to go towards them.
Looking back at my life, I am now like that little child relying on God’s grace. God kept me alive after the car accident for a reason. Maybe it was to go out and share His goodness and mercy in all I do.
As you can see I do have a life in scriptures. I challenge you all this week to look back at your life, the good and the bad and find scriptures relating to those events. I am sure you will say “I have a life in scriptures as well”. Amen.
Song: O love that wilt not let me go (209)
We respond to serve God: Our time of giving
Reflection on giving: God responds to our needs and requests with great generosity. Such is God’s great love. Let us share God’s love with others through the offerings we present. May God bless the giver, the gift and it’s use.
Prayers of the people
Loving and Holy God,
we come before you in prayer,
trusting that your power works in the world in ways that we cannot imagine.
We thank you for calling goodness forward,
for supporting love and creating justice
even in situations which seem hopeless to us.
Draw on our prayers this day as signs of your Spirit at work in our lives:
God of the world and all its peoples,
we pray today for those who lift up their voices in troubled nations…
in Ukraine, Palestine, and Yemen.
Call the powerful to account, O God,
and inspire leaders with the courage
to listen to voices that cry out in pain and desperation.
God of our everyday lives,
we pray today for all those whose daily lives have been disrupted
by forces beyond their control:
those struggling with the effects of illness,
those burdened by the rising costs of daily needs,
those facing effects of climate change on their communities.
Inspire governments to combine compassion and good planning to respond to those who face such upheaval.
God of the courageous and compassionate,
we pray for those who live out their commitment to the well-being of others day by day, in health care, education, social work, public service and environmental concern. Support them in times of stress
and inspire them to speak out when they see needs being neglected.
God of our homes and families,
we pray for our friends and neighbours near and far, for all who travel and for those who find themselves strangers in new communities.
Draw near to each one in deep need, especially those on our hearts this day.
Equip us to support those lives that intertwine with ours,
for we are your people, embraced by your love.
In the loving name of Jesus our Lord we pray all these things and more. Amen.
Song: Amazing grace, my chains are gone
Sending out with God’s blessing
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. And may the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Response: Benediction (as you go)
Music postlude
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Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
Shirley Simpson retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as she is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is her own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.