Hybrid Church July 19, 2026 “Eighth Sunday of Pentecost” Rev. Sally Bullas Musician: Ian Cox

Hybrid Church

July 19, 2026

“Eighth Sunday of Pentecost”

 

 

Rev. Sally Bullas

Musician: Ian Cox

 

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

 

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Words for Worship

Words of response are in bold & italics

 

Prelude

 

Acknowledgement of the Land

We prayerfully acknowledge with thanksgiving that we

gather on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people. Gracious God, help us to seek a new relationship with the first peoples here, one based in honour and respect. Amen.

 

Centering & Stillness                                                                                  

            “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my           anxious thoughts.   See if there is any offensive way in me,
            and lead me in the way everlasting.   “                                             (Psalm 139:23-4)
                                                           

(invitation to sit in silence)

 

Introit: All Creatures of Our God and King                             VU #217

 

Opening Words                                                  (Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, worshipwords.co.uk)

God, you came into the world weak:
A baby born in a stable,
Sleeping in a feeding trough
With animal sounds and smells all around.
            This is how love came to earth.

God, you have made us vulnerable.
Our bodies can get sick and hurt.
Our hearts are easily broken.
Life is not always safe.
            This is how love lives on earth.

God, you have also made us resilient.
Bodies can heal.
Hearts can mend.
Lives and communities can change.
            This is how love heals us all.

God, your power is made perfect in our weakness.
For weakness breaks us open
And makes room for us to grow and flourish
            So that we can be your love

            Today, tomorrow and every day.
Let us worship our God.

 

 

Lighting of the Christ Candle

For the love of Christ,
       we bring light into the world.

(Christ Candle is lit)

 

Prayer of Confession                              (Ana Gobledale, worshipwords.co.uk, adapted)

What’s this pit in my stomach, God?
Where has my equilibrium gone?
            Why does my trust waver?
Events, some which have not yet transpired, fill me with fear.
The writing – bold crude graffiti – seems to be on the walls
Surrounding my thoughts
            Love, break through
Hope, shine relentlessly into this darkness
Unity, remind us of our humanness, our oneness, our sameness
            Forgive my doubt
Do I have the strength of faith to endure a world at war?
Do we have the will to avoid it?
Release me from this strangling cord of despair.
Release us from our hatred of one another.
            Open my heart to you
Open our hearts to love
            One more day
Everyday

 

Words of Assurance                                                         (Sam Goodman, worshipwords.co.uk)

Hold onto the tears
            Dwell in the lament
Gently adhere
            Live with intent

Grasp the purpose
            Seize the joy
Not things that hurt us
            Let hope be employed

Touch the expanse
            Of divinity rejoicing
Join in the dance
            That eternity is voicing

Feel the embrace
            Of angels thronging
Come face to face
            By belonging

 

Hymn: You, God, Are My Firmament                                       VU #279

Passing of the Peace

May the peace of Christ be with you.

       And also with you.

Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

 

Prayer Before the Reading of Scripture

By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

 

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19a (NRSV)                                          Reader: Betty Schultze

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a stairway set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring, and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.

 

This is the Word of God.

       Thanks be to God.

 

Gospel Reading                                                                             Reader: Betty Schultze

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel.

 

God be with you. 
          And also with you.

The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

          Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

 

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field, but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’

 

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”  He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.  Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.  The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

 

This is the Gospel of Christ.  

            Thanks be to God.      

 

Reflection: “Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth”

 

Hymn: Oh a Song Must Rise                                                    MV #142

 

Offering

 

Doxology (sung)                                                                                                                                CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

 

 

Offering Prayer                                                                                                                  (worshipwords.co.uk)
Loving God, thank you for all the gifts you have given us.

            Help us be grateful.

Now we share our gifts.

            Please accept these gifts of love that we offer to enhance the lives of others.

For you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sister, we do for you.

            Thank you for providing us with the means, the will and the     opportunity to share your love.

May our gifts be used for your mission in our church and the world.   
            Amen

 

Prayers of the People                                                          Susan Brockley                                                                                              

God of infinite mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 

The Prayer of Jesus (sung)                                                                                        VU #959

            Our Father in heaven,
            hallowed be your name,

            your Kin-dom come,
            your will be done
            on earth as in heaven. 

            Give us today our daily bread.

            Forgive us our sins

            as we forgive
            those who sin against us.

            Save us from the time of trial

            and deliver us from evil

            for the Kin-dom, the power
            and the glory are yours,

            now and forever.

 

Hymn: I Have Called You by Your Name                                 MV #161

 

Blessing                                                                              (Ana Gobledale, worshipwords.co.uk)

God’s peace: carry, keep and hold you.
God’s love: nourish, bless and enfold you.
God’s spirit: inspire, lift and mold you.
May God, merciful and just, help you persevere on the path before you.

 

Postlude