Bulletin – Sunday, June 28, 2026 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost / Baptism and Confirmation

Sunday, June 28, 2026
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Baptism and Confirmation

We Gather as a People of Faith

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle(s)

We light this candle as a symbol of our intention to be open and attentive to God’s presence and guiding light during our time of worship. As we enter into this special time of ceremony of welcoming Jindong Zhao into the community of faith through the waters of baptism, may this light burn brightly in each and every one of our hearts and illuminate our way throughout all our days as we support one another as followers of the Jesus way.

Minute Person

Announcements

Call to Worship

One:   We come to bathe in the warmth of God’s love. refreshed by the Spirit wind, cleansing the earth, renewed through the companionship of Jesus, showing us the way.
All:      We come to drink deep of Jesus’ living water, restoring our souls in God’s river of faith. We come to embrace in our hearts and minds the good news of God’s love.

Please join in the singing of the hymn “Will You Come and Follow Me” (Voices United #567)

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown?
Will you let my name be known?
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for fool and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk a hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
And do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
To reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same
In your company I’ll go
Where your love and footsteps show
Thus I move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Loving God, we think we are a worldly people and know the road to follow too often we misguide ourselves and others. Show us how to weave Jesus’ self-giving servanthood into our lives that we may become society’s yeast. A yeast that gives rise to living in right relations building bridges where there are divisions

As we near the celebration of Canada Day help us to be grateful and curious of all those who make this a unique mosaic of your creation. Gracious for the mystery of God poured out in everyone

As we enter the rhythm of the summer months, help us to rest and to sink into this time of renewal with you that we may become a resurrected people renewed in our relationship with you and the Spirit.

Words of Assurance

God is with us in times of change, in times of repose. The Spirit encourages and sustains us. Together we are the body of Christ valuing our differences, living our faith witnessing to the love of God in the world seeking wisdom, as we work for equity and justice for all.

Sung Response – “Kyrie Eleison”

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison”

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Reading

The first scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 12:7-14

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits,  to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

The second reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 10:7-11; 24-27, 40-42

⁷ As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” ⁸ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. ⁹ Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave.

²⁴ ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; ²⁵ it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. ²⁶ ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. ²⁷ What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.

⁴⁰ ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; ⁴² and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!

Please join in the singing of the hymn “Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters” (Voices United #442)

Wash, O God, our sons and daughters
Where your cleansing waters flow
Number them among your people
Bless as Christ blessed long ago
Weave them garments bright and sparkling
Compass them with love and light
Fill, anoint them, send your Spirit
Holy dove and heart’s delight

We who bring them long for nurture
By your milk may we be fed
Let us join your feast partaking
Cup of blessing, living bread
God, renew us, guide our footsteps
Free from sin and all its snares
One with Christ in living, dying
By your Spirit, children, heirs

Oh, how deep your holy wisdom
Unimagined, all your ways
To your name be glory, honor
With our lives we worship, praise
We your people stand before you
Water-washed and Spirit born
By your grace, our lives we offer
Recreate us; God, transform!

Reflection Introduction to the Baptism Liturgy

Baptism Liturgy

One:   Sisters and Brothers, let us celebrate God’s gift of grace given to us in the sacrament of baptism.
All:      There is one body and one Spirit; we have one hope in Christ.

One:   There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, Creator of us all.
All:      Out of the water of baptism we rise with new life, forgiven, renewed, and one with Christ, members of Christ’s body.

One:   On behalf of the congregation of Windsor Park United Church I present Jingdong Zhao for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism and membership into the United Church of Canada

Jingdong Zhao …..(Brief summary of Jingdong)

“Everything happens according to God’s plan.

After arriving in Winnipeg on July 27, 2024, I wanted to become part of the local community, find a deeper meaning in life, and learn to live with kindness and love for others. During this journey, I decided to follow Jesus Christ.

On July 30, 2024, while my family was looking for an apartment near Windsor Park Collegiate, we saw Windsor Park United Church for the first time. The beautiful church building, garden, and little free library attracted me. I then learned more about the church and discovered a welcoming community centered on Christian faith.

On August 11, 2024, I attended worship at WPUC for the first time. Rev. Patricia Baker shared the meditation “Our Relationship with Jesus,” which deeply touched me. Since then, I have been learning about Jesus, reading the Bible, and participating in church life.

Looking back, I believe God has been guiding me. I would like to be baptized, publicly confess Jesus Christ as my Savior, and continue to grow in faith.”

One:   Jingdong, do you believe in God, Source of love; in Jesus Christ, love incarnate; and in the Holy Spirit, love’s power.
Jingdong:     I do, by the grace of God.

One:   Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
Jingdong:     I will, God being my helper.

One:   Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ?
Jingdong:     I will, God being my helper.

One:   Will you join with your brothers and sisters in this community of faith to celebrate God’s presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others?
Jingdong:     I will, God being my helper.

One:   Gayle Henders as the sponsor from the Community of Faith, will you pray for Jingdong Zhao, encourage him by your words and actions, and walk with him in the way of Jesus?
Gayle:            I will God being my helper.

One:   Let us pledge to him now all of our support and care.
All:      As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.

One:   May God grant us all the grace to live out our baptism.
All:      Amen.

Please all join in praying the New Creed

We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.

Baptism in the Name of the Triune God

One:   Please join me in praying:

One:   God be with you.
All:      And also with you.

One:   Lift up your hearts.
All:      We lift them to God.

One:   Let us give our thanks to God.
All:      It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Pour Water into Font

One:   Gracious and Holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation. By water, comes the growth of the earth. Through water, you led the children of Israel to freedom. In the waters of the Jordan your Child Jesus was baptized. Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray.
All:      Amen.

One:   Jingdong Zhao I baptize you, in the name of the Father, the Creator, the Son, the one who redeems us and the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier.
All:      Amen.

One:   May the blessing of God, the mother and father of us all; Jesus Christ, Love incarnate, and the Holy Spirit, Love’s power, be with you today and always.
All:      Amen.

One:   Jingdong Zhao, I mark you with the cross, the sign of Love Incarnate.
All:      Amen.

One:   Jingdong Zhao the Holy Spirit be upon you and within you, Jingdong Zhao Child of God, Disciple of Christ, and Member of the United Church of Canada
One:   Amen.

Giving of Symbols (Judi Olsen)

1. 1. The Bible and the Book Living Buddha Living Christ

One:   Jingdong, may the words in the Holy Scripture be a source of inspiration for you. May the Holy Spirit be nurtured in you through these pages through the words of the prophets and the disciples. May you come to know ever more deeply the Road to walk as a follower of Jesus

One:   May God’s truth and wisdom speak to you in the words of the Living Buddha Living Christ

1. 1. Lighting of the Christ Candle to give to him

One:   Jingdong, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and give glory to God.
All:      Amen.

Please welcome Jingdong Zhao into the Body of Christ and into the Windsor Park United Church Community. We are blessed to be in relationship with one another.

One:   The grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, the Holy Spirit keep you.
All:      Amen.

We Respond to God’s Word

An Invitation to Share

I invite you to bring forward the gifts of the people.

Offering Sung Response – “Grant Us, God, The Grace” (Voices United #540)

Grant us God the grace of giving with a spirit large and free,

That ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully

Offering Prayer

Let us embrace the promise of love through the gifts of our offering as we seek to further God’s eternal work of acceptance, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in the world. Amen

Prayers of the People

One:   We offer this prayer to you O Loving Creator.
All:      God in you we trust.

Invitation to Passing of the Peace

Please offer one another the peace of Christ in a way that you feel comfortable and respects others’ space.

The Prayer that Jesus Taught

One:   Please join me in praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Creator who is like…
All:      Our Mother and 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. 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.

We Go Into God’s World

Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Forth in Your Name, O Christ” (Voices United #416)

Forth in your name, O Christ we go
Our daily labour to pursue,
You, only you, resolved to know
In all we think, or speak, or do.

The task your wisdom has assigned
Here let us cheerfully fulfil,
In all our works your presence find,
And prove your good and perfect will.

You may we set at our right hand,
Whose eyes our inmost secrets view,
And labour on at your command,
And offer all our works to you.

Help us to bear your easy yoke,
In every moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to that glorious day.

Then with delight may we employ
All that your bounteous grace has given,
And run our earthly course with joy,
And closely walk with you to heaven.

Commissioning

Today we celebrated the baptism of Jingdong Zhao. May we be grateful for his presence with us as we begin our new relationship as we enter this month of rest, may we allow the spirit to find us, rest with us, and nurture us that we may be ever more ready to be disciples of the Jesus way for a world groaning in pain, and bursting with joy.

Benediction

Go now holding each other in prayer as we go out into the world remember that God is with you. You are guided by the wisdom of the Risen Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit are called to be the light for the world

Go now in God’s peace. Amen.

The Christ Candle is extinguished.

Sung Response – “May the Grace of Christ Attend Us”  (VU #963)

May the grace of Christ attend us,
And the love of God surround us,
And the Holy Spirit keep us
Now and ever. Amen.