Centering: But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

*Gathering Hymn: Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God   V.U. #356

*Call to worship: (responsively)

One: We sing a new song to you 0 God
All: For you have done marvelous things
One: You keep your promise to all people
All: You love us and all people everywhere
One: We praise you with songs and shouts of joy.
All: Sing and shout for joy all the earth
One: Come let us worship
All: Come let us worship together.

Prayer of Approach: (in unison)
Giver of love and joy, we give thanks that you call us your friends.
Help us, your followers, to call creation our friend. May we see all
people as friends. May we treat them with respect and
compassion. May we keep your commandment to love one
another just as you love us. Amen.

Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus      V.U. #664

Prayer of Renewal: (in unison)
All: Gracious God, we ask for your presence in our lives. We
realize that we do not always follow your path to our future
with you. Sometimes, we get sidetracked and wander
another way. Help us to know you better and to accept our
place in your world as your disciples.
Silence
Assurance of Pardon
One: Our God is a compassionate God, an understanding God.
Peace and pardon are yours. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God

Sung Response:           Halle, Halle,           V.U. #958

We Listen For The Word of God

Scripture reading:       Matthew 6: 24 - 34
Ministry of Music:
Scripture reading:       Psalm 139

*Hymn of Praise: 0 Lord My God (How Great Thou Art)   V.U. #238

Remembrances of Wesley Leonard

Wesley was born in Chengtu, China, to missionary parents, William
Mark Leonard and Edith Annie (Weekes) Leonard. His family moved
back to Canada in 1924, living first in Glencoe and subsequently Delhi.
As his father, now a United Church minister, changed pastoral charges,
Wesley attended various schools in Houghton, Delhi, Tillsonburg, and
Dunnville, graduating from Dunnville H.S. in June 1937. He took a
course in auto mechanics by correspondence at the age of 18.

In the next stage in his life, he worked at a number of auto garages in
the Delhi area while regularly attending his father's sermons, singing
in church choirs, and developing a taste for photography. Then, in
1950, he set out on the adventurous stage of his life.

Travelling by motorcycle and sidecar, which contained all his supplies
as well as a fold-out tent, he made his way to Vancouver, where he
paused for a year, before setting sail for New Zealand. During 1952
and 1953, he toured both New Zealand and Australia, relying on his
mechanic's skills to obtain work as needed. He joined the Methodist
Mission in 1953 and was sent first to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea,
and then New Georgia, Solomon Islands. He served as the mission
camp's engineer, attending to all things mechanical and electrical.

Wesley returned to Canada in 1957, a voyage during which he made
stops in Australia, South Africa, the Canary Islands, and the U.K. He
made a triumphant ride, still on the same motorcycle and sidecar,
from Montreal to Ottawa, impressing his nieces and nephews there.
Eventually, he settled in Port Rowan in about 1960, where he set up
an auto repair business, married Marie Irene Moote (in 1964), and
began his long service to Neal Memorial United Church.

          May God Bless You