Service Sunday October 4, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, October 4, 2026
World Communion Sunday
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
Watch a video recording of the whole service below using YouTube
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(For Rev. Peter’s Musings PDF version click this link)
this page.
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
One: What is the body of Christ?
All: We are the Body of Christ.
One: What does the body consist of?
All: People worldwide who keep faith in the Good News of Christ Jesus.
One: Why are we here today?
All: We gather to worship and give thanks to the One who calls us here and lights our way.
One: Come, let us gather in the light of Christ to worship as the Body of Christ!
Written by Sandy Ferguson, Strathearn U.C., Edmonton, Alta.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.40. Used with permission.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
The United Church of Canada acknowledges that its buildings and ministries, from coast to coast to coast, are on traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples.
In this pastoral charge, we gather on the ancestral territory of the Nishnaabeg, with whom Treaty 20 and the Williams Treaties were signed.
Creator God, as we come together in worship, gathered on this territory, keep us mindful of the covenants that have been broken with First Nations Peoples. Be with us as we strive to work toward respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Our presence here this morning is an act of commitment to the communion of faith.
All: Thank you, God, for your eternal love that draws us to you and to each other.
One: Our openness to your word, O Lord, is an act of faith.
All: Help us grow together in understanding and compassion, in mercy and love, as part of the worldwide community of Christ.
One: Our involvement in this time together is an act of worship.
All: Accept our praise today, the songs from our hearts and psalms of our lives. Amen.
Written by Gill Le Fevre, Walton Memorial U.C., Oakville, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.41. Used with permission.
* HYMN: “We Gather Here” VU#469
We gather here in Jesus' name,
his love is burning in our hearts like living flame;
for through the loving son God fashions us as one:
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
come, share the Lord.
No one is a stranger here, - everyone belongs;
finding our forgiveness here,
we in turn forgive all wrongs.
2 He joins us here, he breaks the bread,
the One who pours the cup is risen from the dead;
the One we love the most is now our gracious host:
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
come, share the Lord.
We are now a family of which Christ is the head;
though unseen he meets us here
in the breaking of the bread.
3 We'll gather soon where angels sing;
we'll see the glory of our Lord and coming King;
now we anticipate the feast for which we wait:
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
come, share the Lord.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
One: We know that crying out our needs to God is not enough. We know that sin is not limited to what we recognize as sinful acts, small or large,. We know that we can focus our living on ways that close the door on God’s generous presence. We know that we are sinners in need of God’s grace, love, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We offer words of confession knowing that reality. Remembering the words of the Ten Commandments and Paul’s words to the Philippians that sometimes what we consider our greatest gains are actually our greatest losses, let us pray:
Gracious God, we acknowledge we need to confess our moral failings.
We confess now our moral failures when faced with decisions requiring us to choose between right and wrong. Often, we know the difference, but…
(a moment of silence)
We confess our relationship failures, selfish acts, and thoughtless words.
(a moment of silence)
We confess our impatience when God is slow to respond to us.
(a moment of silence)
We confess our omission of daily time to nurture our gift of faith, so that it is of sufficient measure to sustain us,
(a moment of silence)
We remind ourselves that we live in the in-between spaces of “Christ crucified…Christ risen.”
In the in-between spaces, the spaces where decisions and relationships are not easy, God is with us. Amen.
Words of Assurance
We believe God’s love and grace is infinite, meaning God forgives us.
All: We are a forgiving people! Thanks be to God.
Written by Bill Perry, Belleville, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.41. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 21: 33 - 46
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Whose Vineyard Is This Anyway?”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: sung VU#960
* COMMUNION HYMN: “All Who Hunger” VU #460 v1&2
1 All who hunger, gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
2 All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion's love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
God’s banquet is coming. A time when all will gather from north, east, west, and south. A banquet where the rich and powerful will sit with the weak and poverty-stricken. A table where young and old will learn from each other. A time when all will sit together in peace, “And the wolf will lie down with the lamb.” Here at this table we get a foretaste of God’s banquet. This is indeed God’s table, not the church’s, and so all who seek to follow The Way are welcome to eat and drink from it. Come and taste the grace eternal, come and see that God is good.
Thanksgiving
One: The Spirit of God be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
ALL: It is right that we give God our thanks and our praise.
One: God of the table, as we gather to taste your banquet, we offer prayers of thanksgiving. In this season of harvest, we give thanks for the fruit of the earth, for the food on our tables. In this global village, we give thanks for our brothers, sisters, and neighbours both near and far. In this world of strife and broken relationships, we give thanks for your hope, for the ways you draw us together. God of the banquet, we give thanks for your witness and work in the world across the ages. We remember Moses and Miriam and the people they led to freedom. We remember the prophets who arise over and over again to call your people back to the narrow path. We remember the countless saints who have gone before us, preparing the path, and we join our voices to theirs in hymns of thankfulness and praise. Holy, holy is your name indeed. Amen.
Remembering
One: In the midst of our thankfulness we remember the one in whose name we gather, Jesus, child of Mary. We thank you for his witness, for his commitment to your Way, for the way he brought healing to broken spirits and broken bodies. Thankfully we remember his life, his death, his resurrection, and his promised return for the banquet of grace. Now, as we gather at the table, we remember the last meal he shared with his friends. How they gathered in an upper room to celebrate the story of liberation and freedom. How he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and passed it among them saying, “Take, eat. This is my body broken for you. When you eat this, remember me.”
Then later he took the cup. He blessed it and passed it saying, “This cup is the cup of the new covenant, made in my blood. Whenever you drink from it, remember.”
And so, God of cross, empty tomb, and banquet, we remember the life and death of Jesus and we give thanks for the love he poured out on all he met: sinner and saint, leper and clean, Jew and Gentile. We remember and we share that great and terrible mystery:
ALL: Christ has died, Christ has Risen, Christ will come again. Amen.
Transforming
One: God, you call us to eat and drink together. You call us to let the Spirit wash through our lives. As we eat and drink, may we feel the fire of the Spirit in our bellies, the wind of the Spirit in our hair, and the love of the Spirit in our hearts. May the Spirit’s presence make this meal one that changes us and, through us, changes the world. Amen.
Conclusion
One: God of the banquet that is and is to come, we gather with your people all around the world to remember and share this meal. Creator, Source of Love, Christ, Love incarnate, Spirit, Love’s flowing power be praised. Now and forever. So be it. And the people all cried, “Amen.”
ALL: Amen.
Fraction and Distribution
One: The bread we break is the bread of life.
The cup we share is the cup of love.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
One: Come and eat, the banquet awaits.
Prayer following Communion: Unison
We have eaten, we have drunk, we have tasted your goodness. May this meal we have shared here today fill our souls with love. May the meal we share with all the world fill the world with hope. May we leave this table refreshed and replenished, ready to be recipients and agents of grace. Amen.
Written by Gord Waldie, Riverview U.C., Atikokan, Ont.
Gathering, Summer/Autumn 2006, pages 48 & 49. Used with permission.
* COMMUNION HYMN: “All Who Hunger” VU #460 v3
3 All who hunger, sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table
live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
AFFIRMING MOMENT
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Collection Plate is located on the back table
OFFERTORY HYMN: VU #544
In gratitude and humble trust
we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love
with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day
until life's work is done.
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
Generous God of boundless mercy and care, may our offering today make a difference in the unnoticed and unknown places where your love is most deeply needed. Inspire us to sustain your ministries of hope and encouragement, of peace and acceptance. Extend our service to reach the corners of our communities and our world where your presence is most needed. Amen.
Written by Gill Le Fevre, Walton Memorial U.C., Oakville, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.41 Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING Christ Has No Body Now but Yours MV #171 vs 4
Refrain Christ has no body now but yours, no hands but yours.
Here on this earth, yours is the work,
to serve with the joy of compassion.
Through ev’ry gift, give back to those in need;
as Christ has blessed, so now be his blessing,
with ev’ry gift a benediction, be to the people of God. Refrain
SENDING FORTH:
A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748,
Valid for: 26/10/2025 - 25/10/2026; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
