Service Sunday October 18, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, October 18, 2026
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Anne Beattie-Stokes
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
Watch a video recording of the whole service below using YouTube
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
(For Rev. Peter’s Musings PDF version click this link)
this page.
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
MV #82 Bathe Me in Your Light v. 1
Bathe me in your light, O God of all, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
Acknowledgement of Territory (Unison)
With gratitude and respect we acknowledge that our sacred space is located on
Treaty 20 territory in the traditional lands of the Williams Treaties First Nations.
We acknowledge that we as settlers and newcomers are party to these treaties,
and so we seek to live in right relations with all as stewards of these lands and
waters and as those who care for the needs of all people.
THE APPROACH
Call to Worship
One: Worship arises from moments of amazement when the beauty of creation or the wonder of human life washes over us.
All: We worship with praise and say, Wow!
One: Worship arises from moments of gratitude when we are aware of how blessed we are.
All: We worship with joy and say, Thanks!
One: Worship arises from moments of need when we realize that we require
help.
All: We worship with hope and say, Help!
One: Let us worship God together
*Hymn: This Is God’s Wondrous World VU #296
1 This is God's wondrous world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is God's wondrous world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,
God's hand the wonders wrought.
2 This is God's wondrous world:
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is God's wondrous world:
God shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass or mountain pass,
God's voice speaks everywhere.
3 This is God's wondrous world:
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is God's wondrous world:
why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, let the heavens ring:
God reigns, let earth be glad!
Opening Prayer
Creator God, Maker of Wonders,
by day and night, light slants through the trees
and glitters on the water,
and we are filled with wonder.
silent prayer
Receive the praise that overflows from our hearts
Praise to you, Creator
Holy One, Source of Love,
our lives are filled with the blessings
of family, friends, faith,
silent prayer
Receive the praise that overflows from our hearts.
Praise to you, Unending Love.
Gracious Redeemer, present in every moment,
in times of grief or fear, in moments of confusion or regret,
we are in need of guidance, healing and strength.
Hear the cries for help that overflow from our hearts.
silent prayer
Praise to you, Redeemer and Friend.
Holy One, Source, Embodiment and Power of Love,
with overflowing hearts, we worship you.
Enable us to live our lives in you through Jesus our Christ
in whose name we pray. Amen
Ministry of Music: Flying Free Words and Music by Don Besig
Learning Together
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 6:5 - 13
Poem: I Happened to Be Standing Mary Oliver
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Ev’ry Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving MV #185
(Choir first time through, then Congregation join and sing again)
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving,
God, you’ve been so good to me.
Ev’ry day you’re blessing me.
Ev’ry day is a day of thanksgiving.
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today! Repeat
You keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me.
You opened the door that I might see,
you’re blessing me.
And you keep blessing me, blessing me, blessing me.
I will glorify you, O my Lord, today!
Message
The Only Three Prayers You’ll Ever Need
OUR RESPONSE
Prayers of the People and
The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU # 960)
*Hymn: Healer of our Every Ill VU #619
Refrain
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1 You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. R
2 In the pain and joy beholding,
how your grace is still unfolding.
Give us all your vision, God of love. R
Refrain
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
3 Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. R
4 You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. R
Presentation of our Offerings
Collection Plate is located on the back table
Offertory VU #544
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today.
to serve your cause and share your love with all along Christ’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 (Unison)
Holy One, our offering is an act of gratitude and a cry for our hurting world. Bless us and what we offer – our money, our gifts, our time, our prayers –and use all that we give for the sake of the world you love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sung Blessing Christ Has No Body Now But Yours MV 171
Christ has no body now 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.
Christ has no body now 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:
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.
