HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, October 25, 2026
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
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)
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
We give thanks for the First Peoples who welcomed our ancestors to this territory with hospitality, and we acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Michi-Saagig and Anishinaabeg peoples. We give thanks for the ancestors, the elders, and our Indigenous siblings, who helped us to live in this part of our world, and we thank them for their care of creation. Our spirits are gathered, our hearts and minds are ready! Let us worship God!
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: We come to worship the God who was with us in the past.
All: Thanks to be God
One: We come to worship |Jesus, the Word of God in the present.
All: Thanks be to God
One: We come to worship in the awe of the Holy Spirit, at work in the present and the future.
All: Thanks be to God, who has been with us, who is with us, and who will be with us always.
Written by Catherine Towell, while at Kilworth U.C., London, ON
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.31. Used with permission.
* HYMN: “When I Needed a Neighbour” VU#600
1 When I needed a neighbour, were you there,
were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter,
were you there?
2 I was hungry and thirsty, were you there,
were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter,
were you there?
3 I was cold, I was naked, were you there,
were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter,
were you there?
4 When I needed a healer, were you there,
were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter,
were you there?
5 Wherever you travel I'll be there,
I'll be there,
wherever you travel I'll be there.
And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter,
I'll be there.
A SONG OF FAITH: Spoken in Unison
God is Holy Mystery, beyond complete knowledge, above perfect description.
Yet, in love, the one eternal God seeks relationship.
So God creates the universe and with it the possibility of being and relating.
God tends the universe, mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.
God enlivens the universe, guiding all things toward harmony with their Source. Grateful for God’s loving action, We cannot keep from singing.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
* HYMN: “The Church of Christ in Every Age” VU#601
1 The church of Christ in every age,
beset by change but Spirit led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.
2 Across the world, across the street
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live until they die.
3 Then let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ's sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ's humanity.
4 For Christ alone, whose blood was shed,
can cure the fever in our blood,
and teach us how to share our bread
and feed the starving multitude.
5 We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord:
to care for all without reserve
and spread Christ's liberating word.
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“The Will of God in a Nutshell”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
A CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETATION OF THE LORD’S PRAYER:
Loving parent of all life, present throughout the cosmos,
The mere mention of your name calls us to love, respect, and care for each other. May justice for all, be imbedded in the hearts of all people.
Today may we accept only what we need, respecting creation, doing our part in sustaining the delicate balance of the natural world. Renew us with your grace, as we stumble through this world and help us to share the spirit of forgiveness, with those who have hurt us. Guide us with your spirit of love when we are tempted to be of this world. May evil be removed and replaced with your love. For by living with your love written on our hearts, we may rise above injustice and share the glory of equality, and peace with all of creation. All the days of our lives and into eternity. Amen
By Rev. Stephanie Richmond Seagrave/ Greenbank UC . Used with permission
* HYMN: “We Are Pilgrims” VU #595
1 We are pilgrims on a journey,
fellow travellers on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
2 Sister, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
3 I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
4 I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
till we've seen this journey through.
5 When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together
of Christ's love and agony.
6 Brother, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Collection Plate is located on the back table
OFFERTORY HYMN: VU #544 Tune FOREST GREEN (VU# 518)
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
Giver of Great Gifts, we pray surrounded by family, friends, and neighbours. We bring our offerings to celebrate the goodness of community and all that being community entails. We lift up our hearts in gratitude to become part of the gift that we give. This we pray with sincerity and hope. Amen.
Written by Jim McKean, Orillia, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.43 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:
One: The Spirit of God has been at work.
The Spirit of God is at work.
May the Spirit of our God bless you, equip you, unite you with others, and lead you to build God’s Kingdom among us.
We ask this in the name of Sovereign, Saviour, and Spirit. Amen.
Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.46 Used with permission
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.
