HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, November 8th, 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)
* = Please rise in body or in spirit or feel free to stay seated
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
One: We gather in the light of Christ to understand more clearly the sacrifices that war has required, to honour those who have made them, and to pray for a time when they will never be required again.
All: As we light our candle today, we especially pray for the cessation of war and conflict in Ukraine. Pour out your peace, O Christ, on all your people.
Written by Karen Boivin, Melville U.C., Fergus, ON.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2026, p.48. Used with permission.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
We live and work and worship on treaty territory in the heart of Anishinaabe nation. As we celebrate the rich bounty of harvest from local gardens from other places-fruits, vegetables, grains from the fields, the last of summer’s flowers and a rich array of autumn leaves-we are reminded that we are called into right relationship with the territory and our neighbours at Curve Lake (Treaty 20). We affirm the need to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to strive for reconciliation.
Written by Dora White, Minnedosa U.C., Minnedosa, Man.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2021, p.41. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
NATIONAL ANTHEM: “O Canada” VU #524 plus three additional verses!
1 O Canada! Our home and native land!
True Patriot love in all of us command
With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
the True North strong and free!
from far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Refrain: God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
2 O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Though land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free! Refrain:
3 O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea,
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free! Refrain:
4 Ruler Supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard. Refrain:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: On Remembrance Day, we give thanks for those who have made sacrifices in pursuit of justice.
All: Soldiers, pilots and sailors.
One: We honour the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace.
All: Nurses, ambulance drivers, doctors, chaplains.
One: We affirm the sacrifices made in pursuit of freedom.
All: Parents, spouses, partners, children.
One: We lament that these sacrifices were necessary.
All: We renew our calling to strive for peace and justice, freedom and truth.
One: We celebrate life reclaimed from war.
All: We proclaim life abundant, in Jesus Christ.
One: Let us worship together and remember together,
All: knowing that, in God’s heart, their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Written by Gill Le Fevre, Walton Memorial U.C. Oakville, ON
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.48 Used with permission.
* NEW HYMN: “Peace for the Children” MV #149 vs 1-5
1. Peace for the children, peace peace.
Peace for the children we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the children today.
2. Peace for the women, peace peace.
Peace for the women we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the women today.
3. Peace for the men, peace peace.
Peace for the men we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the men today.
4. Peace in our families, peace peace.
Peace for the families we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace
peace for the families today.
5. Peace for the nations, peace peace.
Peace for the nations we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the nations today.
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Source of Life, we are grateful for your faithfulness, for your abiding love, and for the inspiration of spirit.
Even when we slip and fall, you tenderly pick us up and whisper in our ear, “Keep going.”
We are your beloved. May we reflect your love to the world.
May you give us strength when we are weary and hope when we despair.
Give us courage when we are afraid
And perspective when we want to give up.
Guide us in our journey through this world you love so much.
May we be like billions of candles lighting up the world with your compassion, forgiveness, justice, wisdom, and peace.
May it be so!
Amen!
Written by Susan Girard, Riverview U.C. Atikokan, ON
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.48 Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE:
‘In Flanders Fields’
(Lt Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army)
* - Last Post
* - Two Minutes Silence
* - Reveille
* Act of Remembrance:
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
we will remember them.”
ALL: We will remember them.
* Presentation of Remembrance Wreath
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 25: 1-13
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Go Buy Some Oil Now!”
OUR RESPONSE
CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY:
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: spoken VU#921
* NEW HYMN: “Peace for the Children” MV #149 vs 6-10
6. Peace for the creatures, peace peace.
Peace for the creatures we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the creatures today.
7. Peace for our planet, peace peace
Peace for the planet we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace;
peace for the planet today.
8. Peace in the universe, peace peace.
Peace for the universe we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace
peace for the universe today.
9. (Hum this verse softly, during which time
individuals may call out the word “peace”
in other languages, making a global connection.)
10 Peace in the soul, peace peace.
Peace for the soul we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
we work for healing, we work for peace
peace for the soul today
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Collection Plate is located on the back table
OFFERTORY HYMN: VU #538
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
We offer these gifts today with a prayer for peace, especially in the lives of the world’s children. Bring them the peace of a secure and loving home, where their needs can be met and their dreams can become reality. Amen.
Written by Karen Boivin, Melville U.C., Fergus, ON
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2026, p.49 Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands (MV #173 vs 5)
Reach out in friendship,
stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands;
the Peace that sought and found you. ©
SENDING FORTH:
A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748,
Valid for: 26/10/2026 - 25/10/2027; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
