HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, November 15th, 2026
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: David Moore
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 MOMENT
Quiet Preparation for Worship & Christ Candle Lighting:
May this time be good for us in body, in mind, in Spirit.
We gather in the presence of God who made us and loves us
And will never leave us.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
We respectfully acknowledge that Highland Hills United Church is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations which include : Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoliel, and Georgina Island First Nations.
Highland Hills United Church respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaty First Nations are the Stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
Chief Phyllis Williams, Curve Lake First Nation
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Family of God, whom do you serve?
All: We serve God, who calls us to love our neighbors, tend creation, and care for the least of these.
One: Family of God, in a world that values productivity and profit, whom do you serve?
All: We serve God, who calls us to value equity, justice, and sabbath for all.
One: Family of God, in a world that privileges power over others instead of power shared with our neighbors, whom do you serve?
All: We serve God, who calls us to privilege the agency and flourishing of ourselves, our neighbors, and all creation.
One: Family of God, we gather here to grow in love of God, neighbor, self, and all creation. Let us now enter the joy of serving God, who is Love.
All: We gather to worship God and work for God’s purposes until God’s Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
HYMN: “Rejoice the Lord Is King” VU 213
1 Rejoice the Lord is King!
Your risen Lord adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing
and triumph evermore.
Refrain: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice:
rejoice; again I say, rejoice!
2 Jesus the saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love:
when he had purged our sins,
he took his seat above. Refrain
3 God's kingdom cannot fail;
Christ rules o'er earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given. Refrain
4 Rejoice in glorious hope,
for Christ, the judge, shall come
to glorify the saints
for their eternal home.
We soon shall hear the archangel's voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
God, our kind and loving Parent,
you no longer call us servants but friends.
There is so much you have entrusted to us,
even the future of your kingdom of justice and love.
Give us the grace to work out with you
the growth of mercy and goodness in this world,
to be united with all Christians
and with all who seek you with a sincere heart
in bringing reconciliation and joy to everyone.
Let us go together the way to you,
our living and loving God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
HYMN: “Joy To The World” VU 59
1 Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2 Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns:
let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found, far as the curse in found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4 He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, and wonders of his love.
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30
One: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Great (or not so great) Expectations”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: “Take My Life And Let It Be” VU #506
1 Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, all for thee;
take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet, and let them be
swift and purposeful for thee.
3 Take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from thee:
take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.
4 Take my will, and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine;
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.
5 Take my love: and I will pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
Offertory Hymn: “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” VU 575 v 2
I'm gonna work so God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna work so God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
Generous Christ, every good gift comes from your hand, and you entrust us with resources, abilities, and opportunities to serve your kingdom. Keep us from measuring our worth by what we produce or possess. Instead, teach us to invest our lives in love, mercy, and the building of community. Receive these offerings and use them to lift burdens, create hope, and strengthen your people. May we find joy not in accumulation, but in faithful relationship with you and our neighbors. May all that we offer today become a witness to your abundant grace. Amen.
SUNG BLESSING: “I’m Gonna To Live So God Can Use Me” VU575 v1
I'm gonna live so God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I'm gonna live so God can use me
anywhere, Lord, anytime!
Chorus: I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere Lord, any time. X 2
Sending Forth:
A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748,
Valid for: 26/10/2022 - 25/10/2023; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
