Service Sunday August 24, 2025

Services

Aug 19

Written By Highland Hills

HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH

Minden, Ontario

All are Welcome!

Worship Leader: Rev. Marybeth Wilson

Music Director: Melissa Stephens

(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)

The Gathering

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:

One: Light should be understood as more than simply a generic light. Light can be opened into the entire spectrum of colours.

ALL: Light can overcome fear and shadows and guide us on our way.

One: Light may reveal a particular vision, an insight, an inspiration that

opens the door to understanding life and relationships in new ways.

ALL: This morning, we light this Christ candle, naming Jesus in our

lives as life-giving in a full spectrum of dimensions.

The Christ candle is lit.

Written by Bill Perry, Belleville ON

Gathering, Pentecost 1 2025, Year C, p.29. Used with permission.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND:

We begin this time of worship by acknowledging that we are meeting on land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. We thank all the generations of Indigenous people who have taken care of this land and been its stewards for thousands of years. We give thanks for the countless ways they have assisted the settler peoples who came to inhabit the land. We also recognize the contributions Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and strengthening this region, the provinces, and Canada as a whole. Meegwetch. All my relations.

THE APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP:

One: Enter, this Sunday, through doors open wide,

welcoming all as we celebrate Pride!

ALL: We bring our full lives, both joyful and messy,

and wear what affirms us, casual or dressy.

One: So, come now, to worship, no one’s thought odd.

ALL: for we are all equal as children of God!

Written by Heather Ferrier, Trinity U.C., Mahone Bay, NS

Gathering, Pentecost 1 2025, Year C, p.30. Used with permission.

HYMN: “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet” VU #245

1 Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,

praise the Lord with the harp and lute,

praise the Lord with the gentle-sounding flute.

Praise the Lord in the field and forest,

praise the Lord in the city square,

praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.

Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,

praise the Lord in the dark of night,

praise the Lord in the rain or

snow or in the morning light.

Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,

praise the Lord on the highest hill,

praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.

2 Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,

praise the Lord with the pipe and string,

praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.

Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,

praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,

praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.

Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,

praise the Lord in the time of joy,

praise the Lord every moment,

nothing let your praise destroy.

Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,

praise the Lord in your work or play,

praise the Lord everywhere in every way!

OPENING PRAYER: In Unison

Lord God, Holy One and Holy Three, we sing our praises this day, grateful that you have called us into your presence. We are grateful for the wonder and beauty of creation, while also being aware of the destruction and pain that are part of life. Help us listen carefully to your call to be out in your world, deepening our awareness of the many ways you need us to make a difference. As we worship this day, may we be ever attentive to your voice, speaking words of love to each of us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC:

LEARNING TOGETHER:

HYMN: “I Have Called You by Your Name” MV #161

1. I have called you by your name, you are mine;

I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.

I will not abandon you;

all my promises are true.

You are gifted, called, and chosen;

you are mine.

2. I will help you learn my name as you go;

read it written in my people, help them grow.

Pour the water in my name,

speak the word your soul can claim,

offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

3. I know you will need my touch as you go;

feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.

Like the woman reaching out,

choosing faith in spite of doubt,

hold the hem of Jesus’ robe,

then let it go.

4. I have given you a name, it is mine;

I have given you my Spirit as a sign.

With my wonder in your soul,

make my wounded children whole;

go and tell my precious people

they are mine.

THE WORD

Scripture: : Jeremiah 1:4-10

Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE:

“Starting Over”

OUR RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and

THE LORD’S PRAYER spoken

HYMN “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” VU #509

1 I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.

I who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Refrain Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

2 I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people's pain,

I have wept for love of them; they turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them.

Whom shall I send? R

3 I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame,

I will set a feast for them; my hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide

till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send? R

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison

We offer prayers of gratitude, O God, for the wondrous things you have done. In response, we offer ourselves and our gifts, trusting that you will enable our offerings to be used well to bring hope and wholeness to your world. Amen.

SUNG BLESSING What Can I Do?” MV #191

(Sung Twice)

What can I do? What can I bring?

What can I say? What can I sing?

I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.

I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

SENDING FORTH:

A Time of Fellowship

Highland Hills