Service Sunday January 18, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND:
For millennia, Indigenous peoples have lived, worked, played, and worshipped here. They have stewarded this land. Over time people from other parts of the world came to this region and made their home here. Together, Indigenous people and Settlers share the care for land, water and sky. May we learn together what this land and its people need. We desire to live in right relations with each other.
Written by Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025/26, p.42. Used with permission
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Why are we called to this place?
ALL: To be God’s people.
One: What is required of us?
ALL: To seek justice, to love kindness, to live humbly with God.
One: And how shall we do this?
ALL: With our prayers, with our thoughts, with our actions, and with our love.
One: Then, as people who are both blessed and blessing:
ALL: Let us worship God!
Written by Richard Bott, Grace U.C., Burlington, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025/26, p.43. Used with permission
HYMN: “Come In, Come In and Sit Down” VU #395
1 You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
Refrain Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.
2 God is with us in this place,
like a mother's warm embrace.
We're all forgiven by God's grace,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
3 There's life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God's temple, it's not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family. Refrain
4 There's rest for the weary and health for us all;
there's a yoke that is easy, and a burden that's small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family. Refrain
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Creator of All, this is the day that you have given us. We join together this day, each of us coming from our own lives, with our own diverse experiences, to celebrate the feeling of being together as your people. We seek a faith that will create in our hearts the hope found in the blessed promises you have made to us. Our emotions, ranging from joy to sorrow, we offer to you. You know our hearts and welcome us into your presence. Forgive us, guide us, and teach us as we give thanks to you for this new day. Help us to keep you securely within our hearts this day and always. In the name of our Redeemer and Saviour, we pray. Amen
Written by Robert J. Murdock, St. James U.C., Stroud, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025, p.43. Used with permission
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
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.
THE WORD
Scripture: Isaiah 49: 1-7
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“Servant of God”
OUR RESPONSE
Your Generosity Matters
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: sung VU#960
HYMN: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” VU #651
1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.
2 Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
May these gifts open our hearts and those of others to Christ’s continued presence in our world. Make these gifts into invitations to come and discover your desire, O God, for the abundant living of all people. Amen.
Written by Karen Boivin, Melville U.C., Fergus, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2 2025, p.46. Used with permission
SUNG BLESSING: (VU #87 vs 4)
Refrain 'I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!'
If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
4 To bring hope to every task you do,
to dance at a baby's new birth,
to make music in an old person's heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth! Refrain ©
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.
