Service Sunday July 19, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
Watch a video recording of the whole service using YouTube below
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, July 19, 2026
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
Here at Highland Hills United Church, we recognize that we share this land with the first inhabitants of this area, the Anishnabek peoples and the Metis peoples, with whom we seek to live in harmony with this land and all of its inhabitants. We are all treaty people.
Written by Beth W Johnston, Collaborative Ministry, River Philip and Springhill, N.S. Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.37. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Taking care…
All: of one another.
One: Taking care…
All: of the world.
One: Taking care…
All: with each other.
One: Taking care…
All: with the Word.
One: We are stewards of all God’s things.
We are stewards of all God’s gifts.
We are stewards of all God’s Creation.
All: So we must take care.
One: In our living,
In our sharing,
In our acting,
In our caring…
All: we worship God.
Written by Richard Bott, Grace U.C., Burlington, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.39. Used with permission.
HYMN: “For the Healing of the Nations” VU #678
1 For the healing of the nations,
God, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.
2 Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release;
that, redeemed from war and hatred,
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase.
3 All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned:
pride of status, race or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life's brief span.
4 You, Creator-God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind;
that, by our response and service,
earth its destiny may find.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Spoken in Unison
Highland Hills is an inclusive and supportive community of faith that follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ. We offer worship, education, pastoral care and outreach for all. With a belief in God, we strive to include people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, differing abilities, colour, ethnicity, cultural identity, and economic circumstances, participating in all aspects in the life of the church. As a community of faith, we publicly declare a commitment to social justice initiatives, care for the earth, and equity for everyone. We will be intentional and explicit in welcoming and providing a safe space for all.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
HYMN: “My Lord, What a Morning” VU# 708
Refrain My Lord, what a morning.
My Lord, what a morning.
My Lord, what a morning
when the stars begin to fall.
1 You'll hear the trumpet sound
to wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand
when the stars begin to fall. Refrain
Refrain My Lord, what a morning.
My Lord, what a morning.
My Lord, what a morning
when the stars begin to fall.
2 You'll hear the sinner cry
to wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand
when the stars begin to fall. Refrain
3 You'll hear the Christian shout
to wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand
when the stars begin to fall. Refrain
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 13:24 - 30, 36 - 43
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Seeds & Weeds”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: sung VU#960
HYMN: “Come, You Thankful People, Come” VU #516
1 Come, you thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
safe before the storms begin;
God, our maker, does provide
for our needs to be supplied:
come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home!
2 All the world is God's own field,
harvests for God's praise to yield;
wheat and weeds together sown,
here for joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade, and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear:
Harvest-giver, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.
3 For our God, one day, shall come,
and shall take this harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offences purge away;
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the weeds to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.
4 Even so, God, quickly come
to your final harvest home!
Gather all your people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin;
there for ever purified,
in your presence to abide:
come, with all your angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
YOUR GENEROSITY MATTERS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
Risen One, bless these offerings given in person and online. May these givings connect us with each other and with your powerful imagination of what this world may be. May our commitment to giving strengthen our faith and shape us more in your image. Amen.
Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.49. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING MV #150 vs 4
4 Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Through change, through challenge, we’ll greet the new dawn…
Spirit God, be our song.
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.
