Service Sunday August 9, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, August 9, 2026
All are Welcome!
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
(For Rev. Peter’s Musings PDF version click this link)
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
Let us, in this place, remember, acknowledge, and give thanks for Indigenous and Metis Peoples, who have been the stewards of this territory since time immemorial. Especially in this place, we honour and acknowledge the Williams and Robinson Treaties that were made with the Original Peoples. May the work of reconciliation and right relations continue among us.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: While our world is a storm of trouble and grief, in worship we find a time of calm and renewal.
ALL: We seek the courage of God’s word planted deep in our hearts.
One: Let us slow down in order to receive God’s truth for us.
ALL: We seek the comfort of God’s grace. Refreshing our soul.
One: Let us reflect and remember God’s promise to us.
ALL: We seek the compassion of God’s love, nourishing our lives.
One: Let us share with those around us, reminding all of God’s blessings for us even in the midst of the storms of life.
Written by Gill Le Fevre, Walton Memorial U.C., Oakville, ON
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.40. Used with permission.
HYMN: “Deep In Our Hearts” MV #154
1. Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling Creation that we are one.
2. Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
justice and peace in harmony.
3. Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
deep in our hearts there is a common current,
flowing to freedom like a stream.
4. Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling Creation that we are one.
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Ever-welcoming God, we gather in this place of sanctuary so that we might find rest and renewal. Help us to bathe in your grace and soak in your peace. In the helter-skelter of life, we yearn for calm in the midst of the storms. May each breath we take fill us with deep stillness and abiding gentleness. Help us to cast aside judgmentalism. Empower us to let go of rigidity of thought, so that we might be open to your Holy Mystery as we ride the waves of our lives. When we find it difficult to accept the realities that are around us, grant us tenderness of being, so that we might be malleable. Let our very being be shaped in your image. We pray in the name of the one who walked across stormy waters. Amen.
Written by Laura Turnbull, Penticton, B.C.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.43. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
HYMN: “Will You Come and Follow Me” VU# 567
1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the 'you' you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
5 Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 14: 22 - 33
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
Guest Speaker from YWCA
OUR RESPONSE
CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: spoken VU#921
HYMN: “Will Your Anchor Hold” VU #675
1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife,
when the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift or firm remain?
Refrain We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
fastened to the rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!
2 It will surely hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers tell that the reef is near;
though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
not an angry wave shall our bark o'erflow.
Refrain We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
fastened to the rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!
3 It will surely hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill our latest breath;
on the rising tide it can never fail
while our hopes abide within the veil. Refrain
4 When our eyes behold, through the gathering night,
the city of gold, our harbour bright,
we shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
with the storms all past for evermore. Refrain
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
Gracious God, we have given in response to the bounty of goodness you have given us. May you receive what we offer—our time, our talents, and our money. Bless these gifts for the work of your church, near and far. Amen.
Written by Mary Parsons, Munn’s U.C., Oakville, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.50. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING Christ Has No Body Now but Yours
MV #171 vs 4
Refrain
Christ has no body now but yours, no hands but yours.
Here on this earth, yours is the work,
to serve with the joy of compassion.
Through ev’ry gift, give back to those in need;
as Christ has blessed, so now be his blessing,
with ev’ry gift a benediction, be to the people of God. 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.
