Service Sunday August 30, 2026
HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH
Minden, Ontario
SUNDAY, August 30, 2026
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
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)
Watch a video recording of the whole service below.
THE GATHERING
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY In Unison
The United Church of Canada acknowledges that its buildings and ministries, from coast to coast to coast, are on traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. Here we gather on territory where Aboriginal people have performed age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of the region.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: As we journey in this Ordinary Time, let us take time to remember the radical generosity of God who created all.
All: Let us remember Jesus who lived and died to save us.
One: Let us remember how the Spirit whispered: “Come, follow me.”
All: Let us discover the generosity that creates an abundance meant to be shared by all.
One: Let us witness to the light that brings hope.
All: Let us be transformed to the new life that is made for us.
One: Let us remember that it is the common things and everyday occurrences that we often take for granted that God uses to illustrate our awakening and our purpose.
All: Let us worship God!
Written by Mary Anderson, Glen Abbey U.C., Oakville, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.40. Used with permission.
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.
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Creator of Life and Goodness, today we celebrate the gift of community, and the belonging we find in you, not despite but because of our unique identities as your beloved disciples.
Be with us in our service, and in every moment that we need strength, comfort, courage, love, and joy.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Written by Heather Ferrier, Trinity U.C., Mahone Bay, N.S.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2026, p.42. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
HYMN: “Three Things I Promise” MV #176
1. Three things I promise, Holy God,
in age and youth, in life and death:
to bless your Name, and cling to Christ,
and listen for the Spirit’s breath.
2. Your love unfolded time and space,
and life, and all that life became,
and so, with thankful heart and voice,
through good and ill, I bless your Name.
3. I follow, serve, and cling to Christ
amid our culture’s tides and trends,
for here your Name is most revealed:
Majestic Love, and Best of Friends.
4. Enlivened as the Spirit moves
to cleanse, awaken, and renew,
I pray that justice, peace, and truth,
may seed and grow in all I do.
5. If I should live when vigour fades,
and family and friends are gone,
three acts of loving faith remain
when days are slow, and work is done.
6. Revive and guide me, Living God,
as day by day, until my death,
I bless your Name, and cling to Christ,
and listen for the Spirit’s breath.
THE WORD
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Jesus Shows Us the Way.”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and
THE LORD’S PRAYER: spoken VU#921
HYMN: “Take Up Your Cross” VU #561
1 Take up your cross, the Saviour said,
if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me.
2 Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
Christ's strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.
3 Take up your cross, heed not the shame,
nor let your foolish pride rebel;
your Saviour once accepted death
upon a cross, on Calvary's hill.
4 Take up your cross, and follow Christ,
think not till death to lay it down;
for only those who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
How good it feels to give, to share, to be of help to others, O God, in whatever way we can. We pray that these gifts, of money and of ourselves, will be a positive force for your purpose, in our broken world and in the lives of others, through our Saviour Christ. Amen.
Written by George Allan, Chatham, 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.
