Service Sunday September 14, 2025

Services

Sep 10

Written By Highland Hills

HIGHLAND HILLS UNITED CHURCH

Minden, Ontario

All are Welcome!

Worship Leader: Rev. Diane Bennett-Jones

Music Director: Melissa Stephens

(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)

The Gathering

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND:

ALL: As we gather here today, we respectfully acknowledge that this is sacred ground. We are on Treaty 20 lands and the traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations. We recognize these original Indigenous inhabitants as the stewards of this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to have the opportunity to gather and worship here.

THE APPROACH

CALL TO WORSHIP:

One: Like a shepherd searching for a lost sheep, God searches for us.

ALL: And when God finds us, God shouts: “Rejoice with me!”

One: Like a woman seeking a lost coin, God searches for us.

ALL: And when God finds us, God shouts: “Rejoice with me!”

One: Jesus came into the world to show God’s love to all.

ALL: And when Jesus finds us, God shouts, “Rejoice with me!”

One: So let us gather in God’s presence and rejoice.

ALL: Let us gather and give God our thanks and praise!

HYMN: “I Heard the Voice of Jesus” VU #626

1 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'Come unto me and rest;

lay down, O weary one, lay down

your head upon my breast.'

I came to Jesus as I was,

weary and worn and sad;

I found in him a resting place,

and he has made me glad.

2 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'Behold, I freely give

the living water; thirsty one,

stoop down, and drink, and live.'

I came to Jesus, and I drank

of that life-giving stream;

my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

and now I live in him.

3 I heard the voice of Jesus say,

'I am this dark world's light;

look unto me, your morn shall rise,

and all your day be bright.'

I looked to Jesus, and I found

in him my star, my sun;

and in that light of life I'll walk

till travelling days are done.

OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison

All: Loving God,

Like the shepherd seeking a lost sheep, you look for us when we wander. Like the woman seeking a lost coin, you search for us until we are found. In your compassion you have come to us in Jesus and share our common life. Now that you have found us, fill us with your Spirit, Renew and empower us during this time together, so that we can be channels of your peace and love in the world. Amen

MINISTRY OF MUSIC:

LEARNING TOGETHER:

HYMN: “Lord, Speak to Me” VU #589

1 Lord, speak to me that I may speak

in living echoes of your tone;

as you have sought, so let me seek

your straying children lost and lone.

2 O lead me, so that I may lead

the wandering and the wavering feet;

O feed me, so that I may feed

your hungering ones with manna sweet.

3 O teach me, so that I may teach

the precious truths which you impart;

and wing my words, that they may reach

the hidden depths of many a heart.

4 O fill me with your fullness, Lord,

until my very heart o'erflows

in kindling thought and glowing word,

your love to tell, your praise to show.

THE WORD

Scripture: : Luke 15:1-10

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

ALL: Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE:

“The Lost and Found”

OUR RESPONSE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and

THE LORD’S PRAYER spoken

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.

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison

All: Holy, Eternal One,

You name us Beloved, and search for us as a shepherd for a lost lamb, or as a woman for her lost coin.

May we, who are made in your image,

be as faithful to you and to one another as you are to us.

Use us and the gifts we bring to seek the wandering and lost, so that we may rejoice together, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen

(Written by Carol Knox. Gathering Summer/Autumn 1998. Used with permission.)

SUNG BLESSING Spirit God, Be Our Breath” MV #150 v 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

Highland Hills