CANDLE LITURGY
We light this candle as a reminder that the sacred is always present in our world.
If we pay attention for holy love, we will discover traces of God's goodness in all things.
(Light the Christ candle.)
     Adapted/Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Christine LeBlanc

Sung Response: VU 686 “God of Grace and God of Glory”  Verse 1 seated
1. God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
now fulfil your church's story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,for the facing of this hour.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Another year passes.
Things end and things begin.
Birth. Life. Death. Life beyond death.
Nothing is constant!
Everything changes.
Everything except this:
God's love is with me. God's love is with you. God's love is with all creation.
Today?
Yesterday. Today. Forever.
And all creation is held safe in that love.
And all creation is transformed in that love.
Let us worship the God who loves us, yesterday, today, and forever.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Richard Bott

2. OPENING PRAYER:
God of Creation, we cannot see you, but we see what you have created in all its beauty and bounty! Jesus, Child of God, the entire universe lives in you, and for you, and through you! Spirit of the Holy one, you sweep across creation, enlivening and sustaining. Everything on earth and in heaven has its being and its hope because of you, Triune God. Blessed is your holy, living name!  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

3. LEARNING TIME: “ A time of honoring past and present”

4. HYMN: VU 494 “Those Hearts That We Have Treasured”
1.  Those hearts that we have treasured,
those lives that we have shared,
those loves that walked beside us,
those friends for whom we've cared,
their blessing rests upon us,
their life is memory,
their suffering is over, their spirits are set free.

2.  They still give hope and comfort,
they did not lose the fight,
they showed us truth and goodness,
they shine into our night.
Remember days of gladness;
remember times of joy;
remember all the moments that grief can not destroy.

3.  From hearts that we have treasured,
from lives that we have shared,
from loves that walked beside us,
from friends for whom we've cared,
we've learned to treasure kindness,
we've learned that grace provides,
we've learned to be together, we've learned that love abides..

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
As we receive the readings from your holy word, Gracious God, open us to greater understanding. We ask this in Christ Jesus.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Pentecost 2; 2025: Mary Anderson

6. SCRIPTURE LESSON
Jeremiah 23: 1 - 6
A Message of Hope
The LORD said: You leaders of my people are like shepherds that kill and scatter the sheep. 2 You were supposed to take care of my people, but instead you chased them away. So now I'll punish you severely and make you pay for your crimes! 3 I will bring the rest of my people home from the lands where I have scattered them, and they will grow into a mighty nation. 4 I promise to choose leaders who will care for them like real shepherds. All of my people will be there, and they will never again be frightened. 5 Someday I will appoint an honest king from the family of David, a king who will be wise and rule with justice. 6 As long as he is king, Israel will have peace, and Judah will be safe. The name of this king will be “The LORD Gives Justice.”

Responsive Reading Luke 1: 68 - 79 VU page 900  “Song of Zechariah”
REFRAIN: “God shall fulfil the promise and bring the people peace.”

Blessed be the God of Israel,
who has come to the people and set them free,
who has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of the servant David.
Through the holy prophets of old God promised to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us,
to show the mercy promised to our ancestors,
to remember the holy covenant, the oath God swore to our ancestors Abraham and Sarah,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to serve God without fear, holy and righteous in God's presence, all the days of our life.  REFRAIN

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way, to give the people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.  REFRAIN

7. REFLECTION:

8. HYMN: VU 2 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
1.  Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free:
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

2.  Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou
art, dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart

3.  Born thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us for ever;
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

4.  By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.

9.  SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Colossians 1: 11 - 20
11 His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy. 12 I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you[a] have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. 13 God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who forgives our sins and sets us free. 15 Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation. 16 Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him. 17 God's Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. 18 He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death, so that he would be above all others. 19 God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

The Gospel of Luke 23: 33 - 43
33 When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,”[a] they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus. 34-35 Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing.” While the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his clothes. The leaders insulted him by saying, “He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God's chosen Messiah!” 36 The soldiers made fun of Jesus and brought him some wine. 37 They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 Above him was a sign that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”39 One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying,“Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!” 40 But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don't you fear God? Aren't you getting the same punishment as this man? 41 We got what was coming to us, but he didn't do anything wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!” 43 Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”

10.  REFLECTION:

11.  HYMN VU 512 “Lord, You Give the Great Commission”
1.  Lord, you give the great commission:
'Heal the sick and preach the word.'
Lest the church neglect its mission,
and the gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us for the work of ministry.

2.  Lord, you call us to your service:
'In my name baptize and teach.'
That the world may trust your promise,
life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervour,
draw us closer in community;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us
for the work of ministry.

3.  Lord, you make the common holy:
'This my body, this my blood.'
Let us all, for earth's true glory,
daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the world around us
share your children's liberty;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r
us for the work of ministry.

4.  Lord, you show us love's true measure:
'Father, what they do, forgive.'
Yet we hoard as private treasure
all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
to a just society;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us
for the work of ministry.
5.  Lord, you bless with words assuring:
'I am with you to the end.'
Faith and hope and love restoring,
may we serve as you intend,
and, amid the cares that claim us,
hold in mind eternity;
with the Spirit's gifts empow'r us
for the work of ministry.

12.  PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Holy God, God of life in all its facets, we are grateful to you for helping us make it to this place safely. We find in this church home a refuge, a reliable rock upon which we build your community, a community in which we can live the reign of Christ, a family of people who care about us, care for us, and care with us. This community of ours is also a place where we share our hurts, mistakes, pains, and errors so that they can be forgiven and relieved and we can be refreshed. May we find courage to engage the world that has not always understood your message. May we find strength to muddle through the challenges we encounter. May we be reminded of your presence this morning and always. Amen.
      Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Eric Hebert-Daly

13.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Jesus spoke to the disciples of the challenges that they were going to encounter. He knew just how much the world was going to change and how difficult it would be for them to hold on to their faith and to give up some things they cherished. Despite the challenges we encounter today in living our faith, rest assured that God forgives you when you've been led astray. God loves us all deeply and unflinchingly. God calls us to support and encourage one another as we live the reign of Christ as a community.
Praise be to God!
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Eric Hebert-Daly

14.  SUNG RESPONSE: VU 325 “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation”
1.  Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the church in one,
holy Zion's help for ever,
and its confidence alone.

2.  To this temple where we call you,
come, O Lord of hosts, today;
with your faithful loving-kindness
hear your servants as they pray,
and your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

3.  Here bestow on all your servants
what they ask of you to gain,
what they gain from you for ever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.

4.  Laud and honour to the Father,
laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
ver three and ever one,
one in might, and one in glory,
while unending ages run.

15.  PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Each of us dwells in the realm of God. Let us greet one another as friends and family in the peace of Jesus Christ!
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

16.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
As we contemplate the journey through the Christian year, from Advent to Reign of Christ, we think of our own journey of faith, our call and our response. As part of our response in faith, we will now present our offerings.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025;Beth W Johnston

17. OFFERTORY VU 544 “In Gratitude and Humble Trust”
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day until life's work is done.

18.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Loving God, these offerings are part of our response to your call. We also respond with other ways of supporting our church and community through visits and phone calls made, notes written, food delivered, and prayers on behalf of others. We ask that you bless these offerings and multiply them by your grace so that the work of this congregation may be accomplished to your glory.  Amen.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025;Beth W Johnston

19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

20. HYMN 213 VU  “Rejoice, the Lord is King”
1.  Rejoice the Lord is King!
Your risen Lord adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing
and triumph evermore.
     Lift up your heart, lift up your voice:
     rejoice; again I say, rejoice!

2.  Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our sins,
he took his seat above. Refrain

3.  God's kingdom cannot fail;
Christ rules o'er earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given. Refrain

4.  Rejoice in glorious hope,
for Christ, the judge, shall come
to glorify the saints for their eternal home.
     We soon shall hear the archangel's voice;
     the trump of God shall sound, rejoice!

21.  BLESSING:
As you return to the world, carry with you Christ's truth, cherish him as the highest power of your life, and share his generous love with neighbours, near and far.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; George Allan

22. THREE FOLD AMEN

Next Sunday:  First Day of Advent
        November 30, 2025:
         Isaiah 2: 1 - 5;   Psalm 122;
         Romans 13: 11 - 14;  Matthew 24:36-44.

1. SUNDAY, November 23, 2025  “REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. TUESDAY, November 25, 2025  BIBLE STUDY  10:00 AM  Board Room  


3. TUESDAY, November 25, 2025  Jubilation Handbell Ringers  If you are interested in ringing some bells, come out and give it a try;   6:30pm in the Choir Room.


4. TUESDAY, November 25, 2025  “YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC)”  7:00 - 9:00 PM.  Logie hall GYM  All Youth 12 years and older are welcome


5. SUNDAY, November 30, 2025  “FIRST DAY OF ADVENT”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


6. SATURDAY, December 13, 2025  “CHRISTMAS TEA & BAKE SALE”  2:00 - 4:00 PM.  Wesley Hall  Come and pick up your Christmas Baking


7. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  “SUNDAY BRUNCH”  11:30 AM - 1:00 PM  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   SEE POSTER ON “HAPPENINGS” TAB FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH DATES