LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE:
We light this candle to remind us that we were all made in the Creator's Love and that we are called to live in love, caring for one another and the world by shining our light wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus LOVES us this we know!

BELL RESPONSE:“Jesus Loves Me”

CALL TO WORSHIP: VU 507 “Today We Are All Called To Be Disciples”

OPENING REFLECTION:
I am more and more convinced every day that the world is spinning faster; do you feel it?
There are a million and one things that pull on my attention, that distract and discourage;
In the fast-moving blur of it all my partner tells me to take a deep breath.
My doctor tells me to eat better and exercise more.
My grandchildren tell me to play more.
My boss tells me to work harder and smarter.
My banker tells me to save more.
My parents tell me to remember who I am.
My gut tells me there is something more here, and they are right.
They are all right.
So, on Sundays, I reorient myself.
I pull prayers from my heart and give them to God,
because fear cannot survive when it's standing in the light.
I pull money from my pockets and give it to God
because cynicism cannot grow when it is met with hopeful action.
I pull doubts from my mind and give them to God
because doubt met with love cannot stay where it started. And bit by bit, I move to holy ground.
The world is spinning slower now.
This ritual of giving reorients me, in an off-kilter world, it helps me see more clearly.
I give and am returned to the center of me, to the center of God, to a place that is free.
Thanks be to God for the reorienting.
Thanks be to God!
      Used with permission Faith+Lead

MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES  (Canadian): “Making Joyful Noise/Flowing Beyond the Banks”

BELL ANTHEM “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

LEARNING TIME: (Including Gospel Lesson Matthew 25: 31 - 40)
Love is something if you give it away,
give it away, give it away.
Oh, Love is something if you give it away.
You end up having more!
For Love's just like a magic penny
hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it spend it and you'll have so many.
They'll roll all over the floor for…
Love is something if you give it away
give it away, give it away
Oh, Love is something if you give it away.
You end up having more!

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Lord as we reflect today on what stewardship means for us as people of faith, open our ears and minds to hear your Word and take to heart the trifold calling to return our God given time, talents and 'treasure' in service to others.  Amen

SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Old Testament:  1 Chronicles 29: 1 - 20
New Testament:  1 Peter 4:7-11

Psalm 24: VU pg. 750  Refrain: “Lift Up the Gates Eternal”

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Lord your word tells us that “The earth is the Lord's and everything in it”
Forgive us when we forget that we are not the owners but rather the custodians or caretakers and fail to care responsibly for the earth, and her abundant resources.
Lord, we know that stewardship is not limited to money or what we place in the offering plate.
Forgive us when we forget to treat each day as a sacred gift from God to be spent purposefully, not wasted.
Lord, we know that we have all been given unique skills, intellectual and spiritual gifts.
Forgive us when we fail to use them to serve our church and love our neighbours.
Lord, we know that “whatsoever a man sows, so shall he reap ”and that to whom much is given, much is expected."
Forgive us when we fall short of paying our share.  Amen

WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Sometimes, many times, our efforts fail and our stewardship falls short. But God's abundant grace is strong and eternal. Hear and believe the Gospel: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, restored and sent out anew.
Thanks be to God!

SUNG RESPONSE: VU 958 “Halle. Halle. Halle”  2X

MISSION AND SERVICE STORIES (International):
The Work of Water/Faith Farming and Friendship

BELL OFFERTORY:   “How Great Thow Art With Majesty”

PRESENTATION OF OFFERING:   MV 191“ What Can I Do” 2X
What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I'll sing with joy. I'll say a prayer.
I'll bring my love. I'll do my share.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Gracious God, Giver of all life: all that we are and all that we have belongs to you. Today we offer not only our financial resources, but our time, our talents, and our very lives as an act of worship and commitment. We give them with joyful and grateful hearts. Use them to share the love of Jesus in our community and around the world. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

13. OFFERING INVITATION
Gracious God, Giver of all life: all that we are and all that we have belongs to you. Today we offer not only our financial resources, but our time, our talents, and our very lives as an act of worship and commitment. We give them with joyful and grateful hearts. Use them to share the love of Jesus in our community and around the world. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
     Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.

STEWARDSHIP LITANY:
God gave us starry nights and sunsets that take our breath away.
God gave us summer rainstorms and the crunch of fall leaves.
God gave us majestic mountains and golden seas of waving wheat.
God gave us sparkling pools, lakes, rivers and oceans of life-giving water.
God gave us neighbours that blow out our lines, clean our gutters and shovel our snow.
God gave us pancakes, maple syrup and bacon that nourish our bodies.
God gave us the sound of music-voices raised in harmony, the gentle peal of chimes and bells, the tickling of the ivories.
God gave us elders and grandparents to share their wisdom and experience and educators to nourish our minds.
God gave us innocent toddlers that bounce up and down to music, squeal with glee, stamp their feet one minute yelling no, and cuddle close the next with unwavering trust.
God gave us nurses and doctors, who keep us healthy, apply colorful band aids and keep lollipops in their scrub pockets.
God gave us cats that curl up next to us to lend their warmth and dogs that run and slide to the front door to welcome us home.
God gave us hands to build and create with, and to lend to others.
God gave us minds to wonder, a voice to speak and hearts to love.
God gave us church-this imperfect clump of humanity that gathers week after week, striving to be better, striving to do good in the world.
God gave and gave, and gives and gives; and how do we respond?
We say thank you.
We give what we can.
We let it feel like a joy, not an obligation.
We let it feel like a gift, not a burden.
We show up in this space.
We believe these gifts can somehow make a difference, and we refuse to give up on this world.
Thank goodness for a God that forever outgives.
Thank goodness for the opportunity to say thank you for it all.
Amen.

CLOSING HYMN: VU 307 “Touch the Earth Lightly”

BELL BLESSING: “The Blessing”

BENEDICTION:
Gracious God, thank you for this time together and for the gifts, time and resources You have entrusted to our care. Remind us that all we have comes from Your hand, and teach us to share it generously. Empower us to be faithful stewards of Your abundance in our daily lives. Amen.

BELL BENEDICTION:  “Go now in Peace”

ORGAN POSTULUDE:   Guest Organist - Diane Jones

• Old Testament:
  1 Chronicles 29: 1 - 20


• New Testament:
  1 Peter 4: 7 - 11


• Responsive Reading: Psalm 24 VU 750
  Refrain:  “Lift Up the Gates Eternal”

Next Sunday:  Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
        October 25, 2026:
         Deuteronomy 34: 1 - 12   Psalm 90: 1 - 6, 13 - 17;
         1 Thessalonians 2: 1 - 8;  Matthew 22: 34 - 46.

Note: Don't have a Bible? By Clicking on the button below, you can open a new window in an Online Bible. By entering the BOOK and CHAPTER, you will be able to look up the references in the sermon. Copy and paste will work as long as there is no other words between the book name and chapter number. Try it and Enjoy!

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