Order of Service / Creation 2 / September 20, 2026

 # Gathering Hymn This Is God’s Wondrous World (#296 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Let us lift our voices in praise.

  All: Let us sing to the Creator of heaven and earth.

One: Let us praise the rock of our salvation.

  All: We give thanks to the one who has created and is creating.

One: With all living things, let us bring adoration to our God,

All: who was, who is, and who always will be.

One: Let us worship God!

*Frances Flook. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 26.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn We Praise You, Creator (#293 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Dear God, too often humanity asks for more, even though there is enough. You gave us the earth with its wind, water, fire, and food, and there is enough for all, but even then, people want more. We are rich in many ways. Wealth is counted in better ways than money and personal possessions. We may count the wealth we have in each other and in friends and family. Yet many people live off the peril and sacrifice of other people in the world, and don’t give it a thought. Each person is someone who needs your love, O God. Each person deserves food, shelter, and well-being. Show humanity that the abundance you have given us is more than enough and inspire humanity to leave the human-created problem of scarcity in the history books. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Scott Martin. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 28.

Words of Assurance

One: God’s grace is like a river, flowing freely and making all things new.

  All: We receive that grace with open hearts.

One: God gathers us into a life of sharing, compassion, and hope.

  All: We are renewed in love and called to walk together.

One: God’s presence meets us here, restoring our spirits and drawing us toward a wider way of living.

All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Hymn – Like a Rock, #92 MV)

Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet

Like the starry night sky, God is over our head

Like the sun on the horizon, God is ever before

Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Philippians 1:21-30 To live is Christ and to die is gain.

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 (VU p.828-829, Part 1&4) Make known what God has done.

Matthew 20:1-16 Wages for workers: What’s “fair” in God’s economy?

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Sermon

*Hymn Creator God You Gave Us Life (#27 MV)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#542 VU, We Give You But Your Own)

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be,

all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.

Until life’s work is done

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
 God of life, we give thanks for the gifts of the earth and for the many ways your goodness is shared among us. Receive these offerings, and use them to nurture hope, strengthen community, and care for your creation. May what we give become part of your work of healing, justice, and peace. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn O God beyond All Praising (#256 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Go into the world attentive to the life around you.

All: We will walk gently upon the earth.

One: Notice what is growing, what is hurting, and what is calling for care.

  All: We will respond with compassion and courage.

One: Share what you have, honour the worth of every person, and tend the gifts entrusted to us.

  All: We go to live with gratitude, justice, and care for creation. Amen.

*Commissioning Song Peace Be with You (#215 MV)

Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you my friends.

Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace.

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