Order of Service / Creation Time 3 / September 27, 2026

 # Gathering Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth (#226 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: The earth is God’s and all that is in it.

  All: Holy Love is the sea we swim in.

One: Green pastures give us safety and life.

  All: Justice and peace are our calling.

One: The saints of every age and every type of creature surround us.

All: We open ourselves to the Creator Spirit.

One: Let us worship God!

*Adapted from Robin Wardlaw. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 26.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Morning Has Broken (#409 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Creator God, we come before you in a time of crisis. We know that much of your creation struggles; we begin to see and acknowledge the changes around us; we search for the causes and the cures and the collaborative ways we can commit to care for creation. We want to do what’s right, but we don’t always know what that is or agree how best to do it. Help us learn what we must, listening to the diverse voices of creation itself. Help us understand and love what you have loved and called “very good.” Enliven that understanding, we ask, to allow ourselves to be moved to act as we should and to halt actions that harm. Guide us as we try to discern how best to truly listen to each other as well as creation and heed your call. We ask for forgiveness where we have taken too much or cared too little, for hearts willing to listen and change and will to follow through. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*The United Church of Canada. For the Love of Creation, Earth Sunday Service 2023.

Words of Assurance

One: God is present in the living world, calling us again into relationship and care.

  All: We are received with love and invited into a new beginning.

One: In Christ, we are given courage to listen, to learn, and to change our ways.

  All: We are renewed for the healing of creation and the well-being of our neighbours.

One: The Spirit moves among us, opening our hearts and guiding our steps.

All: Thanks be to God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which holds us and all creation. 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

Exodus 17:1-7 Water flows from the rock for the thirsty people in the desert.

Psalm 78:1-2, 12-16 (VU p.792) God has done marvellous things in the past; magnify God’s name today!

Matthew 21:28-32 The One Who Does the Will of God.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Sermon

*Hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (#651 VU)

*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)
 Creator God, we thank you for the gifts that sustain life and for the earth we share. Receive these offerings and use them to bring care, hope, and healing to your people and your creation. May all we give serve your way of justice and life. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Touch the Earth Lightly (#307 VU)

*Commissioning

One: The Creator meets us in earth and water, in breath and living things.

All: We go with gratitude for the life we share.

One: Christ walks with us toward places of thirst, hurt, and hope.

  All: We will make room for healing, justice, and peace.

One: The Spirit moves among and within us, drawing us into deeper care.

  All: We will live gently, love widely, and honour all 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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