CANDLE LITURGY
Today we light this Christ candle
realizing that many do not live in peace.
As this flame catches on and burns more brightly,
we pray that peace may grow and transform our world.
     (Light the Christ candle.)
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Beth W Johnston

VU 524 “O Canada”

A reading of Poem "A Symbol"

The Placing of Wreaths and or Poppies by anyone Wishing to do so: (I have people come forward a lay their poppy around the Christ Candle; while quiet music is playing or just silence)

The Last Post - Greg Corcoran
Two Minutes of Silence
Reveille - Greg Corcoran

The Act of Remembrance:
“They Shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them no the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning,” “We will remember them”.    “We will remember them.”

1.  CALL TO WORSHIP:
In times of war, in times of peace- the Creator is present.
On the battlefield, at the peace table- the Christ is present.
With the wounded and the dying, and with those who wait - the Spirit is present.
And what is God doing?
Grieving over the injustice.
Grieving over the brokenness.
Grieving over the loss.
And?
And calling us back to repentance, to renewal, to life abundant, to peace.
So today, in our remembrance, in our songs, in our prayers…
let us worship the One who is with All, no matter what.
Let us worship God as we remember.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Richard Bott

2. OPENING PRAYER:
In a world lost in unrest, we pray for your peace, O God.
In a world lost in mistrust, we pray for your peace, O God.
In a world in which wars and violence continue, we pray for your peace, O God. In a climate of fear and frustration, we pray for your peace, O God. When we want to draw inward, may your peace, O God, help us to keep our spirits open to opportunities to share your compassion and care. In this world, O God, may we be a beacon of peace. Amen.
     Adapted/Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Beth W Johnston

3. LEARNING TIME:

4. HYMN: A Hymn of Remembrance Tune “Aurelia” VU 331
(“Greater love has no one than this.” from John 15:13)

O God of endless ages, Whose will is still that we
Should live in peace and freedom, With love of liberty,
In prayer we now remember The death and dignity
Of those who sought to rescue This precious legacy.

They gave themselves for others Whose names they did not know,
For God and their country They vowed to overthrow
The infamous oppressor, Their lives prepared to give.
With selflessness and courage They died that we may live.

The wars that now we're waging On crime and poverty,
Disease and much injustice Absorb our energy.
Yet often with indiff'rence We, in these latter days,
Forget the poppy's symbol Their sacrifice portrays.

With each new generation The memory further fades
Deep into history's pages With tales of bygone days.
So may our children's children, As rich inheritors,
With us, O God, remember Why freedom still endures.
     Doreen M. Lankshear-Smith, Thunder Bay, Ont.

5.  PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
My friends, we live in a broken world, aching from the wounds in our lives, communities, country, and the whole inhabited earth.  Let us pray:
We meet the abundance of your creation with exploitation and deprivation. We meet the peace that passes all understanding with war and violence. We meet the love that knows no borders with exclusion and hate. We meet your boundless grace with judgment and revenge. In the presence of your peace, in the confidence of your love, we confess our failings and wrongs, turning from that which harms ourselves, our neighbours, and you. Meet us in our brokenness, loving God, and journey with us on the path to healing and hope. Amen.
      Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Jennifer Henry

6.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Whether under moonlight or during the day, the steadfast grace of God delivers us from the shame stirring within us. May the eternal comfort and hope of our Creator fill our hearts with peace and courage for the road ahead.
May it be so.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

7.  SUNG RESPONSE: VU 684 “Make Me a Channel of your Peace”
1.  Make me a channel of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your healing power,
and where there's doubt, true faith in you:

2.  Make me a channel of your peace:
where there's despair in life, let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, only light;
and where there's sadness, ever joy.
     O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
     so much to be consoled as to console,
     to be understood as to understand,
     to be loved as to love with all my soul.

3.  Make me a channel of your peace.
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all that we receive,
and in dying that we're born to eternal life.
ever, only, all for thee.

8.  AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: “A New Creed ” VU 918
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
     The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998

9.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Through the work of our hearts and hands, we are called to deliver the justice and kindness of God. Courage is our guide, as we discern which gifts to share. May the wisdom of God our Creator shine on our pathways along the way. Let us present the morning offering.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

10. 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.

11.  OFFERING PRAYER:
We have come together in your name, Gracious God. We long for wars and anger to cease. Bring us to the place of silence, where we can notice your still small voice and learn to be a peaceful people, modelling authentic peace in the world. In the example of Jesus Christ, who shows us the way, we offer these gifts that they may support the work of all who seek to be peace and blessing in this congregation, this community, and beyond.  Amen.
     Used with permission from Pentecost 2 gathering 2025; Bill Steadman

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

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

13. HYMN: “God Save the King”
God save our gracious King
Long live our noble King,
God save The King:
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The King.

14.  BLESSING:
Receive the breath of reconciling peace given to the church.
Peace within, peace in our midst.
Peace given for the well-being of the world.
Receive the peace of Christ and carry it out into the world.
     Used with permission Pentecost 2 Gathering 2025; Jeff Werner

15. THREE FOLD AMEN

Next Sunday:  Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost
        November 16, 2025:
         Isaiah 65:17-25;   Psalm 98;
         2 Thessalonians 3:6-13;  Luke 21:5-19.

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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