Third Avenue United Church

CHRIST CANDLE LITURGY:
We light this candle to remember that God is present in all things. As surely as the smallest of lights transforms the deepest shadows of any room,
God is here, with us, always.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2026; Christine LeBlanc

Sung Response: VU 679 “We Praise You, O God” V 3
3. With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Today is the day in the life of the church that we remember the saints.
Let's remember those who suffered bringing the word of God to the world.
Let's remember those who lived what appeared to be perfect, pious lives bringing the word of God to the world.
But let's also remember that we are God's saints here on earth, sinners called to new life in Christ.
Yes, we are saints of God because we have been called to be living witnesses to God's purposes here and now.
We have been set apart for God. We know we are not perfect but we are being transformed.
So come, let us worship together, allowing the Holy Spirit to continue our transformation.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2026; Judy Sears

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we thank you for your presence today as we worship in the company of the saints who came before us. We thank you for the saints, past and present, who are here with us today, caring, comforting, and guiding. We ask you to bless us as we worship today and pray that we can become more saint-like ourselves. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2026; Sue Carleton

4. HYMN: VU 707 “For the Faithful Who Have Answered
1. For the faithful who have answered when they heard your call to serve,
for the many ways you led them testing will and stretching nerve,
for their work and for their witness as they strove against the odds,
for their courage and obedience we give thanks and praise, O God.

2. Many eyes have glimpsed the promise, many hearts have yearned to see.
Many ears have heard you calling us to greater liberty
Some have fallen in the struggle, others still are fighting on.
You are not ashamed to own us. We give thanks and praise, O God.

3. For this cloud of faithful witness, for the common life we share,
for the work of peace and justice, for the gospel that we bear,
for the vision that our homeland is your love - deep, high, and broad -
for the different roads we travel we give thanks and praise, O God.

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. PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Loving God, the world is in need of saints. Those who came before us and gave so much are being remembered today. We too seek to be your saints in this world. Yet, we are travelling a path that is not easy. There are mountains to climb in serving the world, but we are taking it one moment, one action at a time. We are not perfect. We struggle at times. We even wander off the path you have put us on. We come together here today to remind ourselves that we are all your saints, to encourage one another and assist one another.
We reach out. We pray. We give. We strive to be your servants, your disciples, your saints. We are here to learn. Teach us, dear God. Guide us. Bless us. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2026; Eileen Masse

7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
The God of freedom is always present, always forgiving, ever loving. We are assured that we are forgiven, we are loved, and we will never be alone.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost - 2- 2026; Beth W Johnston

8. SUNG RESPONSE:VU 582 “There's a Spirit in the Air” V 6
6. May the Spirit fill our praise,
guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay,
live tomorrow's life today.

8. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
When we keep our hearts and minds focused on things that are excellent and admirable, God blesses us with a peace that passes all understanding. Let us share signs of this peace with one another.
From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
Copyright @2025 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

9. OFFERING INVITATION:
A world in need awaits our offering. Our offering of time, talents, and treasures can make a difference, here and around the world. The needs of our community and of the world are many. We sometimes feel as if we cannot possibly make a difference. Yet, we are called to work together and to realize that, in caring together, the results are multiplied beyond our imagination. Let us give of our hearts, ourselves, and our lives. The offering will be received.

10. OFFERTORY: VU 544 “In Gratitude and Humble Trust”
Tune Forest Green VU 518

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. PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Holy One, thank you for blessing us in so many ways. Please bless our offerings: to bring your presence more fully into the world, to spread your love to far and wide, to bring hope and peace where despair runs deep. In loving gratitude, 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.

13. HYMN: VU 716 “My Life Flows On”
1. My life flows on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing:
It finds an echo in my soul -
how can I keep from singing?

2. What though my joys and comforts die?
My Saviour still is living.
What though the shadows gather 'round?
A new song Christ is giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that Rock I'm clinging:
since Love commands both heaven and earth,

how can I keep from singing? 3. When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
and hear their death knells ringing:
when friends rejoice both far and near,
how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging:
when friends by shame are undefiled,
how can I keep from singing?

4. I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
and day by day this pathway smooths,
since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing:
all things are mine since I am Christ's -
how can I keep from singing?

14. BLESSING:
Let us go from this place in strength and in determination.
We go to continue sharing the good news with those we meet each day everywhere.
Depart only to return faithfully again to this company of saints.
We commit to a resurrection life supported by the communion of saints.
Embark on a journey of discovery and danger as you share the faith.
We will dance our lives of faith by the Spirit's song, equal to any challenge by God's grace.
Used with permission Gathering Pentecost 2 2026; Gord Dunbar

Next Sunday: Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
        November 8, 2026:
         Joshua 24: 1 - 3a, 14 - 25   Psalm 78: 1 - 7;
         Psalm 78:1-7 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18;  Matthew 25:1-13.

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!