October 25, 2026
22nd SUNDAY after PENTECOST
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of celebration, worship
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders: Fiona Hayes
Chair of Council: Vacant
Scripture Reader: Beth Elliott
Worship Led: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
Prelude
Welcoming & Announcements
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Introit: “Love the Lord, your God with all your Heart”
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: (Unison)
We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nations, the Metis Nation and all people what make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Gerry: Gracious God we gather today the last Sunday in October
ALL: We come to worship, to pray, to sing, to hear the ancient stories and to support one another.
Gerry: We come as faithful people seeking rest and renewal through the Spirit as we continue our journey to walk with the Christ.
ALL: May our words help us to remember the commandment of Jesus to love God with all our heart and soul and mind.
Gerry: We give thanks for the one who created us, who mentored us, who showed us the way, who inspires us still.
ALL: May we celebrate the joy and love and peace that surrounds us as we worship.
*Opening Hymn: “Come to My Heart” VU# 661
OPENING PRAYER : ( Unison)
ALL: Gracious God, as we continue our journey into a new month and through the darkest months, and look towards a new season, may our voices express and sing praises of your love for us. Let there be rays of sunshine that help us remember the direction we wish to go. May we nurture one another as we journey through life with all its ups and downs. When we find it difficult to accept the realities that are around us, help us to understand. We pray in the name of the One who asked us to love God with all our heart and soul and mind. Amen.
A NEW CREED (Unison)
We are not alone.
We believe 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.
Engaging
Reader: Beth Elliott
Older Testament Reading
DEUTERONOMY 34:1-12 Moses dies and is buried in Moab
Psalm 90: sung – VU page 807 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Gospel Reading
MATTHEW 22:34-46 Love God, Love Your Neighbour as Yourself
MESSAGE: “The Shema”
*Hymn: “In Loving Partnership We Come” VU# 603
Responding
Presentation of our Offerings
Invitation: Gerry
We have received much from God and God’s Creation. Let us give thanks and share so that this abundance may equip all disciples for their work in the world.
Choir Anthem: “Send Down the Fire” arr: Mark Hayes
Prayer of Dedication (for the offering) (Rev. Gerry Scharff)
Pastoral Prayer: Jean Reid
Lord’s Prayer.
Closing Hymn: “We Are Pilgrims” VU# 595
Blessing
*COMMISSIONING (unison):
ALL: God calls us to go out giving thanks for worship and for this time together. May we walk forward with joy and love as we seek to be disciples, remembering that always we walk in the way of Jesus. Amen
*BENEDICTION (Rev. Gerry Scharff)
Postlude