September 27, 2026
PENTECOST #18
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Listening,
and of Being Immersed in Creation
The quote for today goes something like this:
“Welcome to your moment to stop the routine of everyday life…your moment to worship, to pray, and to celebrate together…and remember, it was amateurs who built the ark – it was professionals who built the Titanic so yes, you are very special indeed!!”
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: Elizabeth Wegg
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
Prelude
Welcoming & Announcements
Land Acknowledgement (Unison)
“As we gather today as the faith community of Lakeview United Church, we are all reminded to acknowledge and honour the land upon which we come together as the historic and the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples. We thank the Blackfoot Nation, the Blood, the Nakoda Stoney, Siksika and our neighbouring TsuuT’Ina Nation for their stewardship of the land on which they reside. May we also continue this stewardship… together.”
Introit “Soil of God, You and I” MV # 174
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Rev. Jope: Light creeps into the sky at dawn, illuminating the early morn. A single lamp glows and brightens the room. A flash of lightning across an evening sky brings splendour to the night. The Christ Candle which we are about to light brings radiance and delight to our worship.
We remember that Christ is the Light of the World. Thanks be to God!
Children’s Hymn “Like a Rock” MV # 92
Call to Worship
Rev. Jope: So, upon this Sunday we continue with our focus on the different elements of the earth and today we pay some special attention to ‘soil’ or ‘earth’ and ‘rocks’…that which is under our feet, and which is so precious to life.
ALL: We know that soil derives from eons and eons of decaying matter and the constant natural changes upon our planet Earth.
Rev. Jope: We are constantly reminded that this soil, this precious gift, is what sustains each of us whether we are farming, gardening, or even breathing in the air which comes to us through the act of photosynthesis.
ALL: We are the soil. We are the earth. We are the rocks upon which our foundations have been built. We are truly the foundation and the building blocks. We are connected to all that is, even the earth beneath our feet.
Rev. Jope: So, it is in this time of worship where we sense that God is calling each of us to pay attention – to possibly understand our connectedness to all which exists;
ALL: from the north, south, east, and west…we gather; human, animal, rock, and soil -- we come to praise.
Rev. Jope: The living organisms which compile the earth lift up their voices to the Creator. This is our dance with God, drawing us closer to the source of our being.
ALL: God’s dance with creation brings life to the universe so together we praise.
Rev. Jope: Yes! Together we praise – together we share in the dance of life. Let us raise our voices in song!
*Opening Hymn “O Beautiful Gaia” MV # 41
Opening Prayer (Unison):
O God, who called all life into being, the planet Earth, the soil, the rocks, the sea and the sky, they are all yours. Your presence is all around us, every atom is full of your energy, and every garden is filled with your vitality. Your Spirit enlivens all who walk the earth, and with her, we yearn for justice to be done, for creation to be freed from bondage, for the hungry to be fed, for captives to be released, and for your kingdom of peace to come on Earth. You have created the Earth beautiful and whole and entrusted it to our care, giving its gifts for our delight. But the footprints of humanity have somehow damaged the Earth: resources dwindling, forests cut down or burning, oceans becoming polluted, the ozone layer in distress and our atmosphere slowly warming. We are changing the climate and ransoming our future…help us to see and to understand and to make changes. May the soil that pours through our hands be rich once again and may the Earth know that we care. Our worship-time today is focused on the soil and the rocks and may all of us be aware that it is one of the gifts given to us as stewards and that yes God, we care… Amen
Affirmation of Our Faith (Unison)
We believe in the God of autumn, who spreads the mantle of divine glory across the hills like a cloak of many colours;
We believe in the God of winter, who whispers in the wind and makes us thankful for the warmth of our home and the warmth of our blanket;
We believe in the God of spring, who dazzles the eye with blankets of blossoms and speaks to our hearts through gentle rains;
We believe in the God of summer, who meets us in the morning mists and waits for us in the cool of the evening;
We believe in the God of all seasons, who is a God for all seasons, and who calls us forth to be a woman or a man for all seasons, ready to sacrifice for truth and to love the world as God loves it. God has revealed the divine nature in Jesus Christ and continues to reveal that nature in the world, in history, and in the inner life.
God’s name is to be praised forever and ever…Amen.
(Taken from “Enter Every Trembling Heart – Prayers for Christian Worship,
pg. 41, Abingdon Press, Nashville, USA. John Killinger)
*Hymn “This Is God’s Wondrous World” VU # 296
Engaging
Reader: Elizabeth Wegg
Old Testament Passage
EXODUS 17: 1-17 Water flows from the rock for the thirsty people in the desert…
Psalm Reading
PSALM 78: 1-4, 12-16 God has done marvellous things in the past; magnify God’s name today!
Hymn of Illumination: “In You There Is a Refuge” MV # 84
Gospel Passage
MATTHEW 21: 23-32 By what authority does Jesus act and teach? …
Message: “Creation Week # 3 - Rocks, Soil, Earth
Responding
Presentation of Our Offerings
Presentation of Our Offerings
(Invitation – Leader)
Understanding God, sometimes certain challenges mean that financial support is how we can serve the church, and sometimes certain challenges mean that it is with our serving actions that we support this community of faith. These are reminders to us in that with our givings, we offer them with our blessings and with open hearts…the offering will now be taken up….
Choir’s Selection of Music
Prayer of Dedication (Rev. Jope)
Sunday’s Reflective Prayer (Rev. Jope)
(Lord’s Prayer)
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
*Closing Hymn “Praise God for This Holy Ground” MV # 42
Blessing
*Commissioning (unison): We are going out now, into this new week. May God’s love sustain us through the challenges that we face and inspire us through the blessings which we may encounter. May we bear the fruit of God’s eternal love and offer up praises and thanksgiving. May we all remain a solid ‘Rock’ in our faith and in our love for others…Amen.
Benediction
Postlude