October 4, 2026
CREATION TIME & AUTUMN WORSHIP
PENTECOST #19
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Listening,
and of Being Immersed in Creation
The quote for today goes something like this:
“Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, humankind will have discovered fire.” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)
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: Don Branter
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
Prelude
Welcoming & Announcements
Land Acknowledgement (Unison)
“Since people first travelled this land, it has been faithfully stewarded. Plants for medicine, animals for clothing and food, fish for food, and fresh air to breathe. However, some people have not cared as they should, and precious resources have dwindled. Today, we give thanks to our Indigenous Nations surrounding Calgary and together, may we do our part in rebalancing the native flora and fauna of this area.”
(Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C., Gathering Mag., Pentecost 2, 2026, Year A, pg. 29)
*Introit “Come, O Holy Spirit” MV # 23
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Rev. Jope: On this World Communion Sunday, we invite the Holy Spirit into our gathering as we worship together. The Candle of Christ sits before us, not yet lit. So now, in remembrance that God is present in all things, we light the candle and bring the light of the world alive and present. As surely as the smallest of lights transforms the deepest shadows of any room, God is here, with us, always…
Call to Worship
Rev. Jope: Upon this Sunday, we continue our focus on some of the different elements of the earth and today we pay some special attention to ‘fire’….something which can warm and yet destroy.
ALL: In the biblical text, fire is often spoken of as ‘spirit’ and during this lengthy season of Pentecost this ‘spirit’ or this ‘fire’ is loosed upon the earth.
Rev. Jope: Fire or flame becomes of great importance as we need to keep our homes warm on the coldest days. Fire is also destructive – one only needs to look west and see the blackened forests in British Columbia where fire has ravaged the land.
ALL: Fire is also important as meals need to be prepared, water to be boiled for sharing tea, and evenings’ darkness chased away.
Rev. Jope: So, it is on this day where we have lit the candle of Christ, the flame of peace, and have been given candles to take home with us. These are to remind us that flames can be and are, healing gifts.
ALL: May our worship service today prepare our hearts and our minds to enter the fire of healing, into the light of Christ.
Rev. Jope: Let all of us be bathed in today’s fire of wholeness.
ALL: And as we have prayed during this ‘Creation Time’ for the earth to receive its due blessing, may we once again pray for fires to warm and not to destroy…And now we share our song together and may the ‘sparks’ fly!
*Opening Hymn “It Only Takes a Spark” VU # 289
Opening Prayer (Unison):
O Fire of Passion…O Warming Presence…as we sometimes travel down roads of uncertainty, of pathways which oftentimes lead to nowhere, may we always know that your guiding light, your flame of direction, leads us to the places where we need to be…through trials and tribulations of life, may we know that we never travel alone and that through faith, we are held firmly and securely in the palm of your hand…when our fire begins to turn to ash, may you be our new armful of fuel to rekindle the dwindling fire…may you be the light of a million candles to lead us through the darkest of nights…and may the glow of your Spirit surround each and every one of us. It is in worship-times, together, such as today, where we all gather and sit around the campfire of life, feeling its warmth, its security, and its common gift which surrounds all of humanity…Amen
Affirmation of Our Faith (Unison)
We believe in the human being who each day renews his/her commitment to justice and truth. And in God who supports us.
We believe in the powerful force of the almighty and in diversity, because it opens us to new horizons. And in God who sustains us.
We believe in this world so maltreated. We can be twinklings of light in a new kingdom.
We believe in God, who sends us to cry with the weeping, to share a smile, to hug the sad, and who allows us to embrace, to be a cradle to the world where everyone has space and air, and where, free of oppression and bonds…..
we find peace.
(Taken from “Gifts in Open hands – Worship Resources for the Global Community”,
pg. 181, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, USA. Maren Tirabassi & Kathy Wonson Eddy)
Hymn “Like a River of Tears” MV # 98
Engaging
Reader: Don Branter
Old Testament Passage
EXODUS 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-20 God gives Moses the Ten Commandments….
Psalm Reading
PSALM 121 Where does our help come from?...
Hymn of Illumination: “Veni Sancte Spiritus” MV # 75
Gospel Passage
MATTHEW 21:33-46 The parable of the landowner and the violent tenants …
Message: “Creation Week # 4 – FIRE”
Responding
Presentation of Our Offerings (Rev. Jope)
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.
Choir’s Selection of Music
Prayer of Dedication (Rev. Jope)
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Rev. Jope: May God be with us as we share in this Holy Meal together.
ALL: God is surely here among us!
Rev. Jope: Let us open our hearts to God.
ALL: We open our hearts to God and also to one another!
Rev. Jope: Let us give thanks to God.
ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise!
Rev. Jope: (Words of invitation…)
ALL: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, Power of Life and Love! Heaven and
earth are full of your glory! Hosanna through the ages!
Blessed is the One who comes to bring justice to earth!”
Let us remember that vision of God’s reign shown to us in
Jesus at table.
Rev. Jope: He shared food with followers and with friends.
ALL: He shared food with saints and sinners,
Rev. Jope: He shared food with crowds of thousands on the hillside.
ALL: And he also shared food with a few close friends. So, this morning, together with our Christian sisters and brothers around the world on this World Communion Sunday, we again hear the story that has been handed down to us from generation to generation:
Rev. Jope: (Sharing the story of Jesus’ last supper and the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the cup…)
ALL: (Prayer) Come, Holy Spirit, move among us this day. May your energy draw us together with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world to live your peace and compassion. May this food and drink, which nourishes our bodies and our spirits, fill us with a longing for your realm of freedom and abundance on this earth. Come, Holy Spirit, move among us on this day. Move among all people of the world with your love and peace! And with Jesus, we pray together saying:
“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
Rev. Jope: Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, all honour and glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever…the gifts of God for the people of God…come, for all is ready…
Sunday’s Reflective Prayer (Rev. Jope)
*Closing Hymn “As a Fire Is meant for Burning” VU # 578
Blessing
*Commissioning (unison): May we go out into the world and be the fires of love, of hope, of compassion, and of peace. May we lighten up other lives with our joy and may the Spirit of the Living God always guide us on our journey. We are called to nurture, to heal, to offer blessings, and to ignite the darkness into light!!...Amen.
Benediction
Postlude