| Minister: the Rev. Dr. Steven Davis Organist/Music Director: Henry Remiz Children & Youth Program Leader: Moira Robertson Office Administrator: Arleane Ralph Custodian: John Herscheid October 25, 2026, 10:00am Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost |
WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE
PRELUDE: “Salut d’Amour” (Elgar); performed by Rimosa Strings
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
HONOURING THE LAND
THE LIGHTING OF THE RAINBOW CANDLE
THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
INTROIT: “Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary” (sung twice by congregation; #18 More Voices)
WE APPROACH GOD
OPENING SONGS
“How Sacred Is This Place” (#392 Voices United)
“Spirit of Life” (#381 Voices United)
“Be Still And Know” (verse 1 only)
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty and ever-present God, we come before you this morning with boldness, not because of our own righteousness, but because you have invited us to draw near. We confess that we have often wandered from your presence, choosing our own ways over yours, and for that we are truly sorry. Yet we trust your promise that when we seek you, we will find you. So we gather here, imperfect but hopeful, longing to know you more. Draw close to us now as we worship, and let your Spirit fill this place. In the name of Christ, we now pray in the words he left us:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
ANNIVERSARY BANNER DEDICATION
(The banner is brought forward)
Minister: Giver of all good gifts, it is by your power that all things are made holy. We give you thanks for your marvellous wonders, and for the work of human hands. be with us now as we receive this banner, made with love. We ask for your blessing and dedicate it to your service. May your face shine upon what we do here today, so that all might draw nearer to you and praise you always. Amen.
(The banner is presented)
(The banner is accepted)
Leader: In the name of the Holy and Triune God: Father Son and Holy Spirit…
People: We dedicate this banner to the glory of God.
Minister: With gratitude and reverence…
People: We dedicate this banner to the glory of God.
Minister: For the beauty of this place and for the sake of God’s people…
People: We dedicate this banner to the glory of God.
All: Almighty God, source of all inspiration and beauty, we thank you for the gift of this banner now dedicated to the glory of your name. May your Holy Spirit guide us in the reverent and loving use of all things, remembering always your greatest gift to us: Jesus Christ, your Son, our Saviour. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD
HYMN: “God Is Here” (#389 Voices United)
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:15-19 (read by Paul Habermell); Exodus 33:12-23
HYMN: “We Plough The Fields And Scatter” (#520 Voices United)
SERMON: Seeking God’s Presence
WE RESPOND TO GOD
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
ANNIVERSARY HYMN: “Come Let Us Sing”
Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
Tender and true, tender and true,
Out of the heart of the Father above,
Streaming to me and to you:
Wonderful love, wonderful love,
Dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Jesus, the Saviour this gospel to tell,
Joyfully came, joyfully came—
Came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
Sharing their sorrow and shame:
Seeking the lost, seeking the lost;
Saving, redeeming at measureless cost.
Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
Why do they roam? why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
Home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love,
Dwells in the heart of the Father above.
Come to my heart, O thou wonderful Love,
Come and abide, come and abide;
Lifting my life till it rises above
Envy and falsehood and pride:
Seeking to be, seeking to be
Lowly and humble, a learner of Thee.
OFFERTORY HYMN: Improvisation, followed by “What Can I Do?” (#191 More Voices)
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING
Gracious God, we bring these gifts before you with thankful hearts. They represent our labour, our love, and our desire to see your Kingdom come. Bless them now, we pray, that they may support the ministries of St. Mark’s—feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, and sharing the good news of your grace. Just as we boldly seek your presence, trusting that you are near, may these offerings become a tangible sign of your love in our community and beyond. Multiply them for your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “The Journey” (E. Harris)
200TH ANNIVERSARY SLIDE
THE WORLD THIS WEEK SLIDES
PASTORAL PRAYER
VIDEO: Introducing the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada
CLOSING HYMN: “Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation” (#325 Voices United)
WE SERVE GOD AND GOD’S PEOPLE
BENEDICTION
CHORAL CLOSING: “Halle, Halle, Halle” (sung twice by choir; #958 Voices United)
POSTLUDE: “Trumpet Tune” (Purcell); performed by Rimosa Strings
| Thought of the Day “To seek God’s face is to desire Him more than His gifts, His presence more than His provisions.” (Dallas Willard) |
Music reproduced with permission under licenses: OneLicense A610919 and CCLI license #11269798
