Grace United Church | United Church in Thornbury, ON

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November 16, 2025: Sunday Morning Service

Robbie Walker

Sunday, November 16, 2025

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November 16^th, 2025

Trans Sunday of Remembrance

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
Worship Leader: Robbie Walker
Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Ricardo Araujo

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather

PRELUDE: A Selection of Hymns – C. Burton

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

A Stewardship Second: Faithful in small things, faithful in all things.

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE
The favour of Messiah Jesus,
and the love of God,
and the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all!
And also with you!
This is the light of Christ,
The Light no Shadow can extinguish.

*SONG: MV # 79 “Spirit, Open my Heart”
(Refrain, Verse, Refrain)
Refrain:
Spirit, open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love,
in receiving and in giving,
Spirit, open my heart.
Verse:
May I weep with those who weep
Share the joy of friend and lover
With the welcome of Jesus
May we welcome one another
Refrain:
Spirit, open my heart
to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love,
in receiving and in giving,
Spirit, open my heart.

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect. At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community. We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. We acknowledge that they are the first stewards of this land and we respect their histories and past and present cultures. We will work to recognize and remove barriers to reconciliation.

CALL to WORSHIP
O yes! We are convicted that nothing in life or in death can defeat Love:
Neither angels good nor evil, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers;
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation
can separate us
from God’s Love Undefeated:
Messiah Jesus, the Beloved!
O yes, we are convicted!
Oh yes!

*HYMN: VU #312 “Praise with Joy the World’s Creator”
1. Praise with joy the world’s Creator,
God of justice, love, and peace,
source and end of human knowledge,
God whose grace shall never cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
power to rescue and release.

2. Praise to Christ who feeds the hungry,
frees the captive, finds the lost,
heals the sick, upsets religion,
fearless both of fate and cost.
Celebrate Christ’s constant presence:
friend and stranger, guest and host.

3. Praise the Spirit sent among us,
liberating truth from pride,
forging bonds where race or gender,
age or nation dare divide.
Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure:
foolishness none dare deride.

4. Praise the Maker, Christ, and Spirit,
one God in community,
calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity.
This the world shall see reflected:
God is One and One in Three.

OPENING PRAYER
Living and Faithful God: Through the ministry of Jesus and the power of your Holy Spirit, free us from fear of death and the grip of the tomb. Move in us as the fullness of Life, that we may proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

Lighting Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation: What Do We Do When Times Get Tough?

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READINGS
A reading from the prophet Malachi 4:1-2a

See, the day is coming, burning like an oven,
when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble;
the day that comes shall burn them up,
says the LORD of hosts,
so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
But for you who revere my name,
the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

Let us listen for the Word.

RESPONSE: Thanks be to God!

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Common Praise Book)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

GOSPEL READING
The Lord be with you!
And also with you!

The radical Good News of Messiah Jesus according to Luke: 21: 5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, [Jesus] said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
[The disciples] asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

MINISTRY of MUSIC: Improvisation - G. Fauré (C. Burton)

SERMON: Robbie Walker

ONE MINUTE of SILENCE

*HYMN: VU #333 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

2. Come, almighty to deliver;
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

3. Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Following Jesus is never a one-time thing. It's a journey. Day after day. Today as we worship, we also practice generosity and giving, both important parts of being a disciple. No matter how we give, let us present our gifts for the ministry of this congregation and beyond through Mission and Service

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
All-embracing God, we praise you for the blessings of love and care that we have received. You do a new thing in each of us. Your Spirit enables us to do more than we can possibly imagine. So as we offer our gifts, we ask that you bless them. Amen.

Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate”
or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org. Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register. Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving. Care, Prayer, Share

PRAYERS of the PEOPLE &The LORD’S PRAYER (VU 910)
Let us pray. O God, who holds all things, you have knit your chosen people together in one communion, in the mystical body of your Son, Messiah Jesus, Your Beloved. Give to your whole Church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace.
Hear us, Lord.
May all people receive your call to die to sin and rise to newness of life, passing with Jesus from the grave and gate of death to our joyful resurrection.
Hear us, Lord.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who move as yet by faith, the Gift of Your Holy Spirit to lead us in lives of beauty and justice always.
Hear us, Lord.
Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace. Teach us to trust that Jesus cleanses us from all our sins, and may we love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Hear us, Lord.
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care—infuse and console them with your Love.
Hear us, Lord.
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a holy and certain hope and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love.
Hear us, Lord.
Grant us grace to entrust our trans siblings, friends, and loves to your never-failing love, which sustains them in death as in life. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, and remember them according to the favour you bear for your people.

And now, dearly beloved, let us gather all our cares into one, offering the prayer that Jesus gave us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*HYMN: “Canticle of the Turning” [or similar]
1. My soul cries out with a joyful shout
That the God of my heart is great
And my spirit sings of the Wondrous things
That you bring to the ones who wait
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight
And my weakness you did not spurn
So from east to west shall my name be blest
Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!

2. Though I am small, my God, my all, you
Work great things in me
And your mercy will last from the Depths
Of the past to the end of the age to be
Your very name puts the proud to shame
And to those who would for you yearn
You will show your might
Put the strong to flight
For the world is about to turn
Refrain:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!

3. From the halls of power to the fortress tower
Not a stone will be left on stone
Let the king beware for your
Justice tears ev'ry tyrant from his throne
The hungry poor shall weep no more
For the food they can never ears
There are tables spread, ev'ry
Mouth be fed
For the world is about to turn
Refrain:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!

4. Though the nations rage from age to age
We remember
Who holds us fast
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp
This saving word that our forebears
Heard is the promise which holds us bound
'Til the spear and rod can be
Crushed by God
Who is turning the world around
Refrain: x2
My heart shall sing of the day you bring
Let the fires of your justice burn
Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near
And the world is about to turn!

*COMMISSIONING

*SUNG BENEDICTION: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, * within, around, above.
Go now in peace, in faith and in love.
Amen, amen, amen.