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October 25, 2026: Twenty-second after Pentecost

Rev Brian Goodings

Sunday, October 25, 2026

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October 25, 2026

Twenty-second after Pentecost

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:
Minister: Rev. Dr. Brian Goodings
Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
Lay Reader: Debbie Potts

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

Scripture for meditation
“Teacher,” he asked, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

We Gather

PRELUDE: Some Favourite Hymns – C. Burton

A Stewardship Second
Stewardship is a life-long process. In fact, stewardship extends beyond our lifetime. Please consider making a gift in your will to support the ministry of your Community of Faith and through Mission and Service the ministry of The United Church of Canada.

WELCOME

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE

RESPONSE: VU #672 “Take Time to Be Holy” v.1
Take time to be holy, speak oft with your Lord;
abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
Grace United Church celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus, we work towards justice and affirm our welcome for people of all gender identities and sexual preferences.
In gratitude and respect, The United Church of Canada gathers, worships, and works on Indigenous lands across Canada.

CALL to FAITH: Carter Heyward
And you who’s Spirit is sad and unsure, try to remember the very best parts of your life,
the loveliest feelings in your body-self,
occasions of bold delight and quiet confidence, moments of un-ambivalent commitment and joy.
Try to remember when you have believed passionately in something or someone, human or divine.
Try to imagine that someone now believes in you because she trusts your loveliest feelings….commitments…confidence…joy.
She goes with us, evoked by historical faith-memory and voices audible only to ears that can hear the power of God in history. Her name is love.

*OPENING HYMN: VU #661 “Come to My Heart”
1. Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
come to my heart today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.

2. Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
fill me with love today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Fill me with love, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.

3. Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
teach me to walk in your way.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
Answer my prayer today.
Give me the peace and joy
that only you can bring.
Answer my prayer, Lord Jesus;
give me a song to sing.

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation: Agape Love

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READINGS
Older Testament Leviticus 19: 1, 2, 15-18 (Holiness)
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Speak to all the congregation of the Israelites and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
“You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand idly by when the blood of your neighbor is at stake: I am the Lord.
“You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Gospel Matthew 22: 34-46 (greatest law)
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question:“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet” ’?
“If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?”
No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

RESPONSE: VU #299 “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” (v.1)
Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;
let your world of beauty capture me.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
life be celebrated, joy you give.

CHOIR ANTHEM: “Supplication” - L. Spevacek

SERMON: “Spirit of Law” Rev. Brian Goodings

PASTORAL & LORD’S PRAYER (VU #914)

*HYMN: VU #658 “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”
1. O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.

2. O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain
that morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be.

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Sometimes, the great vision God has given us will not come to pass in our lifetime. Yet it is still our generosity which moves the vision forward. As you make your offering today, think about the impact it will have for generations to come. Let us give.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
God of the past, the present, and the future, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. That reassurance inspires us to present these offerings. With our thanks and our hope for the future, we ask your blessing. 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

DEDICATION HYMN: MV #191 “What Can I Do?” (2x)
What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*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.

*COMMISSIONING

*BENEDICTION HYMN: VU #424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us”
May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace, singing,
Share our joy with all,
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
Freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
To a world restored, to human life renewed.
Praying, let us work for peace, singing,
Share our joy with all,
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

POSTLUDE: “Sonata Opus 10 No. 1, 1st Mov’t “ - Beethoven

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