Grace United Church | United Church in Thornbury, ON

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November 1, 2026: All Saints Day

Rev Brian Goodings

Sunday, November 1, 2026

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November 1, 2026

All Saints Day

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: Sandy Eagles

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

Scripture for meditation: Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them… (Matthew 5: 1,2)

We Gather

PRELUDE: A Selection of Hymns – C. Burton

A Stewardship Second
Good stewardship is not conserving and holding, protecting and preserving. Good stewardship is growing, developing, advancing, and building the gifts with which God has blessed us.” (Kennon L. Callahan)

WELCOME

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE

RESPONSE: Hymn: VU # 400 “Lord, Listen To Your Children Praying”
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
send us love, send us power, send us grace!

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 WORSHIP
If you have come in certainty or in confusion, this community will companion with you.
If you have come in silent suffering or with hidden joy, this community will honour your tears of happiness or heartbreak.
If you have come for your own or another’s need, this community will accept your gifts and your poverty.
If you have come and do not know why, this community will honour your questions.
Together we create a worshipping church and we become seekers and celebrants of God’s Good News.

*OPENING HYMN: VU #395. “Come In, Come In and Sit Down”
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

1. You know the reason why you came,
yet no reason can explain;
so share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family.
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

2. God is with us in this place,
like a mother’s warm embrace.
We’re all forgiven by God’s grace,
for we are a part of the family.
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

3. There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
we are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God’s temple, it’s not yours or mine,
but we are a part of the family.
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

4. There’s rest for the weary and health for us all;
there’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
for we are a part of the family.
Refrain:
Come in, come in and sit down,
you are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
and we are a part of the family.

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation: Saints of Grace

We Listen

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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.

SERMON: “Upside Down” Rev Brian Goodings

PASTORAL & LORD’S PRAYER: (sung hymn 959)

We Respond

INVITATION to the OFFERING
It might not look like much—that little envelope with your offering and your number, a business card about PAR, words on a computer screen—but it is profound. Your presence in worship today is because generations before you have generously given. Now it is your turn. Be profound...present your gifts.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
Our gifts we offer, O God, not out of duty or obligation, but out of a deep longing to be part of your never-ending story of love and salvation. May these gifts be a blessing to those who will come after us. Amen

DEDICATION HYMN: Hymn: VU # 603 “In Loving Partnership We Come” v.1
In loving partnership we come,
seeking, O God, your will to do.
Our prayers and actions now receive;
we freely offer them to you.

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

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out

*CLOSING HYMN: MV #79 “Spirit, Open My Heart “
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.

1. God, replace my stony heart
with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear
to your grace I now surrender.
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.

2. Write your love upon my heart
as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed,
may my living bring you glory.
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.

3. May I weep with those who weep,
share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ,
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.

*COMMISSIONING

*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.

*alternate words: watching from above

POSTLUDE: “Gigue” - J.S. Bach

All are invited to attend a Congregational Meeting and lunch after the service. Please consider these questions for discussion:

1. Thinking about our own needs and that of the broader community, how should/could Grace United Church Thornbury collaborate with other churches?

2. Thinking about my own spiritual growth and pastoral care needs, what should or could Grace do more of or less of or do differently?