10/20/2026
Barrhead United Church
October 18, 2026
21st Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Leader: Danny Fontaine
Music Leader: Rev. Jim Alexander
Welcome
Good morning and welcome back to those in person today and those of you joining us on the live stream! I am Danny Fontaine, and in the Name of the Father our Creator and Mother, the Son our Companion and Mentor, and the Holy Spirit our Breathing Life and Inspiring Love, I welcome you to our time of worship and remind you that all are welcomed. Wherever you are in your journey of faith and of life, whatever you are struggling with, whoever you love… you are welcome!
Oct 25 – Rev Jim Alexander
Nov 1 – Lisa Gehring
General Givings Income
2026 Goal ~ $100,000.00
YTD ~ $66,608
Last week’s General Givings ~ $370
M&S YTD ~ $11,776
2026 Harvest Sale Total ~ $600 ~ Thank you!!
Refreshments will be served after worship.
All are welcome!
Announcements
« Nov 15 – Soup Sunday, Free-will offerings to UCW
« Bible Studies
o Tuesdays @ 9:30am at Hillcrest & 7:00pm on Zoom – Bible Study
o Fridays @ 9:30 – Join us for Scripture Meditation (Bible Study /Lectio Divina)
« Choir/Cantata - Wednesdays @ 6:30/7:30 –
« Thank you, Jan Pype, for folding our bulletins.
Praise and Prayer List
Thanks be to God for prayers answered.
Continue to pray for:
-Those affected by Mental Health Concerns
-Residents of Long-Term Care and Lodges
-Grieving Families in our Community
-All Victims of Violence
-Survivors of Residential Schools
-For all Churches, Local, National and Worldwide
World Council of Churches-Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras & Mexico
Mission and Service: A Circle of Twelve
There’s a particular feeling that comes with visiting longtime companions in ministry, a sense of stepping into a story that began long before you arrived and will continue long after you leave. I felt it immediately on my first trip to Tanzania. Since 1979, The United Church of Canada has been accompanying the work of the Morogoro Women’s Training Centre (MWTC), a unit of the Christian Council of Tanzania, in Tanzania, supporting their locally-led efforts that empower women.
One of those efforts, run in 2023 with the support of Mission and Service, included a holistic training for mothers of children with disabilities. The program wove together self esteem and confidence building, small business and entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, emotional support, and practical knowledge about caring for children. It was a space where women learned, but also where they were seen, heard, and held by one another.
Many of the women spoke of the “before.” Of years marked by isolation, stigma, and the heaviness of carrying their child’s needs alone. Some described shame that kept them hidden, or fear of being misunderstood by neighbors, their church community, and even family. Their love for their children was unwavering, but the loneliness was real.
What’s grown after their time at MWTC is something far more powerful than what any single training session could offer: they found one another.
They found language for their experiences. They found community where shame once lived, and possibility where isolation once closed in. The relationships they built became an ongoing source of strength.
There were twelve women in the training that week—twelve stories and twelve journeys being strengthened in community. I couldn’t help but notice the echo of another circle of twelve. God has always used small groups of ordinary people to carry hope into the world. These women, too, are bearers of that hope.
Among the twelve, three shared that their husbands had left after their child was born with a disability. It was a quiet grief woven into their stories, shaped by the stigma that still surrounds disability in many communities. In the absence of that support, the women leaned even more on one another, finding in community what had been withdrawn at home.
Agness Mduma
Agness carries a vibrant, steady strength. She is a widowed mother of four, and for sixteen years she has been raising her youngest child, who lives with a disability, largely on her own. When her husband died, that baby was just over a month old. The grief, the responsibility, the uncertainty of how she would provide for her family all arrived at once.
Before she connected with MWTC, life pressed in from every direction. Her income generating activities brought in very little. Markets were limited. Opportunities were scarce. And like so many mothers of children with disabilities in Tanzania, she carried the weight of it alone.
The training she received didn’t erase the hardship, but it opened a door. With startup capital and new skills, Agness began selling charcoal, at first in small amounts. She added local chickens and started selling eggs. Then she opened a small grocery shop and started baking cakes. Each step was modest, but each one widened the circle of possibility.
What struck me most was not the list of businesses she now runs, but the way she spoke about herself. The training gave her tools, but it also strengthened her confidence. She talked about learning to save, to plan, to trust her own decisions. She talked about raising her child with renewed courage.
Her efforts have allowed her to support her children’s education, meet daily needs, and even renovate her home. She is still navigating challenges. Her child’s medical needs are high, and health insurance remains out of reach, but she is no longer standing on unstable ground. Her story is one of resilience unfolding in real time.
These stories are reminders of what accompaniment makes possible. Not quick fixes. Not tidy narratives. But the slow, steady work of walking together. The kind of work that honors dignity, nurtures resilience, and allows women to discover strength in one another.”
Acknowledgment of the Land
Many thousands of years ago, Indigenous people lived, worked, played, and worshipped on this land. Over time, settlers from other lands came, sometimes sharing, often destroying, the relationship Indigenous peoples had with the water, land, and skies, with their Elders, families, culture, and faith. Today, as Settlers, we are repenting and relearning how to care tenderly and respectfully for all that God has given both Indigenous people and Settlers. We give thanks to the Métis for their faithful stewardship of the land and the lessons they continue to teach.
Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C.
Call to Worship
What does God want from me?
To give God what is God's.
My time? My abilities? My money?
To give God what is God's.
My friends? My family? My life?
To give God what is Gods.
My willingness to seek justice?
My ability to love kindness?
My desire to walk* humbly with God?
All this, and more.
We give to God what is God's.
May it always be so.
Richard Bott, Grace U.C., Burlington, Ont.
*or journey
Opening Hymn: Let’s Go Together TLUS 138
Let’s go together for a while and ask where we begin to build a world where love can grow, and hope can enter in, so be the hands of healing,
and to plant the seed of peace.
Singing welcome, welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s Grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Let’s talk together of a time when we will share a feast,
When pride and power kneel to serve the lonely and the least,
And joy will set the table as we join our hands to pray,
Singing welcome, welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s Grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Let’s dream together of the day when earth and heaven are one,
A city built of love and light, the new Jerusalem,
where mourning turns to dancing, every creature lifts its voice,
Singing welcome, welcome to this place.
You’re invited to come and know God’s Grace.
All are welcome, the love of God to share,
‘cause all of us are welcome here; all are welcome in this place.
Words: Laura Zelmann, 2007; Music: Mark A. Miller, 2007
Words and Music: Abingdon Press administered by Music Services, Inc.
Candle Lighting Hymn: Where Two or Three are Gathered MV 14
Where two or three are gathered
in my name, I am there, I am there. (X2)
Words and Music: Bruce Harding, @002
Words and Music copyright 2002 by Bruce Harding at www.evensong.ca
Opening Prayer
Guiding God, light of direction and discernment,
shine in our hearts today.
As we journey through life, with events and upsets we do not understand,
steady us with the patience of faith.
When all feels lost and we are tired by our days,
strengthen us with the persistence of faith.
Daunted by obstacles in our lives and in the world,
embolden us with the courage of faith.
When hurts and slights sting or indifference isolates us,
soothe us with the essence of faith.
Embrace us in your eternal love and remind us of your reassuring promise,
to be with us always, to the end of our days.
Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Invitation to Confession
God leans in and eagerly receives our heartfelt prayers. Trust that you have God's attention. You may honestly offer your silent prayers of personal confession now.
(a time of silent prayer)
Amen.
Elaine Bidgood Sveet, Zion Lutheran Church, Minot,
North Dakota
Words of Assurance
for Matthew 22:15-22
"Practise what you preach" is a motto hard to live by. But Jesus sets the example. While the "church" leaders of his day tried to trip him up with questions of paying tribute to Caesar, he turned the question around. He told them it was okay to give the coins to the person whose image was on the coin. But our lives bear the image of the Creator and must be given to God. It is a task that may seem altogether too difficult for us, but we have it on good authority that Jesus, the Anointed One, practised what he preached, and so we can, too!
Receive the good news! Jesus paid the tax! Jesus has delivered us and given us to God.
CarolE. Bayma, Royster Memorial Presbyterian
Church, Norfolk, Virginia
Hymn: O God Beyond All Praising VU 256
O God beyond all praising, we worship you today,
And sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;
For we can only wonder at every gift you send,
At blessings without number and mercies without end:
We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word,
We honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.
The flower of earthly splendour in time must surely die,
Its fragile bloom surrender to you our God most high;
But hidden from all nature the enteral seed is sown,
Though small in mortal stature, to heaven’s garden grown:
For Christ, your gift from heaven, from death has set us free,
And we through him are given the final victory.
Then, hear O gracious Saviour, this song of praise we sing.
May we, who know your favour, our humble service bring;
And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill,
We’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still:
To marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways,
And make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.
Words: Michael Perry ca 1982; Music: Gustav Theodor Holst 1916
Passing the Peace
In gratitude for the gift of forgiveness, let us share God's peace with each other.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also, with you.
After Passing the Peace
God of grace, you have given us minds to know you, hearts to love you, and voices to sing your praise. Fill us with your spirit that we may celebrate your presence and truly worship you; through Jesus Christ. AMEN!
Hymn: When We are Living VU 581
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
we belong to God; we belong to God.
'Mid times of sorrow and in times of pain,
when sensing beauty or in love's embrace,
whether we suffer, or sing rejoicing,
we belong to God; we belong to God.
Across this wide world, we shall always find
those who are crying with no peace of mind,
but when we help them, or when we feed them,
we belong to God; we belong to God. Words: Elise S. Eslinger 1983; Music: Carlton R. Young 1989
Prayer of Illumination
Open our spirits, God of Moses and Aaron, God of Jesus and his disciples, open our hearts to the message that lies within these words.
Make these words a mountaintop whereby we may remember your way and experience your call to us.
Give us strength to follow in your path. Amen.
Beth W Johnston, Collaborative Ministry, River Philip and Springhill, N.S.
Scriptures
Exodus 33:12-23 (NRSVUE)
Moses’s Intercession
12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, please show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider, too, that this nation is your people.” 14 He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”
17 The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have asked, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses[a] said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you the name, ‘The LORD,’[b] and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one shall see me and live.” 21 And the LORD continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
Matthew 22:15-22 (The Message)
Paying Taxes
15-17 That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18-19 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
20 “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
21 They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
22 The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
Anthem: O God, You Search Me
Meditation
Hymn: God Whose Giving Knows No Ending
God, whose giving knows no ending, from Your rich and endless store:
Nature's wonder, Jesus' wisdom, costly cross, grave's shattered door,
Gifted by You, we turn to You, off'ring up ourselves in praise;
Thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days.
Skills and time are ours for pressing toward the goals of Christ, Your Son:
All at peace in health and freedom, races joined, the Church made one.
Now direct our daily labor, lest we strive for self alone;
Born with talents, make us servants fit to answer at Your throne.
Treasure, too, You have entrusted, gain through pow'rs Your grace conferred; ours to use for home and kindred,
And to spread the gospel word.
Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ's ageless call,
Healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving You by loving all.
Words: Robert L. Edwards 1960; Music: B. F. White (1844)
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concerns
Caring God, we thank you for your gifts in creation: for our world,
the heavens tell of your glory;
for our land, its beauty and its resources,
for the rich heritage we enjoy.
We pray: for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth,
that we may use your gifts responsibly;
for those who work on the land and sea, in city and in industry,
that all may enjoy the fruits of their labours and marvel at your creation;
for artists, scientists, and visionaries,
that through their work we may see creation afresh.
(silence)
We thank you for giving us life;
for all who enrich our experience.
We pray: for all who through their own or others’ actions are deprived of fullness of life;
for prisoners, refugees, those differently able, and all who are sick;
for those in politics, medical science, social and relief work, and for your Church;
for all who seek to bring life to others.
(silence)
We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation.
Give us reverence for life in your world.
We thank you for your redeeming love;
may your Word and Sacrament strengthen us to love as you love us.
(silence)
God, our Creator, bring us new life.
Jesus, Redeemer, renew us.
Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us.
Amen.
Candle Lighting
Jesus’ Prayer
Invitation to the Offering
Our gifts are vital. Each dollar matters, each talent used matters, each minute employed in the service of Jesus Christ matters. We thank God and each other for these gifts.
With our gifts come prayers for strength for any who are tired in work and service.
With our gifts come prayers of encouragement for any who are feeling downhearted.
With our gifts come prayers of hope for a restored Creation.
With our gifts come prayers of comfort in the midst of grief and illness.
With our gifts come the blessings of fellowship and welcome.
Our gifts are wonderful. We will sing and dance as we give.
Thanks be to you, O God, for it is because of you that we can give with joy and can find joy as we receive the blessings of this community of faith.
Amen.
David Sparks, Rossland, B.C.
Hymn: There’s Enough for All TLUS 60
There’s enough for all if we would learn to share it,
there’s enough for all, oh, help us to believe.
There’s enough for all. Let’s bring our time and treasures, and offer them to Jesus.
There’s more than enough for you and me.
Words and music : Brian Moyer Suderman at BryanMoyerSuderman/SmallTallMusic
Commissioning
In the silence and in the noise, listen for the il small voice of God.
Go forth with the assurance of love.
Go with the Spirit of peace.
Go with the guidance of the light of Christ,
Karen Coogan, Oasis U.C., Penticton, B.C.
Closing Hymn: Go Now in Peace, Guided By the Light MV 211
Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ,
So you may be nourished by the Word of Life.
Words and Music: Pedro Rubalcava, 2002
https://youtu.be/Os44EGSWZ4E?si=6hlUmUA4iQcgLitD
