HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time: 10:00 am at Trinity, Verona

Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777

Retired Voluntary Minister: Rev. Ian Mackay

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe

Trinity United Church acknowledges the traditional territory upon which we gather. For thousands of years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers and shared their knowledge for survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples of this land, one based in honour and deep respect.

November 9, 2025

Peace/Remembrance Sunday

Worship Leader: Rev’d Catherine Oxenford-Grant

Lay Reader: Marg Smith

**You are invited to stand in body or in spirit

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements:

Introit: In Flanders Fields

We Gather

Lighting the Christ Candle:

One: We gather as people who follow the light.

All: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”

(The Christ candle is lit)

Call to Worship: (Responsively)

One: O God, at this annual time of remembrance, our thoughts turn to the violence, fear and pain of war.

All: Come gently in our worship this morning that we may know your peace –

One: not the peace of violence ignored and fear repressed, but the true peace of evil confronted, injustice exposed, and reconciliation achieved.

All: We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

All: Holy God, violence and hatred have so often overwhelmed our world. Today we remember and repent as we acknowledge that even in our own lives hatred sometimes obscures love, and violence sometimes overcomes peace. Heal us, O God, assist us as we work for peace in our homes, our community, our church, and our world. Call us again to live lives of love, caring, generosity, and concern. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance:

One: Hear the words of the prophets: “and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Trust the God who longs for peace. We are forgiven, strengthened, empowered to be peacemakers in our world.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

**Hymn: “For the Fruit of All Creation” (VU #227)

1. For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God. For the ploughing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.

2. In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done. In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done. In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.

3. For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.

Anthem: Canon of Peace (Franck)

Something to Ponder: What is today all about?

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

We Give Back

Dedication of our Offerings:

VU #540 (Please remain seated as we sing)

All: Grant us, God the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

Prayer:

All: We bring our gifts to you, O God. Here is the work of our hands and here is the love of our hearts. Accept them and use them, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

**Hymn: “Let There Be Light” Vss. 1, 2 & 5 (VU #679)

1. Let there be light, let there be understanding, let all the nations gather, let them be face to face;

2. Open our lips, open our minds to ponder, open the door of concord opening into grace;

5. Your kingdom come, your spirit turn to language, your people speak together, your spirit never face;

6. Let there be light; open our hearts to wonder, perish the way of terror, hallow the world God made.

Service of Remembrance: (Please stand as you are able)

*Laying of Wreaths

Taps

*Minute of Silence

Reveille

*“O Canada” (VU #524 Vs. 1)

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada we stand on guard for thee.

We Listen

Gospel: Mark 12: 28-34 (The greatest commandment) (Pg. 881)

Message: “With Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength”

Hymn: “Take Time to Be Holy” Vss. 1 & 2 (VU #672)

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.

2. Take time to be holy, let him be your guide, and run not before him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.

Prayers of Care and Concern:

We are Sent Forth

**Closing Hymn: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (VU #806)

1. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

2. Under the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure, sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defence is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

5. Time like an ever-rolling stream soon bears us all away; we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.

**Commissioning and Benediction

**Choral Benediction: Go now in Peace (Don Besig/Nancy Price)

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 watching us in love,

Go now in peace, in faith and in love.

Amen. Amen. Amen!

Postlude

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday November 16^th:

Rev. Ian Mackay

Lay Reader for Sunday November 16^th:

John McDougall

Greeter for Sunday November 16^th:

Rob Tapscott

MINUTES: The minutes from the last Session meeting have been printed and posted on the back bulletin board should you wish to read them.

FELLOWSHIP: Please stay following the service next week for our monthly church fellowship potluck. Bring whatever dish you would like to share with others.

PRAYER CIRCLE: A prayer circle will be held on Sunday November 23^rd in the church hall following the service at 11:30 am to pray for the prayers we carry in our hearts. Darlene Nicol has led a prayer circle each year at the UCW QML retreats since 2013, and would like to share this experience with anyone who would like to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Darlene 613-374-3276

NOMINATION: A big congratulations is extended to our very own Don Coleman, who has been nominated for the 2025 Volunteer Award, which will be presented at the Township Volunteer Luncheon on November 23^rd. Thank you Don for EVERYTHING that you do!!

SHEILA’S PANTRY: The cupboard will reopen again next Wednesday November 12th from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Thank you for your ongoing support. Items needed at this time:

§ Small boxes of cereal

§ Canned vegetables (potatoes, peas, corn, beans)

§ Canned meat (tuna, salmon, ham, chicken)

§ Canned soup

§ Spaghetti sauce

§ Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, pears, peaches)

§ Jam (marmalade, raspberry, strawberry)

§ Toothpaste

FWC CONCERT: It’s that time of year; the Frontenac Women’s Chorus is proud to present their annual concert “The Season of Light – a magical night of song to start your Christmas season” on Saturday November 29^th at the Verona Free Methodist Church at 7:00 pm. Admission is by donation plus an item for the food bank.

SAVE THE DATE: The Trinity Christmas Choir will perform their annual concert on Friday December 12^th at 7:30 pm.

WOMEN’S SOCIAL: All community women are invited to attend the Women’s Social on Tuesday November 18^th at 12:30 pm at the Verona Free Methodist Church. Guest speaker is Beth Freeland who will be sharing her journey with anger. Luncheon provided by donation. Please RSVP by next Sunday November 16^th to Tricia at 613-530-7621 (text or call)