October 11, 2026
CREATION TIME & AUTUMN WORSHIP
Thanksgiving sunday
A Service of Prayer, of Song, of Listening,
and of giving Thanks
The quote for today goes something like this:
“We are autumn people…we are always called to be in the process of growing and of changing; may our minds and our hearts be open to this inner season which is a part of us; may we always put our trust in the Autumn God who calls us to grow;
may we find new hope as we enter willingly into the dying that is needed for our transformation.”
Lead Minister: The Rev. Jope Langejans
Music Director: Cody Obst
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Gerry Scharff
Honorary Associate Ministers: Rev. Clint Mooney & Rev. Kelley Warner
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders: Fiona Hayes
Chair of Council: Vacant
Scripture Reader: Elizabeth Wegg
Gathering
(*Indicates that you may stand if you are able…)
Prelude
Welcoming & Announcements
Land Acknowledgement (Unison)
“Since people first travelled this land, it has been faithfully stewarded. Plants for medicine, animals for clothing and food, fish for food, and fresh air to breathe. However, some people have not cared as they should, and precious resources have dwindled. Today, we give thanks to our Indigenous Nations surrounding Calgary and together, may we do our part in rebalancing the native flora and fauna of this area.”
(Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C., Gathering Mag., Pentecost 2, 2026, Year A, pg. 29)
*Introit “Bless the Lord” MV # 46
(Bringing forward the foodstuffs which have been donated for the Food Bank…)
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Rev. Jope: We continually seek God’s presence in our lives, and we seek God’s Spirit in our worship time. As we all move forward in our faith, we welcome the guiding light of Christ and light our candle to remind us of the words which Jesus said: “I am the light of the world.”
Call to Worship
Rev. Jope: On this Sunday of Thanksgiving, each of us are called to live with respect in creation, for creation, and with creation.
ALL: We gather as those who are challenged to be the church in today’s world. As a truly grateful people, we are always called and invited to celebrate God’s presence.
Rev. Jope: We gather seeking God’s guidance for our lives. We gather seeking wisdom that we may walk in God’s way.
ALL: We gather seeking hope for a broken world. We gather seeking justice for all people. We gather to give thanks for all we receive.
Rev. Jope: All that we have comes from the Creator of all so we celebrate the Creator God who provides for all our needs. We thank you, God of our lives.
ALL: All that we can be is inspired by Christ, so we honour the Christ who guides our way and inspires our future. We thank you, Christ of our lives.
Rev. Jope: All that we can imagine is open to the Spirit. We seek justice, resist evil, and find peace through the Spirit who encourages our lives. We thank you, Spirit of our lives.
ALL: May God renew our faith, hope, and love as we worship on this Thanksgiving Day and rejoice.
Special Choir & Percussion Anthem
“Sisi ni Moja (We are One) by: Jacob Narverud, with Djembe
Opening Prayer (Unison):
O God, may an abundance of gratitude burst forth as we reflect upon what we have received. May thanksgiving overflow in our hearts and often be proclaimed in our prayers. May we gather around the table of our heart the ardent faithfulness, kindness, and goodness of each person who is true to us; may the harvest of our good actions bring forth plentiful fruit for each day; may we discover a cache of hidden wisdom among the people and events that have brought us distress and sorrow. May our basket of blessings surprise us with its rich diversity of gifts and its opportunities for growth. May all that nourishes and resources our lives bring us daily satisfaction and renewed hope. May we slow our hurried pace of life so we can be aware of, and enjoy, what we too easily take for granted. May we always be open, willing, and ready to share our blessings with others and may we never forget the Generous One who loves us lavishly and unconditionally…Amen
(Taken loosely from ‘Out of the Ordinary’ by Joyce Rupp – “A Thanksgiving Blessing”)
Hymn “For the Fruit of All Creation” VU # 227
Engaging
Reader: Elizabeth Wegg
Old Testament Passage
DEUTERONOMY 8:7-18 God will bring you to a bountiful land…
Psalm Reading
PSALM 65: 9-13 God provides; the valleys shout and sing...
Children’s Gift of Music
Gospel Passage
LUKE 17: 11-19 Ten healed; one returns to offer thanks …
Message: “On This Day of Gratitude, What is Holding You Back From Saying Thanks?”
Responding
Presentation of Our Offerings (Rev. Jope)
We have received much from God and God’s Creation. Let us give thanks and share so that this abundance may equip all disciples for their work.
Choir & Percussions’ Selection of Music
“My Lord What a Mornin’” (Spiritual arr. Ford), with percussion
Prayer of Dedication (Rev. Jope)
Sunday’s Reflective Prayer (Unison)
O Glorious God, how curious and what a confession that we should set aside one day a year and call it ‘Thanksgiving’. We smile at the presumption and hope that you smile too. But the truth is that our words can’t carry all the praise they want them to, or that they should, no matter how hard we try. So, this day, all is praise and thanks for all our days. We breathe and it is your breath that fills us. We look and it is your light from which we see. We move, and it is your energy moving in us. We think and the thoughts are but sparks from the fire of your truth. We love, and the throb is your presence. We long, and it is the tug of your kingdom. We pause now and praise you and thank you upon this special day and…all days….and with Jesus, we pray together saying:
“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, forever and ever. Amen
*Closing Hymn “As Those of Old Their First-fruits Brought” VU # 518
Blessing
*Commissioning (unison): Let us go now, with thanksgiving ringing in our hearts, with thanksgiving rising to our lips, with thanksgiving flowing from us to the world! Let us make our Thanksgiving a Thanks Living.
Benediction
Postlude
A THANKSGIVING POEM
T…Turkeys, table-spreads, being together,
H…Happiness and homes to protect us from all weather,
A…Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall,
N…Nieces and nephews, family members all.
K…Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner,
S…Surely you’ll have fun, but you won’t get thinner.
G…Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide,
I….Inside or outside, where we eat you decide,
V…Very special times – there could even be snow,
I….Imagine what it was like in Lakeview long ago,
N…Never forget how the newcomers led the way,
G…Giving thanks and blessing upon this special day.