BUC Worship Service – October 12, 2025
Balzac United Church
October 12, 2025, 10:00am
Guest Minister: Rev. Bob Mutlow
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan, Dr. Alex Shawn
Prelude: Be Thou My Vision arr. M. Hayes
Welcome and Announcements
Service link
Bulletin link
Message Link
Land Acknowledgement:
As we gather, together let us pause to remember that we live, work, and
worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the Nations of
Treaty 7. As Christ’s people, may we be people of love, of truth, and of
reconciliation. May we live with respect on this land, and in peace and
friendship with its people.
Lighting The Christ Candle
Call to Worship: Thanksgiving
The world is filled with the glory of God, and we shout to the Lord,
Thank you!
The hills and valleys are filled with color, and filled with awe, we declare,
Thank you!
The vines and trees are filled with fruit, and in gladness, we rejoice,
Thank you!
Our tables are overflowing with food, and in gratitude we say,
Thank you!
Our life is filled with love of family and friends, and rejoicing, we say,
Thank you!
We fill this house of God with our voices, singing,
Thank you!
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts
be acceptable to you, O God, as we enter into this service of
thanksgiving and praise.
Opening Hymn: Come, You Thankful People, Come # 516 VU
Litany of Thanksgiving: (Season of Creation)
Today we gather in gratitude to the Giver of all good and perfect gifts,
In this Season of Creation, we offer thanksgiving and praise.
The Creator be praised for the tables we share and the bread we break.
for the care and compassion of family and friends this day.
The Creator be praised for the faithful provision in our lives,
for the seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food,
The Creator be praised for mercies that are new at dawn,
and sustain us through the day, echoing through the night,
In all things, may the name of the Lord be praised.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! Amen and Amen.
Time for Young and Young at Heart (Fall):
“We are Thankful for…”
Song: We Give Our Thanks to God # 187 MV
Candles of Joy, Concern, & Sorrow
Congregation members come forward and light candles – prayer requests.
We gather in gratitude on this National Day of Thanksgiving.
To offer in prayer our joys and concerns.
We remember on this day of bounty all of those who do not have enough,
who are afraid, who are lonely, and who suffer.
We wish for the abundance of this world to be shared,
for the lonely to feel welcomed, and for the suffering to know joy.
For the labors, the love, the care that gave us the delights of this day,
we say “Thanks!”
For the nourishment of our spirit, the challenges that strengthen us,
For wayfare on the journey, we say “Thanks!”
For the good gifts and the not so good, we whisper, “Thanks!”
Overflowing with gratitude, we shout, “Thanks be to God!”
Song: Ev’ry Day is a Day of Thanksgiving
# 185 MV X2 (Seated)
Scripture Readings:
First Reading:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – Thanksgiving for the Land
Psalm 67 – Sung Refrain: #226 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
R: God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Be gracious unto us, O God and bless us;
And let the light of your face shine upon us,
That your ways may be known upon earth,
Your saving power among all nations.
Let the nations be glad, and sing for joy,
For you judge the peoples righteously
and guide the nations of the earth. ®
The earth has yielded its harvest,
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us,
Let all the ends of the earth revere the Lord our God. ®
Gospel Reading:
John 6:25-35 – Jesus, the Bread of Life
Message: Wayfare for the Journey
Hymn: For the Fruit of All Creation # 227 VU
The Lord’s Supper
Offertory: Simple Gifts arr. M Hayes
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is our duty and our joy, to give you thanks, Great Creator…
And so with those of every time and place, we proclaim:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of
the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Remembering Jesus at Table:
Blessing of the Bread and Wine & Lord’s Prayer
Pour out your Holy Spirit as we bring before you these gifts of your creation,
May they be for us the bread of life and the
cup of life.
As we eat and drink these holy things, form us in the likeness of Christ,
And build us into a living temple to your glory.
At we gather around this table, we remember those who are no longer with
us,
Who we remember with joy and gratitude.
Bring us at the last with all who have run the race and kept the faith,
Blessing and honor and glory and power be
yours now and forever.
Communion:
I’d Rather Have Jesus arr. M Hayes
Prayer after Communion: (unison)
Great Creator, weave us together in a patchwork of Thanksgiving:
Giving thanks at this table for the bread broken and wine poured
out,
Rejoicing in the sharing of bread with family and friends.
Holding on to the wayfare that sustains us in the journey of life,
Keeping faith and hope alive until that day when our work is done
and we gather with the Great Cloud of Witnesses. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
# 481 VU
Benediction
Postlude: I Must Tell Jesus arr. M. Hayes