BUC Worship Service – November 9, 2025

Balzac United Church
November 9, 2025, 10:00am
Guest Minister: Rev. Robert Mutlow
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan, Dr. Alex Shawn

Prelude Make Me a Channel of Your Peace 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 Remembrance Sunday
We gather in this Remembering month of November:
To remember – All Saints Day on November 1st
Remembering the Saints who lived God’s love.
All Souls Day on November 2nd
Remembering family and friends who have died.
Remembrance Day on November 11th
Remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
To remember the vision of the Bible:
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares
And their spears into pruning hooks,
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn warn anymore.”

Opening Hymn Give Thanks for Life VU 706
Opening Prayer
Time for Young and Young at Heart: “Why the Poppy?

Poem In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
Original English poem written by John McCrae, 1915

Candles of Joy, Concern, & Sorrow
Congregation members come forward and light candles – prayer requests.

Prayer Candles of Remembrance
O God, before show face, the generations rise and pass away:
For all those whose lives have empowered us,
Whose influence is a healing grace,
WE LIGHT A CANDLE.
For dear friends and family members,
Whose faces we see no more, but whose love is with us forever.
WE LIGHT A CANDLE.
For the teachers and companions of our childhood and youth,
And for the members of our household of faith,
Who worship you now in heaven,
WE LIGHT A CANDLE.
For the six millions of your chosen people; young and old
Who were rounded up into concentration camps
And slain with vapors of poison and burned with fire,
WE LIGHT A CANDLE.
For those who have asked for our prayers, this day….
(Names may be offered in silence or vocally)
For each of us that we might seek peace in our lives,
In our homes, in our workplace and in the world,
WE LIGHT A CANDLE.
Hymn God, As With Silent Hearts VU 527
(Tune: Eventide VU 436)

Scripture Readings
First Reading: Haggai 1.15-2.9 – “Remembering the Glory Days”
Psalm 90: O God our Help in Ages Past Page 806 VU (Seated)
Gospel Reading Luke 20.27-38 – “How Does It All End?”
Anthem Shepherd Me O God

Message No Small Thing
Hymn In the Bulb There is a Flower VU 703
Solemn Act of Remembrance
Offertory In Remembrance Eleanor Daly
Prayer of Presentation
On this day of Remembrance, O God, we give thanks:
For peacekeepers and pacifists,
And all who desired to make the world a better place.
For all who paid the supreme sacrifice for freedom and justice,
And all who returned from the horrors of war,
For all who stayed behind and waited, and wrote letters and prayed
And all who worked to heal physical, mental and spiritual wounds.
For all who were once enemies, caught up in the horror of conflict,
And all who in our time, have become friends and allies.
For all who inspire us by their spirit of love and courage,
And all who desire peace, keeping faith and hope alive.
For all who pray this day, as Jesus taught us, “Our Father
Words of Remembrance
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them,
We will remember them.
Last Post – Silence – Rouse
Words of Remembrance
Splendid you passed, the great surrender made;
Into the light that nevermore shall fade;
Deep your contentment in that blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet call of God.
Prayer of Commendation
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord,
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
May the souls of all the departed
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Closing Hymn:
We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection VU 586
Benediction
National Anthem O Canada VU 524
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. (X2)
Postlude: Battle Hymn of the Republic arr. M. Hayes
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