Hybrid Worship 15th Sunday after Pentecost 6 SEPT 2026. Minister: Mona Smart, Music: Frances Armstrong

For where two or three

are gathered in my name,

I am there with you.

Matthew 18: 20

Hybrid Worship

10^th Sunday after Pentecost

6 SEPT 2026

Minister: Mona Smart

Music: Frances Armstrong

We acknowledge that these lands upon which we worship are the

traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw

First Nation. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Words for Worship

Words of response are in bold & italics

Prelude

Gathering Words

Today’s gospel reading has been called the Rule of Christ because the passage aims to redefine the goals of intervention from confrontation to seeking forgiveness through a spirit of humility.

Acknowledgement of the Land

We prayerfully acknowledge with thanksgiving that we gather on the unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw people. Gracious God, help us to seek a new relationship with the first peoples here, one based in honour and respect. Amen.

Call to Worship or The Collect                                  ACC & UCC traditional

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Sprit, be with you all.

And also with you.

Lighting of Candle (candle is lit)                        United Church Gatherings Resource

We light the Christ Candle fully aware of our vulnerability and need.

            The light of Christ’s love breaks in to fill our lives with love.

Come, light of Christ, come into our lives, make us one in heart and mind.

Opening Hymn: Jesus, Stand among Us (x2)                               VU #396

Prayer of Forgiveness                                                                          

Holy God,

In your compassion, forgive us our doubts and our errors,

forgive us of things done and left undone. Uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you newness of life, to the honour and glory of your name.

Amen.

Prayer for Illumination and Grace adapted from UCC, Celebrate God’s Presence

Gracious God,

God, you challenge us but also encourage us.

You confront us, but also embrace us.

You know us completely to bestow all your pardon, peace, and love on us. With you we are forgiven and strengthened in all goodness, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways. Amen                                                                                      2

Affirmation of Faith                                                                  United Church

We are not alone;

we live in God’s world.

We believe in God who has created and is creating,

who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,

to reconcile and make new,

who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church,

to celebrate God’s presence,

to live with respect in Creation,

to love and serve others,

to seek justice and resist evil,

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

We are not alone;

thanks be to God.

Holy God,                                                     Episcopal Church Resources

you call us to righteousness and light.
Teach us the undivided law of love that we may love one another as you love us; that we may love You with all our will and strength and mind; that we may find our freedom in this blessed service as we hear your Word and witness your deeds in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Peace of Christ

May the peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

Prayer Before the Reading of Scripture     adapted from ACC & UCC Sources

O God, your Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.

Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love.

Psalm 119: Part 3, 33-40                                                         VU #839

[R] Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes,

and I will keep it unto the end,

            Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

            and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

            Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! [R]

Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

and give me life in your ways.

            Confirm to your servant your promise,

            which is for those who fear you.

Turn away the reproach which I dread,

for your ordinances are good.

            Behold, I long for your precepts;

            in your righteousness give me life! [R]

Scripture: Exodus 47:1-12                                            Reader: Lisa Griffith

Water Flowing from the Temple

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there water was flowing from below the entryway of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east), and the water was flowing down from below the south side of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east, and the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured one thousand and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand and led me through the water, and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Mortal, have you seen this?” Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish once these waters reach there. It will become fresh, and everything will live where the river goes. People will stand fishing beside the sea[c] from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

This is the Word of God

Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-20                             Reader: Lisa Griffith

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel.

God be with you.

And also with you

The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew.

Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Reproving Another Who Sins

“If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

This is the Gospel of Christ.

Thanks be to God

Word: A Reflection on the Readings

Hymn of Response: Holy Spirit, Truth Divine                              VU #368

Life & Work of the Church

Prayers of the People                                                         Lynette Jackson                                                                                                     

Loving God

            Hear our Prayers.

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)                                                        VU #959

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Offering (offering now to be collected)

Offering Prayer

Living God, receive all we offer this day as a symbol of our love. Increase in us our desire to work according to your will and show the fruits of your love at work in the world.

Closing Hymn: God Be With You Until We Meet Again          VU #423

Closing Prayer & Blessing

God be in my head, and in my understanding;               5^th Century Prayer

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at my end, and at my departing.

Go out into the world in peace;               United Church, Celebrating God’s Presence, 2000

Have courage;

Hold on to what is good;

Return no one evil for evil;

Strengthen the fainthearted;

Support the weak, and help the suffering;

Respect all people;

Love and serve the Lord,

Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God.

Sending Out

Glory to God whose power, working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen

Postlude

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