CCLI Number: 2880734
October 19, 2025
Words of Welcome Rev. John Hill
Centering Music “All Creatures of Our God and King”
Call to Worship (from Psalm 24:1-4a) Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it,
for he has founded it on the seas
and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts.
O God, give us clean hands and pure hearts!
Opening Hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (UMH #139)
Praise to the Lord,
the Almighty, the King of creation.
O my soul, praise him,
for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord,
who o’er all things so wondrously reigning
bears thee on eagle’s wings,
e’er in his keeping maintaining.
God’s care enfolds
all, whose true good he upholds.
Hast thou not known his sustaining?
Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness
and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord,
who doth nourish thy life and restore thee,
fitting thee well
for the tasks that are ever before thee.
Then to thy need
God as a mother doth speed,
spreading the wings of grace o’er thee.
Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before him!
Let the amen
sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.
A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada (UMH #883) Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
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 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. Amen.
Gloria Patri (UMH #70)
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Children’s Moment Rev. John Hill
Prayer of Confession (from Job 42:2-6) Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
I know that you can do all things
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me that I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you declare to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
Hear the Good News: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Glory to God. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Hymn “Thy Word Is a Lamp” (UMH #601)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid,
think I’ve lost my way,
still you’re there right beside me,
and nothing will I fear
as long as you are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Now I will not forget
your love for me and yet
my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide
and hold me to your side,
and I will love you to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Prayer for Illumination Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Scripture Reading (Numbers 22:21-35) Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab.
God’s anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand, so the donkey turned off the road and went into the field, and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it scraped against the wall and scraped Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck it again. Then the angel of the Lord went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!” But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?” And he said, “No.”
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with his drawn sword in his hand, and he bowed down, falling on his face. The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? I have come out as an adversary because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let it live.” Then Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now therefore, if it is displeasing to you, I will return home.” The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you to speak.” So Balaam went on with the officials of Balak.
Response to the Scripture Reading Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
For the Word of God we hear in scripture,
for the Word of God we encounter among us,
and for the Word of God at work within us,
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Holy, Weird, and Wild: Talking Donkey” Rev. John Hill
Musical Reflection
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Chelsey Hedglin
The Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts
https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give
Offertory “Someone’s Always Watching You” Barry Coggins
Doxology (UMH #95)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God, above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship
Closing Hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory” (UMH #577)
God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us,
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us,
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
Cure thy children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the search for thy salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.
Benediction Rev. John Hill
Benediction Song “All Creatures of Our God and King” (verse 1, UMH #62)
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
O praise ye! Alleluia!
O brother sun with golden beam,
O sister moon with silver gleam!
O praise ye! O praise ye!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!