Join Zoom Meeting

​

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82730716739?pwd=javTba0kt5Zak5jN1rOo5Q9MaQIzSU.1

 

Meeting ID: 827 3071 6739

Passcode: 514679

​​

November 1, 2026

  Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

​

​

​GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME

​

SILENT PREPERATION: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3

 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PIANO PRELUDE                              “Things We Remember”

                                                              by Heather Sorenson

 *CALL TO WORSHIP (Please join responsively)

Leader: I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

People: My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Leader: The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my  fears.

People: This poor soul cried and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.

Leader: O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

People: The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

*HYMN                                              “For All the Saints”                                             #614 (Red)

PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

O God, our true home, we come together to unite our stories with those of our spiritual ancestors. Some of us have come from desert places, desperate for nourishment.  Others have come from places of abundant harvest, and – yet – are not satisfied. We are glad that you are among us – a

living God – present in ways we have not yet fully realized.  Help us to learn, to let what we learn mold us and change us, and to find courage to live by your direction.  We open our hearts to you, confident of your welcome to us.  Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Gracious and Holy God, help us to be honest with ourselves, with one another, and with you.  We have searched for life amid temporary

attractions.  We have sought excitement in places that turned out to be desert wastelands. We have sought honors and made comparisons – to look better than those around us.  We have burdened others with our mistakes.  And, we have devoted little time to thanking and praising you, the Source of all things.  Open us now, O God, to the Word we need from you; may it change us, to the glory of Christ....    

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

                                                                            

                                                                                              PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING                      1 John 3:1-3                                            NT p. 259

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.  And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure

 

                    The Word of the Lord.           Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM                                     “For Where Love Is, there is God”

                                                              by Douglas Wagner

SECOND SCRPTURE READING            Revelation 7:9-17                                           NT p. 271

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.  They cried out in a loud voice, saying,  "Salvation belongs to our God – who is seated on the throne – and to the Lamb!"  And all the angels stood around the throne, and around the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne, and worshiped God, singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."  Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?"  I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows."  Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes – and made them white – in the blood of the Lamb.  For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.  They will hunger no more and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat, for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

 

                   This is the Word of the Lord.    Thanks be to God!

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

SERMON                                            “Far Beyond Measure!”

                                                         Rev. Dr. David Lovelace

*HYMN                                                  “The Solid Rock”                                             #92 (Red)

 

                                                                                    RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  (Unison)    

Adapted from the Second Helvetic Confession (1561)

We teach that truly good works grow out of a living faith by the Holy Spirit, and are done by the faithful according to the will or rule of God’s Word.  For our Lord says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  And the apostle Paul says: “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” and “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  We know that we were not created or regenerated through faith to be idle, but rather that without ceasing we should do those things that are good and useful.  For in the Gospel the Lord says that a good tree brings forth good fruit, and that the one who abides in him bears much fruit.  For as the apostle says: “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Amen.

OFFERING INVITATION

OFFERTORY                                               “Take My Life”

*DOXOLOGY                                                                                                                #382 (Red)

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)

Gracious God, may your Word be at work in us – and through the offerings we now present for your blessing.  We offer here our support for

the work of teaching, preaching, and good counsel; our assistance for those who are burdened and hungry and lost; and our encouragement for

questioners, seekers, and risk-takers – those who intent on leading a life worthy of your approval.  Bless these gifts, and the offerings of our lives and labors. Amen. 

COMMUNION ANTHEM                  “Behold the Lamb”

                                                       by Keith and Kristyn Getty

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER                                                    

WORDS OF INVITATION                                                                                                               

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Leader:   The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you.

Leader:   Lift up your hearts.

People:  We lift them to the Lord.

Leader:   Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People:  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader:   Thanks and praise to you, O God, creator and lover of the universe. You created all that was, you nurture all that is, you imagine all that will be. You are the pattern of our community, Three-in-One God of mercy. From the beginning of time, you have created us for relationship –

with one another, with the earth, and with you.  When we reject your call to community-choosing isolation over partnership, and brokenness over healing-you call us back, again and again, with words of grace and the promise of new life.  Remembering that we are not alone at this Table, we join our voices with all the saints you have called, from all times and places- who forever sing your praise:

People:  Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.  Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God, forever and ever!

Leader:   We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our host and our guest at this Table. Through his birth, you took on flesh – affirming the goodness of our bodies and our world.  Through his life, you took on suffering – sharing the truth of hope in desperation.  Through his death, you took on death – revealing the depth of your love for us.  Through his resurrection, you brought new creation – embodying the promise of life everlasting.  With thanksgiving, we take this bread and this fruit of the vine – gifts of the earth through which you bless us – and we offer ourselves in your service.  According to Christ’s commandment:

People: We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory. 

Leader:  Now pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, O God, and upon these gifts of fruit and grain, that we may taste your goodness, see your presence, and become one with you and your body.   Gathered at your Table, we join all your saints who have gone before us, and give thanks for them before you.  In life and in death, we belong to you, Alpha and our Omega.  All thanks and praise be to you, O God, Holy Three-in-One, now and forever.

People:  Amen

Leader: And now, as our Savior has taught us, we are bold to sing….

HYMN                                             “The Lord’s Prayer”                                                 #440 (Red)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS                  

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (Unison)

Great God of Glory, in this holy feast you have made us one with Christ, and with that great multitude of all the faithful – those who hunger and thirst no more, and who joyfully worship in your temple. Leads us in the paths of righteousness, and guide us to the springs of the water of life, until we join the blessed choir of the redeemed; singing: Salvation belongs to our God – who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

​

                                                                                     GOING IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN                                  “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”                             #306 (Red)

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE                   “God Be With You”

God be with you till we meet again.

May Christ, daily, be your story;

Then, in heav’n, you’ll share his glory:

God be with you till we meet again.

POSTLUDE                                     “Faith of our Fathers”

                                            (tune St. Catherine) by Henri Hemy