Order of Worship November 2nd, 2025 10:00 AM
All Saints and Communion Sunday
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
LAY LEADER: Robert Sims
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
NOTICE: We are trying a new feature in the Order of Worship posted to our website. For some of the music, links have been added to a You Tube version of the hymn. Please be aware that You Tube will show advertising on these links and neither First Church nor the person who posted to You Tube has any control of what advertising you will see. If you do not wish to view the ads, do not click the links. Otherwise, we hope you enjoy this added feature.
THE PRELUDE: “Bread of the World” Douglas Wagner
“Eat This Bread” Jacques Berthier / Charles Callahan
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MISSION STATEMENT:
(Let us say together our Mission Statement)
To welcome and inspire ALL through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.
INTROIT: “Lead Me, Guide Me” Doris Akers
CALL TO WORSHIP: (Responsive)
Leader: Compassionate Christ, teach us to follow you.
People: Teach us to spread compassion to those who seek mercy.
Leader: Teach us to speak for those who are voiceless.
People: Teach us how to defend those who are oppressed and abused.
Leader: Teach us how to work for justice for those who are exploited.
People: Help us to make peace for those who suffer.
Leader: As we follow your example of love and mercy, stand beside us and heal us.
All: Come, let us worship together and receive God’s compassion
GATHERING HYMN No. 484 “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations“
PRAYER OF INVOCATION:
God, our Creator, and Redeemer, we gather here this day in praise and thanksgiving for all the wonderful things you have done for us. Help us to be faithful disiples in all that we think, do, and say, that your great love may be revealed and offer healing to all people. AMEN Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray…
THE LORD’S PRAYER: (unison)
Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
STATEMENT OF FAITH: (unison)
We believe in God known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with
God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith, dissolves guilt, and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call.
We believe that God is still speaking…
SERMON HYMN No. 214 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me“
WORD OF GOD: Luke 19: 1-10
1He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
MESSAGE: “Body & Soul” Robert Sims (Click Here to read the sermon)
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE
CALL TO PRAYER
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
SILENT PRAYER / PASTORAL PRAYER
CHORAL RESPONSE: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” Helen Lemmel
COMMUNION HYMN No. 428 (v1-3) “An Upper room with Evening Lamps Ashine”
SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
One: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger, you who believe in me shall never thirst.”
All: In company with all who hunger for spiritual food, we come to this table to know the risen Christ in the sharing of this life-giving bread.
One: You need not be a member of this church or any church to partake of this spiritual food. All you need be is hungry.
COMMUNION PRAYER:
ALL: Eternal God, who created the heavens and the earth, giving breath to every living thing, we thank you for the gifts of creation, and for the gift of life itself. We thank You for making us in your image, for forgiving us when we act as though you have no claim on us and for keeping us in your steadfast care. Praise you for Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, and for calling forth your church for its mission in the world
One: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, saying “This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, Jesus took the cup after supper, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
All: Bless this bread and this cup. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking at this table, that our eyes may be opened and we may recognize the risen Christ in our midst, in each other, and in all for whom Christ lived and died. Amen.
One: Through the broken bread we remember the body of Christ. Through the cup of blessing, we remember in the new life Christ gives. The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready.
SHARING OF THE ELEMENTS: Eat and drink in remembrance of Christ.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Unison)
Holy one, you gave us this day our daily bread and nourished us with Christ’s presence. Through one loaf and cup, you have made us one, with you and each other. By your grace and love, feed the world with this bread. Let us remember the joy of your presence with the fruit of the vine. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
CALL TO GIVING:
As the people of God, we are called to be justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, freedom for the imprisoned, and sight for the blind. Let us lift those in need as we share gifts for the church’s mission.
OFFERTORY MUSIC FOR INSPIRATION: “Let Us Break Bread” Ruth Elaine Schram
DOXOLOGY: (Tune: Old Hundredth) No. 46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
God of justice and love, transform these offerings, so that they may be gifts of justice and love for a world in need of hope and help. Let love flow through these offerings, that they may become gifts of love for the world.
HYMN OF DEPARTURE No. 612 “O Jesus, I have Promised“
BENEDICTION:
The pathway is ipen before you on this day. It is a path of peace and hope, brought to others by God’s mighty love and wondrous blessings. Go in peace, bring hope to all that you meet. Go, blessed ones, to serve God all your days. AMEN
POSTLUDE: “Let Us Break Bread Together” Albert Zabel
* * *
We welcome our visitors and hope you will return.
We are an open and affirming church.