Sermon for Sunday Novembe 9th, 2025 ………………………………………………………………………………………………. Lay Leader:  Karen Bickford …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Today’s Scripture: Luke 21: 5-19  appears in the Order of Worship (click to open in a new tab)   ……………………………………………………………………………………………… While preparing for today’s service, I read the scripture out of context first.  Then I went back to read what came before and after.  This passage appears in the section of Luke that covers the week between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.  Jesus has just entered Jeruselem, and he isn’t happy with what he finds there.  He goes into the temple and drives out the money changers and merchants and begins teaching. In one version of The Bible written for adolescents, this passage is headed “Jesus Foretells the Future”.  So, here we are about

Order of Worship November 9h, 2025    10:00 AM Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… LAY LEADER:  Karen Bickford ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 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:   “Sonata II”   Elisabetta de Gambarini / Arr. Janet Linker WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS MISSION STATEMENT:  (Let us

Sermon for Sunday November 2nd, 2025 ………………………………………………………………………………………………. Lay Leader:  Robert Sims …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Today’s Scripture: Luke 19: 1*10 appears in the Order of Worship (click to open in a new tab)   ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Jesus wanted to show sinners that they weren’t condemned to be “bad” for the rest of their life and carry through to their descendants. What Jesus demanded was a heartfelt and soul wrenching beg for forgiveness. The stories we hear have to do with folks asking in just that manner. Today’s story is just that! Zacchaeus was not tall and would get lost in the crowd that followed Jesus. Another layer that may go unnoticed to some is the inclusion of the type of tree. Sycamore trees have a slick bark and they “shed”

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

Sermon for Sunday October 26th, 2025 ………………………………………………………………………………………………. Lay Leader:  Robert Sims …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Today’s Scripture: Luke 18: 9-14 appears in the Order of Worship (click to open in a new tab)   ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Wikipedia on Reformation Day – Our roots are deep in the Anglican tradition: Both John and Charles Wesley were priests in the Church of England. There are a number of reasons we should observe the day. The themes of the Reformation remain the great themes and principles of our own faith today. The great schism that occurred in the church remains with us. Our fractured denominations have entered into dialogue and cooperative activities that have brought us closer together. Today we may observe Reformation Day with a sense of moving toward unity and community. It

Order of Worship October 26th, 2025    10:00 AM Reformation 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:   “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”   Martin Luther / Arr. Robert Hobby WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS MISSION STATEMENT:  (Let us