Order of Worship
October 26, 2025
Pulpit Supply, the Rev. Robert (Bob) Kyte
Musician: Barbara Summers and Sue Henkel, oboe
(*we rise in body or spirit; bold print we speak together)
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Time of Quiet Centering
Unison Gathering Prayer
From “Touch Holiness” by Ruth Duck and Maren Tirabassi
Holy Spirit of God, who gathers the church into one body, gather us once again in your presence and strengthen the bonds of affection that hold your people together. Bless us with grace to cooperate with one another in love and care that we may be the signs of your uniting love to our fractured world. Teach us to show compassion for brothers and sisters in need, to face challenges with imagination, and to counter disappointments with prayerful trust. So may your church bring forth your will and your vision for peace on earth. Amen.
*Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” #274
First Reading from “Seasonings: prayer of praise and complaint”
The Reverend Allen M. Comstock
“You are the salt of the earth”, you say. You say salt, but when gods come near, we expect whole worlds to be remade. But you say salt.
We would slay dragons for you, search and destroy your enemies, and you say salt. We would proclaim kingdoms and empires and democracies in your name, and you say salt. We want to be the main dish, and you say salt.
Oh, dear God, we want much more than you offer - and much less. We want to be more than you demand and much less. We can’t believe that loving our neighbors and our enemies is enough, and yet we’re overwhelmed by the burden of it.
What is this salt that you say and you are? The painful drawing and healing of the world’s wounds? The preservatioin of all that sustains us? The leaping of taste to our tongues and pleasure to our bodies and feeling to our hearts and ideas to our minds and deeds to our hands and feet?
And that one word, said as if in jest, shows us who we are and just how we are loved.
Come among us, season us with yourself, then shake us out to season the world you love so much.
Time for All Ages
Special Music
Second Reading Matthew 18:19-20
Sermon “Where Two of Three Are Gathered”
Hymn “We Would Be Building” #174
Concerns, Confessions, and Celebrations
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
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.
An Invitation to Generosity
Offertory
Text “give” to (877) 540-2390
*Doxology/Song of Praise (tune #356)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise God, all creatures here below!
Praise God above, ye heavenly host!
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Blessing of the Gifts
*Hym “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” #263
*Sending Words and “Shalom” # 368
Postlude
(We remain seated to receive the music.)
Sharing of Peace
*Greet your pew neighbors with the phrase, “Peace be with you.”
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES: We don’t have anyone on the calendar -are we missing someone.
Be sure to recognize our Veterans 11/11.
Did we miss your special day? Send us an email so we can update our list!
COMING UP:
Friday, Oct. 31: Halloween Trick or Treat, 5-7 pm
Sunday, Nov. 2: All Saints Day -bring a picture of members, family, friends, neighbors, and mentors that have passed. It’s a special day to remember.
Sunday, Nov. 9: 7 weeks of Advent Begins 9:45 am
Sunday, Nov. 9: Tempting Taste 4-6 pm
Sunday, Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Brunch 9:45 am
Saturday, Dec. 20: Hancock Christmas Concert 4 pm
Sunday, Dec. 21: Last Sunday of Advent
Sunday, Dec. 21: Longest Night Service
Wednesday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, Dec. 28: First Sunday of Christmas - Carols and stories.