Order of Service / Pentecost 21 / November 2, 2025

 *Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (VU #232 / vs. 1-3)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: God seeks us with steadfast love.

All: We come, ready to be found and renewed.

One: The Holy One meets us in this place.

  All: Our hearts open to mercy and peace.

One: Come, let us worship the God who restores life.

All: With joy and thanksgiving, we praise the Lord.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (VU #271)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, we confess that we have turned from your ways and lost sight of your presence. We have been distracted by many things and slow to notice your grace among us. Forgive us when we close our hearts to your call and to one another. Fill us again with compassion and guide our steps in your truth. Hear now the quiet confessions we offer in your presence. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: The Holy One does not turn away but draws us close in mercy.

All: God’s love restores what fear has broken and makes us whole again.

One: In Christ, the light of forgiveness shines upon us, renewing every heart.

  All: Thanks be to God, whose compassion never fails and whose peace endures forever.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Hymn – Like a Rock, #92 MV)

Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet

Like the starry night sky, God is over our head

Like the sun on the horizon, God is ever before

Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Your faith and love are growing abundantly.

Psalm 119:137-144 (VU p. 841) God’s judgments are just.

Luke 19:1-10 Jesus dines with Zacchaeus.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (VU #626)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#542 VU, We Give You But Your Own)

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be,

all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)
Generous God, we bring these offerings as signs of our gratitude. Receive these gifts, the work of our hands and the prayers of our hearts.  Bless what we give and who we are, that through our offering, your love may be known in the world. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Lord, Speak to Me (VU 589)

*Commissioning

One: We have been blessed in this time together.

  All: Now we go to be a blessing to others.

One: The Spirit sends us to bring compassion and hope to the world.

All: We will walk in the light of Christ, sharing peace with all.

One: May the blessing of Creator, Christ, and Spirit be upon us this day and always.

  All: We go in peace, ready to make a difference.

*Commissioning Song Peace Be with You (#215 MV)

Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you my friends.

Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace.

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