Order of Service / Reformation Sunday / October 26, 2025

*Gathering Hymn The Church’s One Foundation (#331 VU | vs. 1-3)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: We come together to worship God, who is always guiding and renewing us.

All: We come to learn, to grow, and to be changed by God's love.

One: Long ago, people trusted God's Spirit to lead them into new ways.

  All: That same Spirit is with us today, helping us follow Jesus with courage and hope.

One: Let us worship God with thankful hearts.

All: We praise God, who makes all things new.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#262 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

God of mercy, we confess that we often hold on to old ways that keep us from growing. We are afraid of change and slow to listen to your Spirit. We choose what feels safe instead of what is right. We forget that you are always creating something new in us and in your church. Forgive us, loving God. Renew our hearts and our minds. Teach us to trust your grace more than our fears. Help us live with faith that is bold, love that is wide, and hope that is strong. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God’s reforming Spirit is alive in us today, freeing us through Christ’s love and calling us to live in new and faithful ways.

  All: We are renewed by grace to imagine a world of justice and compassion, trusting that God is still transforming the church and the world. Amen.

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 Timothy 4:6-8 I have fought the good fight.

Psalm 65 (VU p. 782) God crowns the year with goodness.

Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee and the tax collector go to pray.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Live into Hope (#699 VU)

*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)
God of new beginnings, you are always reshaping the world with love and wisdom. As we bring our gifts today, we offer more than what we hold in our hands, we offer our hope, our gratitude, and our desire to be part of your renewing work. Use these gifts to reform what is broken, to heal what is wounded, and to build communities where love and justice grow. Reform our hearts as we give, so that our lives may become offerings of compassion and peace. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Bless Now, O God, the Journey (VU 633)

*Commissioning

One: We go into the world as people shaped and renewed by God’s Spirit.

  All: We go to live with courage, compassion, and love for all.

One: We go as a community of faith, trusting that God is still reforming the church and the world.

  All: We go in peace and joy, to walk in the light of Christ every day. Amen.

*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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