Order of Service / World Communion Sunday / October 4, 2026

 # Gathering Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth (#226 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: From many places and many stories, we gather as one people in Christ.

  All: We come to share in God’s welcome and grace.

One: Around the world, people of faith gather at Christ’s table today.

  All: One table, many communities, held together in love.

One: Here there is room for every voice, every story, and every hope.

All: Here we receive the bread of life and the cup of blessing.

One: Come, let us worship God, who draws us together in peace.

All: With the church around the world, we worship with joy and thanksgiving.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn Come, O fount of Every Blessing (#559 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Gracious God, you gather people from many places, cultures, identities, and ways of life, and welcome us to one table. Yet we confess that we do not always live with the openness, care, and compassion you call forth in us. We sometimes judge too quickly, hold too tightly to what is familiar, and fail to notice those who are pushed aside or left unheard. Renew us by your Spirit, and shape us into a community of grace, justice, peace, and belonging. In silence, we bring to you our own confessions and our hope for a new beginning. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God knows who we are and meets us with grace. In Christ, we are forgiven, made new, and drawn into relationship with God and with one another.

All: Thanks be to God. May the Spirit help us heal what is broken, make room for others, and seek peace in the world.


Announcements and Minute for Mission

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Philippians 3:12-14 Paul gives his testimony.

Psalm 19 (VU p.740) The heavens declare the glory of God.

Matthew 21:33-46 The parable of the landowner and the violent tenants.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Sermon

*Hymn We Are One (#402 VU | vs. 1,2,3)

*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 of boundless mercy and care, may our offering today make a difference in the unnoticed and unknown places where your love is most deeply needed. Inspire us to sustain your ministries of hope and encouragement, of peace and acceptance. Extend our service to reach the corners of our communities and our world where your presence is most needed. Amen.

*Gill Le Fevre. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 41.

 

Sacrament of Communion

Invitation to Communion

Today we have set the table of the Lord with gifts of the harvest, with the fruit of the vine and the grain of the field. Jesus welcomes you to his table now, to feast upon these common elements that will become for us the bread of life and the wine of salvation. All are welcome to Jesus’ table - the young and the old, the faithful and the insecure, the sorrowful and the joyful, the followers of Jesus the whole wide world over. The Risen One welcomes us. Come, let us feast.

*Kate Gregory. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026. Page 42.

Call to Give Thanks

One: God be with you.

  All: And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts.

  All: We lift our hearts in prayer.

One: Let us give thanks to God.

  All: It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, we praise you for your love revealed to us in Jesus, who walks with us, our Wisdom and our Way, sharing our joy and sorrow, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and setting the captive free. So it is that we join the song of all creation to proclaim your goodness:

The Song of Creation Holy, Holy, Holy (#203 MV)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav'n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

The Story Remembered

On the night before he died, it was Jesus who took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said, “Take and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.” Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant; remember me.”

Prayer of Self-Giving

Loving God, we rejoice in the gift of your grace, remembering Christ’s life and death, proclaiming his resurrection, waiting in hope for his coming again. Grant that in praise and thanksgiving, we may so offer ourselves to you that our lives may proclaim the mystery of faith:

Affirmation of Memory and Hope Memorial Acclamation (#204 MV)

Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again! (X 2)

Prayer for Transformation

Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this bread and cup, may be the body of Christ: light, life, and love in the world. In this hope, and as your people, we praise you:

Doxology Great Amen (#205 MV)

Amen, Amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen! (X2)

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

Sharing of Bread and Wine

Prayer after Communion (Unison)

We thank you for inviting us to the table and feeding us with the abundance of your blessing and grace. May we journey in the strength of this food to places where we can serve your people and deepen our faith. Amen.

*Beth W Johnston. Gathering Pentecost 2 2026, Page 42.

*Closing Hymn Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (#481 VU)

*Commissioning

One: As we leave this table, may we carry with us the strength we have received and trust God to guide our steps.

All: We go with gratitude, ready to share what we have been given.

One: May our worship continue in the way we live, serve, and care for the world around us.

  All: God of abundance, lead us in your way and help us take part in your work of love, justice, and peace. 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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