Sunday November 9, 2025
Rev. Ray Thomas
Frank Horton, Liturgist
†CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: From places of want and places of plenty,
All: From times of troubling uncertainties and times of unexpected assurance,
One: From feeling so distant to what matters most to feeling overwhelmed by God’s abundant love,
All: We come into the presence of God in worship, with singing and praise, with openness and gratitude, with vulnerability and trust. We are blessed to be here.
†OPENING HYMN: Blue # 263 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
CALL TO CONFESSION:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Lord our God, we carry regrets from the past and guilt about things we’ve said or done, or left undone. We’ve not reflected your light, relieved the burdens of others, nor extended a helping hand as much as we promised. We’ve attempted to hide things from you which we cannot accept in ourselves. Envelop us with your merciful love. Remind us of the powerful truth that Jesus knows what it’s like to be human. Forgive us our sins, heal our brokenness, and overcome our shame with your forever love promised in our baptisms. Join us together as your church- human yet empowered by the divine- to bring your good news to others. Hear us now as we confess our sins silently.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In Jesus’ name, Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS:
†PASSING OF THE PEACE:
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Blue# 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN:
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Open our eyes, that we might see the truth of your word, powerful still. Open our ears, that we may hear, your Holy Spirit, speaking the message you’ve prepared us to receive. Open our hearts, that we may embrace, your love that never ends. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Matthew 6: 25-34 Genesis 18: 1-15
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “Sarah Laughed” Rev. Ray Thomas
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (from the PCUSA A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to love as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham, and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING:
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER:
†CLOSING HYMN: Blue # 383 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
CONGRESSIONAL MEETING:
†BENEDICTION:
†MUSICAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
One: From places of want and places of plenty,
All: From times of troubling uncertainties and times of unexpected assurance,
One: From feeling so distant to what matters most to feeling overwhelmed by God’s abundant love,
All: We come into the presence of God in worship, with singing and praise, with openness and gratitude, with vulnerability and trust. We are blessed to be here.
†OPENING HYMN: Blue # 263 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
CALL TO CONFESSION:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Lord our God, we carry regrets from the past and guilt about things we’ve said or done, or left undone. We’ve not reflected your light, relieved the burdens of others, nor extended a helping hand as much as we promised. We’ve attempted to hide things from you which we cannot accept in ourselves. Envelop us with your merciful love. Remind us of the powerful truth that Jesus knows what it’s like to be human. Forgive us our sins, heal our brokenness, and overcome our shame with your forever love promised in our baptisms. Join us together as your church- human yet empowered by the divine- to bring your good news to others. Hear us now as we confess our sins silently.
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION: In Jesus’ name, Amen
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS:
†PASSING OF THE PEACE:
†CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Blue# 579 “Gloria Patri”
TIME FOR ALL GOD’S CHILDREN:
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Open our eyes, that we might see the truth of your word, powerful still. Open our ears, that we may hear, your Holy Spirit, speaking the message you’ve prepared us to receive. Open our hearts, that we may embrace, your love that never ends. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Matthew 6: 25-34 Genesis 18: 1-15
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE: “Sarah Laughed” Rev. Ray Thomas
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: (from the PCUSA A Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to love as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham, and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CALL FOR GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERING:
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER:
†CLOSING HYMN: Blue # 383 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
CONGRESSIONAL MEETING:
†BENEDICTION:
†MUSICAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”