11/04/2026
Our Mission: To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
10:00 AM
(* -indicates that you are invited to stand, if you are able and comfortable in standing)
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME
PRELUDE
(A TIME OF QUIET PRAYER AND REFLECTION)
RINGING OF THE BELL
QUIET MEDITATION
“You who have experienced spiritual warfare understand how difficult it is…” ~St. Aelred of Rievaulx
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”
All: We must ask ourselves, “Do we love God?”
One: Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep.”
All: We must answer Christ’s call to care for others.
One: Jesus calls to the disciples, “Follow me.”
All: May we listen, answer and follow the call of Christ in this time of worship. Amen.
*HYMN: “Lead On, O King, Eternal” (UMH #580)
OPENING PRAYER (Please be seated, as we pray together)
God, when our weariness seems to overtake us, renew us with your strength. Remind us that, in our weakness, your power is made perfect. Allow us to receive your strength, not to fight to find our own. Give us the eyes to see the ways we can reach out to others in our weakness. You have not left us, and you are not disappointed in our weariness. In fact, we know that you desire for us to seek you and trust in you. Help us to do just that. You alone are our strength. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME & SINGING: “If You’re Happy”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
One: Drink the living water that Jesus offers: forgiveness, mercy and peace that surpasses all understanding. Drink him in and live!
All: Amen.
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
THE APOSTLE’S CREED (UMH #881)
*HYMN: “Trust and Obey” (UMH #467)
SCRIPTURE READING Please listen for a word from God, as we read from the Holy Scriptures.
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4, Verse 13-18:
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
*HYMN: “Glory Be to the Father” (UMH #70)
(please remain standing for the reading of the Gospel)
*GOSPEL READING Our Gospel lesson is from The Gospel According to Saint Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 1-13:
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
One: This is the Word of the LORD.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
SERMON: Rev. Dr. Timothy Nicinski
SHARING OUR CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER/THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE COMMUNITY CROSS
OFFERING TO GOD AND DEDICATION OF PLEDGES
*HYMN: Doxology (UMH #95)
*OFFERING PRAYER (Please stand, as you are able)
God only Wise, accept these offerings, the fruit of our labor and lives, in obedience of our faith, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
*HYMN: “This is My Song” (UMH #437)
*BENEDICTION
*GOING FORTH TO SERVE
