Order of Worship - January 4, 2026
January 4, 2026
Epiphany Sunday
Communion Service
Union-Congregational Church
Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Introduction to Theme
Liturgist: Many of you have probably heard of “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” It is a condition in which the lack of sunlight, often during winter months, can affect our moods and ability to cope effectively. Millions of people live with some sort of anxiety or depression disorder. If you do not, chances are you are close to someone who does.
Pastor: For the next few weeks, we will talk about another way of understanding this reality—“Spiritual Affective Disorder”— considering how the uncertainty and pace of life can keep us from the spiritual and emotional wellbeing that God desires for us. But instead of focusing on typical spiritual practices as an antidote, we will simply focus on how everyday life activities could become spiritual practices—deepening our experience of a meaningful life and helping us shine a light on the “blahs.”
Liturgist: This morning, we hear the scripture reminding us to “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” This is your invitation to “flip the switch” and see waking up each day as a simple reminder that we can start fresh.
Pastor: Feeling afraid, uncertain, down, and depressed is no sin, my friends. It doesn’t mean you are separated from God. May we lean on those who are right there and ready to be a cradle of God’s love for each of us.
Call to Worship
One: People of faith, look! In our darkness a light shines: the star is love.
All: Alleluia! In gratitude we follow the star of love.
One: The star moves ahead of us, and leads us faithfully.
All: Alleluia! In wonder we follow the star of love.
One: The star hides itself in each of us: in everyone we meet, in all God’s people.
All: Alleluia! In devotion we follow the star of love. Alleluia!
Opening Prayer (unison)
Waking God, we give you thanks for the chance to start fresh every day. Open our hearts to the light of possibilities, even when the day ahead holds difficulties. Be with us, near us, beside us. Amen.
Opening Hymn: #231 Arise, Your Light Is Come! (OL #08411)
Reading of Scripture
Isaiah 60: 1-6
60 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together; they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”
Media: “Shine” by Collective Soul (Lyric video, YouTube)
Message: Waking Up
Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
We Offer Our Gifts
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Leader: Radiant God, you have revealed your dwelling among us—in bread shared, in mercy offered, in justice imagined and begun. We thank you for the gifts that flow like rivers, for the abundance that rises from the sea, for the courage to give and to receive. Bless now these offerings and the hearts from which they come. Let them join the caravans of compassion moving through this world, bringing joy where despair has lingered, and peace where fear has taken root.
All: Look! God’s dwelling is now among us. May our lives shine with the glory of God, our hands carry God’s grace, and our gifts become good news for all creation. Amen.
Sharing Holy Communion
One: The Holy Healing God be with you.
All: And also, with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift our breaking hearts to God.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor: It is right, and good thing, to give thanks to you, Holy One. You pierced the dark night of the cosmos with the light of a rising sun and set in motion the growth of all that exists. You created us in your image, with the capacity for navigating joy as well as the depths of sorrow. You set a rainbow in the clouds after devastation, and you continue to provide us with signs of life renewed when all feels like destruction. When we can’t seem to find you when our light grows dim, you abide. You stay. You are. For you have promised to be with us always, until we can lift our heads and sense your presence once again. Because of this, you help us sing with all the saints, all those who have gone before us and have borne the weight of life and death. They help us raise our voices with the ancient song:
All: Holy, holy, holy One God of mercy and light. Heaven and earth are full of your shining glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are they who come near for respite, for hope, for healing, for comfort. Blessed are they who come in your name.
Pastor: Holy are you and blessed is your son, Jesus, who came as your flesh in this world, showing us that all of life is sacred, is good, even though difficult at times. Life is full. Jesus lamented injustice. Jesus cried with loss. Jesus sought solace in solitude. Jesus found comfort in friends. And he promised to always be with us in the healing waters and groaning Spirit.
Pastor: On his last night with loved ones, he gathered them together for a meal. He broke bread and poured wine and spoke of brokenness. He did not hide his anguish. He did not tell them to flee difficulty. He offered sustenance for the trying times ahead.
[lift the bread and cup (adapt for more traditional Words of Institution if need be)]
Pastor: Whenever we gather around his table, especially in turbulent times like these, we break the bread and pour the cup and remember him, just as he told us. And we remember that he is constant friend, covenant-maker, companion, always. We are not alone.”
[replace the bread and cup on the table]
Pastor: And so, remembering his invitation, we gather at this family table and we proclaim this mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ comes again.
Pastor: And so, Holy Spirit, bless this bread and cup that they may become for us symbols of your love for us. And bless us, that we may be ambassadors of your holy spirit for all.
Sharing the Elements
Prayer after Communion
Friends, I invite you to open your hands as a sign of opening your hearts. Imagine the light shining out from your palms or a beam going into your palms, whichever you need at this moment. Light out or light in.
[pause for a moment]
Pastor: Spirit of God, shine upon us and within us, making your way to shine from us. We pray that you will transform us as you come to us in these elements of bread and fruit of the vine. Though you do not require that we be whole in order to be at your table, may our coming to this table suture our wounds until we can be whole again. In the same way, Spirit, heal this world and help us be part of that healing. Make us one in suffering and healing. In your holy name, Loving God, through your son, Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Closing Hymn: #229 The First Noel (1,2,4,6)
Mission and Vision Statements (unison)
We go now to Love God's Creation, Share in Fellowship, and Live Christ's Example, while seeking God's blessing on our lives and on our communities. Living our Core Values, We the family of Union-Congregational Church seek to deepen our own spirituality with acceptance of all through love and a commitment to Christ.
Benediction
Now go into the world, feeling the wrap of love around your shoulders, the embrace of well-being encompassing your heart, the confidence that only requires one foot in front of the other, and the assurance that you are not alone. The world needs you and will patiently wait for your light to shine, illuminating just one small corner, speaking even a little bit of hope. We’re in it together,
along with the One who created us, the One who redeems us, the One who sustains us. So be it. Amen.
Sending Music
Attributions:
• Call to Worship by Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes
• Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Michael Anthony Howard for UCC Worship Ways
• Other liturgy and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio
Order of Worship for December 28, 2025
December 28, 2025
1st Sunday After Christmas
TRADITIONAL Service
Union—Congregational Church
Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Call to Worship
One: I bring you good news of great joy, for unto you is born a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
All: Alleluia! Christ, holy child, bearer of the light of heaven among us, we greet you with glad and humble hearts.
One: Jesus, the pioneer of our faith, who saves us and makes us holy, is not ashamed to call us siblings.
All: Alleluia! Jesus, our brother and our teacher, we praise you and we open our hearts to you.
One: Christ shares our flesh and blood, and shares our suffering, so that we might be set free from our fear of death.
All: Alleluia! Christ our savior, free us from our fears and attachments, and save us from sin and death. Living among us, transform us by your Spirit and fill us with your glory. Alleluia!
Opening Prayer (unison)
Living God, Christ Mystery, Spirit of New Beginnings, we give you thanks for this commitment to help one another. As we take in the renewed life you offer, may we be a reflection of your light, expanding the sacred doing of our community to the alleviation of suffering wherever it is found. Amen.
Opening Hymn: #179 Joy to the World! (verses 1,2,4)
Reading of Scripture
Before reading, please say: We’ve looked through the lens of the sacred and have experienced time, people, places, others, and ourselves as God’s holy love reflected and incarnate in the world. Because of the experience of God’s action of love toward us, we are called also to act, the “sacred doing” of alleviating suffering wherever it is found. We dedicate ourselves in this New Year to sacred acts of justice and mercy, bringing grace to a hurting world, reflecting the sacred in all we do. Hear this first reading:
Isaiah 63: 7-9
7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not act deceitfully,” and he became their savior 9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and pity, it was he who redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Matthew 2: 13-23
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”
After reading, please say, “Here ends the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”
Message: What Should We Do Now?
Hymn: #185 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
We Offer Our Gifts
*Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Wise God, we present these offerings to you and dedicate our time, talents, and treasures for your kin-dom. May your will be done, our siblings’ needs be met, and your name be known through what we share in praise and thanksgiving for all you have given to us in time, talent, and treasure. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #350 The Summons 1,2,4
Benediction
Sending Music
Call to Worship by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Opening Prayer, Benediction, and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio
Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay for UCC Worship Ways
Order of Worship for December 14, 2025
December 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent: “Sacred Space”
TRADITIONAL Service
Union-Congregational Church
Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Call to Worship
One: Joy is the gift God gives us upon waking in the morning to see beams of sun dance in dusty corners or hear much needed rain, even on a leaky roof.
Many: Joy is in the delight of tiny precious things.
One: Joy is the magnificence of the Redeemer when the tests come back clear, or when a school test is finally passed, or when the spirit is tested and chooses faith over fear.
Many: Joy is in the hands that hold our own while we sit silently and wait.
One: Joy is the patience of Emmanuel when petty disagreement turns into great injustice and change is slow to bend towards what is right and good.
Many: Joy is in the small actions we take each day to help righteousness and peace abound.
Opening Prayer (unison)
Living God, Christ Mystery, Spirit of Joy, we give you thanks for this physical and online space for gathering. As we take in the joy you offer, may we be a reflection of your light, expanding the sacred space of “right here” into the sacred place of “everywhere.”
Opening Hymn: #161 People Look East (1,3,4) (OneLicense #CCH2-118)
We Light the Candle of Joy
Soon we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. We worship God with joy in our hearts as we are reminded of the words the angel said on that first Christmas Day: "Behold, bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people."
From John 15: 9-11—“As the Creator loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Creator’s commandments and remain in God’s love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.”
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. With the coming of this light there is joy, joy that is ours not only at Christmas but always.
Light the third candle in the wreath.
Please pray with me. O Holy One, as Christmas draws near, there is a sense of excitement in the air. We can feel a joy in our lives and see it in those around us. Still, for some of us this is a sad time because of unhappy things that have happened in our lives. Help us to have the joy that does not depend on earthly happiness but on you. Help us to be filled with your joy so that we may share it with a joyless world. Amen.
Candle Lighting Song: “We Light a Candle” (CCLI: #7083354)
(Verse 3, Joy, only)
Children’s Time
Reading of Scripture
Isaiah 35: 1-10 (NRSVue)
35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Luke 1: 46b-55 (NRSVue)
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; 50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”
Media: “This World is Pregnant with God” by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan (Jacob)
Message: What to Expect When You’re Expecting…Jesus
Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
We Offer Our Gifts
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Precious God, take these gifts in the spirit they were given, with joy and love for our siblings around the world. Let us remember that we all have times of trouble. We will each stand before you, hands clasped in prayer, begging for relief. Use what we have here to bring that relief where it is needed most. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #184 What Child is This?
Benediction
When you see lights twinkle, when you catch a reflection in a mirror, when you notice the sunlight dancing on a surface or a nightlight glowing in the darkness, let these be signs that the Christ Light is revealed again and again in and through this world. Know that your brilliant presence is pouring more joy into a weary world. God loved us by becoming us. This means you are already reflecting the sacred. In the name of the Creator, Christ, and Spirit of Joy. Amen.
Sending Music
Call to Worship and Prayer of Dedication written by Maria Mankin for UCC Worship Ways
Other liturgy and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee
Order of Worship for November 30, 2025
November 30, 2025
First Sunday of Advent
TRADITIONAL Service
Union-Congregational Church
Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Introduction to Theme
Call to Worship
One: Eager for the coming of Christ,
let us enter into the mystery of God’s dawning presence among us.
All: Loving God, we open our hearts to you,
and await your gracious coming.
One: In the winter darkness we long for your light.
All: We confess our need for your grace,
for the sin of our lives and the brokenness of this world.
One: Come, O Lord! May your peace dawn on our world.
All: Come, O Savior! May your grace be born in our hearts.
One: Bless the darkness, that we may wait with hope.
All: Bless the silence, that we may listen for your coming.
One: Grant us stillness, that with patience and courage
we may prepare room in our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.
All: Come, O Savior, Come!
Opening Prayer (unison)
Living God, Christ Mystery, Spirit of Hope,
we give you thanks for this holy moment together.
As we take in the hope you offer,
may we be a reflection of your light,
expanding the sacred time of “right now”
into the sacred time of “always and for all time.”
Opening Hymn: #153 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Lighting the Candle of Hope
During this order, one candle of the Advent wreath is lighted. It may be any candle in the wreath except the central Christ candle.
Readers may divvy up the following text:
Today is the beginning of Advent- the preparation time for celebrating Christ's birth. We are here because God's promises to our ancestors came true when Jesus was born. God's promise is kept each Sunday when we worship because Christ is in our midst. God will keep the promise to come again in glory.
From Isaiah 60:2—“Though darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear over you.”
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. With the coming of this light there is hope. Because of Christ we not only have hope, but we believe that good is stronger than evil. God wants us to work for good in this world.
Light one candle in the wreath.
Please pray with me. O God, we thank you that Jesus brought hope into our world. By the good news of the Bible you are still bringing hope to people. Help us to be ready to welcome Jesus Christ so that we may think good thoughts and do good deeds and so that we may be a people of hope in our world. Amen.
Song: “We Light a Candle” by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan (verse 1 only)
We light a candle for hope
and our world that’s longing for hope
We light a candle for hope
and our world that’s longing for hope
Holy One, shine with the fire of our lives, oh
We light a candle for hope
and our world that’s longing for hope
Children’s Time
Reading of Scripture
Before reading, please say: “ The busy-ness of the holiday season can overrun the sense of the sacred. The irony is that setting apart time for connection with the sacred gets pushed aside in order to create the trappings of what is supposed to be the season of celebrating the presence of the Holy! We will begin our Advent journey toward Christmas by emphasizing the gift of being awake to the “now”… the gift of sacred time with God, with each other, and with those in need of hope.”
Romans 13: 11-14 (The Message)
11-14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
Matthew 24: 36-44 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition)
36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”
Media: “I Need a Silent Night” by Amy Grant
Message: Something New, Even Now
Hymn: #154 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.”
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
We Offer Our Gifts
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Beloved Creator, we offer these gifts to you in the spirit of Hope. We place our trust in you and in those who faithfully care for your people, that these gifts will be used to protect and uplift those who are in need. Help us to remember our role to act as agents of your grace each and every day. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #180 O Little Town of Bethlehem (1,3,4)
Benediction
When you see lights twinkle, when you catch a reflection in a mirror, when you notice the sunlight dancing on a surface or a nightlight glowing in the darkness, let these be signs that the Christ Light is revealed again and again in and through this world. Know that your brilliant presence is pouring more hope into a weary world. God loved us by becoming us. This means you are already reflecting the sacred. In the name of the Creator, Christ, and Spirit of Hope.
Sending Music
Call to Worship by Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes (Unfolding Light)
Prayer of Dedication by Rev. Maria Mankin for UCC Worship Ways
All other liturgy and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee, Worship Design Studio
Order of Worship for November 23, 2025
November 23, 2025
24th Sunday after Pentecost – Reign of Christ Sunday
TRADITIONAL Service
Union-Congregational Church
Gathering Music
Welcome and Announcements Rev. RaeAnn Beebe
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 46)
One: In this present time, no matter what passes before us,
Many: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
One: As earth shakes and nations are in an uproar,
Many: God is present with us and is our refuge in times of trouble.
One: As the world trembles in fear and worry,
Many: May we find stillness and peace, knowing God is God of all.
Opening Prayer (unison)
Holy Redeemer,
In the dusk of this liturgical year, we recall the beauty of our days together. The blessedness of Christmas love and the light of Epiphany move us to bring illumination to our neighbors. The hope of Easter and the strength of Pentecost inspire us to bring the Good News of God’s love to this world. All of this is to create God’s Realm here on this earth, where we follow the steps of Christ, knowing the endurance of the Holy Spirit abides with us today and always. Amen.
Opening Hymn: #106 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Children’s Time
Reading of Scripture
Colossians 1:11-20
11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Luke 23:33-43
33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”
Message: A Picture of the Reign of Christ
Hymn: #621 For the Healing of the Nations
Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
We Offer Our Gifts
What would happen if we were to set aside our worries and begin to create paradise on earth – here and now? What if we shared just a little extra of our time, talent, and treasures so that others can experience paradise on this side of heaven? When we share our gifts, the universe begins to transform for our neighbors, creation, and ourselves.
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
God of All Time and Space, you call us to transform the world through the extension of your grace to all of creation. May we find new and creative ways to share our treasures, talents, and time in order to create your Realm here on earth. May we work to create paradise beginning here today. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #561 Christ for the World! We Sing
Benediction
As we transform our universe into God’s paradise, may the Spirit of Strength give us courage to care for our neighbors. May the Christ of Mercy give us peace in each time and space. May our Creator of Hope inspire us to love in new ways. Fellow companions on this journey: we are called to build God’s Realm, creating heaven on earth for all. Amen!
Sending Music
Today: Service Prayers for Reign of Christ Sunday written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian, an ordained UCC minister in Belleville, Illinois for UCC Worship Ways.