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Lesson of the Week
Thank you for worshiping with us. We are so glad that you are spending part of your day with us!
Order of Service
Worship Service Participants
- Rev. Scott Siefert
- Organist: Penny Rolf
- Liturgist: Keith Kohls
- Choir: YOU!
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Greeting
Rev Scott: Jesus says “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Call to Worship
Keith: Come, a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us as we gather.
All: May the lingering echo of saints resound in our songs.
Keith: May their stories open up a space for the Spirit to enter us anew.
All: In remembering them, may we find ourselves re-membered.
Keith: May the God of every generation form us anew for this generation.
All: And may a new joy arise in our lives and in the life of the world.
Opening Hymn: “God of Change and Glory” (New Century Hymnal #177)
Prayer of Invocation
Keith: God of every age and time, inspire us today with memories of saints whose energy still lingers, hovering around and within as encouragement and strength. Wrap us anew with a sense of persistent presence, granting a new energy to offer You everything in our hearts, minds, and souls. Yes, Love of Life, root us and ground us in this.
All: Let it be more than enough for today, as we gather in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Thanksgiving for the Saints
Invitation to Come to the Altar
Opening Prayer
Special Readings to Honor Those Who Have Passed
Liturgy of Commemoration and Dedication
Rev Scott: See us, O God.
All: We gather together as a family and friends this day to remember loved ones who have passed from our lives. We share the grief of those who have loved and been loved by the members of this community. We give thanks for their light in the world.
One: Hear us, O God.
All: We share memories that are long and affections that are deep. We gather as a people to support all of those who still remember the death of people important in their lives. We share with them the sadness that these memories sometimes bring. We give thanks for the light of their love.
Rev Scott: Comfort us, O God as we remember…
All: We stand together to mourn our losses. {Time of Silence}
Rev Scott: Loving God, the passing of the year has brought with it the passing of life. We give thanks for all those whose love brought light to our lives for in that light we are able to see You. Thank you for this time when we as a community can remember. Comforting God, make the light of your love burn strong within us as we continue to live in faith.
All: O God, we are a people remembered, a people blessed. Thanks be to God! AMEN.
Scripture Readings and Pastoral Meditation
Revelation 7:9-17 and Matthew 5:1-12
Pastoral Meditation: “All Hallows Day”
Prayers and Concerns
Joys – Concerns – Blessings
Please share any special concerns, joys, and blessings.
Silent Prayer – Leader’s Prayer – Lord’s Prayer
ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Collection and Presentation of the Offering
Invitation to the Offering
One: Jesus introduced a new kind of arithmetic. He said, when you give things away, you actually have more. Maybe it’s that we get more of what we really need. The saints of old seemed to know this. We are invited to give not only because it helps others, but because by giving we are opened up to a fullness we could not otherwise have imagined. It is God’s gift to us. May the joy of the saints be our joy today as we offer our gifts to God for the good of the world.
*Hymn: “Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow” (The Hymnal #551)
*Prayer of Dedication
All: O Holy God, continue to form in us a transparent spirit that by our giving and our living others may discover You. Grant us a willing vision to see and respond to those hidden saints who reveal something of You in the least ways and in the most surprising places. Thank You for calling us into a life such as this and bless these gifts that they may bless others. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” (The Hymnal #35)
Benediction and Blessing
Ringing of the Church Bell
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- Thursdays – Bible Fellowship – 6pm – Fellowship Hall & Zoom
- TODAY – Fellowship following the service – Hosted by Cheryl and Michelle Bachmann
- Oct. 30th – Faith and Service Team Meeting – 6pm via Zoom
- Nov. 12th – Veterans Sunday – 915am
- Nov. 13th – Women’s Guild Meeting – 6pm – Fellowship Hall
- Nov. 19th – “His By Grace” followed by annual Pie Social – 915am to benefit Southwest Carver County Food Shelf
- Nov. 22nd – UCC Community Thanksgiving Eve Service led by Pastor Scott – 7pm – First Congregational UCC, Glencoe
- Nov. 26th – Deck the Halls following worship
- Dec. 3rd – First Sunday of Advent – 915am
All Saints Day Service. Thank you to all you brought in mementos to create our special altar today. It was a blessing to have you celebrate All Saints Day with us. May our hearts be full as we remember those who have come and gone before us. Flowers placed in the sanctuary are in memory of those saints. Feel free to take one with you when you leave today.
Fruit of the Spirit. This month, the UCC “Our Church’s Wider Mission” will benefit from the donations. A special collection vessel is at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Veterans Sunday. If you have any special readings or musical requests, please place them in the suggestion box at the entrance to the sanctuary.
God uses everyone’s talents. The October/November Team Up will be available soon.
Looking for a church community? If you have been led to St. John’s looking to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love an opportunity to chat. Contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
The Word To Go: Find Sunday morning worship services on our Facebook Page, St. John’s UCC of Bongards. Worship will also be live-streamed on Facebook, when available.
Bongards Buzz: Submit items for the newsletter by the 1st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com. Catch up online with the Buzz here.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or email pastorsjuccbongards@gmail.com.
We’ve partnered with easyTithe so you can use your bank account for a direct ACH, debit card, or a credit card to make a secure one time or reoccurring gift. General giving and Fruit of the Spirit can both be done electronically.
St. John's United Church of Christ 
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