November 2, 2025
Prelude
John Bodinger
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Isaiah 55:10-12]
The rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
They make it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
So shall God’s word be that goes out from his mouth; it shall not return empty, but it shall accomplish that which he purposes.
We shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills shall burst into song.
Let us worship the LORD!
O Worship the King, All Glorious Above (Hymn 476)
Grant/Haydn
O worship the King, all glorious above!
O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of God’s might, O sing of God’s grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
The chariots of heaven the deep thunderclouds form,
And bright is God’s path on the wings of the storm.
The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Confession
God who plants and waters, you are at work in the world to accomplish your purposes. Forgive us when we are oblivious to your word and your Spirit’s whisperings. Forgive us when our enthusiasm for your kingdom dries up in the heat of hardships. In your mercy, soften our hearts and open our ears. Teach us to recognize your touch, even in places we did not expect. Unify us together as good soil to receive your word and produce a harvest of love, peace, kindness, and joy. Amen.
Silence
Here I Am, Lord (Hymn 525)
Schutte
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Shirley Russell
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-13
New Testament: Matthew 13:1-9
Open My Eyes, That I May See (Hymn 324)
Scott
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Homily: Seeing as God Sees
Scott Starbuck
Focus: Discernment is more than gathering and analyzing data. Discernment develops the capacity to perceive where God is at work in the global and local situation in order to choose what better leads to the glory of God, which is nothing other than the fullness of human life. –Arturo Sosa, S.J.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Anthem: It Is Well With My Soul
Spafford/Bliss
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well; it is well with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so it is well with my soul
(refrain)
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
Ruth Seignemartin
God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. -Genesis 45:7
Sending: Be Thou My Vision (Hymn 339)
Ancient Irish poem/Irish ballad
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude
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