Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
(download the bulletin as a PDF)

OCTOBER 12 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

SONG

CALL TO WORSHIP *                                                      
One: Come, people of God, with open hearts, ready to behold the glory of the Lord.
All: We come to worship the One who calls us to reflect his radiance in how we live, give, serve, and steward all we have.
One: So let us worship with boldness and hope, for in Christ, we are being renewed and made generous by the power of the Spirit.
All: We worship the Lord, who entrusts us with grace, and invites us to shine with his light in the world.

OPENING SONG (#73) *
“O Worship the King”
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,
whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark 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.

 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

CALL TO CONFESSION *
One: God is not far from us. Even in our failures, our fears, and our forgetfulness, God’s Spirit is near—searching us, knowing us, inviting us to turn and be renewed.
All: So let us come, not hiding in shadow, but stepping into the light of God’s mercy, that we may be transformed by grace and made faithful stewards of all God has given.
One: Let us confess our sins first together and then in a moment of silence.  Let us pray…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: Gracious and Ever-Present God, You search us and know us. There is nowhere we can go where you are not already there.
All: Yet we confess that we live as though your presence is distant, and your gifts are ours to hoard or waste.
One: You call us to shine with the light of Christ, but we often veil our hearts, clinging to comfort rather than offering ourselves in service.
All: You entrust us with time, talents, and treasure—but we manage them as if they were ours alone.
One: Forgive us, Lord, for fearful stewardship, for giving only what is easy, for serving only when it suits us, for forgetting that all we have and are belongs to you.
All: By your Spirit, remove the veil from our hearts. Transform us into generous people, reflecting your glory in all that we do.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: Hear the good news: Through Jesus Christ, you are forgiven, renewed by the Spirit, and called to reflect the glory of God in the way you live and give.
All: Thanks be to God! We are set free to live generously, to serve faithfully, and to steward all that we are for God's glory.

GLORIA *
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me,
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE

MINUTE FOR STEWARDSHIP

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG
“Come and Dance, Come and Sing”
by Bernadette Farrell
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.

Refrain:
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

 Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice. [Refrain]

 Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come. [Refrain]

SCRIPTURE (Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 139:7-12;  2 Corinthians 3:12-18)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: Let us join our hearts in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need, trusting in the Spirit who is always present and always at work.
All: Gracious and Glorious God,
One: You are the source of every good gift. You shine your light into our lives and call us to reflect your glory.
All: Make us faithful stewards of your grace—in our homes, our communities, and your church. Transform us from the inside out, so that we live not for ourselves, but for your kingdom. God of all presence,
One: There is nowhere we can go where you are not already there. You are with those who feel lost, overwhelmed, or forgotten.
All: Draw near to the weary, the anxious, and the grieving. We pray especially for those in our congregation and beyond who are sick, struggling, or in need of healing—
silent pause
One: Shine your light in the darkest places, and bring hope where hope feels far away. Teach us to live with open hands and open hearts, trusting you to provide as we give ourselves for others.
All: Make us bold in witness, generous in giving, and joyful in serving—always reflecting the light of Christ in all we do.
One: We pray all this in the glorious name of Christ who taught us to pray saying…

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; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

CLOSING SONG *
“O Splendor of God's Glory Bright” (#679)
O splendor of God's glory bright,
O thou that bringest light from light;
O Light of light, light's living spring,
O day, all days illumining.

O thou true Sun, on us thy glance
let fall in royal radiance;
the Spirit's sanctifying beam
upon our earthly senses stream.

The Father, too, our prayers implore,
Father of glory evermore;
the Father of all grace and might,
to banish sin from our delight.

To guide whate'er we nobly do,
with love all envy to subdue;
to make ill fortune turn to fair,
and give us grace our wrongs to bear.

CLOSING MESSAGE

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit