CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

October 11, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Access Sunday

Disabilities Awareness Week

 

 

The Rev. Keith Scott, Worship Leader

Jay Harragin, Director of Music

Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician

Anita Smith, Liturgist

Carlos Gonzalez, Usher

Kevin Salas, Audio/ Visual Technical director

 

 

14920 Southwest 67^th Avenue, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33158

www.christcongregationalucc.org

office@christcongregationalucc.org | 305.235.9381

 

 

*Indicates please stand if comfortably able

 

 

 

 

 

GATHERING MUSIC   10:45 AM

 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

PRELUDE

 

*LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE

Leader: The Light shines in the Darkness

All: And the darkness cannot put out the light!

 

*WORLD PEACE PRAYER (Unison)

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.

Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. Amen.

 

* CALL TO WORSHIP  (Responsive)

One: Rejoice in the Lord! God is near, and God’s peace is with us.

 

Many: We come with grateful hearts to worship God.

 

One: When we are anxious, let us bring our prayers and concerns to God.

 

Many: We trust God with our hearts and our lives.

 

One: Let us seek what is true, honorable, just, and good.

 

Many: We will worship, rejoice, and walk together in God’s peace.

 

One: Come, let us worship the Lord!

 

Many: We come with joy and thanksgiving. Amen.

 

*HYMN       “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”      (No. 4, NCH)

 

PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)

Gracious and loving God, we gather today with grateful hearts, rejoicing in your presence. Quiet our anxious thoughts and open our hearts to your peace. Help us to focus on what is true, honorable, just, and good. Guide us to live with gentleness, gratitude, and compassion. May your Spirit be present in our worship and may the peace of Christ guard our hearts and minds. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

 

THE COMMANDMENT OF JESUS (John 15:5, 12)

I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

 

 

SCRIPTURE LESSON                 Philippians 4:1-9       NRSVUE

 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

 

Exhortations

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

SPECIAL MUSIC      “Truly God is Good”        Michael Barrett

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

All: Gracious God, we come before you as we are.

We confess that we have allowed worry to take hold of us. We have focused on what is difficult and forgotten your goodness. We have held onto disagreements instead of seeking reconciliation. We have not always treated one another with gentleness, patience, and grace.

 

Forgive us, O God. Help us to bring our worries and concerns to you. Turn our hearts toward what is true, what is just, what is good, and what is worthy of praise.

 

Teach us to trust that you are near. Give us your peace, renew our minds, and strengthen us to live as people of hope and love. Amen.

 

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON- Rev. Keith Scott

One: Hear the good news: God is near.

 

Many: God hears our prayers and meets us with grace.

 

One: In Christ, we are forgiven and made new.

 

Many: We receive God’s forgiveness and peace.

 

One: Whatever we face, God’s peace is greater than our anxiety, and God’s love is stronger than our fear.

 

Many: We will go forward in faith, trusting in God’s presence.

 

One: Friends, know that you are forgiven, loved, and held in the peace of Christ.

 

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

 

 

*HYMN       “Nearer, My God, to You”       (No. 606, NCH)

 

 

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

 

PRAYER SONG       “I Need You Every Hour”      (No. 517, NCH)

I need you every hour, O God of grace;

The peace your voice affords, I now embrace.

I need you, how I need you! Every hour I need you;

O bless me now, my Savior; I come to you.

 

 

TIME OF SILENT MEDITATION 

(You are invited to open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit.)

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

 

 

 

THE PRAYER OF JESUS (Unison)

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen. 

 

INVITATION TO GENEROSITY- Rev. Keith Scott

Paul reminds us to rejoice, to give thanks, and to trust that God is near. Our generosity is one way we put that faith into practice. As we offer our gifts today, let us give with grateful hearts, supporting the work of Christ, caring for our neighbors, and helping create a community where God’s peace and love can flourish. Let us receive our offering.

 

 

MUSICAL OFFERING        “The Times They are Changing”     Bob Dylan

 

 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)

All: Generous and loving God, we thank you for all that you have given us. Receive these gifts we offer today and use them to bring hope, healing, justice, and peace.

 

Help us to be generous not only with our resources, but also with our time, compassion, and love. May all that we give and all that we do reflect your goodness and bring blessings to others. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

 

 

*HYMN     “Glory, Glory Hallelujah”       (No. 2, NCH)

 

 

MESSAGE   “Turn your Worries into Prayers”

 

*PRAISE SONG    “I Am the Light of the World”       (No. 584, NCH)

 

*COMMISSION- Rev. Keith Scott

 

*BENEDICTION – Rev. Keith Scott

 

*POSTLUDE