CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
November 8, 2026 – 11:00 a.m.
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship Sunday
Preparation for worship
“Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.”
– Lewis Sperry Chafer
The Rev. Candace Thomas, Pastor
Jay Harragin, Director of Music
Graham Bryan, Church Moderator/ Musician
Mike Garcia, Liturgist
Carlos Gonzalez, Usher
Kevin Salas, Audio/ Visual Technical director
14920 Southwest 67th Avenue, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33158
www.christcongregationalucc.org
office@christcongregationalucc.org | 305.235.9381
*Indicates please stand if comfortably able
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 (Inspired by Psalm 78) (Responsive)
One: Set your hope in God, who is worthy of our trust.
Many: We remember the glorious deeds of the Holy One.
One: Set your hope in God, who orders our days and redeems our lives.
Many: We rejoice in the wonders the Holy One has done.
One: Set your hope in God, who leads us.
Many: We recommit to the ways of the Holy One. Our hope is in God!
*HYMN “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (No. 1, NCH )
PRAYER OF INVOCATION (Unison)
Holy One, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving. We invite you to inhabit our praise as we honor your precious name. Bind us together and refresh us as a community with justice and righteousness overflowing like a stream. Open our minds and hearts to be receptive to your still speaking voice. Make yourself known among us. You are our God, and we are your people. 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 Matthew 25:1-13 NRSV
‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Preambulum” J.S. Bach
PRAYER OF TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE (Unison)
Wise and just God, we do not want to come before you with empty words and meaningless acts. We know that your love has the power to transform us with compassion. We declare that your truth can liberate us and renew us as liberators in the world. In the midst of a world too often guided by the pursuit of power, privilege, and prestige, soften our hearts. Help us reject the othering of our neighbors and your beloved. Help us reflect your goodness and good news through our lives, in word and deed. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE – Pastor Candy
Beloved, when we turn toward the Holy One, we find the Holy One has turned toward us. The God of compassion and grace will meet you in your hopes for a new life, will bring strength and power in your struggle, and will release you from actions and attitudes of the past. Receive God’s forgiveness and invitation to embrace a new way going forward. Amen.
SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYER SONG “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord” (No. 769, NCH)
Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God;
Incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.
TIME OF SILENT MEDITATION
(You are invited to open your heart to the movement of the Holy Spirit.)
PASTORAL PRAYER
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.
OFFERING INVITATION – Pastor Candy
God has given us good and generous gifts out of abundant love. People do not face need because creation is insufficient. When we share the resources of creation, we proclaim our faith and trust that God provides more than enough for all of us to flourish. Let us give in faith and hope.
MUSICAL OFFERING “As the Deer” Martin Nystrom
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
Loving God, accept our offerings as a testament to our love, faith, and hope. Magnify them for your glory and to meet the needs of the community. Expand our reach and glorify your name through our giving, O God. Amen.
*HYMN “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning” (No. 369, NCH)
MESSAGE “Check Your Oil!”
*HYMN “Take My Life, God, Let It Be” (No. 448, NCH)
*COMMISSION –Pastor Candy
As you go from this time and gathering, Rest in the covenant, Choose love every day, Sustain hope in action, Serve the Holy One with love and honor, And be a witness for the goodness of God in the land of the living. Amen.
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
Welcome to Everyone!
Whoever or whatever brought you to our Sanctuary or our Facebook or YouTube on-line worship service this morning, we believe that the Spirit of God had a hand in you joining us. We hope that you feel the Holy Spirit in our service of prayer and praise.
At Christ Congregational Church we strive to love one another as God has loved us and welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. Therefore, we are an Open and Affirming church, loving, and welcoming all people in all of God’s variety, including racial, ethnic, and economic diversity, gender diversity and expression, sexual orientation, and physical and mental abilities.
We Will Serve: Service Prayers for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Year A was written by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Lindsay, Minister for Worship and Theology for the United Church of Christ.
JOYS AND CONCERNS Do you have joys or concerns you would like lifted in worship? Please call or text Pastor Candy at 925.640.9289 or email her at cccpastor@att.net by 10 am Sunday morning.
For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT CCC? About the United Church of Christ? Pastor Candy would be happy to meet with you to talk about our Christian faith, your spiritual journey, and to discuss what church membership means. Please let her know if you’re interested!
REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS
- Mathews, C.M. Chandler, Ariel Ward, Sibyl Carter, the Wiener Family, Janet Smith, Daniel Best, Maria Valladares, Kathy Kirsh, Sheryl Chambers and Family, and Judy Carlson and Family.
To keep our prayer list current please let Tracy Williams, Administrative Assistant at <office@christcongregationalucc.org> or Pastor Candy at <cccpastor@att.net> know if you’d like a name included on our Prayer List. It is a blessing to remember that others are praying for us and a blessing to pray for others.
ONLINE GIVING: We invite you to use our online giving option as a quick, simple, and secure method to make your pledges and any ancillary contributions. Clicking on the “Give Online Today” button at the bottom of our weekly newsletter or by going to our website at https://christcongregationalucc.org and clicking “Online giving.” You will be redirected to the secured Moon Clerk site which will allow you to enter your credit card information.
Like to sing? Choir practice today at 10:15 am in the Kelsey Hall Library.
THIS WEEKS EVENTS: NOV. 8 – NOV. 16
| Today | 10:15 am | Choir practice in Kelsey Hall Library |
| Today | 11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |
| Today | After worship | Assemble personal hygiene bags in Kelsey Hall |
| Mon. Nov. 9th | 6:30 pm | ZOOM Bible Study ID: 835 5486 8918 |
| Wed. Nov. 11th | 6 pm | Chair Yoga in Kelsey Hall |
| Sat. Nov. 14th | 12 pm-3 pm | Fall Festival |
| Sun. Nov. 16th | 10:15 am | Choir Practice in Kelsey Hall |
| Sun. Nov. 16th | 11:00 am | Worship in the Sanctuary, also on Facebook Live & YouTube. |
UPCOMING EVENT
Nov. 22 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Luncheon
70 Years of Faith, Community, and Gratitude!
This year, Christ Congregational Church celebrates its 70th anniversary! For seven decades, CCC has brought people together to grow in faith, care for one another, and serve our neighbors. As a congregation of the United Church of Christ, we celebrate a faith rooted in God’s love, a welcome that embraces ALL, and a commitment to building a more just and compassionate world.
What better way to celebrate than by gathering around the table? Join us for a catered Thanksgiving lunch after worship on November 22nd as we give thanks for the people and stories that have shaped our church, the community we share today, and the possibilities ahead. Whether you’ve been part of CCC for decades or are just getting to know us, you are part of this celebration!
Registration is required!
Since our lunch is catered, guests are required to REGISTER no later than November 13th so we can have a proper head count. Please use the link below or scan the QR code to reserve your place and include everyone attending with you. This will help us ensure there’s a delicious meal waiting for each guest!
Registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/8hHWJ9A6JL
We look forward to sharing food, memories, laughter, and gratitude with you!
CCC SCHOLARSHIPS
Christ Congregational Church is offering educational scholarships on a bi-annual basis. We are blessed to be able to financially assist members, as well as close relations to members, with the escalating costs of higher education. The Church Council has created different scholarship opportunities that will be offered for fall and spring semesters.
- $1,500 Scholarship
- Applicant must be a member or have a long-standing relationship with a CCC member. They will need to submit an application, an acceptance letter to a college or trade program, and a schedule for the upcoming semester’s classes.
- Submission deadlines are September 30th for the fall semester and January 31st for the spring semester.
- $3,000 Scholarship
- Applicant must be a member or have a long-standing relationship with a CCC member. They will need to submit an application, an acceptance letter to a college or trade program, and a schedule for the upcoming semester’s classes.
- Applicant must submit a 500-750 word essay based on a prompt that will be unique to each application cycle OR provide specified details about a recent service project that is in alignment with CCC’s mission.
- Submission deadlines are September 30th for the fall semester and January 31st for the spring semester.
Applicants may re-apply bi-annually, as actively enrolled in a college or trade-school program and are eligible to receive up to eight scholarships from CCC. Applications and details are available by email request – office@ChristCongregationalUCC.org