A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America
Our Life, Ministry, and Mission: To Have Hearts Centered on Christ and Hearts Open to our Neighbors
Order of Worship – A Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
November 9 2025 10:00 AM
Our Approach to God
Prelude
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Children’s Message
*Call to Worship -Job 19:23-27
Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
I know that my redeemer lives.
In the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes.
I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
*Opening Praise Songs
“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” CCLI #9990
“Mighty to Save” CCLI #4591782
Call to Confession –1 John 1:5-10
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
People of God, Hear the Good News of the Gospel! By the love of God, by the blood of Christ, by the power of the Spirit, your sins are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
Guide for Grateful Living -Mark 12:28-34
Offering
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Word of God in Proclamation & Sacrament
Prayer of Inspiration
Scripture Luke 20:27-40 (NIV Pew Bibles, Page 1499)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “GOD OF THE LIVING”
Prayer for Blessing
Almighty God, grant that the words we have heard this day may, through your grace, be so grafted within our hearts that they may bring forth in us the fruit of the Spirit, to the honor and praise of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Profession of Faith The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made: Of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son, is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
*Hymn of Response “Gift of Finest Wheat” -Hymn #815, vv. 1,3,5
*Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper -1 Corinthians 11:23-2
Reflection Bread for the Journey -by Henri Nouwen
Communion Opening
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Holy and right it is, and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord our Creator, almighty and everlasting God! You created heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty. You have given us life and being, and preserve us by your providence. But you have shown us the fullness of your love in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, made flesh for us and for our salvation. For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you. We praise and bless you, O God. With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven,
we worship and adore your glorious name.
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Communion Prayer
Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the whole world. In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again, we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices. Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray, that the bread which we break, and the cup which we bless may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Grant that, being joined together in him, we may attain to the unity of the faith and grow up in all things into Christ our Lord. And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf, and these grapes from many hills into one cup, grant, O Lord, that your whole Church may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Preparation at the Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
All believers here present are invited to participate in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
(Note: The bread is gluten-free out of consideration for those with dietary restrictions.)
Receiving Communion The congregation comes forward to receive bread and cup.
Our Response to God
Thanksgiving Prayer -from Psalm 103, with additions
Brothers and sisters, since the Lord has now fed us at his Table, let us praise God’s holy name with heartfelt thanksgiving! Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him,
who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, and will also
give us all things with him.
Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the praise of the Lord, from this time forth forevermore. Amen.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Hymn “I Know that My Redeemer Lives“ –Hymn #193, vv. 1,2,4,7
*Benediction
*Postlude
Prayer Leader is available after the service, by the front door of the Sanctuary, to pray for your needs.