Sunday October 25, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — Fugue in E-flat “St Anne” — J.S. Bach 
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

Silent Meditation                                                                                                         
Christianity is not a set of beliefs or doctrines one believes in order to be a Christian, but rather Christianity is to have one’s body shaped, one’s habits determined, in such a way that the worship of God is unavoidable. — Stanley Hauerwas, American Protestant theologian

Choral Call to Worship (11:10) — With a Voice of Singing — Kenneth Jennings

Praise and Adoration

*Hymn #275 — A Mighty Fortress Is Our God — EIN FESTE BURG
(*Please stand, if you are able) (11:10 ONLY: Choir sings vs. 3)

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession — Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Kyrie Eleison — Lord, Have Mercy — SCHUBERT

Assurance of Pardon

*Congregational Response (#581) — Glory Be to the Father — GLORIA PATRI (Greatorex)

*Welcome

Announcements

Moment for Stewardship — Scott Stalnaker, elder on the Finance Committee

Fellowship of Prayer

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.

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Matthew 22: 34-46 — page 804 of the pew Bible

Sermon — “The Great Commandments” — Dr. Zieman 

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — from the Confession of Belhar (1986)
We believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects, and nourishes the Church from the beginning of the world to the end.  The Church is holy; the Church is universal; it is the fellowship of God’s children, called together from the whole of humanity to proclaim God’s wonderful deeds.  We believe that the reconciling work of Christ gives birth to a uniting Church, because Church unity is a gift from God and a goal we need to strive for.  The unity of the Church must become visible so that the people around us can see how separation and hatred are overcome in Christ.  We believe that genuine faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership in this Christian church.  We praise God that race, class, gender, or culture does not determine who belongs to this Church. 

*Sanctus (#562) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Schubert)

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — In All Things Love — Dan Forrest             

*Doxology (#609) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*Hymn of Dedication #361 — O Christ, the Great Foundation — AURELIA

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude — A Mighty Fortress — Helmit Walcha