Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ Order of Worship for Nov 7, 2021 — 24th Sunday after Pentecost

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Gathering Music Prelude No. 5 Vierne Jason Aquila, Organist

Welcome

Prelude Jesus, My Trust J. S. Bach Jason Aquila, Organist

*Call to Worship (*Please rise in body or spirit)

ONE: We gather now to give thanks to our God, MANY: Whose steadfast love endures forever. ONE: We lift up our hearts, our prayers and praise to God, MANY: Whose steadfast love endures forever. ONE: We reflect and ponder the word and wisdom of God, MANY: Whose steadfast love endures forever. ONE: We join together as followers of Jesus MANY: Whose steadfast love endures forever.

*Hymn 370 What Gift Can We Bring?

Prayer of Invocation

Lord, we have come to you this day bringing all that we have, our lives, our hopes and dreams, our fears and sorrows. We place these before you in faith and hope, knowing that no matter what has happened you are with us and blessing us. Open our hearts to receive your words and your spirit, that we may find healing and comfort. Open our lives to the wondrous possibilities for service and joy that you offer to us. Ease our minds and spirits that we may hear the words of encouragement and peace this day. Amen.

Stewardship Moment Debbie Shank

Passing of the Peace

Special Music How Great Thou Art Arr. Hayes Jason Aquila, organist

Prayer of Gratitude

Take this, the gifts of our hands, and the enterprise of our families, and bless and multiply them for the sake of your kindom alone. Amen.

Scripture Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (NRSV) Rudy Duscha Hebrews 9:24-28 (NRSV)

ONE: Our God is still speaking. MANY: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Mark 12:38-44 (NRSV)

Sermon What Do I Have to Give? The Rev. Melody Ruffin Ward

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (Please use the language with which you are most comfortable)

*Hymn 330 Let Us Break Bread Together

Time of Confession

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, so often we look at ourselves, our gifts and our talents, and wonder what you would do with these offerings. We don't think that we have much to give. So, far too many times, we belittle the gifts and turn our backs on the needs and opportunities present to serve, believing that our gifts cannot possibly make a difference. Forgive us when we stop listening to your healing and comforting words and focus on our anxieties. Heal us, Lord. Help us know that you have given to us such blessings and that these blessings are truly wonderful and meant to be used in joy and service to others. Help us to bring our lives, just as they are, to you and to receive your gentle touch and healing grace. For we ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

God has given to each one of us such blessings and talents. With joy we bring these gifts to God. You are blessed by God's absolute love for you. Rejoice in that love and find healing and hope.

The Sacrament of Communion (All are invited to participate in communion) Invitation to Communion and Communion Prayer

God of Justice, we come to break bread and drink of the cup before you. Help us realize your special care for those who hunger, those who are oppressed, those who are powerless and cast aside. When we look upon the richness of the grace that has been poured out upon us, we can see our spiritual poverty, O self-giving God. We can give nothing by comparison to what you have given us! Teach us the secret of your grace, that it is in giving that we receive; in emptying ourselves in humble service that we become filled with your love. As you shared with us in our need, help us to share with others in their need. In the name of the compassionate Christ, we pray. Amen.

Blessing of the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We have gathered at your table, dear God, wherever we are. We have known Christ’s presence here. May we remember that Jesus Christ is our true sanctuary, not made with human hands, not limited to one time or place. May every time we share bread with one another be a time when we know Christ’s presence. Amen.

Hymn 562 Take My Gifts

Benediction

Postlude Cornet Voluntary Walond Jason Aquila, Organist

Today’s altar flowers are sponsored by Debbie and Rich Shank, “in gratitude for our many blessings.”

Today, we welcome the Rev. Melody Ruffin Ward to our pulpit. Ruffin Ward was a professor of dance for two decades and, in 2015, completed her M.Div. degree at UCC-related Andover Newton Theological School (now Andover Newton Seminary, part of Yale Divinity School) with a focus in pastoral care and pastoral counseling. She currently serves as director of spiritual care, and as a chaplain, at IBH Addiction Recovery Center in Akron, Ohio. As a choreographer and theologian, she seeks spaces to bring movement as a way of integrative healing that nourishes the gifts we each bring as we live out the daily gospel of Jesus. Ruffin Ward is an active member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Akron, where her favorite activity is her senior adult Bible study group.

Call to Worship from rev-o-lution.org; Prayer of Invocation, Prayer of Confession, and Words of Assurance adapted from Worship Connection at ministrymatters.com; Prayer of Gratitude from Worship Elements at ministrymatters.com; Communion Prayer from Bread of Blessing, Cup of Hope by Michael E. Dixon; Prayer of Thanksgiving from Fed by God’s Grace by Michael E. Dixon and Sandy Dixon.

Please Keep the Following People in Your Prayers

Apryl (friend of Mike Miller) The family of Mary Weisman The family of Dave Evans Charles Brown (friend of Barb Powell) Lee Schmidt (relative of Emma Kozar’s

family) Bobby Gallo (brother of Mary Kanzeg) Greg Bucur and family Melissa (Zaugg) Marek The family of Ruth Michelich Adrienne, Todd, and Katie Conner

(cousins of Barb Powell) Marilyn Hughes Lyn McCombs (cousin of Mary Kanzeg) John Michelich Leslie Patzwahl Gay Whieldon (friend of Jan Bischof) The family of Chuck Hughes The Newton Carlozzi family (friends of

Barb Powell) Fritz Gerald Joseph (UCC/Disciples

Global Ministries Personnel, Morocco)

Taylor McCray (friend of Cory Svette) Eben Prettyman (friend of Cory Svette) Robert and Heather Kneale and Olivia

Brainard (family members of Jane Huml)

Jean and Carl Badger Jane Biddell (mother of Lisa Thomas) Lisa Greenway and family (friends of

Maryellen Bonin)

Char Robertson Ruth Gartner Laura and Otto Schütze (friends of Barb

Powell and Jane Huml) Mark Biddell (brother of Lisa Thomas) Jeannie Gallo (sister of Mary Kanzeg) Albert Svette Diane Goebel (sister-in-law of Jim

Stone) Margaret Borrelli Pete Miller (brother of Mike Miller) Nancy Shaver and family (sister of

Sarah Pavelka) Chuck Mealy Jim Gartner (son of Ruth Gartner) Carole Adams Sally Barkhauer Paul Bidell (father of Lisa Thomas) Charlie and Daniel Zak Sarah and Richard Pavelka Steven Kneale Jan Bischof Jeanne Long The Delvecchio Family (friend of Karen

Farmer) The Derrick Family (cousins of the

Mealys) Bob Patzwahl Mia Steinbrick (grandchild of Andy &

Jan Bischof) Jon Fields (friend of the Mealys)