august 16,2026

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

CLICK HERE FOR HYMNS (or scroll to the bottom)

Prelude:    Richard Harper

Chalice Lighting:  by Sara Eileen LaWall

Out of the flames of fear, we rise with courage of our deepest convictions to stand for justice, inclusion and peace

Out of the flames of scrutiny, we rise to proclaim our faith, with hope to heal a fractured and hurting world

Out of the flames of doubt, we rise to embrace the mystery, wonder and awe of all there is and all that is yet to be

Out of the flames of hate, we rise with the force of love; love that celebrates our shared humanity

Out of the flames we rise

Opening Hymn:     Blessed Assurance     NCH 473             

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship:  

At God’s table of justice, everyone has a place and none are turned away. 

All: Here strangers are welcomed as friends, the poor sit alongside the rich, and the upside-down kin-dom of God is revealed.

At God’s table of abundance, a banquet of righteousness and liberation is set for all. 

All:   Here the powerless are heard; the outcast are showered with honor, and the inside-out kin-dom of God is revealed.

At God’s table of life, all peoples know peace and creation flourishes.

All:   Here the hopeless are nourished with possibility, the complacent are transformed into advocates for change. Here in our very midst the kin-dom of God is revealed.

Prayer of Invocation   

First Sacred Reading     Isaiah 55:10-11

 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Passing of the Peace 

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns

Prayers of the People/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology:    We Give You But Your Own – NCH 785 

We give you but your own, what e'er the gift may be; All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully

Second Sacred Reading:      Dao de  Ching chapter 8

The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing. No fight: No blame.

Hymn of Reflection:     I’m So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me       NCH   474         

Sermon:    Faith is the Courage to Wait

Closing Hymn:     I am Yours, O Lord         NCH 455    

Benediction:                           Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

All Souls Bethlehem Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo

Ministers: All Members of ASBC

Minister Emeritus: Rev. Bill Nye 

First Time Visitor?  

Please sign our red Guest Book (located near the entrance)

and be our guest at the gathering following the service!

Interested in “Official” Church Membership?  

Please speak with Council President Raquel Irizarry about our next New Member gathering!  

An All-inclusive, Welcoming Community of Faith

born from the traditions of the:

Disciples of Christ - www.Disciples.org

United Church of Christ - www.UCC.org

Unitarian Universalist Association - www.UUA.org 

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