may 17, 2026

Guest Preacher: Rev. Johnny Kline

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

CLICK HERE FOR HYMNS (or scroll to the bottom)

Prelude:   Debbie Deane

Chalice Lighting:       

May the light of truth illumine our minds,

May the spark of love set our hearts on fire,

May the flame of freedom burn brightly within us,

Now and always.

Opening Hymn: A Mighty Fortress – NCH #439

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship:  

L: Our lips sing praise and our whole selves rejoice in the God who speaks truth and only truth.

All: We gather this morning, recognizing that truth as our path toward connection with the Divine and with each other. 

L: We see, we hear, we feel, and we trust that God will direct us in what is right.  

All: Born in truth and goodness, protected from evil, we place our destiny in God’s hands. 

Prayer of Invocation: 

Creator of all we know and all we imagine: We invite your holy presence upon us and among us as we enter into spiritual union. Let your truth be our foundation, your love infuse our mutual spirit, and your goodness lead us toward the Way. Amen.

First Sacred Reading: Coloring Book By Connie Wanek

Each picture is heartbreakingly banal,

a kitten and a ball of yarn,

a dog and bone.

The paper is cheap, easily torn.

A coloring book's authority is derived

from its heavy black lines

as unalterable as the ten commandments

within which minor decisions are possible:

the dog black and white,

the kitten gray.

Under the picture we find a few words,

a title, perhaps a narrative,

a psalm or sermon.

But nowhere do we come upon

a blank page where we might justify

the careless way we scribbled

when we were tired and sad

and could bear no more.

Passing of the Peace

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns/Pastoral Prayer

Righteous God, you offer the newness of life while we cling to dry and desolate places. We withhold our trust and cling to the ways of the world while retreating from witnessing your goodness in the world. We allow hopelessness to reign in our lives and direct our attitudes and actions. Help us, O God, to believe that resurrection is not a one-time event but a way of living. Let resurrection live in us, and transform our being, thinking, and doing in the world.

New Creation in Christ, the resurrected life is yours. We place our hope in the assurance that, in Christ, all things are made new. Change is possible. The world we seek is ours to build, nurture, and sustain. God has given us grace and authority as well as a Companion to make a difference in the world. Let the Congregation receive these gifts freely as they are given. Amen.

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

We give you but your own

Whatever gift may be,

All that we have is yours alone

We give it gratefully

Our commitments in the world are tangible and spiritual. Let us bring our whole selves to contribute to the kindom of God, including material resources, as a faithful act of hope, trust, and companionship in this community and in the world.

Generous God, may these gifts we bring be used to bless, to build, and to beautify through generous and faithful care. Amen.

Second Sacred Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

Hymn of Reflection:  God of Grace and God of Glory – NCH #436

Sermon:   Guidelines for a Misguided World – Rev. Johnny Kline

Closing Hymn: Crown With Your Richest Crowns – NCH #301

Benediction:   

Go into the world without fear.

Know that the weakness of the Holy is stronger than every human power.Live in Truth!Let the God who delivers the Word, the God who defines honesty and integrity, the God who is Love,

Be your credential and your strength. Amen.

Postlude:  Debbie Deane

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 

To Donate