october 25,2026

6 hours ago

3 min read

Guest Preacher: Raquel Irizarry

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: The Abundance of Our Lives Together by Katie Sivani Gelfand

We light our chalice as a symbol of gratitudeas we celebrate the abundance of our lives together.

In this sanctuary we harvest bushels of strength for one another,and offer our crop with the hands of compassion and generosity.

In the authentic and gentle manner of our connections,we cultivate a simple sweetness to brighten our spirits.

May we be grateful for the ways we nourish and uplift each other,For it is the sharing of this hallowed time together that sustains us.

Opening Hymn: Golden Breaks the Dawn SLT 353

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship: Your Presence Is Nearby Julianne Lepp

L: We have not forgotten

A: In nature we seek you

L: In the whisper of wind

A: In the new green wood

A: Your presence is near

L: We have not lost hope

A: In the dust of the desert

L: In the rush of the wave

A: In the rise of the mountain

L: In the bare branches

A: Your presence is near

A: Let Us Worship Together

Prayer of Invocation: :

Modern Testimony: Gratitude by Anna Kamieńska

A tempest threw a rainbow in my face

so that I wanted to fall under the rain

to kiss the hands of an old woman to whom I gave my seat

to thank everyone for the fact that they exist

and at times even feel like smiling

I was grateful to young leaves that they were willing

to open up to the sunto babies that they still

felt like coming into this world

to the old that they heroically

endure until the end

I was full of thanks

like a Sunday alms-box

I would have embraced death

if she’d stopped nearby

Gratitude is a scattered

homeless love

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

Ancient Testimony: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 NIV

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Hymn of Reflection: All Creatures of the Earth and Sky SLT 203

Sermon: Finding Joy Even When Our Balloon Has Flown Away

Closing Hymn: What Wondrous Love is This SLT 18

Benediction: Raquel Irizarry

Postlude: Richard Harper

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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