Opening Announcements
Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.
Order of Worship
[please stand as you are able]Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Loving God, we come to you because we know you are present with us. We come to you, because you call us near to you. We come to you, because you have shown us what love is and what our love can do to remake your world.
We pray for the local and universal church. Give us the humility to walk in your way. We pray for the leaders in our nation and the nations around the world. Give them the courage to walk in peace. We pray for those who are in need. Give us ears to hear their cries and be agents of your mercy.
We pray for those who have pain. Heal, touch, and deliver them, O God.
We remember those who have died. Help us to give comfort to those who are left behind.
We lift our hidden prayers to you in silence, for you hear even that which weighs upon our hearts.
Loving God, all glory and praise is yours now and forever. Amen.
God of Light, let your Holy Spirit come into our darkness and open our hearts, that your word may show us the blessings you intend for all creation. Amen.
23Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
The Gospel lesson this week tells the story of blind Bartimaeus and invites us to see the world differently. How might the order and restoration that comes from the word of the oath guide your life going forward? How does the concept of forgiveness play into your life? Where has a lack of forgiveness kept you from seeing clearly?
God of light, let your Holy Spirit come into our darkness and open our hearts, that your word may show us the blessings you intend for all creation. Amen.
Dave Albulario, tenor Hannah Yi, pianist
Loving God, you have created the universe and all within it. We offer to you these gifts for the glory of your kin-dom, in the name of God, Parent, Child, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
And now, may the healing love of Christ, the wisdom of God, and the strengthening power of the Spirit be with you this day and always. Amen.
Music Team
Prayer Requests
Carol Burge
Carol recently had a fall and broke her shoulder and sprained her wrist. Her shoulder will need surgery, which will be scheduled soon. Prayers for comfort and speedy recovery. She was so happy to receive your cards and get-well cards at home, where you’re welcome to visit her if you can.
Notes & Announcements
Flowers for today’s service are provided by Sandy Walker. Refreshments for Fellowship are provided by Jon Sofian. See the sign-up charts to provide refreshments or cover the cost of altar flowers for future services. Altar flowers are $35. Sandy Walker coordinates arrangements.
Next Sunday, November 3, 2024, is ALL SAINTS SUNDAY. If you’ve had a loved one pass away in the past year, and you would like to remember them, their name will be read aloud, and a candle lit in their honor. Please submit their names on the cards available in the narthex, by October 30th.
Please find the attached Offering Envelope containing your Pledge Card. Leisure World Community Church is your church — we ask that you prayerfully consider tithing to the church through your pledge at either a weekly, monthly or annual schedule. Pledged giving allows our finance team to prepare a budget that both meets our needs and guides our activity for the coming year. “What is a tithe?” you might then ask. That’s a good question. For an answer, consider Deuteronomy 26:1-11 where the instructions on giving concern both the first fruits of our labor and 10% of our income. And when you read Deuteronomy, your first response might be — “Yeah, but we have Jesus, so do we really need to follow these old rules?” The answer is no. In Jesus we can move beyond the tithe and the first-fruits giving, but Jesus invites us to give everything we have as the first disciples did in the Book of Acts, where we are told that they had all things in common, they sold what they owned individually and gave to anyone as they had need. Suddenly, the first fruits and 10% sound like a bargain. The reality is most of us find ourselves somewhere in the middle. Please fill out the Pledge Card, include it with your offering, and place it in the collection plate, or submit it to the Church Office, at your convenience.
Photos
Flyers & Inserts
Prayer Journal
Holy Jesus, when I awaken each day, I long to sing with joy for another span of hours to spend in your company. I long to rejoice that you have placed before me the day ahead. Give me wisdom to enter into each encounter with thanksgiving, for you hold me in your care and give me words, in Jesus name. Amen. Household Prayer: Midday God of power and mercy, you gather your people with the love of a parent for a child. You hear my cries in the night and in the day; you answer healing with hope. Draw me closer to you as I go through this day and guide me in your wisdom. Amen.
Ruler of all creation, I thank you for the time of rest beginning now, for all that I have seen, tasted, touched, heard, and smelled this day, and for all the people and creatures I have shared this day with. Bless them with sufficient rest and peace, that together we may all rise in the morning with new strength, in Jesus’ name. Amen.