Order of Worship for September 20, 2026: The Nature of the Christian Spiritual Life

Call to Worship - Those of you joining us from home are invited to light a candle to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit

Wilderness - Ben Fuller - El Dorado

Welcome - El Dorado

I Thank God - Moses, George, Butler, Bowe, Cline - El Dorado

Passing of the Peace: Through the act of passing the peace of Christ, we offer our sincere desire to love our neighbor.
You are invited to greet one another in the live stream chat on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. 

Part 1 - Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ (September 16-October 21)

 A basic exploration of spiritual formation as a journey toward holiness and wholeness, individually and in community, through the grace of God.

Sept. 23 - Part 1, Week 1 - The Christian Life as Journey, p. 17

Sept. 30 - Part 1, Week 2 - The Nature of the Christian Spiritual Life, p. 25

Oct. 7 - Part 1, Week 3 - The Flow and the Means of Grace, p. 35

Oct. 14 - Part 1, Week 4 - Sharing Journeys of Faith, p. 45

Oct. 21 - Part 1, Week 5 - Living as Covenant Community, p. 55

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH

Know Your Rights:

You have constitutional rights:

• DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door.

• DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

• DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

• If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

• GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.

I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.

I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.

CALL TO PRAYER: Sinking Deep - King, Davies - El Dorado

Joys and Concerns: Prayers of the People We believe that the best way to bear our burdens is to share them with one another. You welcome to share your joys and concerns so that our community can hold these things in our hearts as we lift them to God together. 

You are invited to share your prayers in the Facebook Live Chat, or on the YouTube Live chat.

Hebrew Bible Lesson: Exodus 16:2-15, NRSV
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.”

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites: ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lordspoke to Moses, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

One: This is the word of God for us, the People of God.
All: Thanks be to God!

SERMON: The Nature of the Christian Spiritual Life - Rev. Dr. Mandy McDow

HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation to the Table: As we understand the Body of Christ to be inclusive, we understand God’s table of grace and fellowship can extend into our homes. As you’re able, bring your own elements to this time.
Bread, Juice, Coffee, Muffins… the Body of Christ is comprised of wonder and mystery. Today, we celebrate that God can reach us where we are, even if we are not together.

The Great Mystery of our Faith | El Gran Misterio de Nuestra Fe
All: Christ has died. | Todos: Cristo ha muerto.
Christ is risen.  | Cristo ha resucitado.
Christ will come again. | Cristo volverá.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, 
thy kingdom 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 kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
for ever and ever. Amen.

Padre Nuestro

Padre Nuestro, que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre;
venga a nosotros tu reino; hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo.

Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día;
perdona nuestras ofensas,como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden;
no nos dejes caer en la tentación, y líbranos del mal. Amén.

CLOSING: Build My Life - Pat Barrett/Housefires - El Dorado
Benediction

And remember:
God is with you | Dios está contigo,
God is for you | Dios está a tu favor;
God refuses to be God without you | Dios se niega a ser Dios sin ti.
And may all of God’s people say: Amen! | Y que todo el pueblo de Dios diga: ¡Amén!

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