Order of Worship for September 27, 2026: The Nature of the Christian Spiritual Life, part 2

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

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

Welcome - El Dorado

Build My Life - Pat Barrett/Housefires - 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

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: Goodness of God - Cash, Fielding, Johnson, Johnson, Ingram - 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 17:1-7, NRSV
Water from the Rock

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.The people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

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, Part 2 - 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: I’ll Fly Away - Albert Brumley - 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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