Join us for online worship this Sunday, November 1, at 10:15 a.m. at https://vimeo.com/channels/1547852.

You can view and download the bulletin here.

TODAY IS ALL SAINTS SUNDAY— Each year on the First Sunday in November, Congregational UCC observes “All Saints Sunday.” This is a time for us to remember and give thanks to God for the lives of those members of Congregational UCC who have died in the past year—and for all the saints. This morning we remember Judy Doorenbos, Dee Fate, Dick MacMillan, and Frank Snider.

Today is a communion Sunday. Before joining the worship service, you are invited to get whatever you eat and whatever you drink. It can be bread and grape juice or wine or as simple as a cracker or rice cake and water for use in our worship.

As with everything else this year, our observance of All Saints Day takes on a different character in this different context. It is not simply that we are separated from one another as we have been since March. Nor is it that we lack the jazz music that usually accompanies us on this day.

We mark this day remembering those members of this congregation who have died in the past year, while at the same time being well aware of the over two hundred thousand deaths from Covid -19 in our nation. And yet, it is as though, as a nation, we don’t want to acknowledge the absence, the devastation, and the disorder this pandemic is visiting upon us.

This morning we’ll reflect on how absence—and presence—are made real as we gather at the table.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Revelation 7:9-17; Luke 6:20-21

SERMON       “Absence and Presence—In the Room, At the Table”

The Rev. Bill Lovin preaching

ANTHEM       “Saints Bound for Heaven”     arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw

                        Wen Chin Liu, Avery Nabholz, Josh Ramseyer, Colin Wilson

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome to join us online.