November 8 – Keeping Faith in Good and Hard Times

Summary: Great fear, such as that experienced in times of war, may drive people to acknowledge God, but fear cannot be the foundation for someone to come to God. It does not create a lasting faith that stands up to the trials we all face in our lives. We must find a way to have a faith that burns within us. Today’s gospel reading from Matthew teaches us this lesson. It warns against drifting away from our faith in Christ. Faith can be a struggle, but faith must be something we live, not just something we believe in our head. We must acknowledge that maintaining our faith requires a commitment; including a life of prayer, service to our neighbor, and placing Christ as a higher priority than the material goods and ways of the world. This is what it means to be ready for life and the second coming of Jesus.

November 8, 2020 Stewardship Sunday and the Recognition of our Veterans

Order of Worship

Piano Prelude: “Faith” by Felix Mendelssohn & “Traumerei” by Robert Schumann

Greeting and Announcements

Opening Hymn “This Little Light of Mine”

Prayer of the Day

The Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

The Children’s Message

Anthem: “American Anthem” by Gene Scheer

The Sermon: “Keeping the Faith in Good and Hard Times”

Sermon Hymn: “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending”

The Prayers of the Church & The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies”

Dismissal

Postlude: “Patriotic Medley”