Order of Worship

ORDER OF WORSHIP
January 11, 2026
Continuing God’s Story Together
“Let this little message be but a reminder,
and I will continue with the story.”
2 Maccabees 6:17

Worship Participants 

Deacon: Cheryl Johnson

Welcomers:  Merry Sue Ahlgren, Rebecca Rosensweig

Reader: Diane Ranney

Announcer: Rebecca Rosensweig

Prelude             A House built for Wanderers

Welcome                 Rev. Steve Youd

Opening Song         Ubi Caritas     First Church Choir

Opening Prayer (unison)         Deacon

         O God, Giver of all good gifts,

         we thank You for life, for love, for You.

         We acknowledge, O God,

         that to some extent,

         we ARE all wanderers.

         And as such, we defer to You

         for guidance, for direction, for purpose. 

         We thank You for your Leadership.

         We especially thank You for the TYPE of                     leader You are:

         a Leader rooted in love and humility.

         May we seek to follow Your lead.

         In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Song                   Humble King 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-9 (NRSVUE)       Diane Ranney

Today’s reading is from 1 Samuel chapter 8:

When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. Yet his sons did not follow in his ways but turned aside after gain; they took bribes and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Just as they have done to me from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you.

May God bless this reading and our understanding.

God’s Stories              Kristie Orr

Message for All Ages          Chelsey Helmke

Sermon               Rev. Steve Youd

Song                When He Reigns

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer        Rev. Steve Youd

Our Father/Mother/Creator,
who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kin-dom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen

Offering 

Invitation

Song                   The Kingdom Is Yours 

Dedication

Send Forth Song              Mighty To Save 

Benediction                            Rev. Steve Youd

Announcements

Postlude