A radiant welcome to the Table—where all are fed, all are loved, and no one is turned away. ✝️🍞💖

World Communion Sunday – Worship Service – October 5, 2025

Bulletin-10-05-2025

Gospel Reading: Luke 17:5–10 | Modern Lesson: Samuel Rayan

This Sunday, Pastor Chris delivered a deeply invitational message titled “Is My Faith Enough?” On this World Communion Sunday, the sanctuary pulsed with radical welcome and sacred belonging. From the opening call—“Come to this table of love, for Christ welcomes us all”—we were reminded that Holy Communion is not a reward for the righteous but a gift for the willing. For the doubters. For the seekers. For the weary and the wondering.

Preaching from Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Chris explored how even a mustard seed of faith—tiny, uncertain, imperfect—is enough for God to work with. He challenged the assumption that our faith must be flawless to be fruitful. “Faith,” he said, “isn’t a grand performance. It’s presence. It’s trust. It’s showing up—especially when you’re unsure.”

The sermon wove together scriptural truth with global and interfaith wisdom. Citing Indian liberation theologian Samuel Rayan, Pastor Chris emphasized that faith is not a badge to display but a table to share. That breaking bread with one another—across lines of culture, race, gender, and theology—is how we build the kin-dom of God on earth. Even when our faith feels fragile, God is still moving, still calling us to love louder.

Throughout the service, Holy Covenant embodied our extravagant welcome in both word and practice. The installation of eight new members became a moving centerpiece of worship. Each new member was introduced by their sponsor, who shared a brief story of that person’s faith journey and how they found a spiritual home at Holy Covenant. There was laughter, a few tears, and the unmistakable joy of community renewed. Each was presented with a welcome certificate and a UCC lapel pin—symbols of belonging and shared purpose within our covenant family. As the congregation spoke the words of mutual promise and welcome, the Spirit of unity was almost tangible in the room.

Music filled the sanctuary with hope and gratitude. During Communion, the congregation enjoyed “A Place at the Table”  with the Choir delivering a wonderful performance.  This sone will most certainly became a favorite.

📖🙏 Order of Worship Highlights:

• Prelude: “Jesus Loves Me” – arr. J. Evanovich (violin: Mary Tarr)
• Modern Lesson: Samuel Rayan – on hope, presence, and the margins
• Gospel Reading: Luke 17:5–10 – “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed…”
• Sermon: “Is My Faith Enough?” – Pastor Chris
• Communion Hymns: “A Place at the Table,” “Malo! Malo! Thanks Be to God”
• Welcome & Installation of New Members: Eight beloveds joined our covenant family, each introduced by a sponsor and welcomed with certificates and pins
• Special Music: “Come Build a Church” | “I Love the Lord”
• Prayer of Dedication: Offered by Eric Miner

“Faith doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be present. Keep showing up to the Table—God will meet you there.” — Pastor Chris