ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

727 N. Main St., Independence, Missouri 64050

Rev. E. Paul Emily, Pastor

Pastor’s Phone: 816-379-5726 Church Phone: 461-0302

stlukes@stlukesuccindep.org www.stlukesuccindep.org

Margie Foley, Organist/Pianist

Matthew Bennett, Conductor/Violinist
Mariah Moseley, Church Program Coordinator

Nanette Moore, Administrative Assistant
Pastors Emeriti: Rev. David Lyon & Rev. Ralph Koch

*If comfortable doing so, you are invited to stand.
The hymns today come from The Methodist Hymnal.

NOVEMBER 1, 2026

TOTENFEST

SILENT MEDITATION:

“The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by tremendous yearning.” -Bernard of Clairvaux

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE “Soon and Very Soon”

Andrea Crouch

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 128 “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”

HE LEADETH ME

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Refrain: He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. [Refrain]

Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me. [Refrain]

And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me. [Refrain]

CALL TO WORSHIP (I John 3:1-3)

One: See what love the Father has given us!

All: We are called the children of God.

One: What we shall be has not yet been revealed.

All: When he is revealed, we will be like him.

One: For we shall see him as he is.

All: All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Merciful God, you call us by your name. Yet, we fail to see it as our true identity. We are afraid to even attempt to live up to such a responsibility. In your mercy, forgive us. Give us understanding to see what love you have for us. Let us stand with those who have served you with faith, hope and love so that we may inherit the kingdom you have promised all of your children. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE

PASTORAL PRAYER and 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 sins as we forgive those
who sin 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. Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “In the Garden”

C. Austin Miles

SCRIPTURE Psalm 34:1-10,22 (I John 1:1,2)

SERMON “By What Name Shall We Call Them?”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 474 “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” PRECIOUS LORD

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak,
I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light:

Refrain: Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near, when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall: (Refrain)

When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone,
at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand. (Refrain)

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Irish Tune”

Arr: The Maids of Mourne Shore

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)

God of Love and Mercy, hear the songs of our hearts as we present this offering; a song of our thankfulness and praise; a song of hope and expectation; a song of joy. May our song break forth in acts of comfort to those who mourn, in acts of mercy to the oppressed, in acts of encouragement to the weary. In the name of Christ we pray. Amene used to make your love known in all the places our shared ministry is extended. Amen

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Remembering

We remember those who have died in the past year.

Members of our congregation: Marilyn King, TH Wildschuetz

We remember family members and friends:

And we remember all those who have gone before us. (bell tolls)

Prayer of Remembrance

Affirmation and Renewal of Faith (Unison)

This is the mystery of our faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Words of Institution

Sharing the Sacrament

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)

Blessed God, may the memory of our departed inspire us to live nobly and charitably, and to approach with cheerfulness all those who surround us. Let us find sustaining hope in you who have been our source of strength and comfort throughout the ages. Increase our faith. Help us to love. Encourage us to act. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 701 “When We All Get to Heaven” HEAVEN

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus; sing his mercy and his grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed he'll prepare for us a place.

Refrain: When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway, clouds will overspread the sky;
but when traveling days are over, not a shadow, not a sigh. (Refrain)

Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day;
just one glimpse of him in glory will the toils of life repay. (Refrain)

Onward to the prize before us! Soon his beauty we'll behold;
soon the pearly gates will open; we shall tread the streets of gold. (Refrain)

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “When the Saints Go Marching In”

Paul Campbell

The Liturgist is John Kritos.
Thank you to John Kritos for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW MEMBERS

There will be a Reception of Members, during worship, on November 22nd.

If you are worshiping with St. Luke's, in person or virtually,
and would like to become a member, please contact Pastor Paul.

SACRED MUSIC SUNDAY

NOTE: THE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED.
We will now have Sacred Music Sunday as worship on November 15th.

You won’t want to miss this very special service of music.

CALENDARS

Pastor Paul does a weekly quote from his sermons. These quotes have been made into a wall calendar for 2027 and are now available to be purchased for $17 each. They are nice, sturdy calendars with plenty of room to write on. There is a sample calendar in the church office. Orders are due by November 22nd. For more information contact Marita Ray.

ADVENT MOVIE

On November 22nd, after worship, we will have a freewill offering dinner followed by the Advent Movie. The movie’s theme is usually used during the Advent Season.

If you can’t attend and would like a link to the movie, please contact the church office.

HOLIDAY HELPERS

We are again participating in the Independence School District’s Holiday Helper Campaign.

We will collect money from November 8th through Sunday, December 6th.

The donations will go to families in need that aren’t helped by other programs.

A family from our congregation will be matching all our gifts up to $500.

Look for a Holiday Helper can in the sanctuary.