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.

CTOBER 4, 2026

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

SILENT MEDITATION:

“Let us sit side by side sharing the same bread drawn from the same source to quiet the same

hunger that makes us weak… Let us (sit at this table) together, let us share the same spirit, the

same thoughts that once again draw us together in friendship, unity and peace.”

Prières d'Ozawarnick, Canadian Indian Liturgy

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE “Let Us Break Bread Together”

Traditional Spiritual

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 618 “Let Us Break Bread Together” (vs 1-3)
LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)

CALL TO WORSHIP

One: We are the People of God, united by one Spirit across all boundaries.

All: We gather to share Word and Sacrament, to discern the ways of faithful service.

One: Where shall we serve our God?

All: We shall serve our God in this community and throughout every land.

One: How shall we serve our God?

All: We shall serve our God by working toward justice where there is oppression, by offering

comfort where there is pain, by sharing love where there is hatred.

One: Why shall we serve our God?

All: Because the Spirit beckons us and because Jesus calls us to enact our faith.

One: Let us worship the One who calls us!

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

O God, you have called us by your name; we are your children. In your mercy, you have restored us to each other and to yourself. Forgive us when we have failed to be mindful and true to that call. Extend to us and to all your children, pardon and peace, blessing and joy. Mend our hearts and let our shared ministry repair our broken world. 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 “This Do in Remembrance of Me”

Judy Hunnicutt

SCRIPTURE Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

SERMON “No Man Is An Island”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 629 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” (vs1,3,5)

GIFT OF THE FINEST WHEAT

Refrain: You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat.
Come, give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

As when the shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice,
so when you call your family, Lord, we follow and rejoice. (Refrain)

Is not the cup we bless and share the blood of Christ outpoured?
Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord? (Refrain)

You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be,
to serve each other in your name in truth and charity. (Refrain)

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Every Time We Eat This Bread”

Ken Canedo

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)

Thank you, Gracious God, for your gifts and for others with whom we may share your gifts. These gifts are brought with our thanks and with our prayer for any neighbor who may be in need. Touch and heal those needs through our offerings and through our presence and ministry in your world. Amen

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Invitation

Affirmation and Renewal of Faith (Unison)

We believe in God:

Who has created and is creating,

Who has come in Jesus,

The Word made flesh,

To reconcile and make new,

Who works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:

To celebrate God’s presence,

To love and serve others,

To seek justice and resist evil,

To proclaim Jesus,

Crucified and risen,

Our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.

We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
United Church of Canada

Words of Institution

Sharing the Sacrament

*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)

Thank you, God, for gladness in this bread and cup; for love that cannot die; for peace the world cannot give; for joy in the company of friends; for the mission of justice you have made our own. Thank you for the gifts of this holy communion: oneness of heart; love for neighbors; forgiveness of enemies; the will to serve you every day; and life that has no end. Amen.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 640 “Take Our Bread”

TAKE OUR BREAD

Refrain: Take our bread, we ask you, take our hearts, we love you.
Take our lives, O Father, we are yours, we are yours.

Yours as we stand at the table you set; yours as we eat the bread our hearts can’t forget.
We are the sign of your life with us yet, We are yours, we are yours. (Refrain)

Your holy people standing washed in your blood, Spirit filled yet hungry we await your food.
We are poor, but we’ve brought ourselves the best we could; we are yours, we are yours. (Refrain)

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “In the Breaking of Bread”

Bob Hurd

The Liturgist is Dianne Emily.
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHOIRS PERFORM ON OCTOBER 11TH
Both the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir will perform during worship on Sunday, October 11th.
You won’t want to miss the worship service that day.

Palm Burning and Fishing Derby
October 11th at James A Reed Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit

The fishing Derby begins at 4:00 PM. Each youth (15 & under only) must be accompanied by an adult.

Any helpers over 16 must have a license. Fishing Poles and bait will be provided.

Extra adults will be available to help. This is a catch and release lake.

5:30 PM is a picnic supper and fellowship.

Bring a potluck dish to share. The meat, lemonade, water, plates and utensils will be provided.
You might want to bring a lawn chair to sit in for comfort.

6:00 PM Palm Burning Service.

This is a very spiritual service with music and a devotion.

Special Notes: If you would like to carpool or follow someone, please contact the church office.
GPS directions will be provided the day of the event.

After the service the palms are burned. These ashes are then prepared and used for the Ash Wednesday Service on February 10th. All are welcome and you are encouraged to bring friends and family.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING

The Neighbors in Need Offering will be received today.

The Neighbors in Need offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries. The focus this year for the offering is for neighbors who are fighting for disability housing accommodations and to stop the gun violence epidemic.

Offering envelopes are available on the back table. You can also donate online.