Today In Worship

Sunday, October 11, 2026
SERIES: Hope for Cynics
Liturgist: Jennifer Humphrey, Director of Children Ministry.
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
We Share Our Gifts
We Hear the Word Proclaimed‍ ‍CLICK HERE for today’s Scripture

Reflection
Jane Goodall spent a lifetime confronting problems big enough to flatten anyone. She found hope in forests growing back, young people refusing to quit, and people holding on through terrible things. She paid attention to what was happening and to what people were making possible. As she put it, “Hope is contagious. Your actions will inspire others.”

In Romans 8, Paul describes creation groaning in labor pains. It is an image that makes room for both suffering and possibility. The pain is real, and the future is still unfolding. We, too, live in that unfinished place, longing for healing we cannot yet see. Faith gives us room to grieve what is broken while trusting that God is at work bringing life into being.

Perhaps keeping hope alive begins with giving it something to do. Encourage a young person whose ideas deserve a hearing. Stay alongside someone carrying a difficult burden. Take part in work that helps a neighbor thrive. We cannot see how every act of love will unfold. We can trust that it matters, and that God invites us to help bring into being the future for which we long.

For reflection: Who is helping you believe that good is possible? How might your actions offer that same hope to someone else this week?

We Gather At The Lord’s Table
Jesus didn’t put any rules around coming to the table, so neither do we. All are loved and embraced here and all are welcome at this table of Love. Our communion bread is gluten free. We come forward to the table to receive bread and cup at 9AM, we pass the bread and cup at 11AM. Please place your empty cup in the rack on the pew back. If you are worshipping from home, we invite you to find bread and juice or other elements to use as we share this feast.