LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR A
OCTOBER 25, 2026
†Stand as you are able
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit “To Him Who Sits Upon The Throne” Clarke
To Him who sits upon the throne,
The God whom we adore,
And to the Lamb that once was slain
Be glory evermore.
†Call to Worship
Come, people of God, to worship the One who calls us into the greatest commandment.
We come with open hearts, ready to receive grace.
Christ meets us in Word, prayer, song, and service.
The Spirit gathers us and sends us in love.Let us worship God with joy and expectation.
†Opening Hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” UMH 384
Prayer of Illumination
Holy Spirit, open the Scriptures to us. Let the words read and proclaimed become a living word, so that we may hear Christ, trust your promise, and practice the greatest commandment in the life of the church. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Deuteronomy 34:1-12 NRSV
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
The word of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Congregational Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for the church, for our neighbors, and for all who carry heavy burdens. Where there is weariness, give strength; where there is division, give peace; where there is grief, give comfort; where there is injustice, give courage. Form us as a people who embody the greatest commandment, and make Lovely Lane a witness of beloved community for Baltimore and beyond. Amen.
Passing of the Peace “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” UMH 334
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Response “Sanctuary” TFSW 2164
†A Reading from the Gospel Luke 12:13-21 NRSV
Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’
The Gospel of our Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ!
Sermon Reverend Levon D. Sutton, Pastor
†Responsive Hymn “Jesu, Jesu” UMH 432
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “God of Grace and God of Glory” Purifoy
God of grace and God of glory,
On Your people pour your power.
Crown your ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us
Scorn you Christ, assail His ways:
Fears and doubts too long have bound us,
Free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days.
Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christ-like graces
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour.
Offering Prayer
Generous God, receive these gifts as signs of gratitude and trust. Use them to strengthen worship, deepen discipleship, serve our neighbors, and bear witness to the greatest commandment in Jesus’ name. Amen.
†Closing Hymn “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” UMH 2223
†Benediction
Go in peace. Practice hospitality, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Amen.
†Benediction Response “To My Humble Supplication” Genevan Psalter
To my humble supplication,
Lord, give ear and acceptation.
Save Thy servant that hath
None help nor hope but Thee alone.
Amen.
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude