Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC A Place for You by Melanie DeMore
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN We Live by Faith and Not by Sight
We live by faith and not by sight;
no gracious words we hear
From Christ who spoke as none e'er spoke,
who still we know is near.
We may not touch Christ's hands and side,
nor follow where Christ trod;
but in confessing we rejoice:
our Savior and our God!
Help then, O Christ, our unbelief;
and may our faith abound
To call on you when you are near
and seek where you are found:
That, when our life of faith is done,
in realms of clearer light
We may behold you as you are,
with full and endless sight.
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you… ...and also with you
* SONG Sweet, Sweet Spirit
There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
[Refrain]:
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You're the one to profit when you say,
"I am going to stay with Jesus all the way."
[Refrain]
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: Offering and Announcements
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SCRIPTURE from Isaiah 55 reader, Gina Henrickson
READING “Kinds of Silence” by Elisabeth Murawski
SONG OF PREPARATION Listen to the Word that God Has Spoken
Listen to the word that God has spoken;
Listen to the One who is close at hand
Listen to the voice that began creation
Listen even if you don’t understand
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Let the Mystery Be by Iris DeMent
Sarah Simmons McCollum, mezzo soprano
COMMUNION
Everyone is welcome to receive communion at Bethany.
We have both wine and grape juice.
God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
COMMUNION SONG Shine by Collective Soul (covered by Dolly Parton)
Sarah Simmons McCollum, mezzo soprano
CLOSING SONG Mysterious Ways by U2
Johnny, take a walk with your sister the moon
Let her pale light in to fill up your room
You've been living underground, eating from a can
You've been running away from what you don't understand, love
She's slippy, you're sliding down
She'll be there when you hit the ground
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways, oh
Johnny, take a dive with your sister in the rain
Let her talk about the things you can't explain
To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal
If you wanna kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel
She's the wave, she turns the tide
She sees the man inside the child, yeah
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways, oh
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways, yeah
It's alright, it's alright, alright
Lift my days, light up my nights, oh
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
She moves in mysterious ways, oh
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Strange Things Happening Every Day
Sarah Simmons McCollum, mezzo soprano
* * *
Announcements
Faith & Politics Small Group - Today (and this month)
How do we address injustice and how does that relate to our concepts of faith (broadly understood)? Join Dublin-based Susan Burgess on-line and explore how others (e.g., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Harvey Milk, Derek Bell, Dolores Huerta, AOC) have tried to make political change in a way that aligns with their visions of the world. We’ll use their examples to help us reflect upon our own faith journeys in relation to political change. Group members will view documentaries on their own which we will then discuss together as a group in weekly meetings on Zoom on Sunday, January 4, 11, 18, 25 from 2-3 pm. Sign up here if you plan on joining!
Book Group Reads “Brooklyn” - Feb. 4th
Join us Wednesday, February 4th at 7pm for our next Book Group. We’ll be discussingBrooklyn, by Colm Tóibín:
(from the publisher) Eilis Lacey has come of age in small-town Ireland in the hard years following World War Two. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America, she decides she must go, leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind.
Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, who loves the Dodgers and his big Italian family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. But just as Eilis begins to fall in love, devastating news from Ireland threatens the promise of her future.
Sign up using here if you plan on reading with us!
Spanish Charla - Jan. 21st
21 Enero/January 21, 2026, 7:00-8:00 pm ~ Church Parlor Happy New Year! For this month's conversation, come and share your resolution, intention, or discussing new year promises and resolutions, whether you love them, despise them, or somewhere in between, come and share your thoughts, en español! Our Spanish conversation group is immersive and welcome to ALL levels -- so come and practice with friends en el estilo español! Look forward to chatting 21 enero! Ciao!
Adult Sunday School - Feb. 1st
Join us for our next Adult Sunday School session on Feb. 1st after worship! This unit is titled Shameless: Undoing the connection between religion and shame about sex/sexuality. In honor of Valentine’s Day, this month’s adult Sunday School will look at the ways Christianity (and the culture writ at large) have contributed to feelings of shame about sex and sexuality. We will discuss the messages we received about sex and sexuality and use texts from authors like Nadia Bolz-Weber to unpack the shame we have likely internalized. Join Hannah Carl to create new messages for yourself and others about sex and sexuality in the context of Christianity. We hope you’ll join us after worship on Feb. 1st!
Nick and Yasuko @ The CheckOut - Feb. 1st
Join us Sunday Feb. 1st at 3pm at the CheckOut for a chance to hear Bethany’s own Nick Photinos (cello) and Yasuko Oura (piano)! Together, they’ll be presenting Cello as a Human Voice, a concert that explores the cello’s unique ability to sing, speak, and communicate with the expressive depth of the human voice. Spanning a wide range of repertoire by Chicago-based composers, this program highlights the cello’s lyrical qualities and its deep connection to vocal expression. Grab your tickets here! We hope to see you there!
February Book Group: Brooklyn - February 4th
Join us Wednesday, February 4th at 7pm for our next Book Group. We’ll be discussing Brooklyn, by Colm Tóibín.
(from the publisher) Eilis Lacey has come of age in small-town Ireland in the hard years following World War Two. When an Irish priest from Brooklyn offers to sponsor Eilis in America, she decides she must go, leaving her fragile mother and her charismatic sister behind.
Eilis finds work in a department store on Fulton Street, and when she least expects it, finds love. Tony, who loves the Dodgers and his big Italian family, slowly wins her over with patient charm. But just as Eilis begins to fall in love, devastating news from Ireland threatens the promise of her future.
Sign up here if you plan on reading with us!
Digging Up Your Roots Small Group - February 5th
Join Bud and Judy on Thursdays in February for a “Digging Up Your Roots” small group in the Parlor:
Have you ever wondered where that great grandfather you've heard about came from, or how your mother's aunt came to America? Genealogy research can be fun and enlightening and, yes, sometimes frustrating. In February, Bud and Judy will lead a small group that delves into what you can and cannot do with resources that are readily available online, and what you can do with the information you find. If you've been digging up those old family stories for a while, come and share your experiences, And if you've never even dipped your toe into the genealogy waters, come and we'll take you through the basics. You might get hooked.
Thursdays in February at 7 p.m. in the parlor. Sign up here if you plan to join us!
Help Make Worship Happen
For the next couple months, our pastors will be flying solo, which means we could use your help now more than ever! Please sign up here if you’re able to help.
Give and Get Help
Throughout the holiday season, we will continue to collect canned goods and other non-perishable food items to be delivered to Nourishing Hope. Contact us anytime at bethany.ucc.assistance@gmail.com if you, your family or those close to you have needs that are not being met. We will try to help, or at least point you in the direction of help.
