God’s Promises Bring Hope
“Covenant and Commandments”
(Blessing and Remembrance of Our Pets)
Sunday, October 11, 2026
*Please stand in body or in spirit. Congregational responses are in bold and preceded by "All"
GATHERING
Welcome and Announcements
Invitation and Sharing of Peace
Peace be with you. And also with you.
Prelude Your Grace Is Enough Rejuvenate
Call to Worship (Clergy Stuff)
LEADER: Our God has freed us from bondage to sin.
ALL: We will worship and praise our God.
LEADER: We shall have no other gods before our God.
ALL: We will turn away from the idols of this world.
LEADER: Our God has freed us from sin and death.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
Opening Prayer (Clergy Stuff)
Holy God, You ask of us no more than to love you with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Re-awaken us daily to the truth of this command, that we might act in love toward your whole creation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*Opening Song Spirit of Gentleness TFWS 2120
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
- You moved on the waters,
you called to the deep,
then you coaxed
up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons
you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers
and rise on your wings.
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
- You swept through
the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they
were blinded
with their idols and lies,
then you spoke
through your prophets
to open their eyes.
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
- You sang in a stable,
you cried from a hill,
then you whispered
in silence
when the whole
world was still;
and down in the city
you called once again,
when you blew
through your people
on the rush of the wind.
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
- You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage
of sorrow
the captives dream dreams,
our women see visions,
our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions
your people arise.
Refrain
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
LISTENING
Scripture Reading Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17
while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you should say to Jacob’s household and declare to the Israelites: You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. So now, if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me. You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation. These are the words you should say to the Israelites.” So Moses came down, called together the people’s elders, and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You must have no other gods before me. Do not make an idol for yourself—no form whatsoever—of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow down to them or worship them, because I, the LORD your God, am a passionate God. I punish children for their parents’ sins even to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me. But I am loyal and gracious to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Do not use the LORD your God’s name as if it were of no significance; the LORD won’t forgive anyone who uses his name that way.
Remember the Sabbath day and treat it as holy. Six days you may work and do all your tasks, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. Do not do any work on it—not you, your sons or daughters, your male or female servants, your animals, or the immigrant who is living with you. Because the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them in six days, but rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Do not kill.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.
Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s house. Do not desire and try to take your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox, donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Message for All Ages
Sermon “Covenant and Commandments”
(Blessing and Remembrance of Our Pets) Rev. DV Yost
Prayer of Remembrance of Our Pets (Adapted from enfleshed)
Leader: Creator of All, we are grateful for all the ways that our pets who have died have nourished our lives and name those who have departed out-loud and in our hearts.
All: [Name your pets who have passed on aloud or in your heart]
Leader: Their affection and presence taught us connection and tenderness beyond words. They wove joy into our days and groundedness into our lives. We treasure all the ways that made each of them unique.
All: Since their passing, the floors of our home sound different without the sound of their paws and claws; our hands ache for the feel of their fur, feathers, and touch; and our days have swelled with grief without them with us.
Leader: Spirit of the Bereaved, comfort us in our sorrow!
All: We hold gratitude for the friendship formed with our beloved pets. We are thankful for their teachings, which turned our hearts, minds, and bodies to the present moment. To be their companion was an honor. Their steadfast love has changed who we are.
Leader: May their memories continue to bless us and call us into renewed ways of being. Amen.
Prayer of Blessing over Our Pets (Adapted from the United Methodist Book of Worship and Worship Any Time or Place)
Leader: The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. God, who confers gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them reminders of the gifts of salvation. Animals were saved from the flood and afterward made a part of the covenant with Noah. The paschal lamb recalls the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. A giant fish saved Jonah, ravens brought bread to Elijah, animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh, and animals share in Christ’s redemption of all God’s creation. We, therefore, invoke God’s blessing on these animals.
All: [ Animal Name], you were created by God, and you are loved by God. May you and your human family experience joy and companionship together, and continue to be a blessing to each other. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
RESPONDING
*Sermon Song As the Deer TFWS 2025
As the deer
pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you.
You alone
are my heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength,
my shield;
to you alone
may my spirit yield.
You alone are my
heart’s desire,
and I long to worship you.
Prayers of the People
Leader: God of mercy and grace,, ALL: we lift our prayers to you.
The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken)
All: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Offertory On Eagle’s Wings Rejuvenate
*Offering Response Give Thanks (TFWS 2036)
Give thanks
with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s
given Jesus Christ his Son.
And now let the weak say,
“I am strong”;
let the poor say,
“I am rich
because of what
the Lord has done for us.”
*Prayer of Dedication (Clergy Stuff)
ALL: Holy God, you are the source of all that we are and all that we have. Receive these gifts out of your own abundance as a declaration that we have no other gods but you, and use them for the flourishing of our neighbors, our communities, and our world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SENDING
*Closing Song This is a Day of New Beginnings UMH 383
- This is a day
of new beginnings,
time to remember
and move on,
time to believe
what love is bringing,
laying to rest
the pain that’s gone.
- For by the life
and death of Jesus,
God’s mighty Spirit,
now as then,
can make for us
a world of difference,
as faith and hope
are born again.
- Then let us,
with the Spirit’s daring,
step from the past
and leave behind
our disappointment,
guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths,
and sure to find.
- Christ is alive,
and goes before us
to show and share
what love can do.
This is a day
of new beginnings;
our God is making
all things new.
*Benediction
Benediction Response
Postlude
Next Week
Living Faithfully in God’s Promise
“Joshua Renews the covenant”
October 18, 2026 Joshua 24:1-15, [16-26]
This Week at Arnolia
- Monday, October 12: 7 PM Spiritual Care First Aid (virtual)
- Tuesday, October 13: Thrift Store accepting donations
- Tuesday, October 13: 12 Noon Pastors Study
- Tuesday, October 13: Bible Study will chat in the app (arnolia.org/app)
- Wednesday, October 14: 7:30 PM Rejuvenate
- Thursday, October 15: 10 AM - 2PM Thrift Store OPEN
- Thursday, October 15: 6 - 7:30 PM Trunk or Treat
- Thursday, October 15: 6:30 PM Celebration Ringers
- Thursday, October 15: 7:30 PM Chancel Choir
- Friday, October 16: Pastor’s Sabbath – Church Office Closed
- Sunday, October 18 10 AM: Worship Service
- Sunday, October 18:: 6:30 PM Alpha for Young Adults (virtual)
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