Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship - October 19, 2025

*Asterisks invite those who are comfortable to please stand.

PRELUDE Mayumi Tayake, Guest Accompanist

WELCOME Rev. Karyn Frazier

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST “Ah la la la” Zack Hill, accompaniment

Words and music by David Graham. Used with permission of Christian Copyright Solutions WORSHIPCast License No. 12825

Today we’ll pass the peace with our whole selves with singing, dancing joy. Follow Pastor Leah’s lead and join in the fun.

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Naomi Bilinski

Leader: This is the day that the LORD has made! And this is the LORD’s house! We gather here with open and joyful hearts

RESPONSE: TO HEAR THE VOICES OF GOD’S CHILDREN.

Leader: To hear the hopes of God’s children,

RESPONSE: AND TO NURTURE THAT HOPE WITHIN US.

Leader: This is the day that the LORD has made! And God is calling the young and not-as-young with their passion for justice and hearts full of love;

RESPONSE: CALLING THOSE WHO ARE READY TO BUILD A WORLD WHERE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN ARE LOVED AND TREASURED, NAMED AND KNOWN.

Leader: This is the day that the LORD has made! And this is the LORD’s house!

RESPONSE: ALL ARE WELCOME HERE! PRAISE GOD!

*OPENING SONG "For All the Children"/"Welcome Be Our Song"

God, we gather as your people to raise our song above,

and we dare to claim the promise of your love.

Though the day may not yet be here, we trust it soon will be,

when your children will be free.

Refrain:

Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,

Fling the church doors open wide.

May there be room enough for everyone inside.

For in God there is a welcome, in God we all belong.

May that welcome be our song.

Oh, we sing for all the children that one day they be free;

and we sing for generations yet to be,

that they never have a reason to doubt that they are blessed.

May they, in your love, find rest.

Refrain:

Oh, may our hearts and minds be opened,

Fling the church doors open wide.

May there be room enough for everyone inside.

For in God there is a welcome, in God we all belong.

May that welcome be our song.

*OPENING PRAYER (unison) Elliot Sales

Abba God, on this Children’s Sabbath, help us feel the wide welcome and your loving embrace. We know each person is a gift that the world needs. Help us to be the gift and blessings you’ve created us to be. Help us to live out your love in ways that make sure all your children know peace, dignity, safety, and joy, no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CHOIR “Build Me a World” Gretchen Rubesch, flute

Build me a world where there’s hope for children

to grow with no poverty, no hatred or war.

Build me a world where there’s room to move in

with wide open scenery and clear skies above.

Refrain: I’ll climb the mountains and look out over the sea.

I’ll build the bridges connecting people to me.

Build me a world where there’s no more sickness.

We share all our promises, the rich and the poor.

I’ll build this world if you’ll stand beside me.

Give me hope, give me faith, give me love! (refrain)

SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 119: 1-10 Maia Gordon and Vander Timblin

Nan C. Merrill’s translation in “Psalms for For Praying:: An Invitation to Wholeness”.

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

who live with spiritual integrity!

Blessed are those who honor the Inner Being,

who follow You with their whole heart,

who enfold the world with love

and walk on peaceful paths!

You have shown us the way of Truth,

The way that leads to freedom.

O, that I might ever reflect your Light!

Then I shall know inner peace,

as I surrender myself into your Hands.

I will praise You with a grateful heart,

as I lean on Your great kindness…

How can the young keep to the straight path?

Only by learning to listen to the still Voice within.

With all my heart I seek You;

Let me not wander from your teachings!

REFLECTION AND SUNG RESPONSE “We are Building Up a New World”

“We Are Building Up a New World” (Tune is “Jacob’s Ladder”, public domain). Verses 1, 2, 5, 6 by Dr. Vincent Harding Verses 3 and 4 by Luke Rackers.Licensed under Creative Commons License for use in worship.

SUNG RESPONSE:

We are building up a new world (3X)

Builders must be strong!

Speaker: Katie Ackers sharing her good words.

SUNG RESPONSE:

Courage, sisters, don’t get weary

Courage, brothers, don’t get weary

Courage people, don’t get weary

Though the way be long.

Every day our hope grows deeper (3X)

People must find hope.

Speaker: Emma Shampain sharing her good words.

SUNG RESPONSE:

We seek justice for all people

We seek justice for all creatures

We seek justice for all beings

Even through the trials.

Good words from the people….a microphone will be brought to those in the pews for a brief time of sharing: “If I were to build a better world, the first thing I would do is…”

SUNG RESPONSE:

We are building up a new world (3X)

Builders must be strong!

Rise, shine and give God glory (3X)

Children of God’s Love.

A TIME OF PRAYERS (responsive) Vivian Croft, Elliot Meade, and Pastor Leah

Today we are sharing a responsive, community prayer. After each section of prayer, you are invited to respond: “Lord, hear our prayers.”

INVITATION TO GENEROSITY Calder Stone

OFFERTORY Mayumi Tayake

*SUNG RESPONSE “O, For a World”

By Miriam Therese Winter. Text ©Medical Mission Sisters, 1990. Used with permission of Medical Mission Sisters. Tune: AZMON C.M. (1839) Public Domain.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,

Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,

Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) Graham Stone

God, today we thank you for the joyful leadership, songs, words, and examples of all who have reminded us about your dream for a better world. We remember that you have blessed this world with what we need to be sure all are safe, sheltered, fed, protected, loved, encouraged, and able to flourish in peace. Bless these gifts as a pledge of our shared commitment to love one another and our desire to walk with you until your heaven-on-earth world is fully realized for generations and generations. Amen.

*CLOSING REFRAIN “We are Building Up a New World”

We are building up a new world (3X)

Builders must be strong!

Courage, sisters, don’t get weary

Courage, brothers, don’t get weary

Courage people, don’t get weary

Though the way be long.

Rise, shine and give God glory (3X)

Children of God’s Love!

*BENEDICTION Pastor Karyn

*BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Go Now in Peace”

Go now in peace, go now in peace.

May the love of God surround you,

Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.

POSTLUDE Mayumi Tayake

OFFERING: If you did not bring an offering with you today, we invite you to give at www.fauntleroyucc.org

Thank you for considering how you can support the work of this congregation.

As an open and affirming congregation, the members and staff of Fauntleroy Church are committed to fostering community among people of all races, cultures, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Leah Atkinson Bilinski, Senior Pastor

Karyn Frazier, Associate Pastor

Zachary Fitzgerald, Music Director

Sarah Ackers, Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator

Allen Lambert, Caretaker

Aimee Pinckney, Financial Assistant

Pat Gedney, Financial Assistant

Carol Gilderoy, Lead Sunday School Teacher

Carol Smith, Nursery Supervisor

Sebastian Dwyer, Nursery Assistant

Kyle Lorenzen, Office Assistant & Worship Technician

Thanks to the following volunteers, who make Sunday mornings happen:

Building Opener: Al Bernahl

Usher Team: Steve Garrett- captain, Terry Burgess, Terry Gaddis, Josh Miller, Wendy Morgan

Greeters: Margie Huff and Wendy Cwinar

Sound Tech: Jennifer Vangolen

Nursery: Carol Smith and Sue Smith

Coffee Hour: Baiba Morris and Pam Ford

Opportunities for Engagement: Pastor Karyn