Loving God and loving neighbor here in central Vermont and to the ends of the earth—all to the glory of God.
October 26, 2025
Prelude
Deborah Shofstahl
Welcome and Announcements
σ Listen for upcoming events and ways you can get involved.
Pastor Josh
Lighting the Candles
σ Jesus is the light of the world.
Acolytes
Statement of Faith—The Apostles’ Creed
σ Confess what you believe about the Christian faith.
Pastor Josh
L: Christian, what do you believe?
C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Greeting Your Neighbors
σ Greet your neighbors in the name of the Lord.
Congregation
Call to Worship—Based on Amos 5:4
σ Hear God call you to worship through his word.
Pastor Josh
L: Thus says the Lord, Seek me and live.
C: For here we have no lasting city but we seek the city that is to come.
Opening Prayer
σ Invite God to work in you as you worship today.
Pastor Josh
Worship Songs
σ Join with the congregation in praise to God.
Pastor Josh, Megan Moore, and Deborah Shofstahl
#34—Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Verse 1
Praise to the Lord the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear now to His temple draw near
Join me in glad adoration
Verse 2
Praise to the Lord Who o’er all things
So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Verse 3
Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee
Verse 4
Praise to the Lord
O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the amen sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him
He Has Done Great Things
Verse 1
He has done great things
He has done great things
Arms open wide the Lamb crucified
Worthy is He
Verse 2
He has done great things
Our God has done great things
Thorns on His brow grace flowing down
Worthy is He
Chorus 1
As high as the heavens above
Great is His everlasting love
Rivers of mercy run over us
As far as the east from the west
He has removed all our sin
We are forgiven by His blood
Chorus 2
As far as the east from the west
He has removed all our sin
We are forgiven by His blood
In Christ Alone
Verse 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Verse 2
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
Verse 4
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Missions Moment—Capitol Ministries
σ Hear of God’s work and how we can pray.
Pastor Aaron Clark
Scripture Meditation—Acts 28:17-31 (p. 1114 in Pew Bible)
σ Hear a reading from the Gospel that relates to the sermon text.
The Moore family
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Confession and Assurance—A Prayer of John of the Cross
Pastor Josh
L: Confess your sins to God, together, with me.
C: O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace. Amen.
L: The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Congregational Prayer
Pastor Josh
The Lord’s Prayer
σ In closing, pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray.
Congregation
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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Children Dismissed
σ Children may gather downstairs for a Bible lesson or stay here with parents.
Laura Agyekhumhene
Scripture Reading—Philippians 1:12-18 (p. 1164 in Pew Bible)
σ Read this portion of God’s word.
Pastor Josh
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice,
L: The grass withers and the flower fades.
C: But the word of our God will stand forever.
Sermon
σ Hear God’s word proclaimed and explained.
Charlie Stabolepszy
Song of Response—There Is One Gospel
σ Respond to the preaching of the word with song.
Pastor Josh, Megan Moore, and Deborah Shofstahl
Verse 1
There is one Gospel on which I stand
For all eternity
It is my story my Father’s plan
The Son has rescued me
Oh what a Gospel oh what a peace
My highest joy and my deepest need
Now and forever He is my light
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Verse 2
There is one Gospel to which I cling
All else I count as loss
For there where justice and mercy meet
He saved me on the cross
No more I boast in what I can bring
No more I carry the weight of sin
For He has brought me from death to life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Verse 3
There is one Gospel where hope is found
The empty tomb still speaks
For death could not keep my Saviour down
He lives and I am free
Now on my Saviour I fix my eyes
My life is His and His hope is mine
For he has promised I too will rise
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Verse 4
And in this Gospel the church is one
We do not walk alone
We have His Spirit as we press on
To lead us safely home
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Ending
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Extinguishing the Candles
σ You are the light of the world.
Acolytes
Benediction
σ Receive a parting blessing.
Pastor Josh
Postlude
Deborah Shofstahl