Rededication service at Friedens United Church of Christ Sumneytown - September 27, 2026

Sanctuary Rededication | Sunday, September 27, 2026 Welcome to worship with Friedens United Church of Christ! Today is a joyful and meaningful day in the life of Friedens as we give thanks for our beautifully renewed sanctuary and rededicate this sacred place to the worship of God and the ministry we share. We are especially pleased to welcome The Rev. Carrie Call, PhD, Transitional Executive Conference Minister of the Keystone Conference of the United Church of Christ, who joins us for this special celebration and shares in leading our worship. MUSIC FOR WORSHIP Music used in our worship is reprinted, podcast, and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-711813. All rights reserved. WORDS FOR WORSHIP Liturgy for this Service of Rededication was prepared by Pastor Stephanie. Scripture is from the Common English Bible, Copyright © 2011. We give thanks for our choir and for our dear friend Marilyn Mellon, whose musical planning, leadership, and direction have helped make today’s celebration possible. We are also grateful to Bryan Finnemeyer and Marilyn Deatelhauser for sharing their voices with our choir and congregation, and to all who offer their gifts through today’s ministry of music. Special thanks to Sue Mulvehill for coordinating today’s reception and to everyone who has helped prepare and provide our time of fellowship following worship. Today we remember with gratitude those who have gone before us, celebrate the faith and generosity that have sustained Friedens through the generations, and look forward with hope to the ministry still ahead. For generations, people have gathered in this place to worship, pray, celebrate, grieve, and grow in faith. We give thanks for that sacred history, remembering that this sanctuary is renewed not only for us, but for those who will come after us. From this church on the hill, may the light of Christ continue to shine through our welcome, generosity, service, and love. MUSIC CREDITS Gathering Song: “Sanctuary” Words and music by John Thompson and Randy Scruggs. © 1982 Whole Armor Music. Prelude: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” Music by William Croft; arranged by Marilynn Ham. © 1993 Lillenas Publishing Company. Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Text by Henry van Dyke; tune by Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Edward Hodges. Public domain. Choir Anthem: “Come, Spirit, Come” Words and music by Mary Kay Beall. Hope Publishing Company. © 2000. Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” Text by Samuel J. Stone; tune by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. Public domain. Sung Response to Prayer: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” Words and music by Ken Medema; CHILDREN PRAYING. © 1973 Hope Publishing Company. Offertory: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Music by William M. Runyan; arranged by Virginia Halberg. © 2005 Hope Publishing Company. Used by permission of the arranger. Closing Hymn: “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” Text by Omer Westendorf, © 1964. Arrangement by Christian Cosas, © 2017 WLP, a division of GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission. Postlude: Musician’s selection.