Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC Who Could Have Imagined? by Sarina Partridge
Who could have imagined?
Who could have imagined?
Who could have imagined such times as these?
But we will SING through these times,
Oh we will SING through these times,
And soon enough, we'll be SINGING on the other side
Hope... Grow... Learn... Grieve... Rise...
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
* OPENING SONG Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Gina Henrickson. As a kid I would wake up on Saturday mornings to my dad blasting CCR on vinyl through the house. I was listening to them recently & the song really resonated in this moment — in my personal life, things are really good right now…. And at the same time — the world I’m surrounded by feels like it’s in shambles. Have you ever seen the rain coming down on a sunny day?
Someone told me long ago
There's a calm before the storm
I know, it's been comin' for some time
When it's over, so they say
It'll rain a sunny day
I know, shinin' down like water
[Chorus]
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
Yesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know, been that way for all my time
'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know, it can't stop, I wonder
[Chorus]
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
Yeah
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
STEWARDSHIP 2026: Free for All Charlie Wysong
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you… ...and also with you
* SONG Over My Head
Over my head I hear music in the air. (x3)
There must be a God somewhere!
Over my head I see trouble in the air…
Over my head I hear singing in the air…
Over my headI see glory in the air…
SCRIPTURE from Psalm 119,
reader, Linton Childs
READING “Perfect Pitch” by Peter Pereira
SONG OF PREPARATION His Eye is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav’n and home;
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is he;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free;
For his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Come Ye Disconsolate
Keanon Kyles, baritone
Ron Romasanta. Well after I had stopped believing, I still took great comfort in gospels. This one in particular speaks to that part of me that wants to believe. I have experienced the worst of humanity and this song helps me transcend all of that.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS led by Bud Longhauser
When in the past week did you see God at work?
What concerns would you like to turn over to God’s care?
PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father/Creator/Parent, 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: 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.
* CLOSING SONG From A Distance
Judy Beaupre. Besides the fact that I’m a huge Bette Midler fan and this is a long-time favorite, it seems so appropriate for where we are in our country and world right now.
From a distance, the world looks blue and green
And the snow-capped mountains white
From a distance, the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance, there is harmony,
And it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,
It's the voice of every man.
From a distance, we all have enough
And no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease
No hungry mouths to feed.
From a distance, we are instruments
Marching in a common band;
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace,
They are the songs of every man.
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance.
From a distance, you look like my friend
Even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
What all this fighting is for.
From a distance there is harmony
And it echoes through the land.
It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
It’s the heart of every man.
It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
It’s the heart of every man.
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Love Me, Love Me Not by Joey Contreras
Keanon Kyles, baritone
**********
ANNOUNCEMENTS
All Saints Memorial Roses - Deadline Today!
We’re now taking rose orders for All Saint’s worship. On Sunday, November 2nd, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day with a rose bouquet built in memory of those close to the Bethany community.
If you’d like to donate roses to the bouquet, please fill out this form by Sunday, October 26th
You can make your donation for the roses you order:
at worship (via check with "memorial roses" in memo line, or in an envelope with "Memorial roses" printed)
online via Vanco (choose “All Saints Memorial Rose” option)
online via PayPal (please include a note that it is for Memorial Roses)
by mailing to the church office, 4250 N. Paulina, Chicago, IL 60613
Reach out to info@bethanychicago.com with any questions!
Come to church on Halloween!- Oct. 31st
Going out trick or treating? No plans because Halloween’s not your holiday? Have a little window after work? Come by the church on Friday, October 31st to eat or hand out candy, share an adult or kid beverage, show off your costume and snap a photo, and to hear creepy organ music! Our guest organist is pulling out all the stops. Find us from 5:30 - 7:30 that night with music from 6 - 7. Just come and hang out or bring a snack or drink to share. If you’d like to help make it happen, let Rebecca know by emailing rebecca@bethanychicago.com We’re keeping it simple but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t like to know you’re coming. Bring or send friends. We’d love to meet new folks!
Book Group: Song Of Solomon- Nov 5th
Our next book group is on Nov. 5th at 7pm! We’ll be reading Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison:
Song of Solomon explores the quest for cultural identity. Based on the African-American folktale about enslaved Africans who escape slavery by flying back to Africa, it tells the story of a young man alienated from himself and estranged from his family, who embarks on a physical and spiritual journey that enables him to reconnect with his past and realize his self-worth. Sign up here if you plan on reading with us!
Healing Religious Trauma- Nov. 6th
Small Group running Thursdays in November
You’re a Bethanian - you’ve likely already done a lot of work on religious trauma and know God loves you as you are. But have you ever wanted to dive into some more loving religious doctrine to understand your belovedness from a philosophical and biblical perspective? In this small group, we’ll look at universalism, queer theology, and liberation.
Join us on Nov. 6th at 6pm, and every following Thursday in November!
Join The Outer Belt Pilgrimage - Nov. 8th
Sign up to join us for the next leg of our Outer Belt Pilgrimage! We’ll be walking together on Saturday November 8th.
If you can’t make it this time, mark your calendars for our next trip on December 6th!
For more info, reach out Vince at vince@bethanychicago.com and/or go to outerbelt.org
Fall Sew-In - Nov. 9th
This November 9 we'll be at our sewing machines again as Bethany hosts a fall "sew-in" to make fabric produce bags and gift bags in time for the holidays.
From Noon to 4pm teams of 6-8 people will cut, iron, pin, sew and finish simple bags made from pillow cases, sheets, clothing and cotton fabrics. Save the date and plan to spend two hours helping—no sewing experience required! Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. For this sewing event we will be joined by members of the Lake View Lutheran Church. Please sign up here. More news to come.
St. Cuthbert Pilgrimage- 4 Spots Left!
Our Bethany pilgrimage to Scotland and England along St. Cuthbert's Way was so popular, we're doing 2! One is full. But you can still get in on the second! Join Vince and fellow Bethany members on this trip that combines spiritual retreat, beautiful hiking, time for rest, and time for fun. The trip is June 15-22, 2026. For more information, contact Vince in person or at vince@bethanychicago.com
Service and Justice Pilot Year: 2026
On Tuesday, September 16th, the parlor was packed with folks who've been at Bethany forever, and some who just got here. We had a lively conversation about plans for Service & Justice in 2026. Whether you were there or not, you're invited to take part!
Bethany is a different church now than it was five years ago. We’re bigger, more active, with shifting energies and passions in the face of the current climate in our city, our country, and our world. What hasn't changed: our core commitments to serving others and pursuing justice.
As we move into 2026, we’re embarking on a pilot year for the Service and Justice arm of Bethany UCC. We want to hear from YOU about where we should be directing our energy as a church. And, we want to strengthen relationships as we serve others, both within our Bethany community and with our neighbors.
So, here’s our ask:
If you have a topic on your heart (homelessness, food insecurity, refugee resettlement, earth care, police reform, mental health, suicide-prevention, prison-abolition…) submit a proposal for Bethany’s consideration.
Our goal: a 2026 calendar full of diverse, sustainable, opportunities to serve and seek justice alongside each other. Pastor Fredrick Buecher said that the place God calls us to is "where our deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” What needs are we called to meet now, and what joyful gifts do we have to offer?
Updating Directory
It’s time to update the directory - again! If you’re new around here, have moved or gotten a new cell phone number, share your info here. If you already have, no need to do it again!
At this time, Bethany distributes a paper-only directory, available at church only (although we’ll mail you one if you request it). If you prefer to exclude some or all of your info, you can let us know at the link.
Thanks for helping us stay in touch, and thanks to everyone who’s already updated their info!
