worship format and original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber (c) 2021
BCCC Worship Schedule
In-person worship services: 11am 1st and 2nd Sundays; ZOOM worship services: 2pm 3rd, 4th, 5th (if there is one) Sundays; 3pm check-in
We Gather
“No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since love is Lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?” – refrain from “My Life Flows On” hymn written by Robert Lowry, 1869.
Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor)
Welcome! No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey – everyone is welcome here! Greetings from Huichin Village/Berkeley, ancestral land of the Lisjan-Ohlone people.
Invocation (pastor)
We enter his hallowed, blessed place filled with gratitude for those who have gone before us. We settle into this beloved sanctuary filled with appreciation for those who are here with us. We soak in thanksgiving for divine faithfulness as we await God’s presence among us. Amen.
Lighting the Christ Candle & Welcoming Those Not Physically Present (pastor)
Passing the Peace (all)
Offer joyful gestures and words of peace to one another: “Peace be with You.”
We Rest in God’s Grace
Special Music
Prayer and Silence (pastor)
Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)
Be still. (Breathe slowly)
Be. (Breathe slowly)
(Breathe in silence) Amen.
Prayer for Assurance (pastor)
Here we are, O God, just as we are. Regardless of our station in life, regardless of poor health or good fortune, regardless of dreams fulfilled, forgotten, or crushed – we are here. Grant unto us a most valuable asset – an attitude of gratitude. May the golden blessing of Your transforming grace soften our hardened hearts. May our souls bloom with genuine thanksgiving, sending out ripples of goodwill everywhere. Amen.
We Listen
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44 (NRSV)
As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.
Sermon “Genuine Gratitude” (pastor; live sermon in person)
Special Music
We Pray
Prayer Requests (all)
Pastoral Prayer (pastor)
Ever-Present One, You witness the entirety of our lives. You know when we are loud and proud; when we are quiet and selflessly humble. Tame the parts of us that try to perform to please an audience. Enflame the parts of us that ache to serve You at the expense of public opinion. Keep on calling us, Holy One, to sacred authenticity. Surprise us with humanity’s innate goodness and compassion, found within and among each one of us. Amen.
Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer (pastor)
We Give
Offering of Praise “Doxology” (all; acapella)
Please mail your donations to the church or directly to Treasurer Diane Huie.
We Continue in Hope
Announcements (pastor)
Special Music
Benediction (pastor)
May we be inspired by the woman Jesus acknowledged for her generosity to give boldly, giving all we have for the service of God. And, may such giving truly fill us with deep peace and a passion for the well-being of all beings. Amen.
The service is concluded.
Worship Resources:
(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.
(NRSV) Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Sermon Resource: The Jewish concept of “Tzedakah” — levels of charitable giving based on the attitude and actions of the giver.
Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceeded territory of the Lisjan-Chochenyo Ohlone People, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!
Copyright Note: Copyright laws changed in December 2020 when Congress passed the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020 (CASE Act). Please check with your legal counsel as to the appropriate use of licensed materials, especially print and recorded music when sharing content online. Please observe ethical use of resources and follow the publishing requirements of any broadcasting or publishing platforms you use. Protect the rights of content creators. Thank you!
Online Publishing Date: November 2, 2021. Happy All Souls Day!
Permission: Permission is not granted to share or distribute this resource beyond your community without additional permission from the author. Please attribute source and observe ethical use of all resources. Follow your platforms’ publishing requirements for all created content especially if publishing online or broadcasting. Thank you!
Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is offered free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!
For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kathryn Schreiber”
in the big love 