21st Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, October 18, 2026
9 a.m. Worship
Blessing of the Animals
Prelude
Announcements
Litany of Repentance & Longing
Opening Song "All Things Bright & Beautiful” WOV 767
Greeting
Prayer of the Day
Psalm 96:1-13 (read responsively)
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord; proclaim God’s salvation from day to day.
3 Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but you, O Lord, have made the heavens.
6 Majesty and magnificence are in your presence; power and splendor are in your sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due the holy name; bring offerings and enter the courts of the Lord.
9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before the Lord, all the earth.
10 Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is king! The one who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all that is in it; let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord, for you come to judge the earth.
13 You will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with your truth.
Gospel Acclamation "Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening?"
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 22nd chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
15 The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap [Jesus] in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” 21 They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed, and they left him and went away. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "Sing Unto the Lord a New Song"
Offering Prayer
Prayers of Intercession
Blessing of the Animals
Sharing of the Peace
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer (Sung)
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns: "O God, You Search Me" ELW 770
"From the Rising of the Sun"
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Sending Hymn: “Bless the Creatures, Great and Small”
Benediction
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar:
Sunday, Oct 18—9 a.m Worship (Pet Blessing, Parking Lot), 10 a.m. Sunday School (Spirit Center), Coffee & Fellowship (Narthex), Grace Notes Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 5:11’s Women’s Group Meeting (Fellowship Hall), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 12:15 p.m. Council Meeting (Spirit Center), 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Class
Tuesday, Oct 20—10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Narthex)
Wednesday, Oct 21—1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor), 7 p.m. Adult Choir (Sanctuary)
Thursday, Oct 22 – 10 a.m. Quilting Ministry (Classroom #1), 6:30 p.m. Agape Bell Choir (Spirit Center)
Saturday, October 24 – 2 p.m. Pat Wood Memorial Service with reception following
Sunday, Oct 25—10 a.m. Reformation Worship (Sanctuary & Livestreamed), followed by Reformation Celebration and Trunk or Treat!
** Stephanie Avino, Office Administrator, will be out of the office October 26-30.
Announcements:
Office Update: NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: Stephanie’s new e-mail address is: Churchoffice@communityinchrist.net
ALTAR GUILD is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Lynn Maier (tmaier2@verizon.net or text to 917-371-6207). We will provide training and guidance along the way. We especially need members for the 11am service. Please consider helping out.
October Grocery Cart: During the month of October we will be collecting items that are needed in the Angels and Sparrows Community Table Kitchen. Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Beef broth (cartons preferred), Canned corn, Cream of Chicken soup, canned Crushed Tomatoes, Pasta sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc), Tomato sauce, Disinfecting wipes (i.e. Clorox, Lysol wipes), Paper Towels, and Gallon storage bags. Please consider picking up a few of these items and adding them to the grocery cart at CIC. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our grocery cart collections each month. Your generosity is making a difference!
Preschool Registration for 2026/2027: Tuitions for 2026/2027: $340.00 for 2-year-old classes, $310 for 3-year-old classes, $360.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $370 for TK class. There is an $85 non refundable registration fee.
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Questions? Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: This month we will meet on Tuesday, October 27th, at 6:30 p.m. We meet in Classroom One. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: Will meet on Thursday, October 22nd at 10 a.m. in Classroom #1. We welcome anyone who would like to cut squares, sew squares into quilt tops or help to tie the quilts together. Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
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Blessing of the Quilts will be on Sunday, November 8th during worship.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. The Women’s Group the 5:11s will hold their monthly meeting on Sunday October18th in between services in the fellowship hall.
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Our annual Friendsgiving will be held on Friday November 6 beginning at 6 pm at the home of Susan Kullstam. Address is 9207 Brentfield Road Huntersville 28078. Use this link to sign up for a dish to share! CIC Women's 5:11 Annual Friendsgiving Meal Signup – Fill out form
Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.
PERF Funds Need Replenishing: We invite you to prayerfully consider making a donation to our Pastors' Emergency Relief Fund (PERF). Your generosity helps provide timely support to pastors and their families during unexpected financial emergencies. In recent months, there has been an increased need for assistance and our available funds have decreased. Every gift can make a meaningful difference in someone's moment of need.
Interested in Winter Camp Jan. 15-17, 2027 at Camp Agape? Sign your 3rd through 8th graders up by 1. Following the 1st QR Code to fill out registration information with Camp Agape and including the discount code of "CICLC2027" on the payment page to make your cost to the camp $0, 2. Following the 2nd QR Code to pay $75 per youth to CIC (or write a check with Winter Camp in memo line), 3. Telling Pastor Lisa you have done the first two steps. More information about travel to and from will come at a later date.
Sunday School Teachers: If you’ve ever had an interest in teaching Sunday School or would like to know more about it or would like to get connected with a current teacher to ask questions, talk to Pastor Lisa! Register your child for Sunday School here:
