Looking into the lectionary - Communion without bread?

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time November 1, 2026 Back in 1997, Fred Rogers was honored with a Daytime Emmy award for his work on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” As he stood to accept the award, he started with these words, “So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven. All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take along with me 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are — those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life? I'll watch the time.” The story goes that, within a couple of seconds, the packed auditorium was filled with the sounds of sniffles and muffled sobs from the glitterati of Hollywood. Rogers’ slow, soft, loving, parental voice had given them permission – had created a safe space – for them to become like children. It is no surprise many were moved to tears by a glimpse of the love that knows no end made manifest in a cardigan-clad Presbyterian minister.  Remembering the people who formed us has the capacity to wrench at something deep within us. For preachers struggling to bridge the gap between the 23rd Sunday of Pentecost and All Saints' Sunday, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 is a gift: Offering the opportunity to remember those saints whose lives particularly shaped our faith as we consider the words of Paul, exhorting the Thessalonians using familial language to “Lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” In response to Paul’s exhortation, nothing less than the sound of sniffles and muffled sobs will do! ... Thank you to this week's writer, Baron Mullis. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for October 25, 2026? You can find them here. We've got daily Advent devotionals and a long list of holiday liturgies to make your worship planning easier!

Order of worship — November 1, 2026, by Baron Mullis “We will catch you”: A church’s response to a school shooting by April H. Cranford Polity matters: Faithful governance and the Book of Order by Kyle Walker Communion without bread by Rachel Sutphin

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