Looking into the lectionary - When a Presbyterian elder is taken by ICE

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 24th Sunday after Pentecost 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 8, 2026 We had followed their progress for weeks. Each evening the next day’s route and stops would be posted online. Each day they drew closer. As the number of followers on their Facebook pages grew, so did the anticipation. About a week ahead, it became clear that the Theravāda monks from the Hương Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, would indeed pass through our community on their Walk for Peace. What had merely been speculation, now became an urgent discussion: How would we welcome them?   The morning of the monks visit, a group of about 25 church members and friends gathered on the front steps of our congregation. It was cold and damp. Several returned to their cars to retrieve raincoats or umbrellas. After a brief prayer, we began our own walk to meet the guests who would pass through our community. The mile and a half we traveled was merely symbolic of partnership with their 2,300 mile walk across nine states as they journey from Texas to Washington, D.C. to promote mindfulness, loving-kindness and non-violence.    We reached a crossroad and waited for their arrival. Others from the church met us there, as did hundreds of others from the community. By the time we saw the flashing lights of the accompanying patrol cars both sides of the road were packed. Construction workers paused their work. Traffic stopped. The crowd strained to catch a first glimpse of the monks as they walked. Phones recorded video and pictures. A hush, a collective held breath, a sense of being a part of something bigger than ourselves filled the moment. We felt gratitude, excitement, respect and peace...   Thank you to this week's writer, Matthew A. Rich. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for November 1, 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 8, 2026, by Matthew A. Rich When a Presbyterian elder is taken by ICE by Harriet Riley No other God: Voting, faith, and state intimidation by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones At This Time: Dialogues in Theological Education book review by Amy Pagliarella

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