Worship Resources for November 16, 2025

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 15, 2025

Orchard Ridge

United Church of Christ

Sunday Worship Resources

Sunday, November 16

The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Stewardship Sunday

9:00 am: Faith Formation for children and youth

9:00 am: Book Study, Swan Room (see below)

10:00 am – Worship

Sermon: Julia Burkey

Lay Liturgist: Lauren Amburn

Musical Offerings: ORUCC Choir

11:15 am: Adult Education (disability advocacy), Friendship Hall (see below)

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Stewardship Sunday is this Sunday, November 16th!

We are grateful to all of you who have already returned your completed pledge cards for 2026. We appreciate and celebrate your continued generous financial support. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, you may bring it to church this Sunday, Stewardship Sunday, or mail it to the church office by November 16th.

Please note that, beginning in 2026, individuals who do not itemize on their federal tax returns will be eligible for a charitable deduction on cash donations to charities of up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for joint filers. See https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/newsletters/pfp-digest/how-obbba-alters-charitable-deduction-strategies-for-2025-and-2026 / for details. Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This is for informational purposes only.

Again, thank you for your ongoing financial commitment to Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ.

All are Invited to the 2^nd Meeting of the

ORUCC Disability-Advocacy Mission Group

this Sunday, November 16^th, from 11:15am -12:15 pm, in Friendship Hall

Two of our members will begin by sharing their experiences while advocating for their adult children, who have multiple disabilities. That advocacy journey began with help from the Headstart Program, then 17 years of moving through the public school system, and now 25 years receiving adult supports while living in the community.

Information will be shared about how people with disabilities have long struggled to maintain their ability to live and work within their communities. Now, the risks to their health and safety will be greatly increased by the planned government cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), SNAP (WI Foodshare), Special Education Programming, and Medicare.

Those who attend will be invited to discuss how we, as a church body, can work to build a world that values and supports all people. That discussion will focus on those who are currently being marginalized and put at risk, due to current political and social pressures, including those who have Disabilities, Palestinians, Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, LGBTQ+ and more. Attendees will be asked to identify actions we can take, both big or small, and both individually or in groups, to advocate for those who are at risk. We hope you will join us after the service, because together we are stronger!

Book Study:

Decolonizing Palestine –

The Land, The People, The Bible

by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

Sundays November 16, 23, 30, 9:00 am, Alfred Swan Room and via Zoom

Join Rev. Diane Dulin for a discussion of Mitri Raheb’s latest book. The book is inspiring, and is sure to generate fascinating discussion. Discussion will focus on: Biblical concepts and implications of being ‘chosen’ by God; theologies of Christian Zionism; and ongoing colonialism in Palestine. The book is available as a paperback and audiobook. Madison Public Library has three copies. For more information: Mitri Raheb book study.

To register: contact Rev. Diane Dulin at [email protected]. Diane will notify you of selected discussion passages and provide a Zoom link (for those who wish to attend on-line).

November Compassion Offering:

The ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund

ORUCC has a long tradition of supporting our social services partners in their work with neighbors in need. Families in southwest Madison are being hit hard by high food costs, inflation due to tariffs, federal budget cuts, and skyrocketing rent. For the neediest ORUCC neighbors, any extra or unpredictable expenses can be a huge challenge. Illness, job loss, a car expense, or other costs can leave families with an urgent need.

For many years, ORUCC assisted families with gift cards and worked with Joining Forces for Families to get the cards to needy neighbors. In 2020, the ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund was established to help support our neighbors with Woodman’s gift cards. Since that time, cards have been available throughout the year for emergencies and extra expenses, and have been distributed by staff from Joining Forces for Families (JFF), Children’s Wisconsin – Early Childhood Development, and other neighborhood partners. There is a need to replenish this fund to continue this vital support.

ORUCC member Loretta Swanson and Community Social Worker, Eric Alvin are our lead social services team who distribute the gift cards to individuals and families in the neighborhood. A $25 gift card can cover the cost of extra food needed while children are home during holiday breaks, partially fill a gas tank to allow travel for a job or for an interview, or provide supplies like emergency infant formula or over-the-counter medication. Holidays can present significant challenges for families who seek special items specific to a family’s culture or country of origin. These items will likely be more expensive this year due to tariffs. The cards also are extremely helpful to JFF and community partners in helping to engage and connect families with other services.

Given the state of the economy and the political environment in 2025, the need is expected to increase substantially. Please consider a donation to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund to provide direct support to families and individuals in our neighborhood. Your donation is truly appreciated, this holiday season and beyond.