ORDER OF WORSHIP
August 20, 2023 10:30 AM
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 67)
Leader: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
PEOPLE: that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Leader: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
PEOPLE: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity.
Leader: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
PEOPLE: May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
INVOCATION
God of all, please welcome us to your house, to your world, indeed to your entire creation as we gather to worship you and to reflect on our lives in you and with you as the Spirit takes us up and the grace of Jesus comforts us in his name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” Red # 95
CALL TO CONFESSION
Life is a journey of steps and stumbles, and often our stumbles outnumber our righteous steps. Let us come together as we pray for greater understanding in the eyes of our God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Compassionate God, we admit that we do not always model our human relationships after your divine love for humanity and as a result our own lives become a mess. Forgive us, we pray, and empower us with your Spirit to love each other mutually rather than selfishly as we begin to live as never before in understanding with you and at peace with ourselves.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Believe the Good News of Jesus Christ and the unending grasp of God’s love by which we are forgiven. Amen
**HYMN OF PRAISE: “God Moves in Mysterious Ways” Red # 73
PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
NICENE CREED, (adapted and edited)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Spoken through the Prophets, worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the eternal life to come. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that our hearts and minds may be opened and surround us with your light, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 45: 1-15 Theresa Cotanche
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
SERMON MESSAGE How Quickly Some Things Can Change John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN: “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” Red # 834
BENEDICTION
May the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing, all comfort in knowing, and all peace in
understanding so that we all may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
POSTLUDE “Solfeggio in D Major” By JKCF Bach Mary Lee Farris, Piano
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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