ORDER OF WORSHIP
July 30, 2023 10:30 AM
NINTH 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
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 145)
Leader: All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall
bless you.
PEOPLE: They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,
Leader: to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of
your kingdom.
PEOPLE: The LORD upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed
down.
Leader: The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
PEOPLE: You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Leader: The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
PEOPLE: The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
INVOCATION
God of promise, you created all for us, yet we break our promise each day. As we build up
dividing walls, you tear them down to show us your redeeming grace. Help us to set our feet
firmly on the foundation of your goodness and to see the wisdom that enlightens our days, as
we once again attempt to fulfill our promises to you. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” Red # 447
CALL TO CONFESSION
In our busy lives we often forget or ignore the sacred covenant between ourselves and our God. Let us remember that covenant and its promise as we confess together:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, our hasty words sometimes cause conflict and tension. We expel strangers from our
hospitality and fellowship as we sometimes judge too quickly or too freely. We strive to
understand your love for us even as fail in it. Help us to be more like your Son our redeemer, to love one another as he has always loved us. This we ask in the name of all that is Holy, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
As we dwell with the spirit of Christ in our very lives, may we receive his continuing and
unending forgiveness. Amen
**HYMN OF PRAISE: “God of Our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand” Red # 419
PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 1562)
I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything within, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and
providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God; He desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, as we turn to your Word for us, may the Spirit of God rest upon us. Help us to be steadfast in our hearing, in our speaking, in our believing, and in our living. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: 2 Samuel 11: 1-15 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL READING: John 6: 1-21
SERMON MESSAGE Bread? Whose Bread? 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 “In Christ Alone”
**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: “May the Grace of Christ our Savior” Red # 841
BENEDICTION
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and may the blessing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you in this day and in all those days to come. Amen
POSTLUDE “We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” 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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