ORDER OF WORSHIP - AUGUST 17TH, 2025

ORDER OF WORSHIP

AUGUST 17TH, 2025 10:30 AM

TENTH 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                                                                                          Mary Lee Farris, Organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 33)

Leader: God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

PEOPLE: Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

Leader: Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

PEOPLE: They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Leader: I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;

PEOPLE: nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.”

ALL: Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!

INVOCATION

Generous God who overwhelms us with goodness and mercy, we thank you for waking us up this day, giving us the gift of this life, calling us to be your people Look upon us today as you do every day, with love and grace. Amen.

**OPENING HYMN           “How Great Thou Art”                                           Red #21

CALL TO CONFESSION

We struggle in our lives, in our thoughts, and in our hearts. Let us come to God to relieve ourselves of our failings as we come closer to understanding our Creator.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Gracious Lord, we come to you as your children knowing that we follow a broken pathway. We thank you for the blessings we receive, as manna was given to those who wandered in the wilderness, and we are grateful for the message of unfailing love in Jesus even as we seek a better understanding of your love and grace. Amen

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

The mercy and forgiveness of our Lord is as infinite as the skies and more plentiful than the stars. In the name of our Savior, we are forgiven. Amen

**GLORIA PATRI             Traditional                                                              Red #805

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  - Apostles Creed (Traditional)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

**HYMN OF PRAISE        “God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens”       Red #54

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. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING:           Isaiah 5: 1-7                                       Libby Szymanowicz

NEW TESTAMENT READING:          Hebrews 11:29-12:2

GOSPEL READING:                          Luke 12: 49-56

SERMON MESSAGE:              “Are You Listening?”                           Elder Merle Hennessey

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

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:

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 can hoard the gifts with which you bless us, God of generosity, or we can share them with others.  May what we offer in these moments be the very blessing, the very hope, the very peace others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

OFFERTORY                 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”                                  Red # 552

**DOXOLOGY                Traditional                                                             Red #808    

** PRAYER OF THANKS

We thank you, our Lord for those gifts to us that we send to you for your work and ours in congregation, community, and culture. Guide us in good use as we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

**HYMN OF PARTING:   “Lord, Let Us Now Depart in Peace”                       Red #842

BENEDICTION:    

POSTLUDE                    “For All the Saints”                                        Mary Lee Farris, Piano

Elder Merle Hennessey

John Redman, CRE