ORDER OF WORSHIP - AUGUST 24TH, 2025
- Union Church
- Aug 19, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20, 2025
ORDER OF WORSHIP
AUGUST 24TH, 2025 10:30 AM
ELEVENTH 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 71)
Leader: In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
PEOPLE: In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.
Leader: Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
PEOPLE: Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
Leader: For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
PEOPLE: Upon you I have leaned from my birth; my praise is continually of you.
INVOCATION
O God, source of all beauty and goodness, your grace comes fresh every morning. We praise you for your never-failing love that satisfies our needs and shows us the way to follow. We rejoice in your constant care, for you are faithful in love for all your children. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Stand Up and Bless the Lord” Red #41
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 and as we seek a
deeper understanding of the love and grace that lives in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Gracious Lord, we come to you as your children always asking for more than we should and giving you less than we can. Bring us to a better understanding of this mystery we call faith and guide us in a better pathway not only of our choosing but of your helpful guidance. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the genuine Good News of the Gospels and know that through God’s infinite love we are always forgiven. In his name, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Red #45
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Loosely Translated from Lakota Sioux)
We believe in the Great Creator, who made all that is and will be made, and in his shining Son of the East, whose bright light came with a star and lived among the people and died among them for his own light. The Great Spirit raised him to live again among the people of the stars and the mother earth, as he leads all who wish to join him in the feast of his being, for as long as the stars shall shine, and the rivers shall flow.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O Lord, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, and strength to follow on the path you set before us; through Jesus Christ, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 58:9b-14 Libby Szymanowicz
NEW TESTAMENT READING. Hebrews 12: 18,19; 24-29
GOSPEL READING: Luke 13: 10-17
SERMON MESSAGE: “On Balance” John Redman, CRE
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 “Come All You Servants of the Lord” Blue# 242
**DOXOLOGY Traditional (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
** 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, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” Red #834
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE “O My Soul, Bless God, the Father” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
(845) 562-0954
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