ORDER OF WORSHIP-JULY 19TH, 2026

10:30 AM

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

**Kindly stand if you are able

**PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship

PRELUDE                     “Holy Ground” – Geron Davis

                                                                                                 John Coates, Organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 139)

LEADER: O LORD, you have searched me and known me.

PEOPLE: You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my

thoughts from far away.

LEADER: You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

PEOPLE: Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.

LEADER: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.

PEOPLE: See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way

everlasting.

INVOCATION

The church should be a welcoming place for all who believe and all who doubt. Lord, send your Spirit here today and help us to feel closer to you.

**OPENING HYMN                “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”        Red #381

CALL TO CONFESSION

The guilt and shame we carry are often greater than the sins we have committed. We can come to God to relieve us of all of these burdens.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Merciful God, we come to you fearful of what you think of us. We know we have fallen short of your teachings so we try to hide from you. We forget your promise of forgiveness and salvation. Help us to have the courage to bring our faults to you. Help us to forgive those around us and see them as worthy of love. Help us to find peace and community with you and with all your children.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus sacrificed himself so that all of us could have eternal life. Be joyful and

celebrate that you are free.

**GLORIA PATRI                    Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)

**HYMN OF PRAISE            “In Christ There is No East or West”        Red #697

**PASSING OF THE PEACE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (adapted from the Brief Statement of Faith)

We trust in God. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes

everyone equally in God’s image male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

The scriptures are given to us so that we might learn from God. Listen to the Word

and let it comfort your heart.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT                         Romans 8:12-25                    Rob Ferguson

GOSPEL                                          Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

SERMON MESSAGE                     “When Should I Pull the Weeds”             

  James Phillips

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 us 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

Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. May our gifts be a blessing to those who receive them. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

OFFERTORY                        “Search Me, O God”                                Red #460

DOXOLOGY                           Avery & Marsh (Back 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           “God Be with You”                                     Red #840

BENEDICTION

Church is where you go to when you’re confused.

     -Somebody, Somewhere

POSTLUDE                            “Sing to the Lord of Harvest”                    Red #375

James Phillips

Union Church

44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550            

https://www.newburghpresby.org

(845) 562-0954