ORDER OF WORSHIP - SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2026
ORDER OF WORSHIP
SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2026 10:30 AM
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
**Kindly stand if you are able
**PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE before Worship
PRELUDE “Close to Thee” - Silas J. Vail John Coates
Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 114)
LEADER: When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
strange language,
PEOPLE: Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
LEADER: The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
PEOPLE: The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
LEADER: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
PEOPLE: Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.
INVOCATION
Lord of miracles and salvation, join with us today as we come together to offer you
worship and praise.
**OPENING HYMN “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” Red #77
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our God knows our sins before we are ready to confess them and he is ready to
forgive those who ask. We offer confession as a way to acknowledge the hope God offers through the sacrifice of his Son.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Mighty God, we ask for your understanding as we remember the tragedies that have taken place in our lives. We ask that you strengthen us so that we might remember and honor those who have suffered terrible loss. We ask that you help us to live lives of love instead of choosing isolation or anger. Help us to walk in your light when we crouch in darkness. Love us as only you can and by that love teach us to love each other.
(A moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Through the grace of the Father and the sacrifice of the Son, we are all saved. No
matter your sins or fears, you can bring them to God and be redeemed.
**GLORIA PATRI “Glory Be to the Father” Red #805
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound” Red #502
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Book of Common Worship)
This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Whether in the midst of suffering or joy, we can find healing and hope in the Scriptures. Lord, bless us with your Spirit as we hear your word.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT Romans 14:1-12 Mary Whidden
GOSPEL Matthew 18:21-35
SERMON MESSAGE “Forgiving Our Debtors” 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 “Help Us Accept Each Other” Red #437
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
If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.
- Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl
POSTLUDE “I Will Sing of the Mercies” Red #30
James Phillips
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
(845) 562-0954
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