ORDER OF WORSHIP - SEPTEMBER 14th

ORDER OF WORSHIP

SEPTEMBER 14th, 2025 10:30 AM

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

**Kindly stand if you are able

PRELUDE                                                                                                  John Coates

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 14)

LEADER: Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."

PEOPLE: The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

LEADER: Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the LORD?

PEOPLE: You would confound the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

LEADER: O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!

PEOPLE: When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

INVOCATION

O God, bless us as we gather here to worship you. Help us find the way to your love and salvation. Let everyone come and partake of your blessings. Amen.

**OPENING HYMN                   “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”           Red #62

CALL TO CONFESSION

God alone offers salvation and redemption. For all who sin, Jesus Christ offers the waters of life. Let everyone come and quench their thirst.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

Lord, we hear your words, but we, too often, do not understand their meaning. We are scared to look into our own hearts to ask forgiveness for our own sins and instead use your word to condemn others. We ask for your grace and your help in understanding that our faith is a personal challenge rather than a way to demean others. Only through your love will we be able to live as one people, loved by you and loving all others.

(A moment for silent personal confession)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

We are forgiven. Hear those words and believe them. All of our sins are left at the altar if only we ask Jesus for his grace. Cast aside your fears and let the joy of salvation wash over you.

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

PASSING OF THE PEACE

**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Apostles’ Creed)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, 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                  “To God Be the Glory”                                 Red #72

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

The word of God is the revelation of truth. Bless the reading of these words so that we may come to a greater understanding of truth and love and justice. Let these words sit with us and provide wisdom now and for all of our days. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

OLD TESTAMENT READING            Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28                     Robert Ferguson

NEW TESTAMENT                            1 Timothy 1:12-17

GOSPEL                                            Luke 15:1-10        

SERMON MESSAGE               “Which Sheep?”                                          James Phillips

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHURCH

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:

The reconciliation of humankind through Jesus Christ makes it plain that enslaving poverty in a

world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God’s good creation. Because Jesus identified

with the needy and exploited, the cause of the world’s poor is the cause of his disciples. We are

called to use our abilities, our possessions, and the fruits of technology as gifts entrusted to us

for the maintenance of God’s family and the advancement of the common welfare.

OFFERTORY                            “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”                                               Red # 492

** PRAYER OF THANKS

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

**DOXOLOGY                                              Avery & Marsh (Back of the Red hymnal)                       

HYMN OF PARTING                “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing”          Red #834

BENEDICTION

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13

POSTLUDE                               “Jesus Is All the World to Me”                             Red #491              

                                                                                                          John Coates, Piano

Blessings!

James Phillips

Union Church

44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550

https://www.newburghpresby.org

(845) 562-0954