ORDER OF WORSHIP
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 10:30 AM
SEVENTEENTH 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: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright.
PEOPLE: Praise the Lord with the lyre and make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song; and play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
PEOPLE: He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; and he put the deeps in
storehouses.
Leader: Let all the earth fear the Lord; may all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him,
PEOPLE: He spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
Leader: Our hearts are glad in him because we trust in his holy name.
PEOPLE: Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
INVOCATION
O God, you shelter your people during adversity; you cradle them in your arms when they are afraid. You beckon us to embrace you and end our loneliness. Entering your sanctuary, we give you praise. Be pleased with our worship as we honor your name. Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Take My Life, Lead Me, Lord” Red #566
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our sometimes-feeble attempts to follow in faith show our shortcomings, but we know a merciful God who always forgives us. Please join me as we pray together.
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING
Dearest Lord, in these dark times we often stumble in the darkness, seeking the light of your comfort. But the light is always there before us, even as we look up to its inspiring flame. Grant us the peace to know our shortcomings even as you forgive them. And may we continue to look to the light of your perfect love in these dark days even as we know you will deliver us brighter days to come. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends in faith, our Lord knows us, loves us and understands us, even though we can never fully return that favor. But know that in Jesus we are forgiven. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**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.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Today we welcome the adult baptism of Michael Nathan Brown by Affirmation of Faith.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “There’s a Spirit in the Air” Red #120
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 51: 1-2, 4-6 Theresa Cotanche
GOSPEL READING Mark 8: 27-38
SERMON: Who Do you Say I AM? John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Nearer My God to Thee”
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional Red # 809)
**PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING “God Be with You” Red #840
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “I will Sing the Wondrous Story” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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