August 16, 2026
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
The invitation is given to every person by Jesus Christ: "Come to me! Follow me! Be my disciples!" We come to this place, to this time, at the invitation of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Christ, we accept the invitation to discipleship.
In the name of Christ, as his disciples, we worship and praise God.
In the midst of a world where cruelty abounds, we proclaim the God of Compassion.
In the midst of despair that threatens to swallow up whole lives, whole peoples, we proclaim the God of Hope.
In the midst of indifference and apathy, we proclaim the God of Love.
All: Come, let us worship together and share our witness of God's living presence in the world.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Remember, O God, the people of this world, divided into many nations, religions and tongues.
Deliver us from every evil that stands in the way of your saving purpose and fulfill the promise of peace on earth
among those with whom you are well pleased.
Help us find a new way, God,
to turn from the curse of war
and the human sin that causes war;
a way from pride that turns its back on you;
from unbelief that will not bow to you,
away from self-righteousness that will not compromise,
from selfishness that glories in the oppression of others,
from the lust for property or power that drives humanity to kill, from trusting in the weapons of war
and mistrusting the councils of peace,
from hearing, believing and speaking lies
about other nations and religions,
from ground-less suspicions and fears
that stand in the way of reconciliation,
Turn us from these things and turn us toward your unfailing love and your perfect peace for us all.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Please observe a brief moment of silence to rest in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice and to experience God’s peace
OPENING HYMN:
#482 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
SONG OF BLESSING:
The Lord bless you, and keep you
And give you peace
The Lord bless you and keep you
And give you peace
PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you
Response: And also with you
HYMN:
#151 - Crown Him with Many Crowns
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 11:28 – 12:8
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
12 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 How he entered the house of God, and they[a] ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Leader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON: “An Ordinary Peace”
Rev. Dr. Austin Ashenbrenner
HYMN:
#379 - My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/ LORD’S PRAYER:
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
CLOSING HYMN:
#339 - Be Thou My Vision
1 Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art--
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2 Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
3 Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
BENEDICTION