August 23, 2026

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


CALL TO WORSHIP:

Holy God,

We seek your peace in these darkening days.
We seek a calm within and an absence of conflict between people and nations
But more deeply, we seek your shalom -

The deep and abiding peace that comes through your justice, love, and mercy.
Meet us in this search, teach us your peace, and show us your ways.

Amen.


PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

Holy and beloved God, you promise us your Spirit – a constant companion, a wise guide, a source of courage and peace. Yet we confess that we often close our hearts to your presence. We cling to control when you ask us to trust, and we choose comfort over calling. You lead us to those in need, but we hesitate to help. You open doors for justice, but we walk past them in awkward silence. You whisper truth, but we turn up the volume of living our lives. Forgive us, Spirit of Truth. Unclench our hands. Unblock our ears. Unbind our hearts. And wherever we are – wherever you send us – help us walk in your Way. Amen. 


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:

#356 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

1 Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love!

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.



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:

#379 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

SCRIPTURE READING

Leader: The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God


SERMON: “A Meditation”

Austin Pemberton

HYMN:

#391 Take My Life


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:

#435 We All Are One in Mission

BENEDICTION