September 27 Worship
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Download the Worship Bulletin Here
Worship will be live streamed on Grace's YouTube channel (above), and the video recording uploaded here afterward.
We Gather
CENTERING WORDS
Listen to parables and dark sayings of old. Ponder the stories of Jesus and God’s mighty deeds of power.
PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL TO WORSHIP
Give ear to God’s teaching.
We gather to hear the stories of our ancestors.
Incline your ears to parables and dark sayings of old.
We come seeking stories of God’s wondrous power.
Tell the coming generations of God’s glorious deeds.
We will not hide them from our children.
Come to the fount of living water.
We will drink deeply from the waters of life.
Taste the wellspring of our salvation.
We gather to worship as people reborn.
OPENING HYMN No.632
People of the Lord
Because the singing of hymns is discouraged during this period of pandemic, you are invited to meditate on verses 1, 3 & 4 below.
People of the Lord,
listen to my voice.
Hear the ancient words.
Once again rejoice!
Refrain:
What we have heard, what we have known,
let our tongues tell our sons and daughters
the wonders of our living God,
that they may join us in the chorus.
Tell the news till each
generation knows.
They, in turn, will teach
those yet to be born. Refrain
May we trust in God,
rest in God’s strong hand,
live in God’s strong love,
follow God’s commands. Refrain
CALL TO PRAYERS
All too often, we tell God we will do better, and be better, and then just go on living the same way we always have. Let this be the moment when we tell God of our failures and faithlessness, so we can go forth to work in that kingdom of grace and hope.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION & INTERCESSION
We want to be fountains of hope for others, God of glory, but people find only hardened hearts. We would like to be transformed people, but our stubborn pride prevents us from bending a knee to you. We long to stand with those who are in need, but our selfishness keeps our backs rigid with judgment.
Forgive us, God who came down to us. Humble us, that we might be true servants to the broken and lost. Split open our frozen hearts, that compassion might flow freely to those who are hurting. Fill our minds with the presence of your Spirit, that we might learn how to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into that kingdom of grace and hope.
Let us lift our prayers to God for the brokenness of this world and for the needs of our community and our hearts.
Silence
ASSURANCE OF GOD WITH US
This is the good news: in Christ, God's plan for salvation was accomplished. You are forgiven, you are made new.
We will complete God's joy, by sharing compassion, forgiveness, hope, with everyone we meet. Thanks be to God. Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Be of the same mind, have the same love, and be in full accord with one another, as we share signs of Christ’s unity and peace with one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
And also with you.
We Reflect
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Living God, help us so to hear your Word that we may truly understand; that in understanding we may believe; and that in believing, we may follow your way in all faithfulness, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Exodus 17:1-17
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 21:23-32
SERMON Nostalgia
Rev. Kathryn R. Mustaro
We Respond
OUR GIFTS OF SACRIFICE and THANKSGIVING
Invitation
It’s easy to look to our own interests, but God calls us to look to the interests of others. For in so doing, we share the mind of Christ. Let us dedicate ourselves to lives of generosity and service, as we collect today’s offering.
Thank you for sending your offerings. They make a great difference to our church’s work in the world.
Musical Meditation
Prayer of Dedication
God of overflowing abundance, when your people suffered from thirst, you satisfied their need with water from a rock. Receive our gifts this day, O God, and transform our gifts into blessings that grace the lives of others like an ever-flowing stream. Receive our thanks and our praise, our industry and our love, that all might share your manifold blessings. Amen.
We Are Sent
CLOSING HYMN No. 515
I Come with Joy
You are invited to meditate on the refrain and verses 1, 4 & 5 below.
I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.
The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound
by all that God has done,
we’ll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Please join us for prayers and fellowship on ZOOM at 10:30 a.m..
All songs not in the public domain are used by permission of CCLI #1124594.