ORDER OF WORSHIP
November 26, 2023 10:30 AM
TWENTY SIXTH 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 Organ Prelude Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 95)
Leader: O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our
salvation!
PEOPLE: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Leader: For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
PEOPLE: In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
Leader: The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
PEOPLE: O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture.
INVOCATION
Blessed God, whose benevolence extends to all corners of the universe, we give you praise. You seek the lame, that they may walk in your glory. You call the blind to behold your grandeur. You fill the hungry and offer release to those imprisoned. Your kindness follows us wherever we go. Amen.
**OPENING HYM “Now thank We All our God” Red #374
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
**APOSTLES CREED (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Crown Him with Many Crowns” Red #92
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Calm us now, O Lord, into a quietness that heals and listens. Open wounded hearts to the balm of your Word. Speak to us in clear tones so that we might feel our spirits leap for joy and skip with hope as your resurrection witnesses. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Ezekiel 34: 11-16 Cathy McCarty
EPISTLE READING Ephesians 1:15-23
GOSPEL READING MATTHEW 25: 31-46
SERMON MESSAGE The Sheep and the Goats John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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:
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 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
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “The Church’s One Foundation”
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional Red Hymnal #809)
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN: “Lord, Let us now Depart in Peace” Red #842
RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION
Leader: God sends us into the world,
People: so we may see Jesus at work in all the desolate places.
Leader: As one with compassion, Jesus calls,
People: so we may follow him to those who live on the fringe of life.
Leader: The Spirit opens our ears and our hearts,
People: so we may hear the cries looking for hope.
ALL: AMEN!
POSTLUDE: “All Creatures Great and Small” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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