ORDER OF WORSHIP
September 24, 2023 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. ”Organ Prelude” Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 145)
Leader: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
PEOPLE: Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever.
Leader: One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
PEOPLE: On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
Leader: The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your
greatness.
PEOPLE: They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
ALL: Praise the Lord!
INVOCATION
God of the ages, whose care for your children spans generations, we praise and adore you. You teach us that Christ calls us to enter your covenant and that you open your Kingdom to all who follow your pathways of faith. Bless our worship here together as we glorify your holy name and deeds. Amen
**OPENING HYMN: “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” Red #433
CALL TO CONFESSION
So much light in our world, yet we choose darkness; so many paths to take, and we go
down the wrong ones, so much good we could do, and all we do is offer empty words. Let us bring our lives and hearts to our God, who is our help and hope, in this
and every moment. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God who creates us, Christ who redeems us, Spirit who renews us, hear our confession. We hide from you when we should heed you; we neglect your voice. Disobedience hinders our faith; we claim that others mislead us when we stray from your will, but it is our doing. Have mercy upon us and grant us your forgiveness.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
By the Good News of the Gospels, through the Love of our heavenly father, in the name of Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Traditional) Red# 807
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Heidelberg Catechism, 1562)
I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything within, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God; He desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” Red# 694
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voices but your own, so that we may hear your Word and also live in it through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Jonah 3: 10-4:11 Cathy McCarty
GOSPEL READING Matthew 20: 1-16
SERMON MESSAGE First Shall Be Last? 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 Gift of Love” Women’s Ensemble
**DOXOLOGY (Traditional)
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
Pastor: God sends us into the world,
PEOPLE: so we may see Jesus at work in all the desolate places.
Pastor: As one with compassion, Jesus calls,
PEOPLE: so we may follow him to those who live on the fringe of life.
Pastor: The Spirit opens our ears and our hearts,
PEOPLE: so we may hear the cries looking for hope
Pastor: In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,
ALL: AMEN
POSTLUDE “Near to the Heart of God” 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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