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11th Sunday after Pentecost
08/09/2026 - 10:30 am
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CENTERING MUSIC “Nearer My God to Thee” Mason, Arr. Jason Tonioli
MOMENT OF HOPE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Trinity of love, deposing the powers of hate and isolation,
People: gathering creation in bonds of mutual care:
Leader: through the waters of baptism may our relatedness be reborn in justice, mercy and peace;
People: through Christ Jesus who is with us always. Amen.
*HYMN 296 Go in Grace and Make Disciples
Go in grace and make disciples. Baptize in God’s holy name.
Tell of death and resurrection; Easter’s victory now proclaim.
Christ’s commission sends us forth to the nations of the earth.
Go in grace and make disciples, midwives for the world’ re-birth.
Go and follow Christ’s example, not to vanquish, but to heal.
Mend the wounds of sin’s divisions. Servant love to all reveal.
Roles and ranks shall be revered; Justice flow for all who thirst.
Go and follow Christ’s example. Forge a world of last made first.
Go in Pentecostal spirit, many tongues and many gifts.
Feed the hearts of hungry people. Spread the gospel that uplifts.
Till the day of Christ’s return, as disciples, teach and learn.
Go in Pentecostal spirit: let God’s flame of witness burn.
PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE
God of holiness and light,
in the mystery of dying and rising with Christ
you have established a new covenant of reconciliation;
cleanse our hearts and give a new spirit to all your people,
that your saving grace may be proclaimed to the whole world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
SONG OF RENEWAL Veni Sancte Spiritus
Holy Spirit, Come to Us
Holy Spirit, Come to Us
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE
God’s grace is ever abundant. God’s desire for the reconciliation of all people is strong. God is with us in every effort to bring connection, communion and reconciliation. Thanks be to God! Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
SPECIAL MUSIC “Down to the River to Pray” arr. by Mary McDonald
Sung by Barbara, Jasmyn and Aislynn Barkley
MOMENT FOR CHILDREN
BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY
This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Today’s Story “The Circle of the Church Year”
Jane Moseley & Cyndi Sneeringer
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your 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 Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Matthew 28:11-20
RESPONSE
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively
Pastor: May the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
All: Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
SERMON The Great Commission Pastor Barbara Barkley
MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION
*HYMN OF REFLECTION #298 Lord, You Give the Great Commission vs. 1,4,5
Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest the church neglect its mission, the gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity: (refrain)
Refrain:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.”
Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us to a just society: (refrain)
Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.”
Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend,
And, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity: (refrain)
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Thank you God for creating us for relationship.
Thank you God for creating us for peace and reconciliation.
Thank you for making us a community.
May we bring the love we share into the world in abundance! Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #833 "O Love that Wilt Not Let me Go" vs. 1-3.
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths
its flow may richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze
its day may brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*Congregational Response: Go with God
Go with God, go with God.
As you leave this place, go with God.
God will direct your way, God will light every day.
As you leave this place, go with God.
*POSTLUDE “Were You There?” African American Spiritual