Sunday August 16, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — Maestoso & Andante sostenuto  Hermann Schroeder from “Six Preludes & Intermezzi for Organ, Op 9”
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

Silent Meditation                                                                                                         
The most creative social strategy we have to offer is the church. Here we show the world a manner of life the world can never achieve through social coercion or governmental action. We serve the world by showing it something that it is not, namely, a place where God is forming a family out of strangers. — Stanley Hauerwas, American Protestant theologian

Call to Worship — Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
       Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
       Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase; God has blessed us.
       May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.                                                                                                   

Praise and Adoration

*Hymn #299 — You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim — HANOVER
(*Please stand, if you are able)

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, your world cries out.  You tasked us to be good stewards of your creation and we have fallen short. You challenged us to love God and love our neighbor, and we have failed to show that love. You promise to bring all people joyfully together in a house of prayer on your holy mountain. We find ways to stay apart. Bring us together, O Lord. Empower us with a spirit of love for you and love for all our neighbors. Help us live lives of service to you so that all your children will know your peace. Forgive us when we fall short and continue to transform your world, leading us to your promised kingdom.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Silent Prayers of Confession and Petition

Kyrie Eleison — Lord, Have Mercy — SCHUBERT

Assurance of Pardon

*Congregational Response (#581) — Glory Be to the Father — GLORIA PATRI (Greatorex)

*Welcome                            

Announcements

Moment for Mission — End of Summer Bash — Beth Maxwell, elder on the Mission Committee

Fellowship of Prayer

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People
The 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.       

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Matthew 15: 21-28 — page 797 of the pew Bible

Sermon — “Lord, Have Mercy!” — Dr. Zieman

Prayer      

Our Response to God’s Word

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — Let All You Do Be Done in Love — Sandra T. Ford

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

*Affirmation of Faith — The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*Sanctus (#562) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Schubert)

The Words of Institution

The Serving of the Elements
Please come forward as directed by an usher.  All baptized Christians are encouraged to partake – by taking a piece of bread and dipping it into the cup.  Gluten-free bread is at the station closer to the pulpit. If you are unable to come forward, an elder will serve you in the pew.

Communion Anthem — Let Us Break Bread Together — arr. Jay Althouse

*Prayer of Thanksgiving — Fred Kaan (1929-2009)
Now let us from this table rise, renewed in body, mind, and soul; with Christ we die and rise again, his selfless love has made us whole. To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care; the work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share.

*Hymn of Dedication #435 — There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy — IN BABILONE                                                     

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude — Poco vivace  Hermann Schroeder from “Six Preludes & Intermezzi for Organ, Op 9”