August 30, 2026
Join us for worship on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Our sermon is given by Dr. Marshall Zieman. Our Scripture reading is Matthew 16: 21-28. Our music is provided by the Joe Mendick, bass; Kristi Treu, piano; Mark Kanitz, organ.
- To watch the service, click the Service tab below. The livestream will begin around 9:55 a.m. A recording of the livestream will be available afterward, and you can watch it anytime.
- To read the Bulletin, click the Bulletin tab below. You may flip back and forth between the Service and Bulletin tabs at anytime without interruption. Below the video screen, you can use the button to access a PDF of the Bulletin, if you prefer.
- Closed Captions are available for you during the livestream. You can turn these on by clicking the box with CC inside of it. Please note that these are auto-generated and not generated by PCOC. These captions may not by 100% correct.
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Sunday August 30, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.
Gathering in God’s Name
Prelude — Prelude in G Major — J.S. Bach
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.
Silent Meditation
What is both good and new about the good news is the mad insistence that Jesus lives on among us not just as another haunting memory but as the outlandish, holy, and invisible power of God working not just through the sacraments, but in countless hidden ways to make even slobs like us loving and whole beyond anything we could conceivably pull off by ourselves. – Frederick Buechner
Call to Worship
Seek the Lord! Seek God in the wilderness.
Seek God in the sanctuary.
Seek God in the burning bush.
Seek God in the burning heart.
The Lord is here! This place is holy!
We are standing on holy ground. Let us worship our Holy God.
Praise and Adoration
*Hymn #826 — Lift High the Cross — CRUCIFER
(*Please stand, if you are able)
Confession and Pardon
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
God of wonders, we confess that we do not understand why you call us when we are scared, clumsy, busy or flawed. We confess that we think we know better than you do who is qualified to do your work. Forgive our fears and excuses and self-doubts. Lend us your fire and your strength, as we go about the work of serving our neighbors, building up your church, loving your children, and tending to the scorched places of our world. Help us to burn for you, without burning up or burning out. Give us a purpose and the courage to pursue it. We ask this 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
During the Welcome, children are invited to come forward.
Time for Young Disciples
Announcements
Moment for Mission — Linda Reimer, Executive Director of the Omaha Street School
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.
Anthem — Come Home — Craig Courtney
Proclamation of God’s Word
Scripture Lesson — Matthew 16: 21-28 — page 798 of the pew Bible
Sermon — “Messiah 2.0” — Dr. Zieman
Our Response to God’s Word
*Affirmation of Faith — adapted from the Confession of 1967
God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of our minds. We believe that God has created the world of space and time to be the sphere of God’s dealings with humankind. In its beauty and vastness, transcendence and awe-fulness, order and disorder, the world reflects to the eye of faith the majesty and mystery of its Creator. We believe that God has created us for a personal relationship in which we may respond to the love of the Creator. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage.
*Sanctus (#562) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Schubert)
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory — The King of Love My Shepherd Is — arr. Dan Forrest
*Doxology (#609) — Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*Prayer of Dedication
Generous God, we offer our gifts to you, grateful for all you have given us, and grateful for the chance to give to others. Build up your church through these offerings, that we might be a place where your goodness is seen, practiced, and shared. Amen.
*Hymn of Dedication #718 — Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said — BOURBON
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response — Go Now in Peace — Don Besig
Postlude — Evening and Morning — Kevin Hildebrand