Sunday July 5, 2026 Worship Service
Livestream at 10:00 a.m.

Gathering in God’s Name

Prelude — O God, Our Help in Ages Past — Jan Bender
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

Silent Meditation                                                                                                         
Holy God, this weekend as our nation celebrates 250 years of independence and freedom, we are reminded of both our freedom to choose you and our conscious choice to live a life of dependence on your grace and mercy. Be present with us in our worship today, as we offer ourselves to you. Amen.

Call to Worship                                                                                                                                                                                          
“Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom,
       do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; 
but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord;
       I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”  Let us worship our sovereign, faithful, God!

Praise and Adoration

*Hymn #331 — God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand — NATIONAL HYMN   
(*Please stand, if you are able)

A Litany for Independence Day
As we remember the birth of our nation, and the gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, let us offer our thanks and prayers to God, the giver of all good gifts.
For the women and men who braved the long journey by sea to come to this new world,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the tribes and nations who inhabited this land for generation upon generation,
       We thank you, Lord.
For patriots who dreamed of, and fought for, a free nation,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the men and women who laid the foundation of our democracy, who pledged liberty and justice for all,
       We thank you, Lord.
For those who built this country brick by brick, road by road, and town by town,
       We thank you, Lord.
For soldiers who have fought for our country, for all who paid for our freedom by their service, and those who paid by their sacrifice,
       We thank you, Lord.
For the innovators and artists, poets and teachers, farmers and factory workers; for all who labor and provide for the common good,
       We thank you, Lord.
For our own community, for those who came before us in this place, and for our neighbors near and far,
       We thank you, Lord.
Lord, we pray for The United States, that our country would always defend and promote liberty and freedom, truth and justice.
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we might always be a nation where all are free to worship and pray,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we might always be a beacon of freedom to those who live under the shadow of terror and hopelessness,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That those who are elected to govern and lead would be guided by you, and be ever aware of the trust that has been given them,
       We pray to you, Lord.
That we would be a people who repent from our sins, and who always return to you and to your grace,
       We pray to you, Lord:
       Gracious God, Father of all nations, bless and defend us and our land; prosper the work of our hands, and increase in us your grace and compassion, and our offerings of thanks to you, our rock and our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*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

Moment for Mission — School Supplies Drive for Back to School, elder Rob Bailey

*Hymn #337 — My Country, ‘Tis of Thee — AMERICA

Fellowship of Prayer

Announcements

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 — Esto Les Digo — Kinley Lange/Erin Kalamajar, soloist
Where two or three are gathered in My name, there will I be also. Matthew 18: 19-20

Proclamation of God’s Word

Scripture Lesson — Matthew 11: 25-30 — page 792 of the pew Bible

Sermon — “Rest for Your Soul” — Dr. Zieman

Anthem — Come to Me — Dan Forrest
Thomas Stoysich, soloist; Camille Hinz, cello

Our Response to God’s Word

*Affirmation of Faith — Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A 86
Because just as Christ has redeemed us with his blood, he also renews us through his Holy Spirit according to his own image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves grateful to God for his goodness, and that he may be glorified through us; and further, so that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and by our reverent behavior win our neighbors to Christ.     

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

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory — My Hope Is Built — Tom Trenney          

*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        
Holy God, bless our gifts of money, energy, time and prayer, that they may travel far in your world, blessing your children in every place.   We dedicate this offering and our very lives, to you, Living Lord.  Make us grateful people who know who to thank.  Give us light and generous hearts as we commit ourselves afresh this day to building your kingdom and serving you.  Amen.

 *Hymn #338 — O Beautiful for Spacious Skies — MATERNA

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude — God of Our Fathers — J. Wayne Kerr