08/25/2026
August 23, 2026 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The flowers on the altar at St. Paul’s are presented to the Glory of God.
The flowers on the altar at Zion are presented to the Glory of God.
Assisting with today’s service:
Liturgists: Janis Schrader (SP); Bruce/Doris Obenshain (Z)
Greeters: Glenn & Penny Sass (SP); Mary Segermark (Z)
Pianist/Organist: Betty Magargal (SP); Patty Dudkewitz (Z)
Our Staff:
Rev. Cindy Hall, Pastor
Patty Brown, Administrative Assistant
Custodian: David Duff
Parish Office is located in Zion Church Hall.
Hours are: Thursday & Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Church Mail: P.O. Box 326, Cecilton, MD 21913
Parsonage Mail: P.O. Box 584, Cecilton, MD 21913
Office Phone: 410-275-8511
Parsonage Phone: 410-275-2996; Pastor Cell: 610-864-1250
Church Website: www.ceciltonparish.org
Office email: [email protected]
Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Welcome
The Church of the Living Christ
Meets occasionally at St. Paul’s & Zion UMC
To Celebrate the Season of Pentecost
As we Learn to Share the Good News of Christ’s Love
With the World of Education, Recreation, Economics,
Politics, Family, Neighborhood, and All the Rest!
Pastor Rev. Cynthia L. Hall
Ministers the Congregation
August 23, 2026 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Lay Leaders: Roy Thompson, SP; Brenda Ross, Z
*ANNOUNCEMENTS & GREETING:
We come to worship in Christ’s church, to celebrate, to declare, to affirm whose we are, who we are, what we do, where we go in the name of the crucified, risen Lord. Welcome. (A moment of silence)
INVOCATION:
Glorious God, we give you our complete adoration. Your marvelous love planned the way of salvation. Tender God, we kneel and ask for pardon. Your gracious forgiveness restores our souls. Triumphant God, we proclaim your praise. Your victorious power defeats death and gives life eternal. Thanks be to God.
*HYMN How Great Thou Art #77 UMH
PSALTER READING: Psalm 124 #846 UMH
CHORAL RESPONSE "The Lord's Prayer" Joni Baker
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Stewardship Challenge:
Stewardship of words. Our declaration of faith makes a difference, just as our daily speaking does. We have this idea that popular usage of words makes for correctness, as for example, “Winston tastes good, like . . . or “Who do you trust?” Used by politicians, and others who ought to know better. If it is wrong, it cannot be right, even though we talk that way.
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
“We offer these gifts, and the gift of our lives, God, to and for a world that’s dying to hear the Good News from someone.” (WHK)
PRAISES AND 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen
*HYMN Because he Lives #364 UMH
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 16: 13-20
MESSAGE Who Do You Say I Am? Brenda Ross, Guest Speaker
*HYMN OF BENEDICTION: He Is Lord #177 UMH
BENEDICTION:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
(Numbers 6: 24-26)
MEDITATION: “How do we declare the name of Christ, in order to share the power of Christ, without becoming self-righteous and pompous? Take a cue from this; our task is to show that Christ is not our possession, but that all of us, in every corner of the earth, and beyond, are his. We claim no finality or monopoly of truth for our version of a faith that came to us from the Middle East; but we claim that when anyone has met with the living Christ, there is no other Lord with whom his worship and ministry can be shared.” (WHK)
POSTLUDE
*Please stand with your heart or your posture.
