08/28/2026
Please spend the last Sunday of August with us here at St. Peter's. We would love to have you.
ST. PETER’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
5535 E Vine St
DUBOIS, INDIANA
(812)678-2271
Email: [email protected]
PASTOR INFO:
Pastor Lori Alexander
Phone: 812-568-1245
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 30, 2026
Lectionary Readings
Exodus 3:1-15 ~ Psalm 105:1-6,23-26,45b ~
Jeremiah 15:15-21 ~ Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21 ~ Matthew 16:21-28
Focus Scripture: Matthew 22: 34-40
LET US PREPARE TO WORSHIP THE LORD, OUR GOD!
Welcome
Announcements
Ringing of the Bell
Prelude
Silent meditations, personal prayers
Leader: As individuals holding faith in Christ Jesus, and corporately as the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ family, we genuinely declare, without exception, our belief that…
People: “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, YOU are WELCOME here!” We thank Jesus for He has reminded us that “God is still speaking.”
Gathering Song: “There's Power in the Blood”
1. Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.
(Refrain)
There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r
In the blood, of the Lamb;
There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
2. Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide;
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.
(Refrain)
3. Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its lifegiving flow;
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.
(Refrain)
4. Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.
(Refrain)
In the precious blood of the Lamb.
Call to Worship ( Rom. 12:21)
Reader 1: It has been an eye-opening experience to be here.
Reader 2: In the end I’m still not sure I’m capable of moving closer.
Reader 1: What if that never happens?
Reader 2: What if the chasm gets wider?
Reader 1: But I have begun to imagine a way to live together.
Reader 2: I know we both are still afraid, but I wish you no harm.
Leader: Yes.
People: Breathe.
Leader: Let us imagine this kind of outcome.
People: Breathe again.
Leader: We are not alone.
People: Christ is with us.
Leader: Let us take a deep breath together [take a breath]…
The rhythm of our breath and heartbeat is the same.
Our desire for life and love is the same. Our desire for a peace in which we flourish is the same. Let this moment permeate our souls, and let us pass the peace of Christ between us. This peace is meant for all people. The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us worship God.
(Let us rise in body and/or spirit and sing together.)
*Worship Hymn #404 “O Love That Will Not
Let Me Go”
(Please be seated.)
Prayer of Preparation (Lighting of Christ candle)
Leader: The act of simply coming together is “revolutionary,” which in its earliest form meant “finding a course around a central point.”
We gather around the Light of Christ as the center and guiding light of our lives. This becomes our point of reference for our relationships and our love in the world. This is our respect revolution. Let us pray:
God of All of Us, we ask you to hover close, for we are a divided world, and we are not sure how to regard one another in this moment. Bind us as your beloveds, and invite us to “do unto others” in ways that build up your kin-dom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Center That Holds, and in the power of the Spirit That Transforms.
People: Amen.
Call to Confession (Rom. 12:21)
Leader: Jesus Christ overcame evil with good so that all people might be saved from sin. Let us then confess our need for grace, confident of God's forgiveness.
(Take time now for your own Silent prayers of confession.)
Our Prayer of Confession (Matt. 16:23-26
Leader: God of mercy, we confess that, like the disciples,
People: We set our minds not on divine things but on human things.
Leader: Doubting your loving care, we grab for more than we need.
People: Doubting your loving purposes, we shrink from living as your followers.
Leader: Forgive us that we may gain new life in you, for it is in Jesus' forgiving name we pray.
People: Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Matt. 16:24-26)
Pastor: Jesus took up his cross for our salvation. In return for our old life of sin, he promises a new life of grace. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.
People: Thanks be to God.
Choral Response to God’s Gift of Forgiveness
Christ Has Broken Down the Wall
Christ has broken down the wall,
Christ has broken down the wall.
Let us join our hearts as one,
Christ has broken down the wall.
We're accepted as we are,
We're accepted as we are.
Through God's love all is reconciled,
We're accepted as we are.
Cast aside your doubts and fears,
Cast aside your doubts and fears.
Peace and love freely offered here,
Cast aside your doubts and fears.
We will tear down the walls,
We will tear down every wall.
God has called us one and all,
Christ has broken down the wall.
Christ has broken down the wall.
(Those who are able, please stand.)
*Hymn #142 The Gloria Patri:
People: Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen, Amen
*Passing Of the Peace
(Those who are able, remain standing and offer each other the Sign of Peace.)
“Peace Be With You” Christopher Grundy
*People: Peace be with you, peace be with you,
Peace be with you now, God’s peace to you.
Peace behind you, peace before you,
Peace be all around, in Jesus Christ.
(2x)
(Please Be Seated)
Prayers of the People
Sharing of the Community Joys & Concerns
Individual Silent Prayer
Prayer of Intercession
Pastor: In peace, let us pray to God, saying,
“Merciful God, hear our prayer.”
For the church of Jesus Christ, Bless the church, deliver it from evil, and make it holy in every way, that all people may see the light of your salvation through the witness of your faithful servants.
People: Merciful God, hear our prayer....
Pastor: For our pastors, teachers, And ministers, arouse the leaders of your church to prophetic witness.
Help them to proclaim your justice fearlessly, to embody your righteousness sincerely, and to practice your mercy selflessly. Give them sound judgment and merciful hearts, and lead them to do what is right in upholding the common good.
People: Merciful God, hear our prayer....
Pastor: For the good earth, let Earth be a gentle home for us. Subdue the violence of storm and earthquake,
and heal the destruction of flood and drought, that life may flourish and every creature rejoice in the goodness of creation.
People: Merciful God, hear our prayer....
Pastor: For children, Bless children and those who care for them. Defend our children; enable them to thrive in mind and body and grow in wisdom and strength. Give them parents and guardians who are faithful in their duty to provide for their needs and guard them from danger.
People: Merciful God, hear our prayer....
Pastor: For the sick and those in distress, Heal those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, and uphold those who are able to support them in their need.
People: Merciful God, hear our prayer....
Pastor: These prayers we offer through Christ who taught his disciples to pray…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.
“THE WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD”
Prayer for Illumination (Jer. 15:16)
Pastor: By the power of your Spirit, O Lord, make your Word become a joy to us and the delight of our hearts.
People: Amen.
The Reading of Scripture
Matthew 22: 34-40 NT (Pgs.1518-1519 in pew Bible)
Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Love”
RESPONDING WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Call to Offering
Leader: Let us give as God has so abundantly given to us.
(Ushers, please come forward.)
Music and Collection of the Offering
*Presentation of the Offering
(Those who are able, please stand.)
*Singing of the Doxology
People: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
(Those who are able, remain standing.)
*Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
(Exod. 3:5, 11-12)
Leader: Holy God of holy ground, like Moses, we question our fitness to serve heaven's purposes on earth. Overcome our qualms with the assurance of your presence; bless these offerings that, through them, we may do your will; in the name of the triune One.
People: Amen.
*Closing Hymn #677 “They’ll Know We Are
Christians By Our Love”
*Benediction
Pastor: The blessing of God be with you, the love of Jesus fill you, and the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you, now and forevermore.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Charge: Go in peace to love and serve.
* * * * * * * * * * *
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Don’t forget the Backpack Buddy donations and also the ongoing Food Bank donations and the Blessing and Pet Boxes.
*We will have a Craft table set up at the Septemberfest on Saturday September 12. Any and all help is appreciated. A sign up sheet is on the back table.
*Sunday September 13th will be our second Blanket Sunday collection.
*Sunday September 20th Sunday School classes will begin at 9am. There is room for many more as we hit the road with Apostle Paul.
*Also Sunday September 20 – Confirmation students will be meeting for class following the worship service. Lunch will be provided. Sign up sheet for volunteers to provide lunches is on back table.
*Mark your calendars, Sunday September 27 is the date set for our 125th Anniversary Celebration.
*Sunday October 4, will be our Neighbors in Need Offering.
*Sunday October 11, plans are to have a “Blessing of the Animals” service.
*Tuesday October 13, the Lincolnland Ladies will be meeting for lunch. A sign up sheet will be out in the near future.
Send a message to learn more
