09/06/2026
GATHERING FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Praise the Holy One! Make our praise known in the gathering of the faithful, the hopeful, and even the questioning.
Many: Let us praise God with a new song. Let the rhythm of praise resonate in our being.
One: The Holy One takes pleasure in the presence of God’s people.
Many: Let us glorify God with our senses, our hearts, and our spirits.
One: Let us praise the God of justice with high praise!
Many: We worship the Holy One in truth and righteousness! Praise God!
INVOCATION
Spirit of the Living God, may your presence reign among us as we gather. We give thanks for your abiding covenant and the path of life you set before us. We delight in your revelatory word and your compassionate care. We come to you because you come to us. Keep our hearts tuned to your hopes and promises. Receive our prayers and praise with grace and love. Amen
OPENING HYMN “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” Video
(Rise in Body or Spirit)
Passing of the Peace “Peace Be With You”
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 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 and ever, Amen!
INVITATION TO GENEROSITY
Our Creator provides for every need. Too often that abundance gets siphoned off by a few rather than shared by the many. When we practice generosity, we align ourselves with the Holy One’s order and plan for creation. Let us give for the kindom to reign in our lives and world.
OFFERING/OFFERTORY
Offerings may be placed in the plates in the center aisle for Church Expenses. You may also donate through PayPal by scanning the QR code or sending to [email protected]
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING
Gracious God, may these gifts shift us from scarcity to abundance and from hoarding to sharing. Continue, Holy One, to plant seeds of generosity within us, and allow us to see these gifts bloom in and beyond this faith community. Amen
COMMUNION
One: We come carrying the conversations we walked away from — the family member we’ve stopped calling, the neighbor whose yard sign changed how we see them.
All: We come carrying the weight of the lines we’ve drawn and the doors we’ve quietly closed.
One: Christ does not wait for our verdict before drawing near — Christ pulls up a chair for the accuser and the accused, for the citizen and the one whose papers are in question, for the sentinel and the one the sentinel was sent to warn.
All: Christ says, even here, even now: I am among you.
One: So let us set down what we carried at the door, and gather instead around this table —
All: to be fed, to be forgiven, and to be sent out as partners, one to another.
HYMN “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” Video
(Seated)
SCRIPTURE Matthew 18:15-20
(pages 799-800 in the pew bibles)
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON Christian Downey-Thompson
HYMN “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds”” Video (Rise in Body or Spirit)
BENEDICTION
Go…in the peace of Christ.
Live…in the love of Christ.
Hope…in the name of Christ.
And rest…in the abiding presence of Christ,
Who is among us in our coming and our going.
*HYMN OF CLOSING “Peace I Leave with You, My Friends” #249 Black Hymnal (Chorus)
POSTLUDE
Welcome to First Congregational United Church of Christ!
An Open & Affirming Congregation
124 West Sixth Street, Marysville, OH 43040
www.facebook.com/FirstCongUCCMarysville
www.firstcongregationaluccmarysville.com
[email protected]
937.642.1611
Visit our website to submit a prayer request, see upcoming events, and find other chances to participate!
Scripture New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.
Hymns The New Century Hymnal (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1995). CCLI License #1835261
Art: “Peter and Paul embracing after their public confrontation in Antioch.” Public domain. https://earthandaltarmag.com/posts/adgq2btuel0vhvly4kfulyetha8404
