08/30/2026
Jerusalem United Church of Christ
August 30, 2026 ~ 9:00 a.m.
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Blessing of the Animals
WELCOME to the Jerusalem United Church of Christ!
We are honored and strengthened by your presence.
No matter who you are or where you are
on life's journey, you are welcome here!
Jerusalem UCC Worship Service
August 30, 2026 ~ 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor: We tremble to think that the source of all life, the Creator of all worlds, is in this place, observing our worship, knowing our innermost secrets, calling us by name, O God, we dare to call on you, to bow before you, to welcome your Word. We tremble to think what you might expect of us, for we remember what you expected of Moses. You sent him against the rulers of his people to win release from oppression. You sent him from the comfortable places he knew to plead for freedom amid threatening conditions. We dare to worship you, O God, knowing that you expect much of us. Amen.
* OPENING SONG – “Mighty to Save”
By Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding© 2006 Hillsong Publishing CCLI #1181537
Verse 1
Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Chorus
Savior, He can move the mountain
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Verse 2
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Show my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
Shine Your light and let the whole
World see - we're singing
For the glory of the risen King - Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole
World see - we're singing
For the glory of the risen King
Repeat Chorus
Instrumental
Ending
Savior, He can move the mountain
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
* CALL TO WORSHIP – Lay Leader: Mike Shafer
Mike: Why have we gathered on this holy day?
What has drawn us to this time and place?
All: We have been drawn to a flame burning here.
We sense the glory of God in this place.
Mike: God calls us to this time of worship.
The place where we are standing is holy ground.
All: Give thanks to God: sing praises.
Give attention to the voice of God.
Mike: Out of a burning bush, God spoke to Moses.
In the rhythms of worship, God speaks to us.
All: We will listen for God’s message to us.
Surely God’s strength will supply our needs.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND TRANSFORMATION
All: O God, we have wavered in our faith in the midst of suffering, and we have not persevered in prayer. We have claimed to be wiser than we are, and have even tried to correct you. We make excuses for ourselves rather than listening for your direction and heeding your call. Our days are so filled with the busyness of this world that we cannot see your reign among us. We are so weighed down by our own concerns that we have no energy to serve in your realm. Send your cleansing fire among us, forgiving God. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND ABUNDANT GRACE
Pastor: God is ever willing to grant us forgiveness, but we cannot receive it if we are unwilling to be changed by it. As long as we focus on preserving our own lives, protecting our advantages, we will be lost. If we want to be Christ’s followers, we will deny ourselves and take up the cross, not as a burden, but as the joyous symbol of loving and giving for all the right reasons. We will overcome evil with good.
SCRIPTURE LESSON – Lay Leader: Mike Shafer
Exodus 3:1-15 - Moses and the Burning Bush
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Leader: Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
All: Thanks be to God!
* HYMN – #569 (Red) “God of Grace and God of Glory”
Verse 1
God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;
Crown your ancient Church’s story, bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Verse 2
Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn your Christ, assail his ways!
Fears and doubts too long have bound us – free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Instrumental
Verse 4
Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of your salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore,
Serving you whom we adore.
CHARACTER SERMON: Pastor Knauss Says
SERMON: “Holy Ground” – Rev. Dean Frey
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
* APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Pastor: May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you always.
All: And also with you.
OFFERTORY INVITATION
Pastor: God invites us to observe the misery of our sisters and brothers who live in oppression and poverty. We have the resources to help make a difference in their lives. Beyond the limits of charity, we are challenged to invest our lives for the mutual benefit of all God’s children. Let us give as God has blessed us, with joy.
GIVING TITHES & OFFERINGS – “Holy Ground”
By Geron Davis © 1983 Meadowgreen Music Company/Songchannel Music CCLI #21198
We are standing on holy ground
And I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in his presence on holy ground
We are standing on holy ground
And I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in his presence…
We are standing in His presence
We are standing in His presence on holy ground
* PRAYER OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION
All: May our offerings be an expression of genuine love that reflects your love for us, O God. We seek to honor you as we serve one another in Christ’s name. We reach out to overcome evil with good. Direct our use of the resources you entrust to us that we may not only contribute to the needs of the saints but also devote our lives to the building of a peaceable worldwide community in which all are valued. Amen.
* CLOSING SONG – “Holy is the Lord”
By Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio © 2003 sixsteps Music/Vamos Publishing/worshiptogether.com song CCLI #4158039
Verse
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
Everyone sing
Chorus
Holy is the Lord God almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
Repeat Verse
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
It is rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renowned
It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renowned
And together we sing
Everyone sing
Instrumental
Chorus
Holy is the Lord God almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
* BENEDICTION
All: The light of God surrounds us
The love of God enfolds us
The power of God protects us
The presence of God watches over us
Wherever we are, God is.
And where God is, all is well.
Amen.
Jerusalem UCC CCLI license number 2745745
Jerusalem United Church of Christ
545 Church Drive, Palmerton, Pennsylvania 18071
Rev. Dean Frey, Pastor
Church office: (610) 681-4412
www.jerusalemucc.org
Facebook: Jerusalem Trachsville UCC
