09/06/2026
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
HALF PAST TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING
Awaken to the call of love, for love fulfills the law. Live fully in the light, as children of the day, embracing the grace and hope of our salvation.
First United Church of Christ is committed to experiencing and sharing the life-changing love of God, and nurturing a family of Jesus Christ’s disciples who worship, grow, and serve.
CHIMES
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
ORDER OF WORSHIP
PRELUDE - America the Beautiful - words by Katherine Lee Bates; music by Samuel A. Ward
CHORUS #261- Sweet, Sweet Spirit
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Friends in Christ, come apart from the chaos for a while, and linger in the presence of God, who is our source of life.
God calls us to renew ourselves, and to find our life’s purpose.
The One who has made us would not have us journey alone. We gather as a sacred community of love, together on the quest to know God’s hope for our lives and for this church.
May we truly seek to live more faithfully as Christ’s family, listening for the voice of God in our midst.
*OPENING PRAYER
We come to you, O God of wonder, because you first came to us. You have known us long before we came into this world, and you have searched for a relationship with us and with all your children. Draw us back into the wonder of searching for a deeper connection with you and with each other. And in that searching, may we come to better know ourselves as we truly are, and as you would want us to be. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
*HYMN #295 - In This Very Room
A WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
OFFERING
INVITATION
As we offer our gifts today, let us also offer our hearts, committed to living out the love and grace that Christ has shown us.
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY ( #46)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; praise God above ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Gracious and reconciling God, we bring these gifts before you as a symbol of our commitment to your work of peace and unity in the world. Just as you ask us to seek reconciliation with one another, we dedicate these offerings to the ministry of healing and restoration in our community and beyond. Bless these gifts, Lord, that they may build bridges where there are divides, bring hope where there is hurt, and extend your love to all. Amen.
*HYMN #526 - The Gift of Love
MORNING PRAYERS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
CHORUS - Cares Chorus WR #493
SILENT PRAYER
A PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY
O God, creator of the world, of sun and moon and stars, you choose to fashion us, your own, your handiwork of love.
Indeed, we are your hands’ own work and yet into our hands you give the care of every living thing.
In more ways than we can count, our work builds up or tears apart what came from your own hand.
Keep us faithful in preserving all you’ve given lest we harm the smallest part of all you’ve made.
Give us good and honest work to do and rest at each day’s end.
Give us work that nurtures and sustains the ones who serve and those they serve.
Let those who labor work in peace, in freedom without fear.
Let all our work and toil, Lord, give glory to your name. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
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.
CHORUS #306 - Hear Our Prayer, O Lord
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC - I Then Shall Live - solo words by Gloria Gaither
SCRIPTURE - Matthew 18:15-20
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
*THE GLORIA PATRI
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.
MESSAGE - Living in Harmony
*HYMN #518 VS.1-3 - This Is a Day of New Beginnings
*BENEDICTION
Go now with hearts open to reconciliation and peace. As Christ is present whenever two or three are gathered in the name of love, may you seek this presence in all your relationships. Walk in love, speak the truth with grace and strive to live in harmony with one another. And may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds as you go forth to serve in love and unity. Amen.
*Postlude
WORSHIP MATERIALS
Worship Annual, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 6, 2026
Life in Liturgy, Proper 18 A, September 10, 2023
