Wedgefield Presbyterian Church

Wedgefield Presbyterian Church Wedgefield Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)

09/06/2026

Wedgefield Presbyterian Labor Day Online Worship 09.06.26

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Elder Ron Price

PRELUDE Elder Mary Anderson

RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP from Is. 40

Has it not been told to you from the beginning?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting GOD, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength.

Those who wait upon the LORD shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

To this LORD, let us pray.

OPENING PRAYER

You have the words of life, O LORD. To you we come, just as we are – full of concerns, short of joy; burdened with doubts about everyday matters, and consequential decisions too.

Let us find you in our struggles. Let us be found by you today, that we may rejoice in Thee, sanctified in the truth, and sealed by the Spirit. Support us in the comfort and counsel of your guidance.

We are gratefully yours, O LORD. Bless our worship. Bless our lives with your peace. In Christ we pray. Amen.

*HYMN OF HOPE “This Is My Father’s World” (v. 1 & 3)

CALL TO CONFESSION

Like thirsty fields that wait for water, dry ground parched by excessive heat, we turn to the LORD, joining hearts and hope in the Rock of our salvation.

GOD yearns to show us springs of mercy! So, let us seek GOD’s kindness.

May we pray:

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

As the bulldozers roar, as the skies explode, forgive us, Lord Jesus, for our weak resignation to the sins we deplore. We confess we have not tried to change the things we can change, and should. We have neglected the cost of discipleship to love our neighbors as ourselves. We gripe, but do not relent, while children perish and the earth groans.

Forgive us our hard hearts and stubborn ways. Show us how to be faithful in our days, to bring honor to your Name.

(take a moment for silent reflection)

RESPONSIVE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Beloved people of GOD, the LORD, your Holy One, removes our transgressions from us and gives us a future and a hope. Believe the good news and give thanks:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to GOD. Amen.

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Eccles. 5: 8-20

RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS

*DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING 2 Cor. 2: 14-17

THE MESSAGE Labor Day Reflection Rev. Jody P. Foster

I like this ol’ green stole. It’s bright. Goes good with my eyes, with the dress I chose.

But that’s not the point, you know well.

I’ve told the children of the church and you beforehand: These stoles that some clergy wear are WORK clothes; not a reminder of high office, a reminder that those who are the clergy are the servants of all.

A dish towel would be better – which is why I particularly like this stole Mary made for me from dish towels.

But it doesn’t match my outfit!

Jesus, sharing a last Passover meal with his disciples when he knew already his end was near, rose up from the supper, laid aside his robe and put on a towel, or an apron, or a bib, some might say.

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel around his neck. Peter protested, so Jesus told him:

“What I am doing, you do not know now. Afterward, you will understand.” (Jn. 13:7)

Afterward – after his Passion, after he was raised from the dead, after his Resurrection appearances to Mary Magdalene, to doubting Thomas, to Peter and the other disciples – the apostles found out, what Jesus did, they must do! How he came not to be served, but to serve, would be their calling, too.

All of us should be wearing stoles, as a sign of our discipleship. Check out the bulletin: It says on the third page: We are all ministers of Jesus Christ.

Yup.

Different gifts, equal responsibility, although leadership bears the burden of accountability.

Did not Jesus tell Peter and the rest, “Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much, they will demand the more.” (Lk. 12:48)

By the Apostle Paul’s time, in the mid-first century, the first and second-generation early Christians well knew the weight of what Jesus said about staying strong, being different.

Anybody remember Kermit the frog from “Sesame Street”? “It’s not easy being green.”

To encourage the church at Corinth, Paul wrote to them in his second and conciliatory letter:

“Thanks be to GOD who in Christ, always leads us in triumph…” (2 C 2:14a)
Whoa! Let’s stop right there. He’s calling to mind the Roman’s military parades some Corinthians may have seen—the triumphant parades intended to be a show of power that the emperors, like Claudius, staged.

Not hardly would any early Christian identify themselves with power and privilege like that! But Paul insists, Jesus, the Crucified, triumphs over evil. He leads, and his own, his followers, “spread the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” (2 C 2:14b)

Paul affirms: “We are the aroma of Christ to GOD, among those who are being saved, and among those who are perishing.” (2:15)

How sweet that metaphor is, insisting that Christ’s followers convey a fragrance messaging that ‘life is good’ to those who need to hear it. We might liken the fragrance to the scent of a baby’s soft skin, washed clean, without Johnson & Johnson to pile on artificial scent.

The Apostle’s meaning, we now understand.

As sweet as Christ to GOD, the Son to the Father, so sweet is the gospel you declare with your lives. With the risks and responsibilities of discipleship you accept. Risking yourselves in love of neighbor. Risking your honor on the Truth. Allowing tears to flow and righteous anger to rise when the wrongs seem oh so strong before our eyes.

In Christ, however, ordinary people emit a sweetness that attracts others to trust in the good news of saving grace that transforms you and me.

We can love the Lord and love ourselves. We can live with ourselves and love life itself! We can dwell in peace. We will rest in peace. Life is a gift.

Live it honestly, live it well, and be grateful for everything, Paul told the Corinthians (of all people).

Nothing is our accomplishment alone. Paul claims no triumph. Everything by the grace of GOD! Everything to the glory of GOD!

As children long, long ago, we said to our playmates, “You stink!” Or otherwise, “It stinks!”

There’s other slang language used now to convey the same meaning, which is – complete and utter disgust and disapproval.

The fragrance of Christ in true disciples, not religious peddlers, conveys exactly the opposite message. Approval, not disapproval. Delight, not disgust.

Eugene Peterson says in The Message: Because of Christ, in Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to GOD, a fragrance recognized by those on the way to salvation, “an aroma redolent with life.”

We can wish Lindsay Clancey breathed that fragrance up her nostrils to her soul, and not the scent of death.

From an “emergency devotional” called For Such A Time As This by Hanna Reichel, comes the story, “Rejoice always,” or, lean into joy. A young Dutch woman, Esther, called Etty Hillesum, was living in Amsterdam as the N***s started rounding up Jews like herself. Her resistance was to work from the inside, supporting those who faced deportation.

It worked for a while, until Etty herself was put on a train and gassed in Auschwitz in November, 1943.

From her diary, she wrote: “I want to be right in the thick of what people call ‘horror’ and still be able to say, ‘life is beautiful.’

“Somewhere inside of me, the jasmine continues to blossom undisturbed, just as profusely and delicately as it ever did.

“And it spreads its scent round the house where you dwell, O God… I bring you not only my tears and my forebodings, on this stormy gray, Sunday morning, I even bring you scented jasmine.

“And I shall bring you all the flowers I meet along my way, and truly there are many of those.”

What scent, would you say, is in your soul?

Make that question your dinner conversation, as all of us reflect on how life is good in the service of our Lord, and our being-saved neighbors, just like ourselves.

UNISON AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Gal. 6:9

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN OF FAITH “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” (v. 1 & 3)

*CHARGE Phil. 4:19 (20)

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies” (v. 3)

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife; who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold re-fine, ‘til all success be nobleness and every gain divine!

We are all ministers of Jesus Christ

Your tithes and gifts support the work of our ministries and our worship. We count on it! Thank you. You may mail a check to the church at P.O. Box 36, Wedgefield, SC 29168.

We pray for the defense and protection of lives in the Middle East Gulf states; for Israel, Lebanon and Palestine; for the Ukraine; for Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan, Nepal; for the nations, for our own--for Hawaii and Washington State, and Nevada; for our neighbors far and wide also suffering the effects of flood and fire, and all manner of natural disaster; for relief; and for just, responsible decision making and cessation of warfare.

CALENDAR

Sept. 10: 3rd Q Stated Session meeting, 4 pm

Sept. 21: Mary Anderson’s orthopedic surgery (hand)

Sept. 25: Statewide conference, Church Women United, Aldersgate UMC, Alice Drive, Sumter, with banquet. 11 am to 2 pm. Preregistration required. Flyers in foyer.

Your Session: Ron Price, clerk; Dolly Jones and Jennie Mota (class of 2027); Mike Anderson and David Kirven (class of 2026), Stephanie Hagerty and Dixie Hardy (Class of 2028). Contact us: Rev. Jody P. Foster [email protected] (803.468.7516) or Ron Price, clerk of Session [email protected] (803.968.1285).

08/30/2026

Wedgefield Presbyterian Lord’s Day Worship 08.30.26

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Elder Ron Price

PRELUDE Elder Mary Anderson

CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 134:1 and Ro. 12:1

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord. Lift up your hearts, and bless the Lord.

Present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. Lift up your voices, sing your faith.

*HYMN OF FAITH “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art” (v. 1, 3, 4)

OPENING PRAYER from Ex. 3

I AM, you said to Moses. I AM WHO I AM. I AM that than which nothing greater can be thought.

We can offer you nothing you need, nothing that is not yours already. Our lives are yours; we bring you our hearts.

Bless us with the joy of community in Christ, and in your Word. By the Spirit, may our worship be a blessing to the whole Church, whom we remember as our family of faith and fellow workers in Christ Jesus, for service and proclaiming your saving grace.

In the Lord, our peace, we pray. Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION Ro. 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may embrace what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect. To that end, let us pray as one:

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION from Ro. 6

LORD, we have received the good news of the great salvation you intend for us. We know our old selves were crucified with Christ, so we might no longer be enslaved to sin. We know we are not to continue in sin. Yet, we who were baptized into Christ, still live in it.

We confess we ignore the harm we do. We don’t know how to change or choose. We are confused by what we hear, and who we listen to.

Have mercy upon us. Make us strong once more, to withstand the pressures we feel to give up and give in. In Christ always, we hope and pray. Amen.

(take a moment for silent reflection)

RESPONSIVE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Beloved people of GOD, the LORD yearns to hear our cries and show us mercy. Believe the good news and give thanks:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to GOD. Amen.

EXCHANGING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ be with you!

And also, with you.

Stand and move about, as you are able, and share the peace with one another.

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Lk. 1:39-45

RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS

*DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Ro. 16: 1-16 , 21-23

THE MESSAGE “Greetings, Southern Style” Rev. Jody P. Foster

All eyes were upon you this morning as you arrived here; the eyes of Mike and Charlie, looking to see if you needed help with anything; the eyes of Ron, hoping for a crowd to greet; and Chris, eagerly seeking to tell all of his news.
Whatever your way into the church, the greeters greeted you and me, waiting to hear James Hugh say, “How are y’all doing?” and Georganne and Jennie, “Good morning!”

Wedgefield, it’s what you do!

Church begins in assembly and assembly leads to worship.

Nobody’s a stranger. Everyone receives a welcome. And those who come for conversation, get their moment to reconnect. In the gathering, the community of faith comes alive!

Sunday church is all about the gathering and greetings. But what about the rest of the week?

It seems to me to be a simply Southern thing to keep up the greetings through the week, and acknowledge one another in shared public spaces—like the bleachers at ball fields, and doctors’ offices.

Do we not speak? Or, let our eyes meet and lift a hand in a modest wave?
As a dog walker I wave a thank you to the drivers who treat me right. It’s silly. But I appreciate their courtesy.

I appreciate the greeters in the lawn and garden center of Simpson’s, and the greeting one receives at Elephant Ears, and even at my dentist’s.

There’s always a “Welcome to Dollar General!” It’s regulation, for employees, but it frames my shopping experience, remembering that the clerk is SOMEBODY to acknowledge and respect.

The Apostle Paul’s letters begin with greetings, as if he were there. Some of them end that way too, but none of them as extensively as Paul’s Letter to the Church at Rome, where almost the whole last chapter (Ro. 16) is name dropping.

What’s up with that? We might ask.

For all his travels, Paul never got to Rome. “For GOD is my witness,” he wrote to the church at Rome, “I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by GOD’s will, I may now at last succeed in coming to you…
“…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Ro. 1:9, 12)

The encouragement he extended reached Rome only by letter, a letter dictated by Paul, written down by Tertius, and carried by Phoebe, a deacon, the leader of the church at the main seaport of Corinth.

Paul took the risk in his greetings of leaving somebody out, of causing offense by omission—every pastor’s nightmare. He managed to name 24 people, most with appreciative personal references; and to refer to several others—acknowledging 26 or 27 in all.

The total number of Christians in Rome in Paul’s time was between 30 and 100. It was a small, vulnerable church community, so small that men and women alike took leadership roles. Many members were not native to Rome, living, most likely, in immigrant neighborhoods.

They were Hebrews and Gentiles. About one third were women. Paul knew some if not most of them because these first century Christians moved around, for safety, especially during the brutal rule of the emperor Claudius.

If we were to step back in time, we would realize that most of the names named in Paul’s greeting were usually slave names, Pheobe being an exception. These early Christians were not only persecuted, they were poor, most of them. The glitz, glitter and gold of Rome didn’t afford them status or income—Narcissus and Erastus being the exceptions.

Based on Paul’s letter, the Christian community in Rome seems to be comprised of five groups, or five households. Each house church may have had six to 20 members.

We see from the Roman Christian experience a church wherein families and households formed the basis of their worshipping community. The church at Rome had enormous potential, and yet huge risk of divisiveness.

Though Paul did not found the church, he did not introduce the gospel to Rome, he saw himself as the bridge-builder between different Christian groups.

That’s one reason why he named names – for the sake of unity, for the sake of covenant keeping, and mutual care and concern.

Bridge building begins in the greeting—greeting, Southern style, with friendly words, a smile, an assist, a thump, or a handshake or a hug. Actions and demeanor conveying: Welcome! You and me? We are one.

Paul honored the Christians at Rome for who they were, and what they were doing in the Lord. He embraced them by name to bring them into mutual respect. He was the ultimate small church pastor.

Ahead of his time, Paul knew that Christian fellowship must be embodied. It won’t do to be on Zoom. You’ve got to show up, break bread, or in Paul’s own words, “greet one another with a holy kiss.”

The obedience of faith Paul preaches is not a matter of piety or duty, but love of the brethren (so to speak), and inclusiveness.

All have fallen short of the glory of GOD, everyone is in need of redemption, and anyone who asks, is forgiven in Jesus Christ.

So, now to him who is able to strengthen you according to Paul’s gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages, but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all nations,
according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

To the only wise GOD be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! AMEN! (Ro. 16: 25-27)

UNISON AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Ro. 5:1-2

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN OF HOPE “O God of Love, O King of Peace” (all verses)

*CHARGE

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Joy to the World” (v. 1)

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room; and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

We are all ministers of Jesus Christ

Your tithes and gifts support the work of our ministries and our worship. We count on it! Thank you. You may mail a check to the church at P.O. Box 36, Wedgefield, SC 29168.

We pray for the defense and protection of lives in the Middle East Gulf states; for Israel, Lebanon and Palestine; for the Ukraine; for Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan, Nepal; for the nations, for our own--for Hawaii and Washington State, and Nevada; for our neighbors far and wide also suffering the effects of flood and fire, and all manner of natural disaster; for relief; and for just, responsible decision making and cessation of warfare.

CALENDAR

Sept. 10: 3rd Q Stated Session meeting, 4 pm

Sept. 21: Mary Anderson’s orthopedic surgery (hand)

Sept. 25: Statewide conference, Church Women United, Aldersgate UMC, Alice Drive, Sumter, with banquet. 11 am to 2 pm. Preregistration required. Flyers in foyer.

Your Session: Ron Price, clerk; Dolly Jones and Jennie Mota (class of 2027); Mike Anderson and David Kirven (class of 2026), Stephanie Hagerty and Dixie Hardy (Class of 2028). Contact us: Rev. Jody P. Foster [email protected] (803.468.7516) or Ron Price, clerk of Session [email protected] (803.968.1285).

08/23/2026

Wedgefield Presbyterian Lord’s Day Online 08.23.26

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Elder Ron Price

REPORT FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF NEW HARMONY

PRELUDE Elder Mary Anderson

CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 136

O give thanks to the GOD of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the LORD of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever.

*HYMN OF PRAISE “This is my Father’s World” (v. 1, 2, 3)

OPENING PRAYER from Ps. 90

LORD, satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are Almighty GOD.

Let your favor be upon us, in spite of our waywardness. We are your children, our lives in your hands. You are the potter, we are the clay.

Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom and delight in right relations with you and everyone else.

In Christ, our peace, we pray, with all voices joined in our common confession:

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord Jesus, we don’t like what has become of us, our lives driven by the marketplace. We are yours, but we are managed and manipulated by global greed and those who sit in authority over us.

We confess our fears of losing what we have. We are fearful of failure and scarcity, loss and change. Future shock has crushed generosity.

Competition has cost us the joy of seeing others succeed.

Save us, Lord, from lives of getting and spending. Raise us from anxiety.

Lead us to the ancient paths, where the good way is, that we may find rest for our souls. To the glory of your holy Name, we pray.

(take a moment for silent reflection)

RESPONSIVE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Beloved people of GOD, the LORD yearns to hear our cries and show us mercy. Believe the good news and give thanks:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

You are given life in his likeness to live, free from deadly sin.

Thanks be to GOD. Amen.

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Janet Ryan

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Gen. 12: 1-9

RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS

*DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Lk. 2:39-52

THE MESSAGE “Not All Who Wander Are Lost” Rev. Jody P. Foster

No sooner has Jesus turned 12 years old, his death is foreshadowed when he travels to Jerusalem at Passover with Mary and Joseph.

As Luke looks back on what happened, he tells us Jesus was lost for three days, lost to those who knew him, loved him—his family, his buddies, his neighbors, everybody in the caravan of pilgrims who came from Nazareth to Jerusalem for Passover.

The experience of the lost son would feel like the experience of the lost Messiah, when Jesus was thirty-three. From his crucifixion to the Day of Resurrection, three days later, Mary his mother, the other women of Galilee, the apostles and all the other disciples grieved the death of Jesus and their dreams.

It was a repeat experience of loss Mary didn’t wish to have.

The gospels, however, bring us GOOD news.

All’s well that ends well, in proverbial wisdom quoted in Shakespeare.
And it is so.

The boy Jesus became the Son of man, and the Son of man, the Savior of mankind whom sin could not corrupt and death could not claim as a prize in the contest of good and evil. Up from the grave he a rose, and on the third day, he began to make himself known to the disciples who would witness his resurrection.

It was foreshadowed, in Jesus’ early life, as a clue to the LORD’s saving purposes. Divine love was afoot in historical events. From the beginning, Jesus was meant to save.

So, after three days of searching for the boy Jesus high and low in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph found him at the Temple engaged in discussion with the learned authorities of Jewish law. Those who heard him were amazed at his understanding, and his insight, far beyond his years.

Mary and Joseph were amazed by what Jesus told them: Don’t you know I am tending to the things of GOD? The things that matter to my heavenly Father? That’s the gist of what Jesus said to them.

Afterwards, in honor and obedience to them, he went home to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. Luke tells us for the second time, Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and furthermore, the favor of GOD was upon him.

Luke also tells us, back in Nazareth, Jesus increased in favor with man. Who would that be? And when?

Unanswered questions.

As he began his public ministry, at about age 30, Jesus returned from the wilderness to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. He came to Nazareth where he had been brought up. He joined in with the worshippers at synagogue, and reading from the prophet Isaiah, caused a riot by what he said to them. They nearly killed him by throwing him off a cliff.

That was it for Nazareth. Jesus would wander, from then on, from village to village, place to place, encountering the lost, eating and staying with those who would receive him.

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests,” Jesus said, “but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Lk. 9:58)

It hits on a recurring biblical theme –Abraham to Jesus, to the apostles (meaning ‘Sent’), to you and me: Our spiritual journeys take us places, and sometimes, into different geography.

Life in Christ has movement to it. It may take us far from home, or lead us away from our securities, or comfort zones. It may cause us to discard our ideas and dreams to align with the Lord’s purposes for us. We must be willing to learn new things about the LORD, and others, and our call into service as the Church.

Not all who wander are lost. Not all who wander from home are lost, like the prodigal or lost son in Luke’s parable, or the sojourners of scripture, the migrants. The good news for everyone is, no one is lost to the Lord, ever. “I am with you always,” Jesus promised in the Resurrection. (Mt. 28:20)

He is our Emmanuel.

Now, a couple of contemporary circumstances are addressed in today’s scriptures.

The hot gossip in the news this week was about Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Megan. The couple with their two children returned to Britain from six years of self-imposed exile in the U.S. They cut ties, wandered off, and now have returned. Perhaps differently. We shall see. It’s a big deal to the Royals.

It is also the back-to-school season. It’s the time of separations – parents leaving kids at college, or dropping off youngsters at school, or new schools, in new places. Letting go.

Out with the old, in with the new is the movement of the gospel, the activity of the Spirit, carrying us towards the Light, maturing our faith. You and I may wander, and wonder about it, but we are always found and returned.

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11)

That is Abraham’s faith. And ours. Trusting in the Lord. Taking the long view we are told to await. That posture of faith is found in the “Riddle of Strider” in Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring.

Riddle after riddle, here is how the Tolkien poem flows:

All that is gold does not glitter.

Not all those who wander are lost.

The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed, shall be the blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

Through the eyes of faith, we see Jesus the crucified as Christ the King.

“We see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of his suffering and death, so that by the grace of GOD, he might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9)

An open invitation is ours to have faith in his Name. Not all who wander are lost. In Christ, we are made alive to the wonders of the world, and each other. Thanks be to GOD. Amen.

UNISON AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from “Amazing Grace”

“I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN OF FAITH “Lead on, O King Eternal” (v. 1, 2, 3)

*CHARGE

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Amazing Grace” (v. 3)

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

We are all ministers of Jesus Christ

Your tithes and gifts support the work of our ministries and our worship. We count on it! Thank you. You may mail a check to the church at P.O. Box 36, Wedgefield, SC 29168.

We pray for the defense and protection of lives in the Middle East Gulf states; for Israel, Lebanon and Palestine; for the Ukraine; for Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan; for the nations, for our own; for our military bases and deployed; for just, responsible decision making and cessation of warfare.

CALENDAR

Sept. 10: 3rd Q Stated Session meeting, 4 pm

Sept. 21: Mary Anderson’s orthopedic surgery (hand)

Sept. 25: Statewide conference, Church Women United, Aldersgate UMC, Alice Drive, Sumter, with banquet. 11 am to 2 pm. Preregistration required.
Flyers in foyer.

Your Session: Ron Price, clerk; Dolly Jones and Jennie Mota (class of 2027); Mike Anderson and David Kirven (class of 2026), Stephanie Hagerty and Dixie Hardy (Class of 2028). Contact us: Rev. Jody P. Foster [email protected] (803.468.7516) or Ron Price, clerk of Session [email protected] (803.968.1285).

08/17/2026

Wedgefield Presbyterian Lord’s Day Post 08.16.26

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Elder Ron Price

PRELUDE Elder Mary Anderson

CALL TO WORSHIP

Rejoice in the LORD! The LORD is near at hand. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our GOD. For the LORD has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the people called by his Name. Let us offer our prayers and praise.

RESPONSIVE OPENING PRAYER

Eternal GOD, We worship and adore you.

You are the power within all things, the wisdom beyond all minds.
We worship and adore you.

You are the love revealed in the cross, the justice the world needs now, the hope of redemption from suffering and loss.

We worship and adore you. Amen.

*HYMN OF PRAISE “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” (Tune: #510, America)

CALL TO CONFESSION

In the fullness of time, Jesus came to dwell among us and light our way in the deep darkness of a world of sin. Because we have faith in him, we dare to openly confess our need for forgiveness--not for ourselves only, but for the sake of everyone. In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

By design, O LORD, you set your Creation in order. You called the dry land ‘earth’ and gathered the waters together in seas. You saw that the land was fruitful and good.

We confess the shortfalls of our stewardship. We have littered our planet with stuff, our ears with fears and outer space with the trash of our technology. Forgive us our carelessness. Cleanse us of sin. Put a righteous spirit within us, to touch the earth gently and cease doing harm to the neighborhoods of others. Hear our prayers.

(take a moment for silent reflection)

RESPONSIVE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Beloved people of GOD, believe the good news and give thanks:

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! The past is past; a new day is here. Thanks be to GOD. Amen.

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Gen. 1:26-31

RECEIVING OUR TITHES AND GIFTS

*DOXOLOGY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Ps. 8

THE MESSAGE “In a Relationship” Rev. Jody P. Foster

Last week, I caught 3 days at Nags Head, I did! Didn’t visit the lighthouse this trip, or climb the dunes, or watch the parasailing that goes on there.

For 3 days it was me and the sea, with scripture’s hymns of Creation on my lips, like these verses from Ps. 104:

“O Lord, how manifold are thy works!

“Yonder is the sea, great and wide, which teems with things innumerable, living things both small and great.

“There go the ships, and Leviathan which Thou didst form to sport in it.”

Four of us and a dog, and sometimes 2 kids, got up after sunrise to set up tents and chairs on the beach for the day. And each day, a pod of dolphin fished offshore, rhythmically surfacing and diving, as graceful as ballerinas on a dance floor.

What goes on in the deeps, and the firmament of stars in the skies, have always been a wonder to human observers. Ps. 8 is the first hymn of praise in the Book of Psalms, the Psalter. It is entirely composed in direct address to GOD, the voice of one like me amazed by what is seen.

Again, it begins:

“O LORD our GOD, how majestic is thy name in all the earth!”

The sovereign self of GOD is not apparent in the visible world. We cannot see GOD. We see the works of GOD, and hear the words of GOD, whose purposes and will are expressed through them.

The ancients didn’t see Jesus. But they marveled at what they could see, and ascribed honor and glory, majesty and authority, dominion and power to the One who created it: Everything above. Every living thing on earth in an environment already made for supporting life.

The wonder of it all!

And then comes the ‘man question.’ Who am I? Who am I, to you? It’s asked this way:

When I look at the heavens, “what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?” (Ps. 8:4)

That question is answered, and the answer is as amazing and wonderful as Creation itself.

Out of all of GOD’s life forms, of all GOD’s creatures, we humans have a role, which is to say an office, or purpose, in the kingdom of GOD.

YOU are the LORD’s royal regents, overseeing what GOD has made. You are invested with authority with a rank just below the LORD. You are endowed with glory and honor, like princes, like kings, like royalty.

You have dominion over Creation to exercise in the LORD’s name--the dominion of somebody who gets to make decisions with consequences for the life in the world.

No wonder the psalmist is humbled by this insight!

And there is more to the ‘man question’ that the voice in this prayer ponders. It is, the wonder that the LORD seeks to be in a relationship with his stewards.

That would be you.

Ps. 8 remembers the 6th day of Creation when GOD said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion…over all the earth…” (Gen. 1:26)

“So, GOD created man in his own image, in the image of GOD he created him; male and female he created them. And GOD blessed them…and saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (1:27, 31)

From then on, the psalmist believes, GOD remembers, shelters and shepherds every human, so that ancient Israel’s experience of a personal Savior is the way of GOD with all.

We are GOD-remembered.

We are GOD-visited: attended by the LORD all our lives. It was that way from the beginning, when the first man, and first woman, walked in the garden in the presence of the LORD.

We are in a lifelong divine relationship that has us listening, and speaking; telling, and receiving. It is a relationship that takes time and requires attentiveness. It is a relationship of un-equals, of course. And yet, our Lord Jesus Christ has made you little less than himself, and raised you up.

Not to Israel alone, but to the Church, and to all of humanity, the LORD GOD spoke through the prophet, saying, “You are mine.” (Is. 43:1)

“…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…” (43:4)
As we ponder this, we find ourselves in the position of John the Baptist, anticipating Jesus, “…the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” (Mk. 1:7)

We find ourselves in the position of Mary, when it was announced to her by the angel Gabriel she would carry the Christ child, Jesus.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in GOD my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden…” (Lk. 1:47)

“Let it be to me according to your word.” (1:37)

Let it be that we, like she, allow the good news to shape our lives as we walk by faith, and not by sight, always of good courage, as scripture says. (2 Cor. 5:7-8)

Let it be that we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our GOD (Micah 6:8) and with one another. With every ‘other,’ beloved of the LORD.

DEDICATION

To the four young couples in our beach week 2026, one of whom will marry very soon, to all these Millennials in relationships – Sean and Lana, Mani and Shali, Allen and Joelle, Sam and Allie—this word is for you.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from the Confession of 1967 (9.16 and 9.17)

We believe GOD has created the world of space and time to be the sphere of his dealings with men. GOD created man in a personal relation with himself, that man may respond to the love of the Creator. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage. Man is free to seek his life within the purpose of GOD and to develop and protect the resources of nature for the common welfare…

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN OF FAITH “Fairest Lord Jesus” (v. 1, 2, 3)

*CHARGE

*BENEDICTION Jude 1:25

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Fairest Lord Jesus” (v. 4)

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine!

We are all ministers of Jesus Christ

Your tithes and gifts support the work of our ministries and our worship. We count on it! Thank you. You may mail a check to the church at P.O. Box 36, Wedgefield, SC 29168.

We pray for the defense and protection of lives in the Middle East Gulf states; for Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine; for the Ukraine; for Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan, Hawaii and Indonesia; for the nations, for our own; for our military bases and deployed; for just, responsible decision making and cessation of warfare.

CALENDAR

Aug. 22: Presbytery of New Harmony meeting (by ZOOM); Ron Price, Elder Commissioner

Aug. 22: Nancy and John renew their wedding vows in a service here at 11 am, with refreshments to follow. Everyone invited to attend and participate to make their day special. See Jody or Mary to help!

Sept. 10: 3rd Q Stated Session meeting, 4 pm

Sept. 21: Mary Anderson’s orthopedic surgery (hand)

Sept. 25: Statewide conference, Church Women United, Aldersgate UMC, Alice Drive, Sumter, with banquet. 11 am to 2 pm. Preregistration required. Flyers in foyer.

Your Session: Ron Price, clerk; Dolly Jones and Jennie Mota (class of 2027); Mike Anderson and David Kirven (class of 2026), Stephanie Hagerty and Dixie Hardy (Class of 2028). Contact us: Rev. Jody P. Foster [email protected] (803.468.7516) or Ron Price, clerk of Session [email protected] (803.968.1285).

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50 Presbyterian Drive
Wedgefield, SC
29168

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