Sunday, August 16th, 2026
Minister of Word and Sacrament ~ The Rev. Dan West
Prelude Fantasia on Forest Green
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Lani Smith. Based on a Traditional English melody)
Welcome and Announcements
Responsive Call to Worship
Jesus reaches toward us, calling us to be disciples, gathering us together as one church.
We are one people; all members of God’s family.
Jesus reaches toward all people with love and caring that knows no boundary.
We are one people; all members of God’s family.
Let us worship God and be like Christ in welcoming, loving, and caring for all who come in faith, seeking the Saviour.
*Hymn # 700 Praise Our Maker, Peoples of One Family
1. Praise our Maker, peoples of one family:
God is love, God is love!
Praise our Maker, peoples of one family:
God is love, God is love!
2. Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus:
God is love, God is love!
Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus:
God is love, God is love!
3. Care for others, children of the Spirit:
God is love, God is love!
Care for others, children of the Spirit:
God is love, God is love!
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
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.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
*Hymn # 519 Jesus, Friend So Kind and Gentle
1. Jesus, friend so kind and gentle,
bring we these beloved ones;
may they know your kindest blessing;
now enfold them in your arms;
may your goodness be around them;
keep them free from all that harms.
2. You received the little children
to yourself so tenderly;
give to us who teach and guide them,
wisdom and humility,
vision true, with joy and patience,
love to serve them faithfully.
3. Grant to us a deep compassion
for your children everywhere;
may we see our human family
free from sorrow and despair;
may your reign of love and glory
dwell among us, bright and fair.
Baptism of Faye Wrenly Lukasewich Nunes
Parents Olivia Faye Patricia Lukasewich
Diogo Alberto Amorim Nunes
Godparents Vincenzo Voci
Luciana Alexandra Gomes Amorim Rodrigues Duarte
Children’s Time
Scripture Readings
New Testament
Romans 11:1-2, 29-32 RSV
11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Eli′jah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all.
Responsive Psalm 133
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the LORD ordained the blessing,
of life forevermore.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 15:10-28 RSV
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”
23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Response to the Word of God
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God for this word to us today.
*Hymn # 751 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
1. “Forgive our sins as we forgive,”
you taught us, Lord, to pray,
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
2. How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart,
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
3. In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!
4. Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
and bid resentment cease;
then, bound to all in bonds of love,
our lives will spread your peace.
Sermon God, Seeking and Saving
Offering
Offertory Bathe Me in Your Light
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music by Ron Klusmeier. Words by John Oldham)
*Doxology All Things are Yours
All things are yours,
We make that true
When we return our gifts to you.
And so we give, and so we share.
In Christ’s strong name expressing care.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. Worship & Rejoice # 687)
Offertory Prayer
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
*Hymn # 768 Sometimes A Healing Word Is Comfort
1. Sometimes a healing word is comfort:
easing the grieved or anxious heart,
giving assurance of our caring,
treasuring each and every part.
Come, break the silence! Let us tell
the Word that makes us free and well.
2. Sometimes a healing word remembers:
calling up days of joy or pain,
letting the past renew the present,
till hope can mend and move again.
Come, break the silence! Let us tell
the Word that makes us free and well.
3. Sometimes a healing word is angry:
giving a name to discontent,
shining a light on sin or grievance,
calling a people to repent.
Come, break the silence! Let us tell
the Word that makes us free and well.
4. Sometimes a healing word takes chances:
going where no one yet has been,
facing the dangers of the desert,
hoping for shelter at the inn.
Come, break the silence! Let us tell
the Word that makes us free and well.
5. Sometimes a healing word will listen:
hearing the voiceless into speech,
letting the pattern of the story
move us to learn what it can teach.
Come, break the silence! Let us tell
the Word that makes us free and well.
*Benediction
*Response Walking a Path of Peace
I am walking a path of peace.
I am walking a path of peace,
I am walking a path of peace,
lead me home, lead me home.
I am home.
(All rights reserved. Used with permission)
Postlude Eins ist Not, ach Herr
(All rights reserved. Used with permission. J.S. Bach)
Next Week’s Scripture Readings
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Matthew 16:13-20