August 23, 2026
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Aug. 23, 2026 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin
Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing arr. Mark Hayes
Welcome
Call to Worship
Who do you say that I am?
May our answer be found not only in words—
—but in lives shaped by love.
Hymn
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken UMH#731
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 4
A Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 58:9b–14
Psalm of Response
Psalm 139: 1-18 UMH pp. 854 & 855
Please sing the Response
Anthem
The Fruits of the Spirit Natalie Sleeth
A Reflective Reading from a Modern-Day Prophet
Thomas Merton (1915–1968)
Today's reading is from Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
May we hear the Spirit's invitation through these words.
Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 16:13–20
Sermon
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Joys and Concerns
Holy One, Source of life, love, and hope,
May your dream for the world take root among us.
May your Kin-dom grow where justice is practiced,
where mercy is offered,
and where every person is welcomed as your beloved.
Give us today what we need to nourish both body and spirit. Teach us to share generously,
trusting that there is enough when love leads the way.
Forgive us when fear has made us silent,
when comfort has kept us from compassion,
when prejudice has narrowed our vision,
or when despair has tempted us to give up.
As we receive your grace,
help us extend that same grace to others,
choosing reconciliation over resentment,
understanding over judgment, and hope over bitterness.
When the world feels uncertain, give us courage.
When injustice seems overwhelming, give us perseverance.
When we are weary, renew our strength.
And when we cannot see the way ahead,
help us trust the One who walks beside us.
Make us prophets of hope—people whose words heal,
whose actions seek justice, whose lives welcome the forgotten, and whose love reflects the compassion of Christ.
For the future belongs to you, the hope is found in you,
and your love is stronger than every fear, now and forever.
Amen.
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
UMH#87
Hymn
Take My Life and Let It Be UMH#399
Please sing stanzas 1 & 3
Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light
Postlude
Be Thou My Vision arr. James Koerts
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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