September 6, 2026
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept. 6 2026 Livestream Worship + Holy Communion Online Bulletin
Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love arr. Mark Hayes
Welcome
Call to Worship
God gathers strangers into family.
Christ forms us into one body.
The Spirit teaches us forgiveness.
Together we become signs of hope in the world.
Hymn
All Creatures of Our God and King UMH#62|
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 3, 7
A Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 18:15–20
Psalm of Response
Psalm 133 UMH p. 850
Solo
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee arr. Eric H. Thiman
Alison Young
A Reflective Reading from a Modern-Day Prophet
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931–2021)
Adapted from the writings and teachings of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, including The Book of Joy and No Future Without Forgiveness.
"I am because we are."
May we hear the Spirit's invitation through these words.
Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Epistles
Romans 12:9-12
Sermon
Where Hope Lives
he Celebration of Holy Communion
Invitation to the Table
Prayer for Wholeness and Grace
Assurance of Grace
Thanks be to God! Amen
The Great Thanksgiving
The Holy One be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the One who creates, sustains, and loves us.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
Prayer after Receiving
Amen
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
UMH#87
Hymn
In Unity We Lift Our Song TFWS#2221
Please sing stanzas 1 & 4
Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light
Postlude
The Gift of Love arr. John Carter
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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