Order of Service / August 3, 2025 / Pentcost 8

*Gathering Hymn God, Reveal Your Presence (#391 VU)

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Our Maker abides as close as our breath and as far as the distant vistas.

All: Blessed is God’s great name.

One: God is both Mother and Father, parent-like, full of grace.

  All: We whisper the holy name of the eternal source of mercy.

One: Let us worship, aware of God’s steadfast compassion.

*Laura Turnbull, Gathering Pentecost 1 2025. Page 38.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn This Is God’s Wondrous World (#296 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Loving God, sometimes we think having more will make us happy. We focus on things we can own or control, and forget what really matters: love, kindness, and community. Forgive us when we forget to share. Help us trust that there is enough for all. Make us rich in love, and open our hearts to what truly gives life. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

Words of Assurance

One: God does not measure us by what we own, but by the love we share.

  All: We are held in grace, forgiven and set free.

One: When we turn back to love, God meets us with open arms.

All: Thanks be to God. We are renewed, we are loved, we are enough.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (Know that God is God, #104 MV)

Know that God is peace. Know that God is peace.

Know that God is peace. God is peace. God is peace.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Hosea 11:1-4 God cares for Israel like a mother for a child

Psalm 107:1-9, 43 (VU p. 831 |P1) God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry.

Luke 12:13-21 The rich foll who builds bigger and bigger barns.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus (#341 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (Tune: #374VU)

Acts of kindness, times for sharing; bringing Christ to human need.

Caring for the least among us; simple actions plant the seed.

By our giving and forgiving, work a miracle of love.

Holy presence to us offered; Praise the One who reigns above.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, everything we have is a gift from you. You invite us to share what we have with open hearts. Bless the gifts we bring today. May they help create a world of justice, care, and peace. May they support the work of love in our community and beyond. Help us find true riches in kindness, courage, and compassion. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Lead On, O Cloud of Presence (#421 VU)

*Commissioning

One: May we reach out with love and care.

All: May our hands bring comfort and joy.

One: May we stay curious and open to wonder.

All: May our hearts be filled with deep love.

One: And may God hold us in grace, now and always.

  All: May it be so. Amen.

*Commissioning Song God Be With You

God be with you wherever you go. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah.

Peace be with you whatever you do. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah.

 

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