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August 24, 2025
11th Sunday After Pentecost
Union-Congregational Church

Gathering Music                                        

Welcome and Announcements                        

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Call to Worship (inspired by Ps 71)                   
One: Let us worship the Holy One, our refuge, hope, and trust. Our praise is continually of our God!
Many: God will not put us to shame. God is our rock!
 

One: Turn to the God who saves and delivers. Our praise is continually of our God!
Many: God’s righteousness redeems. God is our shelter!
 

One: Find rest and delight in the Holy One. Our praise is continually of our God!
Many: We lean upon the Holy One. God is our sure foundation!

Opening Prayer (unison)                         
God of the Sabbath, you make this day holy. As we gather in your name, redeem the days when our focus wandered and draw us back to you. Let your wisdom, justice, and compassion guide us. Slow our pace to attend to those things that matter. Open our understanding to the good that needs to be done. Sustain us for the challenges we face, make your name known among us and through us. We glorify and honor you in spirit and in truth, in word and in deed, in season and out of season. Amen.

Opening Hymn: #68 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Prayer for Transformation and New Life (led by liturgist)
Holy God, we confess that we have trampled the Sabbath. We claim your name and not your way. We cling to excuses to avoid discomfort or sacrifice in service of our neighbor. We turn from human suffering. We keep silent in the face of wickedness. Transform us, O God, that we might be saved from the vice of evil and the lure of inaction. Rebuild us with righteousness and hope and redeem us for your kindom. Amen.

Words of Grace (Pastor)
Beloved, in Isaiah 58:9, the Voice assures, “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and God will say, 'Here I am.” God’s abiding presence never leads us; God’s transforming love will empower you to live the just and righteous life. Receive grace for participation and belonging in the kindom. God’s mercies are renewed for us.
All: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Reading of Scripture                         
Luke 13: 10-17
10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.

After reading, please say, “Here ends the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”

Rat Race: “There Are No Rules” (YouTube)

Message: Holy Work on a Day of Rest

Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns 
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.” 
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

We Offer Our Gifts

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Gracious and Generous God, receive these gifts in faith and trust. Help us to be good stewards of the resources you have given to us and bless our generosity for your glory. Amen.

Closing Hymn: #559 Here I Am, Lord (1,2 only)

Benediction
On the Sabbath, make God’s name known. Love our neighbors, spread the good news, do justice, seek righteousness, and live in hope.

Sending Music                                     

Liturgy by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay for UCC Worship Ways