August 23, 2026

CHIMING OF THE HOUR

WELCOME

PRELUDE

SILENT PRAYER OF PREPARATION
O Loving God, to turn away from you is to fall, to turn toward you is to rise, and to stand before you is to abide forever.  Grant us, dear God, in all our duties your help; in all our uncertainties your guidance; in all our dangers your protection; and in all our sorrows your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen
Augustine of Hippo  (354-430)

*CALL TO WORSHIP
L – With what shall we come before the Holy One, and bow ourselves before God on high?
P – God has shown us what is good.
L – What does the Holy One require of us,
P – but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.

*HYMN No. 726        Will You Come and Follow Me

*CALL TO CONFESSION
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  In humility and faith let us confess our sin to God.

*CONFESSION OF SIN
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength.  We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves…   In your mercy forgive what we have been,  help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

*SILENT CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.  I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.  May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.   Amen

*RESPONSE No. 581      Glory Be To The Father

*THE PEACE OF CHRIST.

MUSIC   Ashokan Farewell

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION      Joyce Edwards

SCRIPTURE    Matthew 16: 21-28     Joyce Edwards

SERMON        The War Within Us

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH        The Apostles’ Creed

HYMN No. 345     In an Age of Twisted Values

PASTORAL PRAYER – THE LORD’S PRAYER

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY

*RESPONSE    No. 606     Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN No. 340      This is My Song

*BENEDICTION AND SENDING