August 30, 2026
Prelude: Little Partita on Tallis’ Canon
Mardirosian
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 119]
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.
This is our comfort in distress, that your promise gives us life.
Turn our hearts to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
Our soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen us according to your word.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach us your statutes.
Let us worship the LORD!
Earth and All Stars (Hymn 458)
Brokering/Johnson
Earth and all stars, loud rushing planets, sing to the Lord a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorm, sing to the Lord a new song!
God has done marvelous things. We will sing praises with a new song!
Steel and machines, loud pounding hammers, sing to the Lord a new song!
Limestone and beams, loud building workers, sing to the Lord a new song!
God has done marvelous things. We will sing praises with a new song!
Classrooms and labs, loud boiling test tubes, sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band, loud cheering people, sing to the Lord a new song!
God has done marvelous things. We will sing praises with a new song!
Knowledge and truth, loud sounding wisdom, sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son, loud praying members, sing to the Lord a new song!
God has done marvelous things. We will sing praises with a new song!
Confession
Merciful God, your word guides us to ways of love, not domination or power over others. This is often a challenging path that requires our vulnerability, and moving forward in love takes practice and repetition. Forgive us when we attempt this path only in situations that offer guarantees of easy success. Forgive us when we respect the strong or powerful more than the weak, who have just as much capacity for love. Grant us courage for the task ahead, whatever burdens we bear. Renew our minds, that your law of love may permeate everything we do. Amen.
Silence
Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Owens
Hear my prayer, O Lord, from the ends of the earth, I cry.
Your peace will lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
(repeat)
For You have been my strength in times of trouble, a tower above my enemies;
And, Lord, I will abide with You forever in the shelter of Your wings.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, from the ends of the earth, I cry.
Your peace will lead me to the Rock that is higher than I,
The Rock that is higher than I.
[Psalm 61]
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:4–9
New Testament: Romans 12:1–2
Sermon: The Course of Deeds and Wheels of the World
Scott Starbuck
Focus: ‘At least for a while,’ said Elrond. ‘The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.’
-J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Response: Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak (Hymn 426)
Havergal/Schumann
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak in living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thine erring children lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead the wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord, until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
O use me, Lord, use even me, just as Thou wilt, and when, and where;
Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
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; and lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given. -Proverbs 25:14
Sending: Lead On, O King Eternal (Hymn 447)
Shurtleff/Smart
Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home:
Through days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong,
And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace;
For not with swords’ loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.
Lead on, O King eternal: we follow, not with fears;
For gladness breaks like morning where’er Thy face appears;
Thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light:
The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Go With Us, Lord (Hymn 535)
Cathey/Tallis
Go with us Lord, *and guide the way through this and every coming day,
that in Your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to You.
*second group begin canon
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