October 11, 2026
Prelude: If You Will Trust in God to Guide You
Neumark/Walcha
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 113]
Praise the Lord! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Let us worship the LORD!
O Worship the King (Hymn 476)
Grant/Haydn
O worship the King, all glorious above!
O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.
Confession
God our father, you have given us life and agency to think, act, and respond to you. Sometimes we do not understand what you ask of us. We wonder if you are testing us, or we are tempted to test you in return. Forgive us when our obedience comes from fear, and we forget that you are a God who welcomes argument and conversation. Underneath our confusion, knowledge, or lack of knowledge, help us trust that you are for us, and you will provide. 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: Genesis 22:1-14
New Testament: Romans 8:31-32
Sermon: The Fragility of Goodness
Scott Starbuck
Focus: “Abraham does not tell Isaac all he wants to know because Abraham himself does not know.” –Walter Brueggemann
Response: If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee (Hymn 282)
Neumark
If thou but trust in God to guide thee,
With hopeful heart through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate’er betide thee,
To bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Build on the rock that naught can move.
Only be still, and wait God’s leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate’er thy Keeper’s pleasure
And all-discerning love hath sent.
No doubt our inmost wants are clear
To One who holds us always dear.
Sing, pray, and swerve not from God’s ways,
But do thine own part faithfully;
Trust the rich promises of grace,
So shall they be fulfilled in thee.
God never yet forsook at need
The soul secured by trust indeed.
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
Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.
-Proverbs 3:9
Sending: It Is Well with My Soul
Spafford/Bliss
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well; it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul. (refrain)
He lives: O the bliss of this glorious thought.
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (refrain)
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Showalter/Burkhardt
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