ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026                                                                                                  

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION: 

“We are told to leave what is safe and comfortable in search of a better place and a more authentic self, a self that is blessing at its very core.”  --Rabbi Shai Held
 

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE “Arietta”                                                           

Roy Danielsen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 127 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”                             

CWM RHONDDA

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more; feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield; be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee; I will ever give to thee.

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

One:  God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

All:     We have committed ourselves to follow that light.

One:  God’s mighty power opens a path before us.

All:     We need God’s sustaining guidance for our journey.

One:  God’s presence shakes all creation.

All:     We will sing the praises of God, our strength and our deliverer.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

 Awesome and Mighty God, although we see signs of your power all around us, our focus is on the challenges before us. When we know we can’t continue on our own, we give up rather than turn to your sustaining presence. Forgive us and open our eyes to the new things you are doing to make your steadfast love known to us. Calm our fearful hearts and sustain our weary spirits. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI       

Glory be to the Father and to the Son       
and to the Holy Ghost;                                 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,                                 

world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE    

PASTORAL PRAYER and 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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Be Joyful”                                                    

Jean Baptiste Lully

SCRIPTURE Exodus 14:19-31

SERMON "Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise!”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 128 “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Though”                           

HE LEADETH ME

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Refrain: He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me. [Refrain]

Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me. [Refrain]

And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me. [Refrain]

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”                       

Charles H Gabriel

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY                                                                     

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;                                        

Praise God, all creatures here below;                                             

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:                                      

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)                                                           

Thank you, God, for hearing our prayers and restoring our strength. Thank you for delivering us from our fear and, our selfish ways and our self-serving paths. Let our offerings fulfill your purpose and not our own. May you bless the use of these gifts for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters whenever they need to be assured of your sustaining presence. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 144 “This Is My Father’s World”                                             

TERRA BEATA

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.
 

 This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Kum Ba Yah”                                           

Traditional Spiritual

The Liturgist is April Brown.  
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISASTER RELIEF FOR NEPAL
The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal for disaster relief for Nepal after devastating flooding. If you would like to donate, you can put it in the offering on Sunday with a notation for Nepal or you can donate online using the Disaster Relief tab.

SAVE THE DATE
PALM BURNING AND FISHING DERBY

Palm Burning and Fishing Derby—October 11th at James A Reed Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit

More details will be shared closer to the date.

This is a very spiritual service with music and a devotion.