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Prelude

 

Greetings

 

Open Scripture                                                                         

Exodus 17:1-7

 

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.   

 

Call to Worship                                                          

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.

He split the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.

In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light.

He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.

Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

But God is among us. God has not forgotten us. God is our rock.

Let us worship the God who gives us living water!

 

Hymn of Welcome                                            

Love Lifted Me                                 

 

Psalter                   (Responsive)                                                  

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.

In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light.

He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.

He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

Praise the Lord!

 

Opening Prayer

 

Call to Confession    

 

Prayer of Confession (unison)        

Merciful God, we confess that we have quarreled with you and with one another. When we were thirsty, we accused you of abandoning us. When we were uncomfortable, we demanded our own way. We have grasped at power and privilege while others went without water. We have said the right words — "Yes, Lord" — but failed to do your will. Forgive our hollow obedience. Forgive our bitter complaining. Empty us of our selfish ambition, and fill us with the mind of Christ. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

(Silent confession)

 

Assurance of Pardon                       

 

Gloria Patri

 

Passing of the Peace

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

 

Prayer for Illumination (unison)

God of the wilderness and the rock, we are thirsty for your Word. Speak to us this morning not to condemn our quarreling, but to transform it into trust. Give us ears to hear the stories of your faithfulness, and courage to tell them to the next generation. May the mind of Christ be formed in us as we listen. Amen.

 

Second Reading                    

Philippians 2:1-13

 

Gospel Reading                    

Matthew 21:23-32

 

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God.   

 

Sermon

Thirst                                   

Rev Tony DeLucia

 

Hymn of Response

Pass Me Not                                                      

 

Affirmation of Faith

Jesus’ involvement in the human condition is God’s involvement.

His compassion for all kinds of people is God’s compassion.

His demand for justice, truth, and faithfulness is God’s demand.

His willingness to suffer rejection is God’s willingness.

Jesus’ love for the very people who reject him is God’s love.

 

We acknowledge that Christ chooses to be known in the world

through this community of ordinary people,

therefore we dare not despise or abandon the church.

Christ is the head of the church, therefore we are responsible to Christ

when we make policy and decisions in the church.

Christ is the foundation of the church,

therefore it will not fall despite our weakness.

We are confident that the Lord of the church

will judge and defeat our sinful intentions and actions,

help us in our weakness and blindness,

and use the church to accomplish his purposes.

 

Throughout its history the church has struggled

to be faithful to God in political situations:

under persecution,

or as an established arm of the state,

or in separation from it.

God rules over both political and religious institutions.

We must confuse neither with the kingdom of God.

We must not equate the Christian faith

with any nation’s way of life

or with opposition to the ideologies of other nations.

The church must be free to speak to civil authorities,

neither claiming expert knowledge it does not have,

nor remaining silent when God’s Word is clear.

 

We testify God is at work here and now

when people obey Christ’s commission

to witness to him and make disciples of all nations,

when they spread the good news by their words

and embody it in their lives.

 

Call for the Offering

 

Doxology

 

Prayer of Dedication (unison)

God of the rock and the river, we place before you what we have — our money, our time, our quarreling hearts, our hesitant obedience. Take these ordinary things, and make them holy. Use them to split open the hard places of this world, that living water might flow for the thirsty. In the name of Jesus, who gave everything. Amen.

 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer  (responsive)

The people are invited to respond to each petition:

One: Lord, in your mercy

All: hear our prayer.

 

 Hymn of Sending         

Lord, I'm Coming Home                                                        

Charge and Benediction                                                                  

 

Response to the Benediction #358, Blue Hymnal    Because He Lives, refrain

 

Postlude     

 

September Birthdays

  • Jeff Oyster, 9/2

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Bible Study - September 30, 2026, Wednesday at 6:30 pm

  • Communion - October 4, 2026

  • World Sunday - October 4, 2026

  • October Potluck After Worship - October 11, 2026

  • Bible Study - October 14, 2026, Wednesday at 6:30 pm

  • Newell Community Dinner - October 24, 2026, Saturday from 3p to 5pm at American Legion in Newell with: Roast Pork, Haluski, Chunky Applesauce, a Roll, and a Dessert

 

Prayer Requests of the Congregation

  • Brent - strength and healing

  • Dave Lyons - healing and strength

  • Jeannie, (Peggy’s sister) - prayers while in the hospital

  • Jimmy - healing and strength

  • Lynda Knight (Niki’s aunt) - family comfort

  • Bruce Frogge - fighting MDS

  • Derek Terry and his family

  • Matt Camlin - fighting MS

  • Scott Norse - 46, stroke

  • Shelly - surgery on 29th

  • All affected by the Nor'easter on the Eastern Coast

  • All affected by the storms of nature and of life, especially by the paths of floods and other natural disasters

  • Continued prayers for the latest victims of the tornadoes and severe storms, flooding and wildfires hitting our nation.

  • Prayers for the people of Iran, Israel, and US Servicemen and Women being sent into the latest conflict.

  • Prayers for those victims of the Measles outbreak