ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

AUGUST 16, 2026                                                                                                  

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION: 

“Therefore, as God’s choice, holy ad loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness,

and  patience.”   Colossians 3:12

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE  “A Little Song of Praise”                                           

Todd Kendall

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 342 “Rock of Ages”                                                                      TOPLADY

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.

Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
Thee for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

One:  Come, let the Spirit of the Holy grow within us.

All:     We seek to grow in wisdom and truth.

One:   Come, let us learn the ways of Christ.

All:     We seek to walk in the path of Christ.

One:   Come, let us clothe ourselves in compassion and kindness.

All:      We seek to make known the presence of God’s love.

One:   Come in love for God and in unity with one another.

All:     We are bound together in harmony and peace.

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Merciful God, you call us to be clothed with righteousness. But our lives feel too small to wear that garment. Forgive us for being comfortable and satisfied rather than hearing your call us to grow in love and grace. We seek the gift of your forgiveness and to be clothed with kindness and compassion. Grow us in favor with you and with one another. 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 “The Goodness of the Lord”                                                   

Scott Soper

                                                                                                                                                      
SCRIPTURE  I Samuel 2:18-20, 26

SERMON “Fit Check”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No.495 “Jesus Loves Even Me”                                                       GLADNESS

I am so glad that our Father in heav'n Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n,
Wonderful things in the Bible I see - This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me; Jesus loves even me!

Tho' I forget Him and wander away, Still He doth love me wherever I stray.
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee When I remember that Jesus loves me. [Refrain]

O if there's only one song I can sing When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be: "O what a wonder, that Jesus loves me!" [Refrain]

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Blessed be the Name”                                                      Unknown
Arr. by Carol Tornquist

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)                                                           

Gracious God, we come with gratitude and wonder for your marvelous gifts to us. We thank you for the gift of Christ and the presence of your Holy Spirit in our lives. Receive the gifts we bring today. Clothe these gifts with your love, even as you clothe us with compassion, that our lives and these gifts may be transformed into your presence in our world. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 747 “Sunshine in My Soul”                                                           SUNSHINE

There is sunshine in my soul today - More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky, For Jesus is my light.

Refrain: O there's sunshine, blessed sunshine, When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face, There is sunshine in my soul.

There is music in my soul today - A carol to my King;
And Jesus, listening, can hear The songs I cannot sing. [Refrain]

There is music in my soul today, For when my Lord is near
The dove of peace sings in my heart; The flow'rs of grace appear. [Refrain]

There is gladness in my soul today, And hope and love and praise,
For blessings which He gives me now, For joys in future days. [Refrain]

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Great is the Lord”                

Michael W. and  Deborah D. Smith

The Liturgist is Julie Sehrt.  
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CELEBRATION OF STEWARDSHIP
A Celebration of Stewardship is being planned for Sunday, August 23rd. We have a lot to celebrate in regard to Stewardship! We will celebrate the abundance of God’s goodness to our congregation, we will offer appreciation of our members and friends, whose generosity and loyally not only paid for the replacement of a new HVAV system for the sanctuary, but finished the fiscal year in the black and with a general fund surplus! The celebration will ignite a passion for and commitment to the demands of our future ministry.

 As Walt Disney said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible!” Be planning on taking part in what is sure to be a joyous celebration in the life of our congregation on August 23rd.
A lunch will be served after worship in the Fellowship Hall.

CHURCH UBER ACCOUNT
St. Luke's has a church Uber account that has been established for individuals who are unable to drive to and from church. If you would like more information on the program notify the church office.

SHARING TABLE
Take time on Sundays, or anytime during normal office hours, to SHOP at the sharing table. There are Bibles and some old hymnals available if you would like to take one or even more.