ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

JULY 19, 2026                                                                                                  

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION: 

"The path I walk, Christ walks it. May the land in which I find myself be without sorrow. May the Trinity protect me wherever I stay, bright angels walk with me, the ninefold people of heaven come with me. May I arrive at every place I enter. Well does the fair Lord show us a course, a path." 
(From a sixth-century hymn attributed to St. Columba)

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE “Brothers Orlando’s Air”                                            

John Michaels

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 660 “God Is Here” (vs 1,3,4)                                                 

ABBOT’S LEIGH

God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,

may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.

Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills

and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
 

Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;

here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us, as of old.

Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore

what it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
 

Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt

keep us faithful to the gospel help us work your purpose out.

Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive;

we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

One:    Come! Enter into God’s presence.

All:     We come yearning to encounter God.

One:    God’s reassuring presence is with us wherever we go.

All:     We are surrounded, always in the scope of God’s love.

One:    We cannot escape from God’s Spirit.

All:       Let God come to us now!

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

Present and Sustaining God, come to us when we seem to have lost our way. Forgive us for continually running in circles seeking our way while you wait for us to calm us and reveal to us your presence with us. Open to us the path of fellowship with you and one another. Lead us in your grace, forgiveness and joy. 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 “I Will Arise and Go to Jesus”                              

Southern Folk Melody

                                                                                                                                                      
SCRIPTURE Genesis 28:10-20 (Psalm 139:7-12)
  

SERMON “At Every Turn”

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

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 “Great is the Lord”           

Michael W. and Deborah D. Smith

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)                                                           

God of Blessing and God of Hope, we are grateful that your Spirit is ever with us, assuring us of your acceptance and love. May our offerings sustain our mission as a congregation, as we share the message of your abiding presence with others who need to hear the good news that they are not alone or forsaken on the tiresome path of their lives. May these gifts and the lives we live bear witness to your face in the midst of the darkest challenges of our day. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 672 “God Be with You till We Meet Again”                      

GOD BE WITH YOU

God be with you till we meet again; by his counsels guide, uphold you,

with his sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet;

till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again; neath his wings securely hide you,

daily manna still provide you; God be with you till we meet again. (Refrain)

God be with you till we meet again; when life's perils thick confound you,

put his arms unfailing round you; God be with you till we meet again. (Refrain)

God be with you till we meet again; keep love's banner floating o'er you,

smite death's threatening wave before you; God be with you till we meet again. (Refrain)

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Revive Us Again”                                        

John S. Husband

The Liturgist is Tiffany Alger-Trussell.  
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHURCH UBER ACCOUNT
Thanks to a generous donation a church Uber account as 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.