August 30, 2026

Welcome

Prelude/Opening Prayer 

Call to Worship* (Responsively) 

You call us to turn away from our own selfish interests,
to take up our cross, and to follow after You –
to find our lives by giving them up to Your greater purpose.

So, we come before You this morning with open hearts and open hands,
eager to hear Your Word, and eager to know Your will.

Through the power of Your Holy Spirit,
move within us and among us as we worship.
Open our eyes to Your presence;
open our ears to Your call,
open our hearts to one another.
And then send us back out into the world,
to live and work as Your faithful disciples. Amen.

"“I Sing Praises”                                                   Chorus 27*
“How Great Thou Art”                                           Hymn 16*

“I Stand in Awe”                                                       Chorus 9
“Draw Me Close”                                                        Screen

Pastoral Prayer

Psalm 26* (Unison)                                      Back of Bulletin
Psalm 26
Matthew 16:21-28
    Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God.
                            All: Thanks be to God

Sermon
“Wherever He Leads I’ll Go”                              Hymn 441*

Offering Prayer
Receiving the Tithes and Offerings
“Come Thou Fount”                                                Hymn 35

Announcements

*Benediction

Sending Forth               “Bond of Love”             Hymn 137*
    We are one in the bond of love,
    We are one in the bond of love;
    We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God--
    We are one in the bond of love.

*Please stand as you are able.

26 Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.[a]
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.