Bulletin – Sunday, August 23, 2026 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Windsor Park United Church
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2026
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Lighting the Christ Candle
Announcements
Please join in the singing of the Hymn “Here in this Place (Then Let Us Sing #150)
Here in this place,
The breath of God,
My soul finds repose;
Holy space,
The heartbeat of God,
My soul finds a home.
Here in this place,
The breath of God,
My soul finds repose;
Holy space,
The heartbeat of God,
My soul finds a home.
Call to Worship
On this beautiful Sunday morning, we gather together as one body of Christ. Let us sing as one voice, praise God aloud with one song, raise prayers with one heart to our maker, rejoicing in God’s call.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
God of all grace, in foolishness and pride we often dare to speak on your behalf. Not even knowing at times who you are we claim to know your ways, make promises we struggle to keep, judge others even as our own self-esteem is weak. Help us in humility to learn to be still so that we can trust that you indeed are God. You alone show us the way. Amen.
(Adapted from Prayer of Humility, Celtic Daily Prayer: Book Two)
Words of Assurance
We trust in God, even as we live in the paradoxes of being faithful and still afraid, purposefully lost and still walking the right road, deliberately uncertain yet, committed to following you O Creator. Resolutely confused, we know our hope is in God alone.
(Adapted from Paradox Prayer, Celtic Daily Prayer: Book Two)
Sung Response – “Amen” (Voices United #967)
Amen, Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Readings
The first scripture reading is from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 12:1-2, 4-8
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7 ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8 the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
The second reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!
Reflection – God is Love
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “The Gift of Love” (lyrics by H. Hopson)
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be giv’n by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship and are freed.
We Respond to God’s Word
Invitation to Share
Offering Sung Response “We Give You But Your Own” (Voices United #542)
We give you but your own
What e’er the gift may be,
All that we have is yours alone,
We give it gratefully.
Offering Prayer
May these gifts before us be an offering to you O God. Through sharing this abundance, we show the love you pour out on us. Bless these offerings in our hands that with them, we might do the works of mercy. For others as we build the church of compassion, love, and care, in your name, now and always. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Invitation to the Passing of the Peace
Please offer one another the peace of Christ in a way that you feel comfortable and respects others’ space.
The Prayer that Jesus Taught
One: Please join me in praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Creator who is like…Our Mother
All: And 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
We Go Into God’s World
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “It’s Not Enough” (Then Let Us Sing! #118)
It’s not enough to offer thoughts and prayers.
It’s not enough to say that we care.
It’s not enough to hope that things will change.
We’ve got to pray with our feet, pray with our feet,
Pray with our feet and get out, out on the street.
It’s not enough to offer thoughts and prayers.
It’s not enough to say that we care.
It’s not enough to hope that things will change.
We’ve got to pray with our feet, pray with our feet,
Pray with our feet and stay out, out on the street.
Commissioning
The God who challenges us poses difficult questions. Who am I too you? God is the one who is a caregiver and guide, knows our fears, and failures. Our maker who gives assurance and love in times of trial. The one who walks with us, desiring to be known, and to know each of us.
Extinguish Candle
Benediction
Go now into the world, assured that the God of love is with you. Know, the risen Christ in the encounters with all you meet. The Holy Spirit guides and watches over you now and always. Rejoice in your hearts always. Amen.
Sung Response – “Halle, Halle, Halle (Voices United #958)
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Halle, Halle, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
