COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE WORSHIP OF GOD
THE 13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
PAUL KOCH
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
10:00 A.M.
*The congregation will please stand, if able.
Our Gathering Music
“I Sing Praises”
Our Meditation of Preparation
Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: You have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness keep us from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [
The Peace of Christ
L: The Peace of Christ be with you all.
P: And also with you.
Our Welcome and Announcements
The Lighting of the Trinity Candle
The Ringing of the Bells
The Choral Introit
“Make a Joyful Noise”
Our Prayer of Invocation
The Call to Worship (Responsively)
L: Worship the Lord with gladness, and enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.
P: O God, the angels of heaven proclaim your glory without ceasing. Help us as we serve you in your house, that in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs we may sing to you with our whole heart;
L: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Our Opening Hymn #457
“How Happy Are the Saints of God”
*The Call to Confession
The proof of God’s amazing love is this: While we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another
*Our Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior.
*The Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Amen.
*The Gloria Patria #581
Our Prayer for Illumination
The Old Testament Scripture Readings
Jeremiah 18:1-11 (p. 1203)
Psalm 1 (p. 843)
The Choral Anthem
“I Feel the Spirit”
The New Testament Scripture Readings
Philemon 1:1-21 (p. 1860)
Luke 14:25-33 (p. 1623)
L: The Word of the Lord
P: Thanks be to God
The Message “Counting the Cost”
Paul Koch
*Our Hymn of Response #695
“Change My Heart, O God”
*Affirmation of Faith (The Nicene Creed)
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Sharing of Joys and Concerns
(After each request for prayer the leader will say “We lift this prayer to the Lord” and the people will respond “Lord hear our prayers”. Following each praise the leader will say “We lift this praise to the Lord” and the people will say “Thanks be to God”)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Choral Amen
The Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
*The Doxology #606
*Our Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
Mighty God, you overwhelm us with your mercy. So we respond with gratitude and offer what we have to continue the ministry of Christ. It is for his name and for his glory that we pray and present our gifts. Amen.
*Our Communion Hymn #510
“We Gather Here in Jesus Name”
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
(Both red wine and white grape juice are served. Please take the cup that is appropriate for you. For those who have gluten allergies - the wafers are Gluten-free)
The Invitation
Jesus said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Amen.
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Lift up your hearts.
P: We lift them to the Lord.
L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
P: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
L: Eternal God, holy and mighty, it is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, and to worship you in every place where your glory abides. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the heavenly choirs and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name. Great is the mystery of faith;
P: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
The Words of Institution & Breaking of the Bread
L: These are the gifts of God, for the people of God.
P: Thanks be to God.
The Communion of the People
The Prayer after Communion
*Our Closing Hymn #296
“Go in Grace and Make Disciples”
*The Sending and Blessing
*The Postlude