September 14, 2025 - Audio

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS

Prelude
Welcome & Announcements

*Call to Worship
PASTOR: We come seeking refuge in a world where goodness and good news can feel far away.

PEOPLE: God is our hope and our refuge.

PASTOR: We come searching for safety in a world that often calls foolishness wisdom and wisdom foolishness.

PEOPLE: God is our hope and our refuge.

PASTOR: We come longing for rest in a world that bombards us with all the ways people work against the abundant life and flourishing of their neighbors.

PEOPLE: God is our hope and our refuge.

PASTOR: Come, children of God, to find refuge and hope in God who delivers and restores us.

PEOPLE: May God teach us and guide us to find refuge and be refuge with and for our neighbors today and every day.

* Opening Hymn – “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #400

** Prayer of Confession
O Most Patient God, we recognize how much we need you for life itself. But how often have we behaved as if we did not know or even care about you? How often have we become the ones who do not carry out justice? How often have we tried to dominate others, even as you stand with them? How often have we participated in the desolation of your creation by our treatment of the heavens, the earth, and its waters? Forgive us for these times when we have lost our way. All Loving God, we want to be among those whom you seek. Shower your mercy upon us. Find us and lead us safely home to faithfulness.

Silently Confess Our Sins

Assurance of Pardon
My friends, when we are lost, all is not lost. God is seeking us, ready to turn our lives around, Gathering us in to the people of God. Let us rejoice in God’s mercy! Amen.

*A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada #883

*Glory Be to the Father #70

Children’s Chat

Scripture – Psalm 14
Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God

Series: “I Will Call Upon the Lord”
Message: “Our Hope is in the Lord”

Tithes and Offering
Offertory
*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94

Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns

*Prayer Hymn – “Something Beautiful” #394

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn – “Amazing Grace” #378

Action Steps and Benediction

Postlude

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [email protected]