What if Jesus’ brother were to sit down and write the church a letter? Well, he did— at least, many scholars believe he did. The letter of James is direct, pointed, and has opinions about what constitutes “true religion.”
Join us as we listen to the words of Jesus’ closest kin. We worship together at 10:30 AM in our sanctuary, live-streaming the service for those at home or on the road right here. You are invited!
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Union Presbyterian Church
August 29, 2021
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Liturgist: Chris Bartlette Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube
Prelude Angel and Colin DeLap, Piano
"In Christ Alone,” Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
©2002, Thankyou Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847
Welcome Rev. Pat Raube
Call to Worship Chris Bartlette
Where do we begin? How shall we know the Way?
Lord, to whom shall we go?
What is a life of faith? What are the essentials?
You alone, O God, you alone…
What is true religion, and what is false? How shall they know we are Christians?
Teach us your way, O God,
for you alone have the words of everlasting life.
Hymn #6 W & R
“Let the Whole Creation Cry”
(Public Domain) (unison, parts, parts)
Barb, Peg, Chris, Doug
Let the whole creation cry, “Glory to the Lord on high!”
Heaven and earth, awake and sing, “Praise to our almighty King!”
Praise him, angel hosts above, ever bright and fair in love;
Sun and moon, lift up your voice; night and stars, in God rejoice.
Christians striving for the Lord, prophets burning with his Word,
Those to whom the arts belong add their voices to the song.
Those of knowledge and of law, to the glorious circle draw;
All who work and all who wait, sing, “The Lord is good and great!”
Men and women, young and old, raise the anthem loud and bold,
And let children’s happy hearts in this worship take their parts;
From the north to southern pole let the mighty chorus roll”
“Holy, Holy, Holy One, glory be to God alone!”
Call to New Life Chris Bartlette
Prayer for Wholeness and Peace
What do we see, Lord God, when we search our hearts? We see a real desire to follow your way, from which we are easily distracted. We see an intention to offer forgiveness, which is never followed by action. We see a seed planted which has never been watered, and which withers on the vine. Surely, there is a better way.
We pause now for silent prayer.
And we pray:
Help us, Wondrous Gardener, to bring forth good fruit. Aid us, Great Physician, with your healing balm. Guide us, Sacred Spirit, to the path that is holy, and joyous, and which leads us home. Let it all be done in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Grace Chris Bartlette
Do not fear, says the Lord, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name, and you are mine.
God is doing a new thing; now it springs forth!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
God’s mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
Sharing of the Peace
The healing balm of God’s love is like a river flowing,
inviting us to a place of perfect peace and contentment.
May God’s peace be with you this day.
And also with you.
Let us offer each other a sign of God’s peace.
Scripture Psalm 15 Chris Bartlette
O Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
Who may abide upon your holy hill?
Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right,
who speak the truth from their heart;
they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends;
they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor.
In their sight the wicked are rejected.
They have sworn upon their health, and do not take back their word.
They do not give their money in hope of gain,
nor do they take bribes against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.
Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” (W&R 248)
(Public Domain)
Scripture James 1:17-27
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:
Thanks be to God!
Meditation
Anthem Chris Bartlette
“All the Glory,” Graham Kendrick
©1991, Make Way Music
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847
Prayers of the People
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.
Prayer Response #492 W & R Peg Williams
“Spirit of the Living God,” Daniel Iverson
©1963, Birdwing Music, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Call for Offering
Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” Angel DeLap, organ
(Public Domain) Colin DeLap, piano
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #595 W & R Angel DeLap, organ; Colin DeLap, piano
“They’ll Know We Are Christians,” Peter Scholtes
©1991, Lorenz Publishing, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Congregation, led by Barb Fuller, Peg Williams, Chris Bartlette, Doug Moore
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand.
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other; we will work side by side.
We will work with each other; we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come.
And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Benediction From Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals,
by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro
May the peace of Christ go with you: wherever he will send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.
Postlude Angel and Colin DeLap, piano
“Shout to the Lord,” Darlene Zschech
©1993, Wondrous Worship
Used by Permission. CCLI License #CSPL068847