Who is the greatest? We have our own answers to questions like this—the greatest boxer, quarterback, singer, president. But in this instance, the disciples aren’t looking for that answer. They are wondering, Who is the greatest, when we’ll all be in heaven? You can imagine the tone of Jesus’s answer. The disciples couldn’t; it’s a big lesson for them, and probably, for us, too.

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23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Who Is the Greatest?

Psalm 72; Matthew 18:1-7

Union Presbyterian Church

September 6, 2026

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Barbara Ann Dailey Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Welcome

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~Psalm 118:24

Announcements Barbara Ann Dailey

Prelude Chris Bartlette

“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love,” John Carter

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Call to Worship Psalm 124 Barbara Ann Dailey

If it had not been for our God…
Where would we be now?

Blessed be our God,

The One who is with us always.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Maker of the heavens and the earth!
Let us worship God together.

* Hymn # 403

“Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”

(Public Domain)

Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for God who answers prayer;
O how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace.

Gracious God, I come before thee;
Come thou also unto me;
where we find thee and adore thee,
There a heaven on earth must be;
To my heart O enter thou;
Let it be thy temple now.

Speak, O Lord, and I will hear thee;
Let thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near thee,
While thou dost thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows;
Here is balm for all our woes.

* Call to New Life  

The grace of God overflows for us through Christ, who came to live among us a human among humans, who showed the love of God with his very life.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

God of all glory, on this first day you began creation, bringing light out of darkness. On this first day you began your new creation, raising Jesus Christ from the darkness of death. On this Lord’s Day grant that we, the people you create by water and the spirit, may be joined with all your works in praising you for your great glory. Open our hearts to your love and healing. Help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.

* Assurance of God’s Love

The mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting.

The old life has gone, a new life has begun.

Hear and take in these words of Jesus:
You are forgiven. Peace be with you. Follow me.

* Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of our loving God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Psalter Psalm 72

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

In his days justice will flourish;

in his days fullness of peace forevermore.

In his days justice will flourish;

in his days fullness of peace forevermore.

Give the king your justice, O God,

and your righteousness to the king’s son;

that he may rule your people righteously

and the poor with justice;

that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people,

and the hills, in righteousness.

In his days justice will flourish;

in his days fullness of peace forevermore.

Let him defend the needy among the people,

rescue the poor, and crush the oppressor.

For the king delivers the poor who cry out in distress,

the oppressed, and those who have no helper.

He has compassion on the lowly and poor,

and preserves the lives of the needy.

From oppression and violence he redeems their lives,

and precious is their blood in his sight.

In his days justice will flourish;

in his days fullness of peace forevermore.

Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Isreal;

you alone do wondrous deeds!

And blessed be your glorious name forever,

and may all the earth be filled with your glory. Amen. Amen.

In his days justice will flourish;

in his days fullness of peace forevermore.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “All Hail to God’s Anointed” (Hymn #149)

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Anthem Summer Choir

“The World Turned Upside Down,” John Ylvisaker

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

One day when the sons of Zebedee

Were talking very loud and arguing about

Which one would receive the higher place

When Jesus starts his earthly reign,

The Lord took them both aside and said,

“You’re talking very loud and arguing about

A choice I will never have to make;

The answer I will never change.”

“With the last first and the first one last

And the world turned upside down,

With the slave free and the free held fast,

I’ll spin the world around.”

He told them about a farm nearby

Where laborers were paid five dollars for the day;

But some came to work an hour late

And others came to work at noon.

And then when the working day was done,

The laborers were paid five dollars for the day,

And those who had worked since early morn

Were angry ‘cause they came too soon.

“With the last first and the first one last

And the world turned upside down,

With the slave free and the free held fast,

I’ll spin the world around.”

You see, an agreement had been made

To pay them all the same; there was no one to blame.

The farmer reserved the right to choose,

And Jesus was a lot like him.

And then the disciples understood—

He’d pay them all the same; there was no one to blame.

They learned that the Lord was fair indeed

And Jesus was the promised one.

“With the last first and the first one last

And the world turned upside down,

With the slave free and the free held fast,

I’ll spin the world around.”

Scripture Matthew 18:1-7

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the realm of the heavens?” Jesus called a child, whom he placed among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, lest you all be changed and become like children, you all will never enter the realm of the heavens. Whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the realm of the heavens. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

“But if anyone puts an enticement to sin before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of enticement to sin! Enticements to sin are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the enticement comes!”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Who Is the Greatest?” Rev. Pat Raube

* Affirmation of Faith From “A Brief Statement of Faith” of the PCUSA

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children; healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted; eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 

* Hymn # 377

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” Kathleen Thomerson

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

I want to walk as a child of the light.

I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world.

The star of my life is Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all.

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God.

I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,

And show me the way to the Father.

In him there is no darkness at all.

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I’m looking for the coming of Christ.

I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race,

We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all.

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

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 # 466

"Come and Fill Our Hearts,” Jacques Berthier

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.

You alone, O Lord, are holy.

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.

Alleluia!

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 605

"Praise to God the Father"

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Praise to God the Father; praise to God the Son;

Praise to God the Spirit: praise to the Three-in-One.

Sing praise, sing praise to the Lord on high.

Praise to God Almighty; praise ot the Holy One.

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn # 301

“Let Us Build a House,” Marty Haugen

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Let us build a house where love can dwell

And all can safely live,

A place where saints and children tell

How hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,

Rock of faith and vault of grace;

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome;

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak,

And words are strong and true,

Where all God’s children dare to seek

To dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness

And as symbol of God’s grace;

Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome;

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found

In water, wine, and wheat;

A banquet hall on holy ground

Where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,

Is revealed in time and space;

As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome;

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach

Beyond the wood and stone

To heal and strengthen, serve and teach,

And live the Word they’ve known.

Here the outcast and the stranger

Bear the image of God’s face;

Let us bring an end to fear and danger:

All are welcome, all are welcome;

All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named,

Their songs and visions heard

And loved and treasured, taught and claimed

As words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter,

Prayers of faith and songs of grace;

Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

All are welcome, all are welcome;

All are welcome in this place.

* Benediction

Postlude Chris Bartlette

“Jesus Loves Me,” Robert D. Vandall

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.

Scripture Translations from the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the
Whole Church,” Year A, unless otherwise noted.

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Who Is the Greatest?