ORDER OF WORSHIP

*Please Stand in Body or in Spirit

August 31, 2025                                                        8am & 10am                     

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS                      

*CALL TO WORSHIP

L: God is the steady beat in our changing seasons.

P: We listen for God’s rhythm of grace.

L: Jesus guides our steps in love.

P: We come to walk in step with Christ.

L: God sets the beat, Christ gives us the song, and the Spirit keeps us

in step.

P: Let us worship with grateful hearts!

L: Together, let us worship the Lord of rhythm and life.

P: With joy and faith, we worship!

*OPENING SONG: UMH No. 62 “All Creatures of Our God and King” (VERSES 1-3, 5)

*OPENING PRAYER

Eternal God, You are the Keeper of time and the Composer of life’s

great song. You place a rhythm in our days, moments to build and

moments to rest, seasons of laughter and seasons of tears. You call

us not to rush ahead or fall behind, but to move in step with Your

Spirit. So steady us when we rush, strengthen us when we stumble,

and lead us in harmony. As we worship You this day, steady our

hearts like a metronome, so that our lives may beat with love,

patience, kindness, and peace. Make us a people in harmony with

one another, and with You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS

Leader: At the beginning of this new school year, we gather to bless

students, teachers, staff, and these backpacks that will carry books,

homework, and hopes for learning.

People: We give thanks to God for minds that grow, for hearts that

wonder, and for hands ready to serve.

Leader: These backpacks will hold work done with diligence,

frustrations handled with grace, and achievements celebrated with joy.

People: We ask God’s blessing on each student, that they may be safe,

encouraged, and filled with curiosity.

Leader: We pray for teachers, administrators, and school staff, that

they may have wisdom, patience, and joy in their calling.

People: We give thanks for the gift of learning and for the community

that supports us in it.

Leader: As these backpacks are carried into classrooms, may God’s

love be carried with them.

All Together: Bless these students, bless these backpacks, and bless this school year, O God. May your Spirit guide us in all we do. Amen.

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

SPECIAL MUSIC: “Standing in the Need of Prayer” Pastor Jack & Cheryl Vogeley

CHURCH AT PRAYER -  How May We Pray For You?

PRAYER HYMN: W&S No. 3148  “There’s a Spirit of Love in this Place”  

PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER  

OFFERTORY                                                         Ushers

GIVING MOMENT - Trustee Update

*DOXOLOGY UMH #95

*OFFERING PRAYER

*APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

On the third day he rose from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Galatians 5: 13-15, 22-26

SERMON:  THE SPIRITUAL RHYTHM

*HOLY COMMUNION

*CLOSING SONG: W&S  No. 3177 “Here I Am to Worship”

*BENEDICTION AND BLESSING

PRAYERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prayer Concerns

"Pray without ceasing." —1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray for Our Faith Family:

Charlotte Clapper, Ben Salinas, Joe Kloss, Dana Eberz, Eleanor Slutter, Krissy Kopp, Ryleigh Raub, Clarice Wilkens, Elaine and George Brodhead, Mary and Ralph Chubbuck, Lucy Van Horn, Ben Salinas, Haley Rogers, Tom Gillman

Pray for Our Loved Ones & Friends: Matt Hirsch and Family, Mary Cramer and Family, Peter, Debbie, Greg, Joan, Barbara, Sandy Turner, Kris and Faith, Eva Cruz, Mary Lee, Amanda, Evelyn-June, Bob Riley, Phil Morgan, Eric, Judie, William Besecker, Tom, Diane Walters, Stan Romanski, Ben Eberz

Pray for Our Community & World: Minnesota School shooting victims, teachers and students beginning a new school year, Israel, Iran, and the Middle East; Midwest enduring violent storms; safety at protests in cities across the nation; those suffering from violence & abuse; those who are grieving in some way; our church and its ministries; our UMC denomination; our country and its leaders; Ukraine and its people; our friends struggling with addiction; our friends who are homeless and without access to basic needs; our military and their families.  

 Pray for Our Members at Home or in Care Facilities:

Charlotte Clapper, George & Elaine Brodhead, Floyd Frisbie, Eleanor Slutter, Jane Post, Donna Straka, Lucy Van Horn, Clarice Wilkens

FAITH MATTERS

Subscribe to our Faith Matters weekly newsletter and

announcement email chain at:  www.stroudsburgfaith.org/newsletter

FAITH UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

Worship Leaders

Preacher:  Rev. Jack Tironi 

Music Leaders: Brian Oney, Lila Burke

Liturgists: Michelle Dean, Gloria Harris

AV Coordinators: Thomas Rogers, Anthony Serrone