ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

AUGUST 23, 2026                                                                                                  

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION: 

“Love recognizes no barriers.  It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its

destination full of hope.”  ― Maya Angelou

GATHERING MUSIC

GREETING

PRELUDE  "Lamb of God”                                                          

Twila Paris

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 92 “For the Beauty of the Earth” (vs 1,4,5,6)                                      DIX

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;

Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; (Refrain)

For thy church, that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love; (Refrain)

For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven: (Refrain)

CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 89, The Message)

One:  God’s love is our song! Let us sing it!

All:     We are forever telling everyone how faithful God is.

One:  God’s love has always been our lives’ foundation.

All:     We know who God is and what God does! We can’t keep it quiet.

One:  God’s vibrant beauty has gotten inside us. We are walking on air!

All:     All we are and have we owe to God!

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

God of Blessing, we are hesitant to risk failure, so we wait for the risk to be removed. Give us a faith that rests in the assurance that your power is greater than all the challenges we face. In the strength of your love, forgive us and lead us into your promised and joyous victory. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI       

Glory be to the Father and to the Son       
and to the Holy Ghost;                                 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,                                 

world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE    

PASTORAL PRAYER and 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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “I Gave My Life for Thee”                                             

James Koerts

                                                                                                                                                      
SCRIPTURE  Romans 12:9-21

SERMON "The Alchemy of Faith”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 399 “Take My Life, and Let It Be”                                                    MESSIAH

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Knowing Christ”                                       

Mary Lynn Van Gelderen

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY                                                                     

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;                                        

Praise God, all creatures here below;                                             

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:                                      

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)                                                           

Our baskets are full, as are our hearts, Gracious God. Equip us to be faithful stewards, sharing generously from all you have entrusted to us. Bless the gifts we bring and bless our shared ministry as we seek to bless the world with acts of love. Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 648 “God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian”                                  HYFRYDOL

God the Spirit, guide and guardian, wind-sped flame and hovering dove,
breath of life and voice of prophets, sign of blessing, power of love:
give to those who lead your people fresh anointing of your grace;
send them forth as bold apostles to your church in every place.

Christ our Savior, sovereign, shepherd, word made flesh,
love crucified, teacher, healer, suffering serving, friend of sinners, foe of pride:
in your tending may all pastors learn and live a shepherd’s care;
grant them courage and compassion shown through word and deed and prayer.

Great Creator, life bestower, truth beyond all thought’s recall,
fount of wisdom, womb of mercy, giving and forgiving all:
as you know our strength and weakness, so may those the church exalts
oversee her life steadfastly yet not overlook her faults.

Triune God, mysterious being, undivided and diverse,
deeper than our minds can fathom, greater than our creeds rehearse;
help us in our varied callings your full image to proclaim,
that our ministries uniting may give glory to your name.

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “It Is Good to Sing Your Praises”                                     

James Koerts

The Liturgist is Paula McKinney.  
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOCAL MINISTRY

Current Expenses donations are used for the everyday cost of operating the church. These expenses include things like utilities, payroll, maintenance, insurance, etc. St. Luke's could not operate without the generous support of those that give to this fund.

Sunday School donations help offset the cost of curriculum.

Easter & Christmas Offerings help with everyday operating expenses of the congregation.

Dollar Fund cash donations are used to respond to the needs of members and visitors. 

Blessing Bag donations include cash, food, toiletries, etc to help members and visitors.

Outreach donations go to community partners that the congregation is helping. Every year we collect donations for Holiday Helpers. It is a program through the Independence, MO School District that helps families in need, who do not qualify for any other assistance, purchase Christmas gifts for their children.

Miscellaneous Fund donations include expenses that aren’t covered in other areas. An example of this is the HVAC fund.

MEMORIAL FUNDS

The six Memorial Funds are funded by donations and bequests. Only the interest can be used and they provide a significant part of the church’s annual budget needs. The donations are typically in memory of someone, but anyone can make donations to these funds at any time. These funds are:

Scholarship – both Local Congregation (members going to college or trade schools) and Church Related Vocations (those going to seminary or other church related education).

Church Improvement – divided into regular repairs (toilets, lights, faucets, etc.) and major repairs (parking lot, HVAC, etc.).

Church Program – for Christian Education, Music, Youth, Library/Media & the Church Program Coordinator’s Salary.

Church Mission Fund – The Living Memorial Committee meets once a year to determine how the earnings are allocated. It supports local, regional and world mission projects including CSL, Emmaus, Steppingstone, etc.

Knapheide/Twiehaus Bequest for Church Budget – the interest from this fund is transferred monthly for current expenses.

DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY

OCWM donations are sent to the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ to be used in the ministries of the conference and National Church.

Christmas Fund (formally known as the Veterans of the Cross) donations help provide assistance to low-income retired church workers and emergency assistance to clergy families in need. This special offering is received in December.

Strengthen the Church donations are sent to the conference to be used towards new churches (and other ministries) both locally and nationally. This special offering is received on Pentecost Sunday.

Neighbors in Need donations support justice and compassion ministries throughout the US and direct service projects supported by Justice and Local Church Ministries. This special offering is received on World Communion Sunday in October.

One Great Hour of Sharing donations are for international programs in health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries and both international and domestic disaster response. This special offering is received during Lent.

Disaster Relief Fund donations are used for national and international disasters, such as hurricanes, massive tornados, earthquakes, etc.