9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 07-26-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

9TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
07-26-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice in God’s Presence +

OPENING SONG: “OH, HOW I LOVE JESUS” Brown #250
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
L My friends, we gather together – in this sanctuary and online – bearing our joys and our concerns. We are seeking to live
with steps ordered by God’s word of love. We are discovering hope through God’s helping Spirit. And we are sensing
and
trusting that our faith in Jesus Christ makes all the difference in our lives and in our world. But we also want to be honest
about ourselves. There are times when we falter, fear, and fail. And so we confess.
C O God of mighty power and tender mercy…
Sometimes I forget what really matters, and sometimes I make such dumb decisions.
Sometimes I wander away, and sometimes I do the wrong things on purpose.
Sometimes I reject your will, and sometimes I give up on your love.
Sometimes I am so lonely and afraid, and sometimes I don’t even know how to pray right.
But you keep reaching out to me with your love. And, this very moment, I am reaching back to you.
Search my heart, Lord, and forgive me.
Restore me to a right relationship with you, and send me out to live the good news of your love. Amen.
L My sisters and brothers, united and buried with Christ into his death, you are also forgiven and raised to new life through
his resurrection. If God is for us, who can be against us? Who will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord? I assure you that there is NOBODY and NOTHING! By (+) Christ and in Christ, you are forgiven and set free from
sin to live as fully as God intends. So keep holding on and trusting in the promises of God! Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Dear God, I thank you for your grace, your mercy, and the treasure of new life in Jesus Christ.
No matter how high… how heavy… how long… or how deep my problems get, your love is with me.
Help me to hold on to your love, help me to lean on your love, help me to trust your love, and help me to
bear your love in a world that is searching, sinning, suffering, and sorrowing. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +

FIRST READING: 1 KINGS 3:5-12
[The best leaders in this world are seeking to follow God! Solomon started out that way in humility… then his heart changed and
he made himself stupid.]
SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:26-39
[One of the greatest chapters in the Bible! The Christian is never too low or too lost for God’s love!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”

HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:31-33, 44-52
[Some people look everywhere for anything, but miss the true treasure and full measure of their life. Turn towards God!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
SONG RESPONSE: “LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS” Brown #220
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and for the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!

OFFERING… Express your trust and obedience toward God with your offering of time, talent, and treasure!
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th
Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also contribute
online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to
the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for
your contribution. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
OFFERING SONG: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG,
PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG! [sing the chorus 2 times]
We are God’s people, we are Christ’s Church, called by God’s Spirit into the world.
We have God’s power from heaven above, we’ll share God’s justice, mercy and love!”

OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant: Micah Gillum
Lord God, thank you for making a way out of no way in my life! During this summer may I dedicate
my leisure and my work, my rest and my travel, my service and my spending, my health and my
wealth, my worship and my witness to glorify You and to extend your Kingdom to others.
Someone somewhere is in need of your Good News. Amen.
THE PREFACE AND THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful… C … and set us on fire with your love! Alleluia!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center
aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice; we will also
have a tray of pre-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. CHRIST
OFFERS US PEACE, POWER, AND PROMISE FOR FAITHFUL LIVING AND FERVENT LOVING!
COMMUNION SONGS: Brown #123 Brown #194
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ We Rejoice in Our Mission +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor:
L My sisters, my brothers, who or what shall keep us from the love of Christ?
Affliction, hardship, famine, peril, or sword?
A broken heart or a faithless friend?
Failure, mistake, or fear?
Weariness, want, or pain – Or death?
No, all these things can be faced and overcome in the strength of Christ!
Live, then, as God’s children, aware of God’s generosity, eager to share the treasure of God’s love with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C (sing)) “AMEN… AMEN… A—MEN!”
CLOSING SONG: “I’M SO GLAD” Brown #191