13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-23-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 08-23-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ We Rejoice in God’s Presence +
OPENING SONG: “THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION” [alternate words] Tan #337
THE OPENING RITE OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
L Sisters and brothers, the message of Romans is that sin’s mastery over humankind has been broken by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our new life, St. Paul writes, we should no longer be conformed to the world but transformed by Christ. Our time of confession is an opportunity for us to be honest with God and with each other.
Gracious God…
C Sometimes I wonder if people really see Christ in me when they look at my life.
Sometimes I worry that I give little evidence of my faith in my actions and attitudes, my words and values.
Sometimes I know that I have failed to live faithfully and to love fervently.
Sometimes I am aware of being too afraid, too self-centered, or too worldly.
Today I am asking for the grace of forgiveness, for the power of your Holy Spirit, and for another chance.
Forgive me, renew me, and use me for your mission activity. Amen.
L When we confess, we are already being blessed! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, and God raised him up from death so that we too might walk in the newness of life. My brother, my sister, [+] your sins are forgiven. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. May God’s Holy Spirit fill us, unite us, strengthen us, guide us, and defend us as we live the life to which we have been called. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Dear Jesus, give me the wisdom and spiritual insight to recognize who you are… and then help me to offer myself as a “living sacrifice” in humble service, so that others may recognize the Jesus in me. The gates of hell will never prevail against your presence in me or destroy the unity that you have given all of us as your one body of mercy, compassion, and love here on earth. Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 51:1-6 [Remember your story. Look to God’s past blessings to find solid footing for the future.]
SONG SELECTION: Timyk Hillsman
SECOND READING: ROMANS 12:1-8 [Remember your calling. Put your daily living where your beliefs are.]
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 16:13-20 [Remember your Lord. Live faithfully and love fervently… each day, every day, always, and in all ways. This is how you show who Jesus is, but also who you are.]
THE SERMON: Pastor Bob Holum, member of St. Peter’s
SONG RESPONSE: “I HAVE DECIDED” Tan #400
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… May the Spirit of God within us guide us to be SOLID ROCKS of gentle and strong love!
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: Timyk Hillsman
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:
Lord God, we thank you for making a way out of no way in our life! During this summer may we dedicate our leisure and our work, our rest and our travel, our service and our spending, our health and our wealth, our worship and our 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: Tan #385 “MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS”
Tan #371 “LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS”
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…We are sent forth to be and become the BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN” Tan #595
Lord, show me your way, teach me to love, and give me the courage.