Worship July 5, 2026

CALL TO WORSHIP Come all who are weary of wealth, of poverty, of power, of struggle, of division. Come all who are heavy-laden with too much, with too little, with anxiety, with fear, with anger. Come all who have hope for liberation, for peace, for freedom, for the kingdom. God says to us, “See, I am making all things new.” Hymn God of the ages, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before your throne arise. Thy love divine hath led us in the past; in this free land with thee our lot is cast; be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay, your word our law, your paths our chosen way. From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be your strong arm our ever sure defense; your true religion in our hearts increase; your bounteous goodness nourish us in peace. Refresh thy people on their toilsome way; lead us from night to never-ending day; fill all our lives with heaven born love and grace, and songs of praise we’ll lift before your face! Prayer of Confession Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste to the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ. Scriptures Zechariah 9:9-12 & Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Sermon “To the Beat of a Different Drummer” Hymn Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; See on the portals He's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home ye who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner come home! Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, mercies for you and for me? Come home, come home ye who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner come home! O for the wonderful love He has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. Come home, come home ye who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, O sinner come home! AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. OFFERING THE LORD’S SUPPER Hymn We meet as friends at table, to listen, and be heard, united by the Spirit, attentive to the Word. Through prayer and conversation we tune our varied views to Christ, whose love has made us the bearers of good news. With food and drink for sharing the table soon is spread. The freedom-meal of Jesus is crowned with wine and bread, and all, without exception, may eat, and speak, and stay, for this is Christ's own table where none are turned away. We share our lives and longings, and when the meal is done we pray as friends at table, and promise to be one. To Christ, and to each other, we cheerfully belong: apart, our hope is fruitless; together, we are strong. Fulfilled, and glad to follow wherever Christ may lead, we journey from the table to love a world in need with patience, truth and kindness, that justice may increase and all may sit at table in freedom, joy, and peace. Hymn America the Beautiful