Proper 16
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 24th, 2025
You are welcome to print this liturgy at home and bring it with you on Sunday.
Prelude
Instrumental
Call to Worship
The Lord be with you.
and also with you.
+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Sentences
from the Northumbria Community
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek God in God’s temple.
Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek God with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek God with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek God with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek God with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Song of Praise
Holy, Holy, Holy (David Yantis)
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Heavenly and earthy,
Creator comes to dwell with man in dirt reclaimed, now free;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Love’s desire receives thee—
God dwells here with humankind, our hearts his Holy See.
The Collect of the Day from Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
God of the sabbath, this is the day and this is the hour when women long oppressed stand with dignity, and when your healing escapes our desire for control: may your joy stretch the fabric of our hearts and inspire us to loosen each other’s bonds; through Jesus Christ, the shamer of the powerful and the raiser of the dead. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a boy,’
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.”
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me,
“Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 71
In you, O LORD, I take re*fuge;
let me never be put to *shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and *rescue me;
incline your ear to me and *save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to *save me,
for you are my rock and my *fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the *wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and *cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my *hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my *youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my *birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's *womb.
My praise is continually of *you.
Glory be to the Father, and to the *Son,
and to the Holy *Spirit.
As it was in the be*ginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. A*men.
A Reading from the New Testament Hebrews 12:18-29
You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking, for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Reading Luke 13:10-17
+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily Rev. Danny Bryant
A Creed from the United Church of Canada
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
The Prayers of the People
from the St. Francis Mission
With all our heart and with all our mind and with all our strength, let us pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For this good earth, this holy creation, and for the wisdom and will to cherish, understand, reverence, rightly use, and conserve it, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all in danger, hunger, or sorrow, for the aged and infirm, the widowed and orphaned, the sick and suffering in body or mind, for prisoners and refugees, the poor and oppressed, the unemployed and destitute, the bereaved and alone, the war-torn and wounded, and for all who care for them, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who hold positions of trust in the worlds of religion, education, government, business, community, culture, and family, that they may promote the well-being of all creation, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
For any who have caused us pain, for those we struggle to understand and strain to love, for all who do not love us or who consider themselves our enemies, that they may be truly blessed and that we may be fully reconciled, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Please add your own prayers, silently or aloud.
All these things, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we have hurt others, and we have been hurt. We have presumed upon others, and we have been presumed upon. We have taken others for granted, and we have been taken for granted. We have dishonored others, and we have been dishonored. As we receive your forgiveness for our wrongs, we extend forgiveness to others who have wronged us. Have mercy upon us all. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Be reminded my friends: as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. So, let us heed his admonitions that we need not be afraid and that he has not come to condemn the world but to redeem it! Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Song of Preparation
The Collected Uncollected (Joseph Bradshaw)
The collected uncollected
Neglected now rejected
So you want to go back to the world from before?
Well it doesn’t matter—
All your poison has scattered
The union is broken, let’s settle the score
We lost our love
Under the bed frame, it died
When you give everything away
Is that just a try?
Love it or leave it
We’ve decided to cleave it
Desperate for happy days, wanting them more
Than moving ahead
Ezekiel Bread
Strong isn’t weak when you’re smashing the door
We lost our love
Under the bed frame, it died
When you give everything away
Is that just a try?
Presentation Hymn
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
About Communion
On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Christ.
Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.
The Great Thanksgiving
from the Children’s Sabbaths Celebration — Children’s Defense Fund (adapted)
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks and praise, amazing God, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry; You watch over the strangers, uphold the children and most vulnerable caregivers, and have triumphed over sin and evil. And so we join the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we say,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
+ Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We praise you, O God, for sending your beloved child Jesus born as a baby nurtured by his family, and protected by strangers, who grew as a child who was taught in his temple, surrounded by his community, and guided by his parents, who became an adult who loved and blessed the children, who cared for those who were sick, poor, and left out, who taught that God loves us like a parent, and who called us his friends. This one who was born a baby needing us died our Savior whom we all need, triumphant even over death, freeing us to live as your beloved children.
On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at the table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. As you do this, remember me.”As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
Around your table, as your children, O God, we remember Jesus Christ, who came in love, lived in love, and died in love, who was and is and is to come. We offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, And we offer to you our lives.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ, that they strengthen us to welcome the children, to show your love, to work for your justice, to bring your peace. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
The Lord’s Prayer
You are welcome to pray in any language.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.
The Invitation
Come, friends of Jesus:
Let us remember and receive. Amen.
Communion Music
All Ye Refugees (Chelsey Scott, Flo Paris Oakes, Kellie Haddock)
I am the one; the earth is my handmade work
The skies, I laid them wide, beauty unfurled
Horizon to horizon
Creation to creation sings you home
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Oh refugee, I did not cast you out
In death and broken ground salvation springs
My body and my blood
The healing that you need; come and receive
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Watch and wait and see
What is yet to be
Watch and wait and see
For the morning
Watch and wait and see
What is yet to be
Watch and wait and see
For the morning
Go out in joy and join the great procession
The mountains and the heav’ns all will rejoice
Horizon to horizon, creation to creation
Horizon to horizon, creation to creation with one voice
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
Welcome home
Gather round
All ye refugees, come in
As We Gather At Your Table (Carl P. Daw)
As we gather at your table
As we listen to your word
Help us know, O God, your presence
Let our hearts and minds be stirred
Nourish us with sacred story
Till we claim it as our own
Teach us through this holy banquet
How to make Love's vict’ry known
Turn our worship into witness
In the sacrament of life
Send us forth to love and serve you
Bringing peace where there is strife
Give us, Christ, your great compassion
To forgive as you forgave
May we still behold your image
In the world you died to save
Gracious Spirit, help us summon
Other guests to share that feast
Where triumphant Love will welcome
Those who had been last and least
There no more will envy hide us
Nor will pride our peace destroy
As we join with saints and angels
To repeat the sounding joy
The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.
Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.
Spirit who meets us in bread and wine, we give thanks for the nourishment we receive in this meal. Now let us share this abundance with the world. May we live our gratitude by doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with the One who calls us friends. Amen.
The Blessing
Closing Song
Instrument of Peace (The Porter’s Gate)
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
For in the giving, we shall receive,
And in the dying, we're given life.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Where there is sorrow, let me sow hope.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is injury, Your pardon give,
Your consolation to those in pain.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Amen, amen.
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.