Proper 19
September 12, 2026

You are welcome to print this liturgy at home and bring it with you on Sunday.

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.

Processional
All Creatures of Our God and King (William Henry Draper, St. Francis of Assisi)

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
O praise ye! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise ye, O praise ye!
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise ye, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice;
Ye lights of evening, find a voice.
O praise ye, O praise ye!
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia!

All you who are of tender heart,
Forgiving others take your part.
O praise ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care.
O praise ye, O praise ye!
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise ye! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, Praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three In One
O praise ye, O praise ye!
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia!

Song of Praise
Hallelujah (Psalm 148) (Flo Paris Oakes)

Hallelujah!
Moon and stars, morning sun, clouds and rain
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Orchard trees, cedars tall, forests green
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
The fox and sparrow both the wild and the tame
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
Men and angels, queens and princes, little babe
We all sing, we all sing
Lift our voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

The Collect of the Day from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers (2002)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Eternal God, teach us to love you not only in mind and heart but also in purpose and action, so that we may love the children of the earth in Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Lesson 1 John 4

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. Little children, you are from God and have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 114

When Israel came out of *Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of foreign *tongue,
Judah became God’s *sanctuary,
Israel his do*minion.

The sea looked and *fled;
The Jordan turned *back.
The mountains leaped like *rams,
The hills like *lambs.

Why was it, sea, that you *fled?
Why, Jordan, did you turn *back?
Why, mountains, did you leap like *rams,
You hills, like *lambs?

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the *Lord,
At the presence of the God of *Jacob,
Who turned the rock into a *pool,
The hard rock into springs of *water.

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.

The Gospel Reading Matthew 11:25-30

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily

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
by Rev. Terri Pilarski

For all the blessings of this life, we give thanks to you, Creator God. For families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers, who nurture us, that the love of God may grow within. That your love, your Word, like a seed, may grow to produce in us, good fruit.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For the leaders of various nations and cities, that they may lead with strong hearts and gentle hands and generous spirits, with compassion and mercy, with wisdom and grace. May they reflect your will guiding all their actions and decisions.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who serve in harms way, those who live in dangerous places, those who live in areas of war and strife, those who live in fear, those who worry about employment, bills, food, and struggle just to find dignity in life. May your grace bring peace and safety to all people, one to another.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who suffer from any illness or dis-ease of mind, body, or spirit: Restore these, and all those we carry in our hearts, to fullness of health— health as only you, O God, can bring. May your mercy shower each of us with healing mercy and love.
May your love be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.

For those who are dying, and for those who have died: send forth your comforting love. Give solace to those who mourn. Console those who grieve. May your grace surround us like a mantle upon our heads,
a shawl upon our shoulders, a hand, to hold our hand.
May your love, be like a seed, taking root and growing strong.
Amen.

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 God removed our transgressions from us. So, let us heed God’s admonitions that we need not be afraid and that God 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
Psalm 121 (Rain For Roots)

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?

Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the mountains
Who has been my defender since my birth
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the heavens
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the earth

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?

In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?

Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the mountains
Who has been my defender since my birth
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the heavens
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the earth

In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
You will keep me

I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?

Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
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 Jesus.

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 this day our daily bread. And 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 Breaking of the Bread
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. 
We being many are one body, for we all share in one bread.

The Invitation
The gifts of God for the people of God. 
Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Communion Music
Come to the Water (John Foley)

Oh let all who thirst, Let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing, Let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without price,
Why should you pay the price,
Except for the Lord?

And let all who seek, Let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing, Let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without strife.
Why should you spend your life,
Except for the Lord?

And let all who toil, Let them come to the water.
And let all who are weary, Let them come to the Lord:
All who labor, without rest.
How can your soul find rest,
Except for the Lord?

And let all the poor, Let them come to the water.
Bring the ones who are laden, Bring them all to the Lord:
Bring the children without might.
Easy the load and light:
Come to the Lord!

Here Is Love (William Edwards, Robert S. Lowry, and William Rees)

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion, fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.

Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

Closing Song
Christ Is the Life of the World (Sandra McCracken)

In Christ we offer
All that he has offered
The perfect offering

Christ is the life of the world
Christ is the life of the world

So we remember
All that he remembered
The whole of love returned

Christ is the life of the world
Christ is the life of the world

Let us lift up, lift our hearts
Let us lift up, lift our hearts
It is good to lift our hearts to the Lord

Sent forth in beauty
Reconciling all things
Radiant in holiness

Christ is the life of the world
Christ is the life of the world

Christ is the life of the world
Christ is the life of the world

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.