Pine Street Presbyterian Church in the City of Harrisburg Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World. September 20, 2026
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
PRAYER OF PREPARATION God of every blessing, we remember the works of your hands: the days you save us, the people who embrace us, the moments we feel free, and the dreams you give us. All of it is from you, Faithful One. Sustain us with your strength, that we may be surprised by the miraculous gift of life itself. Amen.
GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST RINGING OF THE CARILLON SALUTATION One: Live in a way that is worthy of the gospel. Many: Stand firm in the Spirit, side by side.
VOLUNTARY Give Me Jesus
Richard Billingham (Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
INTROIT The Gift is Free
Fred Gramann
Come to the waters, all who are thirsty; O come and drink. This gift is free. Come to the table, all who are hungry. O come and feast. This gift is free. Come to the waters, all who are thirsty; O come and drink. This gift is free. Come to the table, all who are hungry. O come and feast. This gift is free. ________________________________________________________________________________________
† Those able are invited to stand. Bold text is read or sung by all
† CALL TO WORSHIP One:
The wilderness is still.
Many: The hungry are left empty. One:
The cracked earth crumbles.
Many: The thirsty cry out. One:
The Promise Keeper pulls them close.
Many: God, hear us now. One:
Water flows.
Many: The Holy One listens. One:
A feast from heaven.
Many: The Holy One provides.
† HYMN 645 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above
MIT FREUDEN ZART
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of generosity, we find ourselves bitter when faced with your abundant grace. We believe ourselves more deserving than others. We nurse our anger and resentment at those you forgive, instead of rejoicing in the abundant love you show. Forgive us when we wish your grace was scarce. Forgive the double standards we hold. Help us to know that we are all in need of your grace, and help us rejoice as we all gratefully receive your mercy.
† SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION † KYRIE
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: The grace of God is boundless, poured out freely for all of us. Many: We receive this gift of forgiveness, and trust God to transform our lives!
† GLORIA
READING AND HEARING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON Exodus 16:2-15
Old Testament Page 62
One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.
† HYMN 648 Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise (Psalm 105)
THANKFUL HEARTS
SECOND LESSON Philippians 1:21-30
New Testament Page 196
THIRD LESSON Matthew 20:1-16
New Testament Page 21
SERMON “Fair’s Fair”
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Rev. Seelman
The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
† THE PEACE One:
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Many: And also with you.
WELCOME AND PARISH LIFE (Please sign the Friendship Register) THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
ANTHEM There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Maurice Bevan There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea; there’s a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven; there is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given. For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. But we make his love too narrow by false limits of our own; and we magnify his strictness with a zeal he will not own. There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed; there is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head. There is grace enough for thousands of new worlds as great as this; there is room for fresh creations in that upper home of bliss. If our love were but more simple, we should take him at his word; and our lives would be all gladness in the joy of Christ our Lord.
† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
† BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS † PRAYER OF DEDICATION SEALING THE WORD SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER INVITATION TO THE TABLE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING One: The Lord be with you. Many: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. Many: We lift them to the Lord. One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
… of the universal church and heavenly choir:
The prayer continues. … as we share this joyful feast:
INTERCESSION, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
… now and forever.
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD † HYMN 716 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending
BEACH SPRING
† BENEDICTION † CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Lift High the Cross
CRUCIFER Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod, the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore His sacred name.
VOLUNTARY Trumpet Tune in C Major
David N. Johnson
LEADING IN WORSHIP TODAY The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship Scott Miller, Lector Isaiah Shu, Liturgist The Chancel Choir Pine Street Quartet FLOWER DEDICATION The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her sister Alyson Chick by Amy Chick.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR Sunday, September 13 9:00 am- Café Conversations 9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up 10:00 am- Worship Sunday, September 20 9:00 am- Café Conversations 9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up 10:00 am- Worship
COPYRIGHT NOTICE Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net # A-743343. All rights reserved. Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion—copyright 2013, and from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 238-9304 | www.pinestreet.org