September 7, 2025
Pine Street Presbyterian Church in the City of Harrisbur g
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
G ATHERING IN THE P RESENCE OF THE R ISEN C HRIST
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being: You have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Give us purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing your will, no weakness keep us from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
VOLUNTARY Chorale Prelude on “St. Anne” setting by Healey Willan (Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
INTROIT The Lord is in His Holy Temple Eric Thiman The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
SALUTATION
One: Love does not wrong to a neighbor; Many: love is the fulfillment of the law.
† Those able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all
Barb Neff
† CALL TO WORSHIP
One: There is good and there is wicked in the world.
Many: Lord, help us find the good.
One: The wicked are perishing. Like chaff, they will not stand before the Lord.
Many: Lord, drive wickedness away with the wind.
One: The good is like a tree, planted by streams of sweet water.
Many: Lord, let goodness yield its fruit in every season.
One: Our delight is in the law of the Lord.
Many: Let us meditate upon God’s promises from morning into night.
HYMN 318 In Christ There Is No East or West ST.
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O God, you have given us a firm foundation in Jesus Christ, yet we have chosen to build on sinking sand. The works of our hands crumble around us, and our best efforts are not good enough; sin is real, and we are powerless before it. Forgive us for thinking we know best. Mend our broken values and create in us hearts that seek your purposes, so that what we build with our lives may give you glory.
†
PETER
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: When our life's journeys take us far from home, Jesus accompanies us, offering abundant mercy and bountiful forgiveness along the way. This is good news!
Many: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
R EADING AND H EARING THE W ORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Milica Knepp
FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 18:1-11 Old Testament Page 720
One: The Word of the Lord.
Many: Thanks be to God.
† HYMN 29 O God, You Search Me (Psalm 139) O GOD, YOU SEARCH ME
SECOND LESSON Philemon 1:1-21 New Testament Page 214
THIRD LESSON Luke 14:25-33 New Testament Page 78
SERMON “Welcome Home” The Rev. Seelman
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe that God is present in the darkness before dawn, in the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage join hands, conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire.
We believe in a with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity.
We affirm a faith that takes us beyond the safe place into action, into vulnerability, and into the streets.
We commit ourselves to work for change, and put ourselves on the line, to bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation; to stand with those on the edge, to choose life and be used by the Spirit for God’s new community of hope. Amen.
† THE PEACE
from the Iona Community
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.
WELCOME
(Please sign the Friendship Register or scan the code)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
(To donate to Pine Street Presbyterian online through PayPal, scan the code)
ANTHEM Day by Day Mark Schweizer
O holy Jesus, merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
† 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.
† 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 the 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 joyful feast.
PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
B EARING AND F OLLOWING THE W ORD OF G OD
INTO THE W ORLD
† HYMN 754 Help Us Accept Each Other BARONITA
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 Festive Postlude
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship
Milica Knepp, Lector
Barb Neff, Liturgist
Callie Garman, Acolyte
The Chancel Choir
F LOWER D EDICATION
Fey
The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in thankful memory for the life of Jack Taylor by Barbara Taylor and Family.
Paul
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday, September 7– 13th Sun. after Pentecost (Welcome Home Sunday)
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formations
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:00 am- Ministry Fair
Sunday, September 14– 14th Sun. after Pentecost
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formations
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
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.
