SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
"Parables of the Lost Coin and Lost Sheep" by Gary Roulette
7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ, 08542 609 924 2613 www.princetonumc.org
Pre-Service Music
THE CHURCH GATHERS Sonata in D
Scarlatti
Call to WONDER Imagine more! Beyond what is, beyond what we have come to expect. God, stretch our holy imagination. Imagine a shepherd who keeps searching, a woman who lights a lamp, a God who will not stop seeking. God is already at work among us. Look for what is emerging— grace already present, love drawing near, the Kingdom of God breaking in. There is more possible than we can yet imagine. And when grace finds what was lost, God says, “Rejoice with me!” May we have eyes to see, hearts to rejoice, and imagination to behold what God is creating.
Hymn
God Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens
UMH #150
Prayer of Confession The Lord be with you. And also with you. We join our voices and hearts as one, seeking God's grace, allowing ourselves to be found by the one who seeks us even more. God of abundant grace, you seek what is lost and rejoice in what is found. Yet sometimes our imaginations grow small. We assume that what is is all that can be. We lose hope in one another, in ourselves, and in the possibility of change. Forgive us when fear or certainty limits what we imagine you can do. Seek us again. Find us again. Stretch our imaginations until we can recognize your grace at work and glimpse the world you are creating. silence for prayer
Words of Assurance
This is the grace of God: we are sought, we are found, we are welcomed with joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT Music Ministry Children's Time
A Good Work
Mark A. Miller
Where Children Belong
TFWS #2233
SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY
TODAY’S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
Acolytes - Anna Griffiths, Evelyn Bass Liturgists - LaVerna Albury, Ethan Hamilton, Momo Wolapaye Musicians - Intergenerational Choir, Julia Hanna Ushers - Tim Ewer, Pan Ewer, Ian Griffiths, Dave Potts
IN CELEBRATION OF OUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
BY MIRCEA & FRANÇOISE POPESCU
Scripture Reading Luke 15:1-10 (p. 73) This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon
Imagine Faithfully
Rev. Jenny Smith Walz
TO RESPOND IN FAITH Hymn
In the Midst of New Dimensions
TFWS #2238
Prayers of the People The 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Offertory
Prayer of Saint Gregory
Hovhaness
Doxology
UMH #94
Jon Bass, trumpet
Hymn Prayer of Thanksgiving
AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD Hymn
Bring Forth the Kingdom
TFWS #2190
Benediction Recessional Postlude
Marcha from Jardín de niños
PRAYER CONCERNS
Turina
Prayers for all giving and receiving hospice care. May strength, calm, compassion, and rest be available to them. For those who recently lost Temporary Protected Status and are facing fear and uncertainty. May we strive to support our siblings and neighbors from other lands and overcome the base tendencies of nativism and racism. Prayers for students, teachers, and parents during this first month of the school year.
HAVE PRAYER CONCERNS?
For our Prayer Chain, call Yvonne Macdonald at 609-577-8369 or email her at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net. Email Tyler Mathiasen at tyler@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.
WELCOME TO
Princeton United Methodist Church We are a diverse faith community, engaged in enlivening spiritually thirsty people to joyfully respond to God’s love and grow as disciples of Christ, so that together we may experience the fullness of life.
SCAN TO GIVE OR TEXT YOUR GIFT AMOUNT TO 609-554-1128
SCAN TO CONNECT WITH US OR TEXT 'PUMC' TO 609-542-2192
JOB OPPORTUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are looking for someone to fulfill our part-time nursery care attendant position. This position will be approximately 2 hours each Sunday, with an occasional extra hour after worship for special events. To find out more, follow this link.
NEWCOMERS GROUP
If you are a visitor or interested in learning more about PUMC or joining the church, we invite you to come to our Newcomer’s group! Starting today, Sept. 27, we will hold our Newcomer’s Group on Sundays after worship from 11:30am12:30pm in the Library and on zoom. We hope to see you there!
STAFF
Pastor - Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Administrative Director - Tyler Mathiasen Director of Youth Ministry - Brooke Foster Director of Children’s Ministry - Blessing Gwatana Music Director - Tom Shelton Director of Communications - Abby Gillette Church Sexton - Gilmar Enamorado Custodial Staff - Santos Gonzales, Mario Villatoro
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