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. August 16, 2026
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
PRAYER OF PREPARATION Gracious God, you have poured into our hearts the precious oil of your Spirit. Make of us one heart and one will, that as members of the body of Christ, we may be united in the bonds of love; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST RINGING OF THE CARILLON SALUTATION One: Maintain justice, and do what is right. Many: God our Savior is coming soon.
VOLUNTARY Marche Religieuse
Charles Gounod (Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
† CALL TO WORSHIP One:
How good and pleasant it is, when kindred live together in unity!
Many: It is like a fragrant perfume, surrounding us with a crisp aroma. One:
It is like fresh dewfall on a mountaintop, with sprawling vistas set before us.
Many: Where we gather, God has commanded blessings. A dream of life everlasting has fallen on us.
(Continued on next page…)
________________________________________________________________________________________
† Those able are invited to stand.
Bold text is read or sung by all.
One:
O how deep is the mercy and wisdom of God! So we shall worship in the company of the faithful. Many: For from God and through God and to God are all things. To God be the glory forever.
† HYMN 619 Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven (Psalm 103)
LAUDA ANIMA
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all goodness, we do not want to face all that is in our own hearts. We want to focus on the good—on the love, the compassion, the care—and ignore the bad—our greed, our envy, our cruelty. But before you, God, we must face it. Forgive all the ways we have let evil take hold in our hearts. Cleanse us. Help us face our own worst dreams, and wake us up to the life of Christ we share.
† SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION † KYRIE
John Merbecke
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON One:
Friends, hear and believe the good news of the gospel. We are saved by grace through faith. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Many: Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA
John Weaver
(Continued on next page…)
READING AND HEARING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON Genesis 45:1-15
Old Testament Page 42
One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.
† HYMN 408 There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit
SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT
SECOND LESSON Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
New Testament Page 160
THIRD LESSON Matthew 15: 21-28
New Testament Page 17
SERMON “Family Meeting”
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Rev. Seelman
from a Brief Statement of Faith 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 (Please sign the Friendship Register) THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD ANTHEM God Be Merciful
Paul Bouman
God be merciful and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let thy people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee! Oh, let nations be glad and sing for joy, for thou shalt judge thy people righteously and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee! Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
† 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 feast.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD † HYMN 435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
IN BABILONE
† 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 Blow Up the Trumpet in the New Moon
LEADING IN WORSHIP TODAY The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship Sally Songy, Lector Joanne Book-Coles, Liturgist Maddie Felix, soprano Courtney Gray, soprano Benjamin Krumerig, tenor
Douglas Wagner
FLOWER DEDICATION The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory for the life of Jerome and Honor Jane Van Nest by their children, Devona, Deanna, Halli and Russell Van Nest.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR Sunday, August 16 9:00 am- Café Conversations 10:00 am- Worship
Sunday, August 23 9:00 am- Café Conversations 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