Issuu

AUGUST 16, 2026 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Laborers in the Vineyard, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Original image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Original source: Flickr.

7 Vandeventer Ave., Princeton, NJ, 08542 609 924 2613 www.princetonumc.org

Pre-Service Music

THE CHURCH GATHERS Largo

Andrew Aryeetey, piano

G. F. Handel

Call to Worship We gather in abundance, away from the rush and the race, the push and the need. adapted from Debra McKnight How good it is to gather! We gather in abundance, away from the consumption that wastes and destroys. Because, we are created to be agents of change, not consumed but empowered, impassioned, and transformed. How good it is to gather to celebrate the gift of passion to work beyond titles and live beyond things. We gather because who you are is more than what you do. We gather because the productive class is not about numbers and brackets, but about God’s lifegiving dream where all have enough and each sacred heart goes to bed warm, beloved, and well fed. We gather to celebrate the Holy One who seeded abundance in each soul and urges us to be more.

Hymn

Christ, Be Our Light

Prayer of Confession

see insert

adapted from Steve Garnaas-Holmes

God of mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have sought life elsewhere when we should have turned to you. We have acted out of fear of scarcity, fearing for ourselves and holding onto things we should share. Forgive our sin and heal our fear. Start us anew: remade by your grace, hungry for you alone, and ready to receive and to share your love. silence for prayer

Words of Assurance

Hear the Good News! God's abundant grace goes before us, with us, and even after us in all things. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Thanks be to God. Alleluia, amen.

TO HEAR THE WORD AND REFLECT

Music Ministry

I Will Pray

Andrew Aryeetey, Raphael Aryeetey

SHARING IN WORSHIP TODAY Acolytes - Edie Potts, Roy Sun Liturgists - David Dreibelbis, Theresa Cann, Jazlyn Cruz Musicians - Julia Hanna Ushers - Ralph Newhall, David Bell, James Frisbee, Ulanda Frisbee

Tom Shelton

TODAY’S FLOWERS ARE GIVEN

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR COUNTRY'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Children's Time

Where Children Belong

TFWS #2233

Scripture Reading Matthew 20:1-16 (p.20) This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Sermon

Brooke Foster

TO RESPOND IN FAITH Hymn

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

UMH #121

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 Hymn

Stella del mattino

Einaudi

Doxology

UMH #94

Prayer of Thanksgiving

AND SCATTERS TO BE IN THE WORLD Hymn

Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service

UMH #581

Minuet in G Major

C. Petzold

Benediction Recessional Postlude

Raphael Aryeetey, piano

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayers for all giving and receiving hospice care. May strength, calm, compassion, and rest be available to them. Prayers for all those participating in ongoing diplomatic negotiations around peace. May all sides come together, transcend their differences, and seek to elevate human flourishing as the most crucial priority. Prayers for those dealing with extreme heat, wildfires, and drought this Summer.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE 2026

Please bring school supplies to church today, August 16th to provide a healthy and happy start to the school year for families in our community struggling with economic insecurity. Bins are located in the Sanford Davis Room.

NAMETAG ORDERS

If you are interested in ordering a nametag, please use this link to do so. For questions, please contact Tyler in the office at tyler@princetonumc.org.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

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.

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

CHURCH CALENDAR www.princetonumc.org/calendar