Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church
Order of Worship
Sunday, July 19th 2026
8th Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
Welcome & Telling Our Story
GATHERING
Introit
Call to Worship
Come, people of God. The Lord granted us the role of stewards over Their creation. It is by God’s grace that we may achieve lasting peace and love to the world. Our God is faithful. God blesses us with work that has purpose, with relationships that bring joy, and with grace that sustains us each day. We do not gather this morning because we have all the answers. We gather because we belong to the One whose wisdom is greater than our own. Come, let us worship the Lord, trusting in God’s goodness, resting in God’s love, and rejoicing in the gifts God has placed before us. Let us worship God together. Amen.
Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth VU 226
- For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
- For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light, Refrain
- For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, Refrain
- For each perfect gift sublime
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven, Refrain
Gathering Prayer & Assurance of Grace
Gracious and loving God, you are the source of every good and perfect gift. You give us life, breath, purpose, and the people who walk beside us. Too often we convince ourselves that everything depends upon us. We work harder, worry longer, and strive endlessly, forgetting that you are the One who builds, sustains, and provides. Forgive us when we trust our own strength more than your faithfulness. Forgive us when anxiety steals our joy, or pride blinds us to your grace. Teach us again to receive each day as your gift, to work faithfully, to rest confidently, and to live with grateful hearts. Siblings in Christ may you hear the good news: God’s mercy is new every morning. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, restored, and invited into a life marked not by fear, but by trust. Receive this gift with thankful hearts and walk in the freedom of God’s grace. Amen.
Time for the Young & Young at Heart
Hymn Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet VU 245
- Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute;
praise the Lord with the gentle-sounding flute.
Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.
Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or
snow or in the morning light.
Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord on the highest hill,
praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.
- Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord with the pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.
Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.
Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord every moment,
nothing let our praise destroy.
Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way!
WORD
Prayer for Illumination
God of wisdom, quiet our hearts and open our minds as we hear your Word today. By your Holy Spirit, speak to us, shape us, and lead us into faithful living. Amen.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Scripture Reader: Sally Prendergast
Ecclesiastes 8:15-17
Psalm 127: 1-5
Response: This is the witness of the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Anthem
RESPONSE
Thanksgiving & Offering
The gifts we offer today are not given out of obligation, but in gratitude. As we present our offerings, we acknowledge that all we possess ultimately belongs to God, and we joyfully participate in God’s work of building lives, strengthening communities, and sharing hope with the world. Let us now offer our gifts with thankful hearts as sing our offertory hymn.
Offertory Song Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow VU 541
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known;
Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.
Offertory Prayer
Generous God, we thank you for providing all that we need and so much more. Receive these gifts we now offer as signs of our gratitude and trust. Continue to shape us into faithful stewards of every blessing you have entrusted to us. May our lives, as much as our offerings, reflect your generosity and grace. Amen.
Hymn Deep in Our Hearts MV 154
- Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling creation that we are one.
- Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
justice and peace in harmony.
- Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
deep in our hearts there is a common current,
flowing to freedom like a stream.
- Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling Creation that we are one.
Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer
Today we pause from the busyness of life to rest in your presence. We thank you for the countless ways you bless us each day—for meaningful work, for moments of laughter, for family and friends, for food on our tables, and for the quiet reminders that you are always with us. We confess that there are many things we do not understand. There are questions without easy answers, burdens we cannot explain, and circumstances beyond our control. Yet even when our understanding is limited, your wisdom remains perfect, and your love never fails. Today we pray for those carrying heavy burdens. Strengthen those who are weary. Comfort those who grieve. Bring healing to those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit. Grant courage to those facing uncertain decisions. Surround those who feel alone with your comforting presence.
We pray for families, that homes may be places of love, forgiveness, encouragement, and peace. Bless children and youth as they grow. Guide parents and grandparents with wisdom. Strengthen friendships and deepen our life together as your church. We pray for our community and the wider world. Give wisdom to leaders. Inspire those who work for justice and peace. Help us all to become people who reflect your compassion in our daily lives. We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together, saying: Our Father…
SENDING
Hymn Will You Come and Follow Me VU 567
- Will you come and follow me
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my voice be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown
in you and you in me?
- Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?
- Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean,
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?
- Will you love the “you” you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?
- Christ, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.
Sending Forth
As you leave this place, go trusting that the Lord is building what truly lasts. Go knowing that God’s wisdom is greater than your understanding. Go receiving each new day as a gift. Work faithfully. Rest confidently. Love generously. And rejoice in the blessings God places before you. Amen.
Sung Blessing Choral Amen VU 974
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Postlude
