Sermons / DELAYED LIVE September 6, 2026 Grace United Methodist Dayton, OH

A storm knocked out our internet - we recorded it posted Sunday afternoon. September 6, 2026 Grace United Methodist Church Welcome and Announcements Centering Moment JoAnn Wagner, organ “O Day of Peace” Charles Callahan, arranger *Call to Worship As we gather this day, each of us brings something to worship – We bring the burdens of the week. We bring prayers of hope, and prayers of anguish. We bring our voices, and our offerings, and our questions. We bring our faith, tattered or whole as it may be. We bring all this to each other and to God, whom we worship today. *Opening Song Black Hymnal #2214 “Lead Me, Guide Me” Children’s Moment Pastor John Wagner Community Prayer God of surprises, break through the life of Grace Church and its people. Reveal to us new ways we can be faithful and fruitful, moving into the future You have in store. Almighty God, may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of Jesus this day and every day. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts the true bond of peace, and of all virtue. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal. We prayer in the name of that great sign of your love, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen Offering and Offertory Music Charis Weible, soloist “The Gift of Love” Hal Hopson, composer *Song of Praise Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Christ, all people here below. Praise Holy Spirit evermore. Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Pastoral Prayer Pastor John 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 and ever. Amen. Scripture Hope Grandy, teller Matthew 18:15-20 Special Music Charis Weible, soloist “How Great Thou Art” Martina McBride, arranger Message Pastor John “Our Tender Grapes” Prayer of Confession Red Hymnal # 893 Lord, we confess our day-to-day failure to be truly human. Lord, we confess to you. Lord, we confess that we often fail to love with all we have and are, often because we do not fully understand what loving means, often because we are afraid of risking ourselves. Lord, we confess to you. Lord, we cut ourselves off from each other and we erect barriers of division. Lord, we confess to you. Lord, we confess that by silence and ill-considered word. We have built up walls of prejudice. Lord, we confess that by selfishness and lack of sympathy. We have stifled generosity and left little time for others. Holy Spirit, speak to us. Help us to listen to your word of forgiveness. By your Grace we are a renewed people! Amen! Passing of the Peace Communion *Closing Song Black Hymnal #2223 “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love” Postlude JoAnn Wagner, organ “Concerto in A Minor” J. Denman Thompson, arranger Benediction Pastor John