August 10, 2025

AUGUST 10, 2025 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST REV. KENDRA BALLIET ORGANIST JAMES ROSS JONATHAN HELMREICH - TROMBONE Prelude - Simple Gifts - Lloyd Conley (Jim Ross-piano, Jonathan Helmreich-trombone) Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Pastor: Beloved, we gather today as inheritors of faith in God’s salvific work, a faith handed down to us over generations that we claim and proclaim today in this community. People: By faith, we follow God’s call as we journey toward a better country. Pastor: By faith, our grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends shared God’s love with us, a love that longs to draw us all as members of the Body of Christ. People: By faith, we follow God’s call as we journey toward a better country. Pastor: By faith, we remember the story today, the story of God’s desire for all creation to be reconciled to God and one another. People: By faith, we follow God’s call as we journey toward a better country. Pastor: By faith, we carry the faith forward, building a community of belonging, provision, and care as we journey with God toward a better country. People: By faith, we gather to nourish and encourage one another on the journey toward a better country as we build God’s already-but-not-yet kingdom here and now. Amen. * Opening Hymn – “To God Be the Glory” #98 ** Prayer of Confession God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Jesus Christ, God of our mothers and fathers, you are a God who acts in history. Yet we confess that we are too busy with our own lives to perceive you at work in our time. We fall into fear and despair about our troubled world, as if you had no care for us. Forgive our lack of faith and help us to join you as you labor to bring new life on earth; in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. *Affirmation From Romans 8:35, 37-39 #887 *Glory Be to the Father #70 Children’s Chat Scripture – Hebrews 11:1-16 Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “Dear Children of God,” Message: “Desire a Better Country” Tithes and Offering Offertory - Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho - Bill Pierce (Jim Ross-piano, Jonathan Helmreich-trombone) *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – “Rock of Ages” #361 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer *Closing Hymn – “I Know Whom I Have Believed” #714 Action Steps and Benediction Postlude - Trumpet Fantasy - Craig Phillips The flowers on the altar this morning are given to the glory of God and in memory of my classmate Billy Baker by Joyce Minnis. Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, or share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [e-mail]